In the almost 30 years I have lived in Zihuatanejo a beautiful port town in the southwestern state of Guerrero I have always been fascinated by a building known as the Parthenon Patterned after the Greek Acropolis Parthenon in Athens the Parthenon of Zihuatanejo is a ruined structure I was lured by friends to visit it several times sometimes able to enter without a guard in place but usually stopped by military personnel or a caretaker for a “fee,” would allow us to look around and the following is a combination of his notes and my research Built during the 1980s by Mexico City’s wickedly excessive Chief of Police Arturo Durazo Moreno (otherwise known as “El Negro” Durazo) the Parthenon is a testament to the corruption of the man It began when Durazo’s boyhood friend As one of Mexico’s most corrupt presidents López Portillo turned to loyal Durazo for his security and appointed him to be his chief of Police knowing that he had been under investigation in the US for almost a year for drug trafficking During Durazo’s six-year tenure (from 1976 to 1982) he turned the police force into a racketeering organization and built his empire of corruption He extorted money at every turn and lived a lavish lifestyle He made a fortune from the bribes paid by the rank-and-file police officers under his command and he used them as his construction labor force to build the Parthenon in Zihuatanejo “he used it as his own personal playhouse with extravagant parties fueled with drugs prostitutes and other sinful activities” Although Durazo was lauded for his work in lowering the crime rate in Mexico City and was even honored with a prestigious award in the Soviet Union for doing so his methods were discovered to be beyond brutal when the tortured bodies of 12 Colombians suspected of bank robbery turned up in a river ultimately revealing his elaborate pyramid scheme of bribes and payoffs with the arrival of a new presidential administration whose campaign theme was “Moral Renewal.”  After charging him in absentia with racketeering authorities tracked him down in Costa Rica in 1984 and brought him back to trial in Mexico Durazo was charged with a long range of offenses drug kickbacks and possession of illegal weapons He was given 25 years in prison; though he was released after less than eight in 1992 due to ill health and good conduct redeeming himself a bit by working with recovering alcoholics wrote a runaway bestseller in 1980 about his evil boss entitled “Lo Negro Del Durazo” Never allowing himself to be out-maneuvered Durazo won a defamation lawsuit against his former aide from behind prison bars A post shared by Tropifashion (@tropifashionmx) The restoration of Mexico’s version has been completely revitalized into a breathtakingly beautiful monument thanks to the former administration of mayor Jorge Sánchez Alec and the city of Zihuatanejo the Parthenon reflects its appearance in all its former glory The once-chained tigers and the disco used for wild parties are gone Statues and murals have been replaced and repainted and rooms that were once bedrooms complete with hanging beds will now be used as special events rooms according to Tourism Director Jesús Gallegos Galván There will be concerts and other cultural events but no private events such as weddings and no alcohol will be served General seating will hold up to 500 people There will be a small fee — 100 pesos for outside tourists 50 pesos for locals and free for handicapped and older adults There will also be a small café where you can purchase coffee and other beverages and relax you admire a view that is as spectacular as the bay of Zihuatanejo itself which happened recently on November 6 to much fanfare was presided over by Guerrero state Governor Evelyn Salgado Pineda and Zihuantanejo’s current mayor the first major cultural event of the year was held on November 29 of this year and is sure to set the stage for an exciting year ahead for other cultural events ADVERTISE WITH MND COMMUNITY GUIDELINES Subscription FAQ's Privacy Policy Mexico News Daily - Property of Tavana LLC Get our latest in-depth reporting straight to your inbox © 2021 The Texas Observer. 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Site made in collaboration with CMYK Food + Drink by | Mar 26 the executive chef and visionary behind Angustina Mezcal y Cocina in Zihuatanejo this was an opportunity to share a story through food His ability to weave ancestral techniques with contemporary flair has not only defined his culinary philosophy but also secured his place in the 2024 and 2025 Guía México Gastronómico (a prestigious guide celebrating Mexico’s top 250 restaurants) he worked at a demonstration table with practiced precision layering flavors that spoke of Ixtapa’s vibrant culture and culinary traditions the dishes for the guests were prepared by Lulu Catering and Events with the assistance of students from the Café Academy at Rancho Mirage High School the chef married rustic comfort with refined technique: The terrine rested atop a bed of earthy peasant lentils This paired with a citrusy Ni Muy Muy Tan Tan mezcal cocktail offering a playful and unexpected contrast to the hearty dish As the final notes drifted into the breeze and the last sip of mezcal lingered on the palate it was clear this brunch was more than a fleeting indulgence Pelayo had done what he does best — brought people together through food bridging communities with flavors that resonated long after the plates were cleared Serve in a rocks glass over ice with a watermelon garnish The Turner Broadcasting Corporation helped turn “The Shawshank Redemption” into an iconic film While the movie was nominated for Best Picture in 1994 You could seemingly watch “Shawshank” on some channel any given day of the week A lot of people consider it one of the best movies ever It used to be the highest-rated film on IMDb the dialogue is part of what helped it stand out Here are the most memorable quotes from “The Shawshank Redemption.” While “The Shawshank Redemption” is not a two-hander between Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman the characters of Andy and Red dominate on the memorable quote front or get busy dying” is arguably the most-quoted line from the film a bit of hard-earned cynicism from his own personal prison experience the kind that helped him on his journey to escaping from Shawshank Andy Dufresne is in prison for a murder he did not commit he uses his acumen with numbers to curry some favor by doing the books for the prison which is part of what inspired this line from Andy Red does a lot of narrating in “Shawshank Redemption,” which is what you do when you cast Morgan Freeman (in a role that in the book is a white Irish guy) Red is left to reflect on his complex emotions The prisoners are given a bit of entertainment some “high art” to try and teach them some culture He’s asked if he’s been “rehabilitated” and when he says he isn’t sure what that means the man running the parole hearing starts to define it This is part of a tete-a-tete about music between Andy and Red and Red says he used to play harmonica before he was in prison saying music makes more sense than ever in prison This is a phrase used commonly and not as a movie quote a quote from somebody who isn’t Andy or Red who calls the book “The Count of Monte Cristo” the “Count of Monte Crisco.” File that one under “Educational.” somber aside for the prisoners of Shawshank so much so that in his letter he is floored by there being cars everywhere Brooks is unable to make it on the outside unable to adjust to life and get his legs under him in a world without a place for this old crook It’s a little morbid to have these two quotes back-to-back but with Andy free and aware of all the criminality the warden has been involved with reasonably given the way the warden treated the prisoners It’s a joke in Shawshank that nobody is actually guilty It’s the town in Mexico that Andy dreams of This is what Andy says Mexicans say about the Pacific This is how he introduces himself to the new inmates Andy says this incredulously to the warden and probably introduced many people to the word “obtuse” in the process The warden effectively keeps Andy from getting a retrial that could have him released from prison Andy is more hopeful than many of the inmates at Shawshank it’s not surprising that Andy has to really go through some serious struggles and dark moments before he can rise toward triumph This memorable line helps elaborate on that what Andy has done in his escape from prison It’s a moment of triumph not just for Andy It is fitting that the final line is “I hope.” Red had once found hope to be a dangerous thing Chris Morgan is a Detroit-based culture writer who has somehow managed to justify getting his BA in Film Studies He has written about sports and entertainment across various internet platforms for years and is also the author of three books about '90s television customized to your favorite sports and teams This year, Dallas named Mag Gabbert as the city’s second poet laureate. Gabbert will serve two years in the position and follows Dallas’ inaugural poet laureate, Joaquín Zihuatanejo While the Dallas poet laureate position has been around since 2022 some North Texans might be wondering what it means to be a poet laureate A poet laureate is a person chosen by a governing body or organization for what they’ve achieved in poetry They may be tasked with a number of responsibilities engaging the public in poetry and attending community events Are there different types of poet laureates?  there are poet laureates who are appointed by cities and states The most well-known designation is the U.S who is selected by the Librarian of Congress for a one- or two-year term The national designation is one of the highest honors in the literary arts Who are some notable poet laureates and what contributions have they made?  is the first Native American to take on the role and is a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Harjo’s poetry often references themes of feminism She’s won a Guggenheim Fellowship and Ruth Lilly Prize for Lifetime Achievement from the Poetry Foundation Genny Lim is San Francisco’s first Chinese American poet laureate and was inaugurated this year activist and performer is a native of San Francisco and author of a number of poetry collections including Paper Gods and Rebels (2013) and Child of War (2003) Her award-winning play Paper Angels follows the story of Chinese immigrants detained on Angel Island Glenis Redmond is the first poet laureate of Greenville teacher and poet is a Kennedy Center Teaching Artist and has published six books of poetry including Under the Sun (2002.) She has received South Carolina’s Governor’s Award and was inducted into the South Carolina Academy of Authors Amanda Gorman was named the inaugural National Youth Poet Laureate in 2017 and performed at the 2021 presidential inauguration She was selected by President Joe Biden to read the poem “The Hill We Climb” and was the first poet to read at the Super Bowl Dallas is one of many cities who has a poet laureate a professor at SMU and poet who will serve until 2026 Gabbert is the author of Sex Depression Animals and her work can be found in The American Poetry Review The first poet laureate was Joaquín Zihuatanejo who recently published a collection of short poems and essays called Occupy Whiteness Arts Access is an arts journalism collaboration powered by The Dallas Morning News and KERA This community-funded journalism initiative is funded by the Better Together Fund Jennifer & Peter Altabef and The Meadows Foundation The News and KERA retain full editorial control of Arts Access’ journalism Sailing into the sunset is appealing to many people and is often on the must-do list of adventures to experience while in Mexico The Picante — a Fountaine Pajot Tahiti to those in the know — is a 75-foot sailing catamaran with a mast height over the water of over 100′ Built specifically for the day charter business it is the perfect choice for the adventurous sea lover It all began when the late Captain Tony Piazza and his wife Claire came to Zihuatanejo at the urgings of Apple Vacations with whom they had a business arrangement to sail charters in Cancun from 1985 The tour company assured them that this part of Mexico was the place to be Their first boat in Zihuatanejo was The Tristar they made an agreement with the owners of another boat and the Piazzas searched for another boat to continue which Piazza and three partners bought in the Caribbean in 2004 sailing through the Panama Canal to Zihuatanejo With the passing of Tony Piazza in April 2023 Claire was in the unenviable position of deciding whether to continue with the business Luckily for the thousands of tourists and locals alike when we met on the pier across the bay from the main beach where the boat docks You can see it nearly everywhere on Playa Municipal with a mixture of foreigners and Mexican tourists One young woman was celebrating her birthday with a fairly large group of friends and there were a couple of local families I recognized as well he went over the customary safety guidelines I chose to sit on the comfortable net where I could be on the lookout for sea life Rios pointed out Bara de Potosi and the white Islands of Potosi — white because of bird poop — and spoke about the bird-watching sanctuary located there and began an interesting narrative starting from the rim of the bay at the Faro Viaje As the high investment in Punta Garrobo’s development came into view he mentioned the infamous Kau Kan Restaurant which had moved there from Ixtapa a few years ago The Picante headed west now towards Ixtapa passing by a beautiful beach known as Playa Majahua and the Caves of the Majahua “It’s too risky and we could get sucked into the rocks.” The sun began a slow but spectacular descent to the music of Andres Botticelli’s “Perfect Symphony.” As the rays dipped below the horizon to appreciative cheers from everyone aboard the energetic and very entertaining staff sprang into action offering a meal service consisting of a light dinner of chicken along with an open bar serving a variety of drinks The Picante quickly turned inside the Bay of Ixtapa and headed straight to the islands and Cormorants swooped in and around Torrecillas Island and where we were able to witness the phenomenon of one of two blow holes in Mexico (a blow hole is formed as sea caves grow landward and upward into a vertical shaft which can result in hydraulic compression of seawater that then releases through a port from the top of the blowhole) the ever-changing music changed to upbeat Latin pop and requisite tequila bottles the crew was pouring tequila straight from the bottle into the open mouths of willing participants and encouraged by onlookers to chant the costumes donned by the staff and the tequila all added to the festive atmosphere of the cruise “We want to make sure you have a great time on The Picante we want to make sure it is a special experience for you.” In addition to the breathtaking sunset tours The Picante also offers snorkelling and whale-watching tours you can try their Spinnaker Flying Adventure a unique experience where you get into a harness connected to an A-line and the spinnaker fills up with wind and pulls you up about 25 to 30 feet high you shimmy to the end of the line to a waiting crew in the water below It’s an adventure that’s sure to get your heart racing The Picante offers several other options of interest is perfect for private charters for weddings “It has been used by the city of Zihuatanejo for promotional events and even rented by people spreading the ashes of loved ones.” said Piazza “We participate in two of the city’s known charity events as well the annual Sailfest and Guitarfest held annually in Zihuatanejo in the months of February and March respectively.” Information on the sunset cruise, as well as everything else they offer, can be found on their website The writer divides her time between Canada and Zihuatanejo and music plays a large part in the celebrations throughout the candlelit evening In addition to holding onto traditional celebrations appear more commercial than I have witnessed over the past 30 years living at least part-time in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo What used to be more about honouring the dead while visiting the graves of loved ones has now included three and four day celebrations the gravesite gatherings are certainly prevalent and mostly away from foreign visitors’ eyes but Dia de Muertos has become more full-blown over the years and the lines between Halloween and the traditional Mexican ceremonies of remembrance have become blurred I have noticed the prevalence of huge numbers of trick-or-treaters that swarm what was once a small village in Zihuatanejo Seeing these adorable children dressed as little goblins and last year’s most popular character has become the highlight of the year for my friends and me We park ourselves outside the Barracuda Bar and hand out goodies and take photos — which everyone happily poses for The festivities begin with the unveiling of a giant Catrina on October 31 at 6:30 pm at a major landmark in Zihuatanejo known as Plaza Kioto named after one of Zihuantanejo’s sister cities the location of all of Zihuantanejo’s most memorable activities located downtown on the shores of Zihuatanejo Bay they can enjoy an exhibition and taste traditional pan de muerto and other tasty treats from local bakeries and Restaurante Carnivac Following is a lighted parade of boats in the bay of Zihuatanejo known as the Desfile de la Lanchas Illuminadas there will be a host of activities and celebrations in Zihuatanejo and nearby Ixtapa a popular area not far from Centro Zihuatanejo and famous for its many restaurants and boutique hotels you can dine and dance in the streets a mere few steps from Playa Madera the fun continues with the “Pasarela de Textile — Catrinas de mi tierra” fashion show which is held in the Commercial Zone of the resort area There is also an Exhibition de Ofrendos (El Lugar de los Muertos which means the place of the dead) at several restaurants The traditional Day of the Dead altars can also be viewed and admired by visiting the many hotels along the main strip The Parade of the Catrinas on November 2 is an event not to be missed as the costumes are elaborate and breathtaking It starts at Plaza Kioto at 7:30 pm and winds through the town streets including the length of Cinco de Mayo to the Cancha Municipal People line the streets for glimpses of the magical parade and can often take photos with their favourite Catrinas at the end of the line On November 3, everything wraps up with the Concurso de Catrinas de Zihuatanejo another spectacular event as the participants are judged and crowned when I have no doubt that plans are already in place to top this year’s festivities The writer divides her time between Canada and Zihuatanejo Chef Christian Plumail was just 20 years old when he opened his first restaurant in Juan-les-Pins well-rounded education at the Nice cooking school with very little money and a lot of determination The success of his first venture started a lifelong career as Plumail opened his 2nd restaurant which he operated for 3 years in Sait-Paul-de-Vence France and where he earned his 2nd Michelin Star Plumail opened his 3rd restaurant in Nice and ran it for 25 years the accolades did not end when Plumail also scooped the prestigious Pastry award in 1978 Plumail’s star rose quickly from the opening of his first venture gaining an exclusive A-lister clientele such as Duran Duran Sir Elton John and King Frederik of Denmark he caught the eye of none other than the Prince Of Monaco the Royal Prince enticed him to be the chef at Monaco’s prestigious yacht club He only agreed when promised it would be only for 3 days Little did he know that those 3 days would become a week After years of struggle and humble beginnings Unlimited money when before money was always limited Plumail sold his restaurant and began traveling and cooking all over the world “Some of my students have become very successful,” he said with pride Mexico and was the first person to teach cooking classes for Alliance Française a global network of schools promoting the French language through cultural and educational activities Una publicación compartida por Christian-plumail (@christian_plumail) Plumail and his wife were instantly captivated by the allure of Zihuatanejo Their love for the area was so profound that they decided to make it their permanent home “I knew I could not just sit here and do nothing — I had to do something.” That something was the purchase of a small 9-room boutique hotel in July of this year you will be greeted with a breathtaking view of Zihuatanejo Bay and the sheer spaciousness of the interior This continued throughout the entire property from the foyer to the dining area and pool below Each of the nine rooms boasting the same spectacular views was individually decorated and named with their door plaques which includes a sitting area and kitchen facilities so you can cook for yourselves or enjoy the luxury of Plumail as your private chef Una publicación compartida por Christian-plumail (@christian_plumail) which Plumail says should be operational in about a month include hosting special events for up to 20 people at a time “These would be special and with fine attention to every detail personal time with people is important to create an experience for our guests.” His future plans also include cooking classes for four to eight people in an intimate setting The class will consist of a trip to the market during which Plumail will guide you in choosing the freshest ingredients you will return to the villa and cook together “I want everyone to be working and active in the class and not just watching me cook,” he says of the small class size Plumail is organizing and hosting high-end brunches I soon learned of his second passion in life – running That “exercise” is three Ironman competitions — two in France, one in Germany, and over twenty marathons worldwide. Last year, he climbed Pico de Orizaba, Mexico’s highest mountain, at 5,600 meters. Next year Plumail plans to climb the Aconcagua in Argentina Through it all, Plumail confessed his love of passing on his knowledge to others, often for free, such as a class at the nearby Universidad Tecnológica de la Costa Grande de Guerrero “I love to teach and I know what it’s like to have little money to learn and study you are an apprentice.” Although Plumail hesitated to talk about his philanthropy and charity work teaching budding chefs Writer Elizabeth Ashe divides her time between Canada and Zihuatanejo The reasons foreigners embark on a new chapter in Mexico are as diverse as the constellations in the sky The intriguing tale of Carol and Doug Romain is a testament to this as they embarked on a journey filled with new experiences and unexpected turns The Romains lived for many years in British Columbia an integrated special needs center that offered children before- and after-school care her husband Doug worked in the marketing division for MacMillan Bloedel Carol joined him for Christmas and said she nearly froze to death It was also in Durango where they experienced their first taste of what life would be like in Mexico as an expat it was also here that Doug learned how easy it was to help people in his position; he came across a benefit for the company’s employees which allowed them to upgrade their education for free “The problem was that no one knew about it until Doug came along as the manager spoke only English.” However the position only lasted three months when the parent company It was during a casual conversation with one of Doug’s clients that the Romains first heard about the beachside paradise of Zihuatanejo who owned a vacation home in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo spoke so passionately about the area that the Romains were intrigued they decided to explore Zihuatanejo as a potential new home They purchased a motor home and set off on a journey that would lead them to this charming coastal town “We checked out everything from San Carlos to Mazatlán Barra de Navidad and Manzanillo before finally landing in Zihuatanejo on January 3 everything we needed and nothing we didn’t plenty to do and a great mix of expats and locals It was like having an instant family when we arrived.” After several attempts to contact someone in the organization bestowed the title of “Donations Chairman” during a fly-by the encounter “in a grocery store no less,” Carol said She became the Sailfest Chairperson a year later Carol’s dedication to her community did not go unnoticed she was awarded the prestigious Immigrant of the Year status for Guerrero state a testament to her commitment and the impact of her work Carol took on a new role as the administrator of Por Los Niños a position she held until a few years ago when she became the organization’s president Her leadership was instrumental in overseeing important fundraisers which significantly increased the organization’s annual funds Her dedication and hard work have been truly inspiring raising from approximately 70,000 pesos a year in its inception to an unprecedented six million in 2023 combined with the support of the local mayor had a transformative effect on the community The mayor’s donation of 50% of the construction cost needed to build schools was a significant boost to their fundraising efforts fully entrenched in the lifestyle and culture Carol felt it was important to change her immigration status from permanent resident to full-on citizen Carol’s remarkable contributions were recognized when she was awarded the prestigious Woman Of The Year title for the city of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo This accolade is a testament to the positive impact she has made in her community When asked if there were any challenges or anything she didn’t like about living in her adopted country I came here and embraced the culture and even learned to accept their tardiness I love everything about living in Mexico.” Although lying on a beach soaking up the sun and drinking margaritas can appeal to some boredom can quickly set in if you’re not engaging in activities and fishing are most popular when it comes to water adventure December through the end of March are the prime months for catching sight of one of the largest mammals in the world which come to the region’s lagoons to birth their calves you may even witness a live birth on an excursion the most commonly sighted whale is the humpback whale I searched for a reputable company to guide me There are many options for whale-watching tours in and around this coastal town, including those in Barra De Potosi, 30 minutes away. A total of 60 certified whale operators in the area belong to an organization called Whales Of Guerrero These operators are highly trained and knowledgeable in the whale-watching tour industry many independent tours often lack the correct permits or training to join this important organization They are usually referred to as “pirates” by those who are I urge everyone to do their homework when choosing a whale-watching tour; if in doubt check out the Whales of Guerrero website to obtain a list of certified guides that comply with the strict laws of conduct required when whale-watching I ultimately selected a tour with The Zihuatanejo Dive Center located across from the pier in downtown Zihuatanejo The centre is owned and operated by Luis Manuel Pelayo The couple has been hosting whale tours on their dive boat for seven years and has garnered an excellent reputation for safety They are also a part of Whales Of Guerrero You can choose morning or afternoon tours for 1,200 pesos we set out from the pier on Playa Municipal in downtown Zihuatanejo Along for the ride was volunteer Jennifer Wilson-Salazar owner of Kaleidoscope Tours and Canadian native who married a local three years ago in what I can only describe as romantic fate Salazar and Poto imparted tidbits of interesting whale facts as we glided smoothly across the ocean given that I knew next to nothing about these magnificent creatures I learned that female whales mate with several whales simultaneously I also learned that whales weigh five tons at birth and can grow up to 40 tons and live from 80 to 90 years Humpback whales travel great distances from Alaska and Canada to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo to birth their young which they love,” Wilson-Salazar told me The waters were extremely calm on the morning we set out which Poto told us was ideal for whale watching we glimpsed luxurious villas and homes perched on rocky hillsides to the right and left of us We passed notable beaches La Ropa and Madera well known for their excellent swimming and extensive choice of restaurants a seafood lover delight and popular reefs that boasts excellent snorkelling off its shores Our guides informed us we would be going towards Barra De Potosi which he said was the area where we would more likely catch sight of whales although rare sightings can also occur inside Zihua Bay itself this area is also known for tours operated by other members of Whales of Guerero who are highly trained and certified in the do’s and don’ts of whale watching Poto explained some of the specific rules they must adhere to when they go whale watching including keeping a safe distance from the whales Other regulations are that a maximum of four boats can be present when a whale is spotted in the vicinity while others remain in a queue a respectful distance away the boats must depart to allow others to take their turn we must not separate the mother from their offspring as is permitted in northern parts of Mexico.”  spotted boats in the distance and a distinct spray in the air Chava idled the engine while Poto lowered a waterproof microphone into the water the air filled with hauntingly beautiful whale songs we watched the backs of a mother whale and her offspring appear several times before diving out of sight Poto said they might stay submerged for ten to 40 minutes we reclaimed the microphone and set off again catching glimpses but never seeing whales breaching as we had hoped for so you must be prepared for it or choose to go out another time I still found it thrilling to be in such close vicinity to the whales listening to their songs from above their watery depths around the bend from the bay of Zihuatanejo It was a delightful end to a beautiful morning swimming in pristine clear waters among many species of tropical fish and marine life before heading home Thompson Zihuatanejo a beach resort by Hyatt located in Mexico's idyllic La Playa Ropa announces the appointment of Larry Tsoumas as the new Director of Sales & Marketing With over 25 years in five-star world-class luxury markets Tsoumas returns to the Hyatt corporation where he will drive hotel performance and commercial strategy through marketing Tsoumas brings an extensive background in brand innovation and sales leadership Tsoumas has held director-level positions in sales and marketing across several top hotels and hospitality groups including Kerzner International and the One & Only Palmilla in Los Cabos he worked as Director of Sales and Marketing at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville where he oversaw all aspects of hotel sales and marketing strategies in order to maximize revenue opportunities and property goals presenting the hotel as a leader in the industry Tsoumas's success in delivering specific and practical solutions while inspiring a culture of engagement has resulted in revenue increases In a privileged setting next to Playa Blanca, in the Mexican town of Zihuatanejo, the Lyons Complex designed by CAAM + Arquitectos emerges from nature as a connecting element between architecture and nature the boundaries between humans and nature fade away creating a refuge where one can experience a deep connection with nature The project emerges as a true space of emotional and spiritual transformation from which to live a sensory experience in an environment that invites calm and reflection The project developed by CAAM + Arquitectos is arranged around a central axis marked by a pergola which acts as a guiding thread and distributes the spaces in a light and natural way Marked by the backdrop of the coastal environment the route through the interior of the house takes users through different gardens sculptures and spaces in a delicate play of volumes As a reflection of the symbiosis between natural environment and architecture that the project represents the characteristic warm colours that show the sunsets of the place blend harmoniously with the reddish tones typical of the regional tradition and the solid concrete walls that shape the project Project description by CAAM + Arquitectos conceived as a serene vacation retreat in an exceptional location in Mexico and the world which led to a distinctive design that integrates comfort and well-being in harmony with its natural surroundings This project is presented as a family retreat where architecture blends seamlessly with nature “The house is the garden and the garden is the house,” encapsulates the essence of this design The house is organized around a central pergola axis that acts as a guiding thread distributing spaces in a light and natural manner creating a delicate interplay between the appearance and disappearance of the elements the interior and exterior spaces integrate organically The house features four bedrooms: three of which are sleeping quarters while a pool provides privileged views of the ocean reinforcing the connection between inside and outside Every corner is carefully crafted to maximize the sensory experience of the visitors creating an environment that invites calm and reflection The second phase of the project includes a meditation garden This area includes two guest bedrooms and a multifunctional lounge as well as an impressive meditation pavilion and light to naturally flow into the space the swim lane that connects to the pool dissolves the boundaries between interior and exterior offering a unique immersive experience in nature The Lyons Complex is not just a physical retreat but a true space for emotional and spiritual transformation visitors find themselves enveloped in an environment that fosters rest Every corner of the place invites introspection and the activities offered—from meditation practices to contemplative moments—contribute to the overall well-being of the individual the boundaries between human and nature fade creating a space that is both a refuge and a place for meaningful experiences It not only meets the needs of its visitors but also provides tools for reconnecting with their essence and the world around them this sanctuary becomes an essential destination for those seeking an emotional escape and a continuous discovery between nature CAAM + Arquitectos (formerly Co-Lateral) Interior design.- Laboratorio de Interiorismo y Apropiación (LIA) with Pamela Basañez Claudio Napolitano. Architecture practice that previously worked under the name Co-Lateral founded and directed by Camilo Moreno Oliveros and based in Mexico City Archive Architecture ShareSaveCommentLifestyleTravelA Mexico Getaway That’s The Stuff Of DreamsByRebecca Deurlein Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights Rebecca Deurlein is an award-winning travel writer.Follow AuthorJun 19 08:00am EDTShareSaveCommentPanoramic view of the bay More Charles/AGF/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Remember in Shawshank Redemption when Tim Robbins talked about his fantasy of escaping to Zihuatanejo this hamlet in southern Mexico has been known as the town Morgan Freeman couldn’t pronounce but still would have been happy to run off to It turns out that the real Zihuatanejo is within reach and is even better than the fantasy and brimming with some truly outstanding food And unlike its heavily tourist-filled counterparts in Cancun Zihuatanejo still feels like an authentic Mexican small town fly directly into Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport it’s a 19-minute drive to the center of town and hub of activity If you prefer to head directly to the beach Public taxis are not allowed on airport grounds; instead find the taxis labeled Transporte Terrestre just outside Arrivals A private taxi will run you about $32 into town check with your hotel – many offer airport shuttles as part of your stay The open-air lobby of Thompson Zihuatanejo Do you want to be part of the action or are you looking to sip margaritas beachside this luxurious but unstuffy resort offers a little something for everyone You can choose a private lagoon suite with its own plunge pool a swim-up suite where you can take a refreshing dip right off your patio or a garden suite that feels like you are in the middle of a jungle Each swim-up suite offers an outdoor shower in that jungle The Thompson’s food is so good and so diverse that if you never left the resort you’d stay a week before duplicating a meal Special events like beach barbecues take it to the next level with freshly caught snapper grilled in banana leaves and the most succulent lobster tails you’ll ever taste There’s live music on the beach each night and dangling lights that reflect off the waves If you prefer your own place a bit away from it all, rent designer Betsey Johnson’s Airbnb. Betseyvilla is a 4-bedroom estate that can house your family color Johnson is known for make this stay entirely unique an on-call kitchen staff that can whip you up a gourmet dinner Mexico Guerrero Zihuatanejo View along the shoreline of Playa la Ropa lined with palm trees (Photo by: Eye Ubiquitous/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) The beach also offers endless activities – volleyball you’ll be entertained by the fishermen collecting clams and oysters to take home for dinner Beach Playa Principal in Zihuatanejo harbour where you’ll see sea turtles and manta rays and one of the best vantage points is on a kayak on the lagoon but they make a beautiful backdrop from your seat in the saddle Or delve into history at La Chole archeological site Much mystery surrounds this estimated 3,000-year-old site that is still being excavated Visit the pyramid here that was likely a ceremonial site and the museum that explores the history that is emerging as more of the structure is uncovered but people-watching in this fishing village is entertainment enough Travel tip: Bringing home a wet swimsuit, smelly workout clothes, and dirty laundry? Slip everything into a Stnky Bag a new washable sports bag that keeps dirties away from clean In 1995, Canadian Nick Dubeski took a bus to Mexico on the first of three occasions and instantly fell in love with the country. On one of his visits to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo under a palm tree on a beach on a star-studded night and decided to stay indefinitely It was a love story that unfolded under the Mexican stars I vividly remember watching Nick and Nancy’s romance blossom from the beginning they still celebrate their anniversary on the 23rd of every month planned to run the prestigious 1999 42.2 km marathon in Athens Dubeski decided to train and enter alongside her for the very first time Dubeski has completed 40 marathons while Nancy retired from competitive running due to knee issues he made a bold decision to switch to half marathons a testament to his perseverance and dedication to the sport Dubeski had to find an alternative way to keep up his momentum he meticulously logged every time and distance he had ever run His record-keeping would work to his advantage because it was then that he learned about the virtual marathon movement and it was during this time that he decided to set a goal for himself “I already knew that I had run 35,000 km and so I began to research what landmark I could run to I realized that running to the sun would be impossible but I saw that I only had 5,075 km left to go to completely run around the equator.” but running around the equator takes stamina and perseverance and is not for the faint-hearted Despite this sheer toll on his body and the dedication and discipline it would take to accomplish such a feat — Dubeski completed what he set out to do four years ago and ran around the equator and supporters at Deborah’s restaurant in Ixtapa When asked how it felt to run around the middle of the world “It feels wonderful to complete what I set out to do.” So what’s next “Well I figure that I have only 10,190 kms left to run to the moon,” Nick says I anticipate I’ll be 77 or 78 years old by that time Elisabeth Ashe is a Canadian who has lived and worked in Mexico for many years A Los Angeles-based art collector and high-end event organizer for brands like Armani and The Getty has teamed up with one of Mexico's top architects to create an eight-bedroom wellness sanctuary in Zihuatanejo. The new ZihFit is now open for select groups of up to 16 persons at set monthly retreats. Retreats run six nights and explore traditional medicine, locavore cuisine from its on-site nutritionist and exercise regimens from L.A.-based fitness programmer Eduardo Penteado.  The property, Casa Fiesta, spans 20,000 square feet and has its own private beach club, Playa Fiesta. Rates for the retreats start at $7,000 per person and includes all meals; daily massage, yoga and other activities; laundry; and round-trip airport transfers.  MexicoChevron ZihuatanejoChevron This interview is part of The World Made Local a global collaboration between the seven international editions of Condé Nast Traveler in which 100 people in 100 countries tell us why their home turf should be your next destination How would you describe Mexico in your own words There are so many great adjectives that come to mind. Mexico is resilient This is a proud country with a rich history It’s one of my favorite places in town—I probably go twice a week for sunset margaritas and dinner; they have the best fish tacos in town I always recommend driving 25 minutes north of Zihuatanejo to the tiny village of Saladita and taking a surf lesson There’s a really nice long wave there—it’s a perfect place for beginners And what are some all-time-favorite spots? up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world GuerreroChevron This swathe of the state is slammed up against the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains with cliffs and ravines blanketed by mangrove None of this is conducive to the type of sprawling hotels you find in flatter spots of the country is especially hemmed in by nature—by the scooped-out bay to the west with its sliver of silt-fine beach and palm trees covered in magenta and egg-yolk-yellow bougainvillea and the thatched-roof private homes that do exist are daringly set on dramatic inclines This is not to say that Zihuatanejo has stayed away from the babble The historical cobblestoned streets downtown are lined with restaurants and a scattering of shops catering to gringos looking to bring back a bottle of tequila or a bright woven serape There’s also a bustling central market hawking everything from freshly plucked chickens to socks; for every bar announcing a happy-hour special there’s a lunch cart selling steamed tamales that signposts everyday life in a way not seen in Mayakoba or Playa del Carmen this world caught between vacations and real life that attracted Hollywood actors and musicians who wanted sun and sea minus the scene of Acapulco or Puerto Vallarta and Keith Richards all found their way to Zihuatanejo and for two trippy summers in the early 1960s Timothy Leary took over the Hotel Catalina and set up a psychedelic training center where students THIS WORLD CAUGHT BETWEEN VACATIONS AND REAL LIFE THAT ATTRACTED HOLLYWOOD ACTORS AND MUSICIANS WHO WANTED SUN AND SEA MINUS THE SCENE but recently the town has started to attract a groovier type of traveler again—surfers want the amazing beaches without the self-consciousness of Sayulita or Tulum It was this slowed-down pace and total lack of pretension—the fact that you could share a ridiculously long left-peeling wave with local surfers without the hooting found at breaks that have been taken over by visitors—that initially brought me here days here still unfold refreshingly slowly No-frills panga boats push out before sunrise followed by the sport fishers at first light leaving the calm of silver-pink Zihuatanejo Bay for deeper darker waters in the hope of landing marlin Soon the smell of woodsmoke and coffee and the aroma of onions and serrano peppers frying in vegetable oil fill the air squeezed onto busy Calle Heróico Colegio Militar There are wizened matriarchs dressed for the occasion Longtime repeat visitors are joined by travelers who had the good fortune to wander in for the first time not knowing they’d discovered the town’s only breakfast institution Carmelita herself is effortlessly convivial with one of those unlined faces that makes it impossible to guess her age (40 She democratically greets everyone and cranks out plate after plate of huevos a la pasilla (fried eggs in tortilla cups with refried beans and plantains smothered in a tangy pasilla-chile sauce) while remaining perfectly coiffed remains largely run by Mexicans for Mexicans The best way to take the pulse of a Mexican town is to head to its central market—the earlier in the day a total sensory overload: labyrinthine rows of stalls showcasing fire-orange mangoes and prickly pears piled into high towers; tables of just-picked herbs with their roots attached; stands selling dried beans But then there’s the yeasty scent of fresh-baked bread and a whiff of cinnamon and everyone abandons whatever they strolled in here for in pursuit of pan dulce there’s also a run on pork and molar-size kernels of dried corn a time-honored ritual that all but shuts the town down from 2 p.m as locals gather in pozolerías and at home to slurp up the intensely savory pork soup punctuated with pumpkin seeds and the hard-to-define hoja santa—a staple in Mexican cooking that tastes like minty licorice Those not taking soup seriously on a Thursday afternoon are at the beach Playa Las Gatas is the most remote of Zihua’s four reachable from town by a short boat ride or a sweaty 30-minute hike along a rocky trail that dead-ends at a shrine to the Virgin Mary of Guadalupe The beach itself is a slip of white sand around a cyan lagoon made for dozing while floating on your back The best move is to order a beer and rent a snorkel at the last palapa then walk south along a barely visible footpath passing only the occasional iguana sunning itself along the way It’s empty except for the crumbling remains of a nature center that Owen Lee a naturalist and cameraman to Jacques Cousteau plus some deserted fishing cabanas that are gradually being consumed by the jungle It’s heaven to throw a beach towel down on one of the sandy patches and read for a few hours getting up every so often to move under the shade of a coconut palm or to see if that shadow on the horizon was a humpback whale A RITUAL THAT SHUTS DOWN THE TOWN FROM 2 P.M “So we decided to change the story.” An airy three-level lofted building Loot is colossal in this town of tiny spaces (six-room hotels its bright floor-to-ceiling Pop art mural a modern urban jolt in a place awash with folk crafts and Mexicana it seems that Loot is successfully rewriting Zihua’s narrative Since the multifunctional space was opened become involved in architecture and design and started hosting events such as Mexi Log an annual weeklong surf competition and music festival in La Saladita That is also where Loot took over long-standing beachfront Lourdes Bar and Grill hippifying the interior and bringing in a wood-burning pizza oven it opened La Casa MX in Zihua as a six-room bed-and-breakfast for visiting surfers and artists that is now a minimal modern boutique hotel with whitewashed walls With 12 additional beaches receiving Blue Flag certifications this 2024-2025 season, Mexico will have the largest number of Blue Flag beaches in the Americas — and rank 10th worldwide According to Tourism Minister Miguel Torruco Marqués 40 sustainable tourism boats and two marinas awarded the Blue Flag distinction Torruco stated that “Mexico’s beautiful beaches” continue to be one of the country’s main draws for tourism from around the world “This is why we must care for and preserve them always under a responsible and sustainable vision,” he added The international Blue Flag program promotes sustainable development in freshwater and marine areas by incentivizing local authorities and beach operators to achieve high standards in the four criteria required by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE): water quality Torruco said that his office continues to promote the Blue Flag program as it helps to raise awareness among tourists and residents about the relevance of ecosystems It also helps fulfill the current administration’s goal to position Mexico as a “green destination,” he said Torruco also recognized the outstanding work of the FEE’s branch in Mexico which has ensured compliance with the established standards to maintain excellent beaches The Blue Flag award is earned on a yearly basis meaning that if a Blue Flag beach does not maintain the required criteria For the full list of Mexico’s Blue Flag beaches in 2024, see Blue Flag México’s press release here An adventure-loving mother finds halcyon days with her children in unexpected places Marissa Hermer is a Los Angeles-based entrepreneur and restauranteur behind Boujis Group (The Draycott and Olivetta) Videos of a crocodile wading in the surf and swimming near a beach in Ixtapa prompting local officials to issue a crocodile warning The videos were taken Wednesday at El Palmar Beach in Ixtapa’s main hotel zone, about 3 kilometers away from where an animal attack just off the shore killed one person and severely injured another two weeks earlier Authorities in the resort area of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo responded to the videos by warning about the presence of crocodiles who live in the area’s mangrove swamps and lagoons there is a small wildlife/crocodile reserve located near Quieta Beach where a Belgian tourist staying at the adjacent Club Med Ixtapa Pacific resort was killed Dec The type of animal that killed him has yet to be specified by local officials according to the husband of the woman who was severely injured in another attack moments later In a detailed email sent to Mexico News Daily that included grisly photos of his wife’s injuries Mark Maerowitz of California said he wanted to “put an end to what seems to be an effort to obscure the truth in favor of preserving revenue.” a nurse practitioner at the Veterans Administration in Los Angeles and estimated the shark’s size to be at least two meters.” The shark’s “razor-sharp teeth” cut through his “wife’s skin like a scalpel and you can see the radius of the bite,” he added noting that “this information was given to multiple emergency personnel.” which are often seen in this area of Guerrero The specimen Wednesday was reported to be 3 meters in length The municipality’s Ecology Department issued a six-point list of “General Recommendations for Crocodile Sightings.” One of them is to maintain a body-length distance from the crocodile “Do not approach or stay close if you notice the presence of a crocodile,” the warning states move calmly toward deeper water and leave the area.” It also warns to avoid “risky hours” at night or very early morning do not sleep or nap on beaches in crocodile areas and mind your pets was bitten — “which severed the femoral artery” in one of his legs “and by the time they dragged him to shore he had already died,” Maerowitz wrote — Quieta Beach in Ixtapa’s secondary hotel zone was closed for a few days but then reopened for the holiday period Zihuatanejo Mayor Jorge Sánchez Allec said an analysis would be conducted to determine if it was a shark or crocodile With reports from El Universal and EFE One of my favorite things to do each year during my last weeks in Zihuatanejo is to upgrade my accommodation Indulging in a little more luxury is a guilty pleasure as many of the rentals here include a pool and maid service I time my reservations for after Semana Santa and when crowds are long gone to get better prices I can be assured of some solitude and blissful quiet — perfect for gearing up to Canada’s busier lifestyle and for staying within my budget mentioned they had purchased an Airbnb in 2019 on La Ropa beach I knew of the place through my acquaintance with the former owners a well-known photographer and the late Joe LoGiudice a trained architect and former Soho art dealer I’d never had the pleasure of experiencing it Villa Casa Luna has a history of having housed many celebrities including musician Keith Richards and activist Abbie Hoffman Numerous other artists — like Jose Luis Cuevas and Pop Art icon Larry Rivers — and actors like Lauren Hutton and Janet “Viva” Hoffman were also frequent visitors to the area From the moment the red electric gates opened I felt as if I were stepping into a secret garden A maze of lush vegetation and bamboo trees dotted the path to a cottage tucked in the corner of the property I could see the main house to the right of me nearly hidden by foliage — precisely the peace and I envisioned hours of napping and reading in the cool shade of the tiled roof Steps away from the cottage and behind a bamboo door is a large swimming pool Just a few meters from that are the beginnings of the reconstruction of another future casita it was like stepping back in time to the ’60s and ’70s — when it was initially built by the LoGiudices — yet there is every convenience you would hope to find in a well-stocked home The black-checkered floors in the open-concept kitchen dining and living area were the first clue to the theme and the painted wood cupboards and planked walls complemented stone counters and a massive stone sink are the numerous windows that let in plenty of light I particularly loved the terra-cotta tiles in the Mexican-styled bedroom and bathroom a mixture of modern and traditional Mexican architecture The whole house is perfect for larger groups The open-air rooms look out onto more gardens giving you the feeling that you are one with nature no matter where you are which sits on a full acre of developed and undeveloped land and I was curious why a couple well into retirement would undertake such a project I learned that the Doerksens had an illustrious past as well The pair had traveled and lived in many parts of the world in teaching and consultant jobs including Calcutta — where they were next-door neighbors to Mother Theresa — to Germany and Colorado “It’s really because of our daughter an artist whose work has showcased locally and abroad “We were sitting on the second-story balcony of the condo we own next door when she noticed the for-sale sign Although we could see just bits of the property and were acquainted with our neighbor we had never actually been inside its walls we were curious and decided to check it out.” “Al and I have the visions and dreams — along with Allison who invested her own money into the property — but it is our kids and grandchildren who will have the energy to see them through Future plans will hopefully involve meeting the needs of that vision while protecting what is already here and that honors the history and people of Mexico.” “I really felt that is this place where I could do my best art,” says Agatha is to somehow incorporate nature with Allison’s plans for commerce through her beeswax candle business There are also expansion plans — perhaps more casitas and yoga or meditation retreats some of those plans are on hold for the time being and ensuring that the place renews with new life seems to be the priority for a brighter future filled with endless possibilities Those interested in experiencing this piece of paradise, which is mere steps to Playa La Ropa, can do so by visiting Villa Casa Luna’s website for contact information and further details By Stephanie Salas-Vega That’s what it looks like to flip through Dallas Poet Laureate Joaquín Zihuatanejo’s newest book The book is a collection of short poems and essays that Zihuatanejo wrote using a technique he calls hybrid erasure he talks about his process writing the book using his upbringing in East Dallas as inspiration and what he hopes readers take away from this work Could you tell me a little bit about the process you went through while writing this book and in front of me I noticed whoever was there on the flight before me left something in the pocket and it was just a bookstore bag with a $7.95 novel in it Rather than alert the stewardess – we were already in the air – I thought News RoundupsCatch up on the day's news you need to know GoogleFacebookBy signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy I saw the “about the author” and the name, and it was a sort of nondescript, white male author. When I looked at the cover and read the blurb on the back, it didn’t seem like anything I would ever read or want to read. I’m going to listen to the universe, and I’m going to start reading this novel from Page 1. And I did, and it wasn’t very good. I got to about Page 61 or 62 and then for whatever reason, that page just jumped out at my eye. It had to do with an array of words that jumped off the page. One of the words was the word “obsidian,” which is a beautiful word. On that same page was the word glass. And on that same page was the word fried, which is an interesting word to be, you know, on a page. My wife, for whatever reason, placed in my backpack a pack of whiteout markers. I tore out that page and I started whiting out words to leave just a handful of words floating on a sea of white space. I started counting down the number of lines they were in, the number of spaces that were placed on that particular page. I started counting out lines and trying to re-create those words in white space, where they were on the page that I had colonized them from. This poem, “View From the Fifth Floor of The Adam Hats building,” started forming. It’s a poem about the erasure of a neighborhood, the erasure of Old East Dallas. This poem started as an act of revolution against this act of erasure that happened in my city. Immediately after I wrote the first poem I thought to myself, “Well, there’s been an act of brown erasure in our country that’s been going on,” and I wanted to address that. I wanted this book to move beyond East Dallas and beyond Dallas, but to the entire scope of what a brown existence is, especially a brown existence in a border state. I had to read countless books by white male authors to look for something to erase, to take something that’s maybe not beautiful, to turn into something that’s beautiful. Could you share who some of these white authors were? I contacted a former professor who worked with me during my master’s program. This is near the conclusion of the book, “A conversation with a native poet at a prestigious MFA program.” Me: So I’ve been thinking about whether or not to cite the novels and works of nonfiction by the white male authors I’ve been destroying to create these hybrid erasures. My gut says no. I just want to make sure I’m doing the right thing. What do you think I should do? Professor: Joaquin, you have deconstructed the original source in a way that has become something entirely new. This is more than erasure. It’s obliteration followed by creation. Twelve isolated words pulled from a 300-page novel does not warrant a citation. Professor: And again, if the roles were reversed. Do you think a white male author would acknowledge you? And there’s something else to consider inside and outside of the literary world. When have you ever felt acknowledged by a white man in your life? Professor: Sounds like you have your answer. I have the list and I have the original, like, every poem goes through multiple drafts. So my first draft of every one of these poems started with five isolated words on a page, or 12 isolated words on a page, and then became what it was. I have a notation page of all the sources that I pulled from, but I’m not going to share with anyone because this book is not about those men. In your book, you talk a lot about your life in East Dallas, and it inspired a lot of the essays in there. And, some of those stories are, like, so touching. I like that you mentioned publishing it in Spanish and in English, because when I first was going through the book, I was reading the Spanish side first. And my Spanish is so bad, I’m there, reading it out loud and I don’t understand it. And I just flipped it and like, oh, never mind, the English side is right here. It’s funny because someone got the book the other day from me and they said, “Joaquin, I’m using your essays and micro essays to help me with my Spanish.” And this was a Latino who said that to me. And I thought, “That’s amazing,” because I struggle with Spanish. My grandfather and my grandmother were fluent. My mom was good. And then I was just OK. When we got Brian [Duran-Fuentes] to join the team and help us with the translation, I was so proud, you know. I think back to that poet saying to me, “These need to be in your grandfather’s language as well as yours.” I really thought, “I can share this with my mom,” which is such a cool experience that she can read something that I’m reading as well. One of the things I’ve been trying to do, as Dallas Poet Laureate, is to cross-pollinate communities and audiences. What a beautiful thing poetry is that it connects us to our shared humanity with one another. I’m hoping that this collection does agitate some people to think, to feel, to move, to act. I’m also hoping that it connects people, and it makes people realize just how precious life is and how extraordinary life is, and how beautiful brown life is, and how worthy brown life is. That’s what I want this book to give to the world. This interview has been edited for clarity. Arts Access is an arts journalism collaboration powered by The Dallas Morning News and KERA. This community-funded journalism initiative is funded by the Better Together Fund, Carol & Don Glendenning, City of Dallas OAC, Communities Foundation of Texas, The University of Texas at Dallas, The Dallas Foundation, Eugene McDermott Foundation, James & Gayle Halperin Foundation, Jennifer & Peter Altabef and The Meadows Foundation. The News and KERA retain full editorial control of Arts Access’ journalism. Thank you for reading. We welcome your thoughts on this topic. Comments are moderated for adherence to our Community Guidelines Please read the guidelines before participating and a whole lot of fun–this gorgeous property is a must for those about to say “I do.” Mention you’re heading to Zihuatanejo and cornball dad jokes about Shawshank will ensue (the infamous final beach scene of the classic movie is set in the Mexican beach town). But there is nothing corny or cringe about Thompson Zihuatanejo Lovebirds seem to flock to the gorgeous Hyatt stunner and after one trip makes for a perfect Mexican beach getaway period Far from the bootylicious Spring Break vibes of Cancun or Cabo Zihua is the perfect place to do nothing but relax and the city itself sits on a tranquil inlet Whether you’re newly engaged and looking for an escape from wedding planning madness planning the best bachelorette fiesta of all time or searching for the perfect honeymoon destination They even offer full resort buyout packages for a dreamy and romantic destination wedding Feel the sand beneath your feet and the breeze through your hair yet If you’ve never stayed at a Thompson property before expect Hyatt’s signature grandiosity translated into a boutique-style independent resort nothing about Thompson Zihuatanejo felt generic or copy-pasted from the myriad similar-ish resorts in Mexico a badge that certifies its commitment to safety for the queer community A post shared by Thompson Zihuatanejo (@thompsonzihuatanejo) One of the calling cards of Thompson Zihau is the unique room offerings with simplistic and sleek décor—think Kelly Wearstler’s signature odes to muted tones and textures thanks to all 56 rooms having calming beachfront outlooks and spacious bathrooms are complete with actually good robes and ample vanity space for all your beach holiday staples and native hardwood details feel intentional and thoughtful If you’re looking for a specific vibe to fit your romance-fueled retreat A private balcony leads to an adults-only pool accessible only to those in these private bungalows while still giving you the ability to hit snooze in the comfort of your own room I could shame-free scroll on the patio in my robe thanks to the privacy screens What really put this room over the top though was the outdoor shower—secluded and completely concealed and surrounded by wildflowers I used it almost exclusively throughout my stay Hoping for a steamy honeymoon (or babymoon) escape Opt for the resort’s suites with private plunge pools No one will catch a sneaky peaky of any hanky panky thanks to palms surrounding the perimeter of these lush suites These rooms are also dotted across another section of the resort far from the all-ages pool and in a different section than the swim-up suites They’re also a few hundred square feet larger than the swim-up suites There’s plenty to keep you and whoever you bring with you to Thompson Zihau busy outside of the property’s pools and beachfront access From private cooking classes inspired by regional cuisine to tequila tastings it’s worth it to tack on one of the resort’s bespoke activities I was impressed by the exciting and fresh culinary experience—this resort’s menu isn’t full of random pasta but is an actual representation of local produce with an emphasis on catches-of-the-day (if you see lobster available during your stay I’m still lusting after a pulled pork risotto I inhaled on night one Look out for fun pop-up culinary events like Humo a wood-fired feast of local flavors that meets classic American grill culture If you’re wandering from the bar to the spa back to your room chances are you’ll catch a waft of something delicious Spa services are pretty standard and across the board and while the services were by no means so-so and spa itself could be a bit more reflective of the overall vibe of the resort So you’re searching for an incredible location for your destination wedding not only for the aforementioned reasons above but because after you book you’re free to focus on bigger issues (like explaining to Grandma why she can’t wear a hot pink glitter fascinator on your big day) A post shared by Thompson Zihuatanejo (@thompsonzihuatanejo) Planning a wedding at the resort is truly easy-breezy thanks to their comprehensive resort buy-out packages Thompson can even throw in special touches like a mariachi band The resort requires at least 80% of your guests to stay at the resort but that means you can go as big or small as you’d like on the guest list Packages start at $219 per person—well worth it for a wedding where guests can stumble back to their rooms Based on their rates and the total experience you receive at Thompson Zihuatanejo, the price tag (rooms start around $449 per night) is excellent, especially for splurgy (hopefully once-in-a-lifetime) romantic experiences like honeymoons and weddings. Thompson Zihuatanejo also accepts World of Hyatt rewards and points, so if you aren’t already a member, start racking up some points toward check-in today covered in magenta and egg-yolk-yellow bougainvillaea and the thatch-roofed private homes that do exist are daringly set on dramatic inclines This is not to say that the place has stayed away from the babble. The historic cobblestone streets downtown are lined with restaurants and a scattering of shops catering to gringos looking to bring back a bottle of tequila or a bright woven serape shawl But there’s also a bustling central market hawking everything from freshly plucked chickens to socks; for every bar announcing a happy-hour special this world caught between holidays and real life that attracted Hollywood actors and musicians who wanted sun and sea but not the scene of Acapulco or Puerto Vallarta Mick Jagger and Keith Richards all found their way to Zihuatanejo and for a few trippy summers in the early 1960s Timothy Leary took over the Hotel Catalina and set up a psychedelic training centre where students In the following years it became a little less rock’n’roll, but recently thetown has started to attract a groovier type of traveller again – surfers, artists, wandering entrepreneurs who, like the Sixties crowd, want the amazing beaches without the self-consciousness of Sayulita or Tulum It was this total lack of pretension and slowed-down pace – the fact that you could share a ridiculously long left-peeling wave with local surfers without the hooting found at breaks that have been taken over by visitors – that initially brought me here and the aroma of onions and serrano peppers frying in vegetable oil – a scent that will continue until supper – fills the air Styrofoam-light chicharrones (fried pig skin) getting up every so often to move under the shade of a coconut palm to wade into the sea to spot puffer fish and Sergeant majors with their five black stripes – and to see if that shadow on the horizon was a humpback whale If Zihua on first glimpse appears caught in amber, on a deeper inspection it’s really only set in honey. ‘No one was tapping into the town’s more bohemian history, and no one was trying to pull in the sort of younger, globe-trotting traveller we knew would also love it here,’ says Tara Medina who opened Loot, a café, surf and barber shop, art gallery and restaurant ‘So we decided to change the story.’ An airy three-level lofted building wardrobe-sized shops); its bright floor-to-ceiling Pop-art mural a modern just back from a few seasons at Montauk’s Breakers and Surf Lodge But seeing the way other Mexican towns have gone from secret to sceney to played-out it’s difficult to know exactly what to wish for with Zihua it still remains suspended in that golden middle ground – slowed down but with enough grit to keep alive the fantasy of maybe one day moving here British Airways (ba.com) and Aeromexico (aeromexico.com) fly from London Heathrow to Mexico City from where Zihuatanejo is a one-hour flight Things to do in Mexico City Day trips from Sayulita, Mexico Our guide to Isla Holbox, Mexico Oaxaca, Mexico's most-authentic state: the ultimate guide Zihuatanejo might just be Mexico’s coolest coastal city Zihuatanejo, Mexico Get your weekly dose of armchair travelling A beach destination in Guerrero made the top five on a New York Times list of places to visit in 2022 occupied fifth place on the newspaper’s list of 52 global destinations where visiting could be especially positive for the local economy and environment “where travelers can be part of the solution.” Mozambique; the Queens borough of New York City; and Northumberland The newspaper said Zihuatanejo is a perfect destination for the environmentally conscious “This laid-back beach town … and communities around it have spawned grassroots environmental projects that travelers can support.” It highlighted the conservation charities Whales of Guerrero, which trains fishermen as whale-watching guides, and Campamento Tortuguero Ayotlcalli where visitors can join turtle nest patrols and release hatchlings It also mentioned vegan projects by the musical duo Rodrigo y Gabriela including the restaurant La Raíz de la Tierra and the “solar-powered regenerative resort” Playa Viva located 46 kilometers southeast of Zihuatanejo Mayor Jorge Sánchez Allec said Zihuatanejo was in fashion and well prepared as a tourist destination He added that it became one of Mexico’s principal destinations during the 2021–2022 tourist season Infrastructural improvements were made to the town while tourism was restricted for nearly two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic: the community renovated its 50-year-old pier at a cost of almost 90 million pesos (US $4.4 million), and a 20-kilometer cycling path was built to connect Zihuatanejo to the resort town of Ixtapa a 1-kilometer beach pathway with access to housing was laid for 20 million pesos (almost US $1 million) Sánchez said major improvements to highways were under consideration to improve connectivity There are direct flights from Zihuatanejo to six cities in Canada and seven in the United States as well as seven daily flights to Mexico City With reports from The New York Times and El Sol de Acapulco While food tours — or as some people call them “foodie tours” — are nothing new to experienced travelers they are relatively new to the popular Mexican resort destination Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo in Guerrero Zanca Travelers tour company owners Vidal Reyes and Sandy Thompson wanted to bring something a little different to Zihuatanejo while promoting local family restaurants Although the area is home to several annual food events — the Paella Festival the couple felt a lack of  food-related activities that tourists visiting the area could access year-round knew the cuisine in this part of Mexico was exceptional The restaurants chosen for their Regional Dishes Of The Costa Grande Gastronomical Tour — some of the finest family-owned-and-operated restaurants in the area — had to meet specific criteria: originality Some of the restaurant choices were owned by families Reyes had known all his life growing up here Having experienced food tours in Spain and Canada I was anxious to see how it would compare to the tours I am a fan of After picking up the group of 10 in an air-conditioned luxury van This is a local favorite (with me as well) celebrity chef Rick Bayless heaped tweets of praise on owner Carmelita González’s amazing cooking skills despite the fact that she was not a trained chef but a natural-born one whose humble beginnings were at a stand at the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo airport many years ago and who specialized in cooking her mother and grandmother’s recipes including a jalapeño margarita that everyone agreed was delicious First up were tacos dorados de pollo (chicken tacos) accompanied by a bed of guacamole and followed by perhaps the best ribs I have ever tasted Paco talked about the restaurant’s history and some of the most important food in the region our guides cautioned that there were still three more stops So we reluctantly crawled into the van to our next location this time a hole-in-the-wall taco stand on the main drag in downtown Zihuatanejo the Escobar family made the bold move of keeping their stand open 24 hours a day which made it a huge hit with late-night partiers taxi operators — basically anyone out late at night I have driven past this taquería thousands of times in my nearly 26 years living here and I never once noticed it as anything remarkable one taste of the two kinds of tacos we were offered — tacos al pastor and barbacoa — and I knew that La Flechita Roja taquería would be my go-to taco stand forever The method of preparing and cooking al pastor is based on the lamb shawarma brought to Mexico by Lebanese immigrants but La Flechita’s owners make a pork version and people crowded around the lunch-style counter on benches lined the wooden structure as best they could it made for a very cozy and authentic atmosphere the chef insisted we stand behind the grill for a photo-op with him Our van wound its way through the streets to another hidden gem in the colonia of La Noria for a fantastic view of the Bay of Zihuatanejo a little restaurant featuring only a few tables and a bar with high-top stools gave the impression of being cut out into the rocks mere feet from the street Owner Socorro Agueda was on hand to greet us while one of her family members gave a quick lesson on making tiritas (strips) slid down our throats — probably among the best preparations I had ever tasted — and were washed down with ice-cold beers Definitely worth another trip in the future The final leg of our tour was this well-known restaurant located close to Zihua’s Cancha — the municipal basketball court located right on the waterfront mezcal is an important drink at this restaurant and we were offered two different kinds to go with our food dishes The first was a mezcal infused with hibiscus The second was a mezcalina that complimented the corn tortilla and special guacamole just when we thought we could not eat another bite our waiter served a delicious pork shank followed by a specialty cornbread for dessert Owner Felipe Meneses was on hand to explain the pairings and to give a little history of the restaurant itself The Meneses family owns several restaurants and is well-known for their commitment to raising gastronomic awareness of the region through their involvement with events such as Clandestina a series of pop-up fine-dining events held in secret locations around Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo our group of 10 had become quite friendly with each other — a bonus of going on food tours feeling completely satiated and perhaps a little tipsy from the drinks but all in agreement that tours like these are well worth the US $110-per-person price tag ShareSaveCommentLifestyleArtsThe Many Musings Of MUSA—A Holistic Hideaway On The Coast Of ZihuatanejoByNatalie Stoclet 02:32pm ESTShareSaveCommentThis article is more than 3 years old.It is something every writer knows all too well—the wonderfully daunting task of filling in a blank page What you’re about to create doesn't exist yet The combination of words you sling together are uniquely yours their blank page looks more like 62-hectares of land on the coast of Zihuatanejo their Modern Utopian Society of Adventurers Housed within a closed-loop infrastructure MUSA seeks to transcend what we expect from traditional hospitality it will act as an all-encompassing destination where and pleasure coexist in effortless synergy; where the environment educates for sustainability and intelligent design contributes to a changing world.” In every sense a neighborhood with a sunny disposition that begs us to question how we design our lives a five-bedroom home steps away from a Pacific swell that I truly grasped this would be my playground for the next few days The atmosphere at MUSA is luxuriantly low-key a salt-water infinity pool melts into a glittering ocean a calm lagoon brimming with wildlife is back ended by the Sierra Mountains the consciously-designed Casa MUSA with its palapa beach bar serving daily crudos and endless cocktails the winds that carried off of the ocean each night gave rise to vivid dreams and ocean haze are a foolproof method for lucidity The mist of mysticism that breezes onto this sleepy fishing village has long attracted those with an eye for unconventional opportunity Zihua’s untapped natural landscapes drew in a number of famous names who yearned for the sun and sea without the scene Beckoned by the stark mountain rocks and the constant roll of waves Rock N’ Roll legends like Mick Jagger and Keith Richards found their way here And somewhere in between real life and paradise Zihua also became home to a psychedelic training center set-up by none other than Timothy Leary Influenced by Aldous Huxley's fictional novel Leary set up LSD conventions on the beaches of Zihua in 1962 before being shut down a few summers later The tables set for four or six are pushed together night after night so that the MUSA family can enjoy seasonal dishes and crafted cocktails together carrying with it refreshingly uncommon conversations Ideas are discussed amongst people who might never have gotten the chance to exchange them evenings are spent conversing under a canopy of constellations only interrupted by the sound of waves crashing before you Founded by brothers Fredy de la Cruz Solís and Rey Baltasar de la Cruz Solís La Tortuga Feliz protects the local turtle population The dedication of these brothers means that most days see hundreds of baby turtles released into the ocean I got to bear witness to dozens of turtles setting out to fill the blank pages of their new lives Heading back to Casa MUSA through the jungle and the horses and local burros Andrés and Tara had recently rescued I almost forgot to explore the most impressive of all things MUSA I took my new favorite mode of transport—the ATV—around the property to glimpse at the beginnings of this modern utopia Every inch of MUSA's blueprint has been “carefully selected to integrate circular solutions for a highly-efficient self-sustaining philosophy built on an ethos of collaborative community.” I wandered through what will become the Hotelito—a James Bond-esque structure with 13-rooms I stared in admiration at the plots which will eventually hold beautiful beachfront homes I imagined life in the sustainably-designed Hideaways their version of a modern surf shack which you can own and which they will rent out for you when you’re not around so that you can make those all-important returns on your investment They will be nestled along a freshwater biopool will include an island with an established land crab habitat A circular water temple will emerge from the freshwater biopool it is being designed to harness the energy of the day’s moving sun hotel guests and residents will be able to lounge and meditate on a grand palm-wood swimming deck and secret subterranean listening room Rendering of the freshwater biopool and Hidewaways I stood amidst the building blocks of MUSA and wondered if any word could define it none of those words hold the gravitas required for something as uniquely nuanced as what this could become and I know my story will end in a last word there’s things that will reveal themselves along the way It's a constant exploration of what’s out there It's a constant discovery.” And as far as the rest of the world goes ShareSaveLifestyleTravelMexico's Best Kept Secret Is Still A Little-Known Paradise On The PacificByRob Reed and various ways to drive fastFollow AuthorOct 15 11:00am EDTShareSaveThis article is more than 5 years old.Playa La Ropa Playa La Ropa is the perfect tropical beach Its soft sand is met with warm water and mellow waves breaking in shallow water which diminishes the force of Pacific swells with peninsulas at each point that just about cut it off from the ocean unless the swell is aimed squarely at the mouth of the bay My wife and I tied the knot on Playa La Ropa in October of 2003 a cacophony of crashing waves was making its way up the beach where we partied with 50 of our closest friends and family It was romantic and magical and slightly bacchanalian With temperatures in the high 80s and serious humidity everyone was drenched in sweat from dancing it was only natural to go for a swim in the ocean Actual photo of my memory from our reception (2003) Our reception was quickly reduced to a frenzy of intoxicated people running down the beach in various states of stripping naked those gentle waves that barely supported body surfing during the day had grown to a couple feet overhead and what we couldn’t see due to the lights pointing back at us This left a two-foot ledge just past the dry sand View from the Presidential Suite infinity pool (2003) As we and our dear wedding guests sprinted toward the water the ground suddenly disappeared from under us I still vividly recall being momentarily airborne and then landing rather violently shoulder first into the wet sand Others were suffering a similar fate all around me hitting the beach with a splat...splat...splat the sand and tequila cushioned my fall enough to quickly get up and make it to the water Fast forward to the spring of 2019. As my wife and I check-in to the newly remodeled Thompson Zihuatanejo for a vacation with our two daughters (12 and 9 years old) we’re greeted by many of the same staff who worked at our wedding and witnessed that spontaneous portion of our reception 15 years ago Many things about this destination have changed in that time but Playa La Ropa and the superb local staff are two of the constants that make this small luxury hotel Mexico’s best-kept secret The 2019 remodel and site of the 2003 wedding reception is most known for its role in one of the greatest movies of all time: Shawshank Redemption If you’re escaping from a corrupt and sadistic prison in Maine there is no better place to end up than Playa La Ropa Part of its allure is that the tourist horde still hasn’t discovered it unlike the fates of its more popular counterparts to the north (Puerto Vallarta One of the reasons my wife and I chose Zihua for our wedding is that we’d both been there prior to meeting one another We connected over what a truly special (and secret) place it is The new swim-up suites are the biggest addition to the hotel in 15 years The flight from Los Angeles to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo is about three-and-a-half hours But the sense you get after landing and driving 20 minutes to the hotel where you’re greeted with a smile and a margarita is that you’ve travelled half-way around the world Breathing the tropical air is like taking a muscle relaxer laced with an aphrodisiac No margarita in the States can ever taste this good HAO is the primary restaurant for breakfast My wedding took place at the original hotel the property was acquired and became The Tides Zihuatanejo the premier property on Playa La Ropa was partially remodeled and officially became Thompson Zihuatanejo this luxury hotel has changed hands at least three times in the past 15 years This might be a sign that it’s a tough business to run The view from the Presidential Suite is trapped in time (2003) There are direct nonstop flights from only a few US cities Alaska Airlines offers flights from LAX on certain days (The alternative is flying through Mexico City which I do not recommend.) If those days are Tuesdays and Fridays four or seven nights with no option for a three-day weekend the outbound flight is typically at 9:30am which limits connections from other cities Contrast this with several daily nonstop flights to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta from most major cities and it makes sense why Zihua is still a secret the superb guest experience stayed in tact When returning in the years after our wedding The breakfast and lunch menus were unchanged and the same key staff members were there to make it feel like a second home The Thompson represents an evolution of the property and the experience beach-level suite with a private infinity pool and expansive patio that walks right onto Playa La Ropa It’s no exaggeration to suggest this is one of the best hotel rooms in all of Mexico You fall asleep and wake up to the sound of the waves crashing The palapa where you’ll spend most of the day a fresh pot of coffee with pastries is waiting on the patio at your requested time (This was previously a default amenity but now must be requested.) This particular beach suite was not part of the remodel and remains as it was in 2003 The restaurants, on the other hand, are entirely new. Ceniza is a romanic dinner spot that features wood-fired dishes from Chef Miguel Baltazar under a thatched open-air palapa or else tables set up right on the beach HAO is located at the main bar/pool/beach and offers all-day dining The breakfasts have always been spectacular at the hotel and HAO continues this tradition with a simple-yet-modern menu including a variety of bowls Lunch is best served to your palapa on the beach where a table is setup behind your lounge chairs And the big night for dinner is Friday’s Grill Out The beach in front of HAO transforms into a marketplace-like setting with dishes ranging from chargrilled oysters and lobster tacos to roasted bone marrow with beef carpaccio and cauliflower and eggplant wraps It’s a sensory overload as the sun sets on the bay and you attempt to sample as many flavors as possible Prime season for Zihuatanejo starts in November and runs through April The months of October and May can also be good if the weather cooperates i.e There truly is no reason to leave the Thompson other than potentially a dinner at Casa Que Canta which is located at the far end of Playa La Ropa is to workout in the gym in the morning followed by deep relaxation and reading on the beach Not to mention siesta spa treatments and spontaneous skinny dipping when the sun goes down Always check the depth of the pool before you dive in and make sure there isn’t a crocodile lurking beneath the surface That could be good advice for residents and tourists in certain parts of Mexico given that a crocodile was found in a pool at a luxury beachfront development in Zihuatanejo The croc reportedly made its way to the pool from the Playa Blanca estuary located about 20 kilometers southeast of the city of Zihuatanejo The reptile — approximately two meters long according to one report — was removed by Civil Protection personnel who returned the specimen to its natural habitat Before they were called to coax the croc out of the pool “the unexpected presence” of the reptile surprised tourists and workers at the residential complex Crocodiles are seen frequently in Zihuatanejo and nearby areas although sightings in swimming pools are not common At least nine have been seen outside their natural habitat this week Earlier this week, a crocodile (or caiman according to some reports) attacked three members of a family including an 11-year-old boy at Playa Linda in Ixtapa located around eight kilometers northwest of Zihuatanejo They were treated in hospital for injuries to various parts of their bodies but the boy — who was bitten on his head and arms — and his parents all survived In December, local officials issued a crocodile warning after videos of one wading in the surf and swimming near a beach in Ixtapa went viral Earlier the same month, a 76-year-old Belgian man died after he was attacked by either a shark or a crocodile at a beach in the same location It is a given that everyone deserves an education but the reality in Mexico is that not everyone truly has access to public education That was the case of a community of people who work and live at the Zihuatanejo city dump people who live hidden away from the rest of the world Families who live at the landfill exist among piles of trash eking out a living selling things they find there or redeeming recyclable bottles education for the children there was nonexistent for years That might still be the case today if it were not for the intervention of a group of people who decided to improve the children’s lives It all began in 2011 when a tourist from Chicago booked a vacation at the Azul Ixtapa hotel he brought along a suitcase of clothes he and his family had outgrown with the idea to donate them to a worthy cause took him up a dirt road that led to the dump Lemon was shocked to find that none of the children there went to school He started by asking the hotel to pour a concrete slab and he sent money to construct the first building for the school Sandoval agreed to donate her time because she knew that the children were a source of income for their families as scavengers and that unless they had an education adult life in the landfill would be their destiny if someone didn’t step in Sandoval opened the city dump’s first school with books and materials she already had and only five initial enrollees She quickly realized she might attract more students if she had a lunch program This decision swelled her numbers to almost 20 she hauled food cooked in her kitchen down the long dusty road between her house and the dump and taught as many students as happened to show up that day So Sandoval approached the Fort Garry Evangelical Mennonite church in Winnipeg and asked them to build her a kitchen at the site so that she would no longer have to haul the food every day The group had finished a project at a senior home outside of El Coacoyul a community in the municipality of Zihuatanejo so the group’s leader Sid Reimer told Sandoval that they were interested would look at the idea after returning the next year Impressed by what Sandoval had accomplished by the time the group was back in town it decided to build her the kitchen — and stocked it too a bathroom for the smaller children and one for the older kids In appreciation to the Canadian group for making their dream a reality Sandoval named the school Escuela Nueva Manitoba en México (the New Manitoba School in Mexico) Sandoval was forced to retire due to ill health brought on by a massive fire at the dump that burned for nearly two years and created toxic fumes affecting her lungs many others have gotten involved to lighten the load and improve conditions and the quality of education offered People like John McKay and his late wife Joan each pay for a teacher’s salary and provide a meal once a month Others purchase items like school uniforms area church organizations lend their support and raise much-needed funds to keep the school operational as enrollment fluctuates between 80 to 100 students who teaches around 20 students in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten the staff has acquired two other teachers: Violet for grades 1 We toured the dark but extremely well-built wood classrooms for the next half hour or so orderly behavior of the students impressed me Each teacher seemed to have their classrooms engaged although we tried to disrupt the class as little as possible well-stocked and bustling with several cheerfully industrious volunteer moms who made sure food was prepared and ready on time two cars pulled up the road and unloaded what appeared to be a group of tourists but was a cohort of dentists and assistants from Olympia The group has volunteered its time for many years giving free dental care to the children of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and in outlying areas the group was a welcome sight for the school she and the team had seen over 80 children at the school and more from another One of the biggest hurdles the school has faced in addition to the constant search for funds is that it is not accredited by the state and thus receives no financial aid the staff hopes to hire two more fully certified teachers to fill their growing need to achieve accreditation they will need to pay the new teachers with only the money they can raise themselves Zihuatanejo Mayor Jorge Sánchez’s government has assisted the school has generously provided materials at a great discount some local businesses have been generous in hosting over the years The second hurdle is expanding the school to beyond grade six very few students attempted to further their education at schools in Ixtapa or Zihuatanejo For children never exposed to the outside world — even though it is just a few miles away — the transition was difficult some of it due to bullying and generally the inability to fit in All of them returned to their community within the year another school in La Puerta now has 16 students in higher grades who have graduated from Escuela Nueva Manitoba Sponsoring a student will cost you around US $350 per year for primary schooling the price goes to $575 for university tuition Often several families will sponsor one child “Financial donations are best,” McKay says “Where to put it all is the main issue,” he says “Sometimes we give things away that we can’t use ourselves Money allows us to put the [donation] toward our needs at the time — our monthly food bill [which] is at 8,000 pesos and counting.” Tap to enable a layout that focuses on the article Print ZIHUATANEJO Mexico — It was to Zihuatanejo’s bright shores that wrongly convicted prisoner Andy Dufresne dreamed of escape in the 1994 movie “The Shawshank Redemption.” As I floated suspended in the turquoise surf in the bay of Playa la Ropa a government-developed tourist resort full of high-rises and chain restaurants just four miles away Zihuatanejo and its laid-back style and cobbled streets more closely met my needs Plus this Pacific Coast town of 120,000 is just a three-hour flight from Los Angeles my friend Karen and I decided to explore this part of Mexico for the first time We shared a two-bedroom villa at Playa la Ropa’s Club Intrawest which is carved out of a cliff and features private terraces panoramic views and a personal plunge pool I had been able to trade one of my membership vacation weeks last minute for this Eight buildings sit on 13 levels connected by open stairways (no elevators) that wind down from penthouse homes to elegant trusting it burned off some of the daily happy-hour calories I spent cool mornings exploring Zihuatanejo Bay and El Centro Each day began with walking the cobbled streets or taking the Paseo del Pescador (Fisherman’s Path) by the sea turned into a lively market as the sun rose Fishermen who had been out at night brought in their boats loaded with snapper the local catch was spread on the ground and sold The locals were gracious and willing to answer questions; fishing is the lifeblood of Zihuatanejo and for many it is a tradition passed down for generations Afternoons had a different pace during the heat of the day Relaxing with a book on the Playa la Ropa in Zihuatanejo Bay and floating in the Pacific were followed by backgammon paddle ball and half-price drinks at the swim-up bar Because our flight home wasn’t until late afternoon Karen and I packed in as many activities as possible the last day we were on our way to the Mercado Municipal (public market) jute boxes and just about anything else you could imagine We also took a quick stroll through town for last-minute gifts then hustled back to the beach for a final plunge We weren’t the only ones filled with regret and her family were winding up a two-week vacation in a place they’ve visited often “We see all the local people we’ve met in the past 10 years since we started coming here After hanging out for a couple of mornings at the market on Zihuatanejo’s Playa Principal my friend Karen and I hired the Reny (Marcos and Marlene Monserrat a small fishing boat manned by Polo Flores and Gustavo Farfan who picked us up bright and early outside our hotel We spent the morning watching boobies dive-bomb our lures as they glistened below the surface we saw a good-sized mahi-mahi fly off my line and flip in the air the next time I got a hit I quickly set the hook and reeled in a yellowfin tuna our captains motored us to their favorite restaurant Otilia’s (on the beach at Playa las Gatas) We paired our catch of the day with a couple of Negra Modelo beers and there was plenty of tuna for our party of four Lunch was included in the price of the excursion if you caught your own fish 5 restaurants to check out in Zihuatanejo At the end of our first day in Zihuatanejo then headed out to explore the neighborhood at dusk We found good dining in Zihuatanejo; here are some of our choices For dinner, we decided on Kau-Kan (Domicilio Conocido, Playa Larga, Zihuatanejo; 554-8446, www.casakaukan.com/kaukan) an open-roof restaurant with views of the surrounding bays and sparkling lights We feasted on fresh mahi-mahi carpaccio with olive oil and lime Most afternoons we would wander down the beach for a late lunch of fresh fish especially compared with Los Angeles prices We had chiles rellenos and fish tacos, washed down with Negra Modelo beer, at Hotel Villa Mexicana (Playa la Ropa, La Ropa; 554-3631, www.lat.ms/1NlZgzE) At Paty’s Marimar (Playa la Ropa; 554-2213, www.patys-marymar.com) we dined on mahi-mahi fajitas accompanied by a couple of Victoria beers At the southern end of Playa la Ropa, next to an estuary lined with mangrove trees, El Manglar (Presidente Darío Galeana Farayan, Playa la Ropa; 554-3752, www.lat.ms/1Fu2Rnk) was a nice surprise crocodiles and several kinds of wetland and coastal birds while you dine Karen’s Diabla Shrimp was wonderfully spicy At the Fonda Irma (Mercado Municipal) we shared a large plate of chiles rellenos (about $3) for breakfast with chairs circling the counter so you can watch your meal being prepared Alaska offers nonstop service to Zihuatanejo and Aeromexico and Delta offer connecting service (change of planes) 52 (country code for Mexico) 755 (area code) and the local number You don’t need to rent a car if you plan to stay in Zihuatanejo. If you’re staying at Playa la Ropa, it’s a 20-minute walk to town. Taxis are inexpensive: A ride into town is about $2 depending on the time; add 40% between midnight and 5 a.m. For information on local transportation — taxis, buses and rental cars — go to Zihua Rob’s Servicios Internet at www.zihuatanejo.net/localtransport.html Hotel Irma, Calle Adelita, La Madera Beach, Zihuatanejo; 554-8472, www.lat.ms/1NY80vQ Catalina Beach Resort, Playa la Ropa, Zihuatanejo; 554-2137, www.catalinabeachresort.com Casa Kau-Kan Boutique Hotel, Playa Larga, Zihuatanejo; 554-6226, www.casakaukan.com Mexico Tourism Board, www.visitmexico.com/en/ixtapa-zihuatanejo travel@latimes.com Birds — and birders — flock to sleepy San Blas, Mexico At Alaska’s Denali National Park, the peak moments come wild and high Weekend Escape: Visit the hotel that inspired Stephen King’s ‘The Shining’ in Estes Park, Colo. Lifestyle Travel & Experiences Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map and there are a few things from the last year we’d like forgotten are all of the genuinely epic Shawshank Redemption quotes that made the film so fantastic If the following famous lines don’t make you want to rewatch it for the umpteenth time RELATED: 25 Movies Like Knives Out To Get Your Murder Mystery Fix Ellis “Red” Redding: “What are you talking about?” Andy Dufresne: “Hope.” Andy Dufresne: “Since I am innocent of this crime I find it decidedly inconvenient the gun was never found.” strategy…” Ellis “Red” Redding: “And a total fucking mystery Tommy Williams: “Thumb up my butt sounds better.” Ellis “Red” Redding: “I’m known to locate certain things from time to time.” Andy Dufresne: “What do you think?” Ellis “Red” Redding: “Well This article was originally published on May 17 “I just wanted to be able to sit and talk and workshop poems with people from our city,” Zihuatanejo said The poet laureate said workshops are typically one on one but poets can also bring a friend and make a group workshop if they prefer Zihuatanejo said while some emerging poets may feel intimidated by the idea of a workshop experience I have grown every time from that experience nothing but growth can come from this experience.” Here are a few of Zihuatanejo’s tips on writing poetry: since a line is the single form that is repeated across different poems Consider the words you choose to start a line and when you decide to end a line There's so many different things a poem can be,” he said “But the one thing that it must always consider is the line because it's the only unit we really have to work in.” White space is also an important tool in poetry Poets should aim for each reader to have multiple ways to navigate a poem Experiment with writing with dense blocks of poetry versus lines that are more spaced out “A very famous poet I met at one time told me ‘Every single poem you write onto a page should be at least a single and a half space to double spaced.’ That every line of poetry deserves to be bordered by a bit of white space all the way around it.” The poet laureate believes rules we’re taught about poetry as children can be limiting Don’t get stuck in the traditional ideas and structures of a poem Instead take chances and experiment with your writing “I want them to know that they can take chances that there are rules of the sonnet and rules of the villanelle,” he said “But I want them to know you're not going to go to hell if you break one of the rules of the sonnet.” breathing poets because I think the cool thing about reading a living breathing poet is that you can reach out to them and you can ask them questions and they won't always answer you Want to attend office hours with Zihuatanejo but Zihuatanejo also offers times on Tuesdays He offers one-hour sessions where emerging poets can work on two to three poems or half an hour sessions where poets can work on one poem How: Each workshop starts off with the poet reciting their piece Then Zihuatanejo will read the poem aloud and provide his interpretation of the piece the poet laureate will share feedback on the poem and offer suggestions Zihuatanejo and the poet will have a discussion about the poem Many taxis and public transit vans suspended service in Zihuatanejo on Monday due to violence against drivers and threats made by organized crime It was the second time in a month that transport services were interrupted by criminal activity in the Pacific coast resort city Extortion-related threats began again last Wednesday according to transit operators who spoke with the newspaper El Sur “We’re living in a climate of insecurity that is now unsustainable and unbearable,” said one driver “But as we’re not in a political campaign the government does nothing.” El Sur reported that there was no service on several routes on Monday No date has been set for the resumption of service Only one of three routes that passes through the hotel zone of Ixtapa was operational on Monday That made it difficult for some hotel employees to get to work The number of vans serving several other parts of Zihuatanejo was also much lower than normal The Dos Costas transport company closed its downtown terminal given that it suspended its services to the neighboring municipalities of La Unión and Petatlán and to Vallecitos de Zaragoza in the Zihuatanejo Sierra Drivers employed by that company said they didn’t know when they would return to work They told El Sur that the owners didn’t want to run the risk of having their vehicles set on fire by criminals “We already saw that they do follow through on threats,” one driver said A van was stopped and torched while operating in central Zihuatanejo on the El Coacoyoul-Airport route last Saturday while there have even been cases in which transit drivers were murdered Several transport providers told El Sur they couldn’t offer services due to the lack of security in Zihuatanejo They explained that their insurance policies didn’t cover acts of vandalism meaning they stand to incur heavy losses if their vehicles are targeted Transport operators criticized authorities of all three levels of government for failing to stop the extortion demands and threats made by criminal groups A protest outside the municipal government headquarters was planned for Tuesday An unconfirmed reason for the cancelation was that Mayor Jorge Sánchez Allec warned transit operators not to protest In addition to public transit vehicles, criminals have also targeted Zihuatanejo businesses such as tortilla shops and beer stores, apparently because their owners failed to comply with extortion demands With reports from El Sur and El Universal  Manuel Villalobos joins Thompson Zihuatanejo as General Manager He previously served as General Manager at The Fives Downtown Hotel & Residences in Playa del Carmen a Tapestry Collection by Hilton in early 2021 Born in Veracruz but considering Cancun his home Villalobos graduated from La Salle University of Cancun and began to make his way up the ladder at Vidanta Hotels until taking on a role at Hyatt Cancun Caribe Resort in 2008 With the Hyatt family he found his mentors and his career really took off as he worked with a number of properties including the Hyatt Regency Cancun before pursuing the General Manager position at Hyatt Place Panama City followed by an appointment at the Hyatt Centric Guatemala City Villalobos and his family returned to Mexico under the Curio Collection by Hilton but he jumped at the opportunity to join Hyatt again to manage the Thompson Zihuatanejo a brand that aligns with his personal leadership philosophy in promoting respect