America’s Most-Popular Expat Destination
Enter your email to get your FREE guide instantly!
🔒 We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.
Zihuatanejo is a Pacific beach town that still feels like real Mexico, with local character and a slower pace. It delivers sunshine, ocean views, and a more relaxed alternative to big resort hubs, while keeping comfort and convenience.
Zihuatanejo is near southern Mexico, it’s still close enough to the United States to allow for easy trips home. So, family and friends can head down to visit you, or you can head up to visit them. You’ll only be a quick car or plane ride away.
Mexico is a favorite among expats and retirees who are looking to move out of the States but want to stay close.
Also, Mexico is one of the easiest countries for North Americans to travel to.
Zihuatanejo, in the Guerrero state, is a paradise of gorgeous beaches that has caught the attention of many. It used to be a fishing village until the 1970s.
Change came about after Ixtapa, a small beach resort complex, was built here.
Despite it becoming a beach resort town, Zihuatanejo has managed to keep its historic charm.
As a result, downton Zihuatanejo is home to cobblestone streets lined with local restaurants, bars, boutiques, and more.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
Start Your New Overseas Life Today
A world full of fun, adventure, and profit awaits! Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we’ll send you a FREE report on the 12 Best Places To Retire Overseas In 2026
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
When packing for your move, you should take only the essentials and leave anything that can be easily replaced in Mexico.
The good news is that Zihuatanejo is close enough to the States that the move won’t be a hassle.
Also, you could pack everything up in your car or trailer and haul it all down in one trip.
The first step before moving is to spend time in your potential new home. Get a feel of the place for a few months before making a permanent move.
Zihuatanejo might look ideal for you on paper, but the reality of it may end up being quite different.
Once you’ve spent time in Zihuatanejo and have decided it’s a good fit, go back home and sort through your things.
You’ll want to pack clothes; a few decorations; maybe some paintings, picture frames, or photo albums; and other items that you know you’ll need and probably won’t find in Zihuatanejo.
Consider selling or gifting things like bed frames, tables, chairs, and larger furniture—you’ll be able to purchase them again in Mexico.
Whether you keep your car, buy a new one in Mexico, or rely on public transportation and taxis is up to you. If you decide to drive down, make sure your car is in proper condition, that it’s up-to-date on oil and tire changes, and that you have all necessary paperwork.
See our full guide to Mexico’s visas and residency options—so you can understand the main pathways, what typically qualifies you, and what to prepare before you apply.
Mexico is a great option if you’re looking to live better for less money. Even though Zihuatanejo is a touristy resort town, the cost of living is lower than your current budget in the States. A couple could live well in Zihuatanejo on US$1,600 a month.
Let’s look at some specifics: groceries, rentals, and transportation.
Grocery shopping will be more or less expensive depending on the products you buy.
Trade in a few imported goods for local ones, and you’ll bring down costs considerably.
For example, instead of buying kiwis and other imported fruits, get local ones such as mangoes, bananas, and pineapples. By making these switches, your monthly grocery expenses can be as low as US$150.
Getting around in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, is a breeze. Public transportation is affordable and readily available. A one-way bus ticket costs 50 cents. Taxi fares start at US$2, and if you need the taxi driver to wait for you for an hour, the fare goes up to US$16.
There are times when you’ll probably be more comfortable driving and being in control of your time. If you don’t own a car, you can rent one for US$33 per day.
Depending on what you’re looking for, your rental budget could be as high as US$1,090 or as low as US$270 per month.
A family moving with children to Zihuatanejo will likely want a place with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and that’s close to the center of town. Such an apartment will go for about US$1,100.
Settling outside of the city center, you’ll pay closer to US$654 for a three-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment.
A one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in the city center will cost about US$468. Outside of the city, a similar apartment will cost around US$273.
Get a clear breakdown of everyday expenses in Mexico—including housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare—so you can budget accurately before you make the move.
Zihuatanejo, Mexico, is a well-established resort town, meaning you’re sure to find activities suited to your tastes and interests. From lounging at the beach to culture and archaeology tours, Zihuatanejo offers something for everyone.
Here’s a list of things to do and places to visit in Zihuatanejo, Mexico…
If you’re looking to unwind and lounge around on a beach, Playa La Ropa should be your first stop. La Ropa Beach has been featured as one of the most romantic beaches in Mexico. The water is warm and calm, making it a great place to swim and go paddle boarding. You could also walk the mile-long sandy beach. This Zihuatanejo beach has restaurants right on the sand where you can enjoy dinner while gazing at a gorgeous sunset.
Taking a boat out to Ixtapa Island is a popular activity in Zihuatanejo, Mexico.
Ixtapa Island has three beaches called Playa Varadero, Playa Cuachalalate, and Playa Coral. You could enjoy all three or choose to spend the day at the one that best suits your plans.
For example, if you like to snorkel and want an adventure, head to Playa Coral where you can observe coral reefs. Playa Varadero and Playa Cuachalalate have calm waters ideal for swimming. Enjoy a nice meal after you swim or snorkel, and kick back in a hammock as a perfect ending to your day.
Paseo del Pescador (“Fisherman’s Walk”) is a paved walkway that runs along the shoreline in Zihuatanejo. On your walk you’ll pass by local artisan stores and restaurants that offer both local and international foods. Also, Paseo del Pescador is where local fishermen arrive and display their catch of the day. There’s no better place to buy fresh seafood.
The Xihuacán Ruins are 30 minutes from Zihuatanejo. Firstly, this archaeological site will transport you 3,000 years back in time. The Xihuacán Ruins is a multicultural site, with artifacts left behind by the Aztecs, Zapotecans, Toltecs, Olmecs, and other indigenous groups.
The Costa Grande Archaeological Museum is in the town of Zihuatanejo and is home to various archaeological findings, including tools, pottery, utensils, and weapons, that help visitors better understand the lifestyle of the ancient civilizations of Guerrero State.
Get a practical overview of living in Mexico—including lifestyle considerations, local routines, and what newcomers typically wish they knew before moving.
Retiring in Zihuatanejo, Mexico, is an excellent decision if you want to upgrade your quality of life while keeping a low cost of living.
A couple could live in Zihuatanejo for as little as US$1,600.
The immigration process is simple, and the proximity to the United States makes this a smart choice for retirees who want to remain close to friends and family.
Zihuatanejo’s popularity among expats and tourists means that English is widely spoken here, as it is throughout Mexico.
See what retirement can look like in Mexico—including lifestyle considerations, practical planning tips, and what to expect as you explore your options.
Zihuatanejo, Mexico, is a favorite among snowbirds due to its warm weather. For example, the temperature varies very little throughout the year, so you don’t have to worry about shopping for cold-weather clothing.
The average year-round temperature in Zihuatanejo is 78°F (25°C).
Even though the temperature varies only slightly, the most popular months for visitors are November through March.
Reviewed By Kathleen Peddicord
Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.
Start Your New Overseas Life Today
A world full of fun, adventure, and profit awaits! Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we’ll send you a FREE report on the 12 Best Places To Retire Overseas In 2026
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
Zihuatanejo is a town with a tropical climate, so we recommend you bring shorts, cotton t-shirts, dresses, skirts, tank tops, and anything else you would wear during the summer.
Yes. Zihuatanejo is very popular among tourists and expats so English is widely spoken here. You won’t need to learn Spanish if you plan on spending a limited amount of time here. You’d do well to learn conversational Spanish if you’re planning on retiring here.
Zihuatanejo, Mexico, is not without its petty thieves and pickpockets. They usually target people who look disoriented or flashy. Be cautious when wandering around, keep your belongings close to you, and try not to walk alone at night or down any dark pathways.
These precautions aren’t specific to Zihuatanejo and should be followed wherever you go.
Zihuatanejo is a great place to retire if you want to be close to the United States and want to live an upgraded lifestyle on a lower budget in a haven where English is widely spoken and there’s a large expat community.
If you’re looking for an easy transition into expat life, look to Mexico. For those who aren’t ready to launch...
Mexico is home to more American expats and retirees than any other country—at least 1 million and as many as...
Over the past four decades, Americans have voted Mexico the world’s #1 place to live or retire in the way...
Not everyone is a beach person. In fact, many full-time expats in Mexico prefer the ambiance and brilliant weather of...
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
As seen in
Top Countries
Budgets
Affordable
Resources
Real Estate
Overseas Property Alert
How To Become Independently Wealthy And Fund The Lifestyle Of Your Dreams
Buying Real Estate For Cashflow
Discover tips and strategies used by global property investing veterans
Explore Our Latest Posts
Learn how to invest and purchase property abroad…
Conferences
2026 Live And Invest In Mexico Online Workshop
2026 Live And Invest In France Conference
2026 Offshore Wealth Summit
Contact Our Events Team:
Toll-Free U.S. and Canada:
1 (888) 627 8834
From Outside North America:
1 (443) 599 1221
Working Hours
Monday – Friday 08:00 am – 17:00 pm EST.
Reach us with your questions by email at: events@liveandinvestoverseas.com
Store
Overseas Havens Reports
Conference Kits
Lahardan Books
Services
Free Report
FREE Report
The 12 Best Places to Retire Overseas in 2026
Simply sign up for our FREE daily Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we’ll immediately email you our editors’ latest research report… absolutely FREE
We Value Your Privacy! We will not share your email address with anyone else, period.
Follow Us:
© 2008 - Live and Invest Overseas - All Rights Reserved.
From the desk of Kathleen Peddicord
Founding Publisher, Live and Invest Overseas
