Zihuatanejo is a coastal city in the state of Guerrero. The nearby resort of Ixtapa is probably better known by most traveling tourists, but regardless what you call it, Zihua and it's surrounds are a fine spot for the traveler interested in a bit more than the glitzy resorts so typical of coastal Mexico. Flora and fauna abound and are accessible right out your backdoor... The galleries below include a sample of what awaits you.
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Birding - Zihua is a wonderful place if you are into birding. The surrounding foothills are a haven for may exotic birds, but even if you don't want to venture far, you'll be amazed at what you can see just walking around your hotel grounds. A trip south to the laguna potosi will yield a variety of wading and other water associated birds, but the beach in the early morning and the canal that runs though downtown will yield a surprising diversity too!! Click on any of the images below for a larger picture with captions.
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Botanizing - The area surrounding Zihua has plenty to offer to the botanist, both amature or profesional alike. Several different plant communities are found within a short distance of the beach. Dense, layered forests are interspersed with coconut palms near the beaches. Freshwater wetlands dot the lowlands, and the steep, rugged hillsides are covered with a variety of tropical hardwoods. The tough part is finding a good guidebook. I'm still searching for something technical to get me further than the general "Roadside Guide to Mexican Flora" which barely even touches the basic diversity. Genera like the Passiflora to the right are as easily identified here as in my Tennessee backyard, but others are more cryptic! In the meantime, I'm taking photos and ID'ing what I can. Click on the images below for a larger picture.
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