Ixtapa’s famous El Palmar Beach is a picture-perfect mix of seemingly endless yellow sand, clear blue water and luxury resorts. Head to El Palmar Beach to play on the sand, skim across the waves on a Jet Ski or enjoy a massage from a trained masseuse. If the crowds on the beach become too much, escape to the condos, resorts and restaurants that line the sand.
The area was once a coconut and mango plantation. Today, the only mangoes you’ll find are in your cocktail. Coconut palms, however, still line the foreshore. Cool off with a swim in the calm waters near the resorts. The waves at the south end of the beach are perfect for surfing.
El Palmar Beach is a great destination for watersports. Rent a Jet Ski from the vendors on the foreshore and bounce across the surface of the Pacific Ocean. See the water from a different perspective as you’re pulled by a boat on a wakeboard or suspended from a parasail.
Feel your body relax as you enjoy a full body massage at the massage huts on the beach’s northern end. For something livelier, check out the daily crocodile show at the Pacifica Resort on the south end of the beach.
Make your way to one of the many bars and restaurants scattered among the resorts for a traditional Mexican lunch. If you’re feeling adventurous, try a bowl of iguana soup, a local specialty. Most opt for seafood, which is fresh and served in local spices.
In the evening, large crowds descend on the beach creating a lively atmosphere. Secure a spot on the sand to watch the sunset. After the sun goes down, make your way to one of the beach bars and nightclubs in the resort precinct.
El Palmar Beach can be reached by car, bus or taxi from Ixtapa. Many of the resorts offer private parking facilities. Ixtapa has warm, sunny weather for most of the year.
