(free!) If you’re looking for a place to let the kids run off some energy, Parque Recreativo Los Amates in Ixtapa is one of the options available. Fonatur maintains the park, so the grass is green, and the area is cleaned regularly. The park has several levels with two playgrounds consisting of wooden structures with ladders, steps, platforms, slides, see-saws, swings and monkey bars. A basketball court and skate boarding area make this a welcome place for kids of all ages.

just the facts, ma'am: There are several stone benches placed throughout the park, but not necessarily in the shady locations. The park can be quite toasty in the afternoons with the sun beating down on the kids, especially in the hotter summer months, so plan your trips accordingly.

meet me @: Parque Recreativo Los Amates is located in Ixtapa between Colina de las Mariposas and Colina de las Calandrias, on the opposite side of Paseo de los Viveros from the Euro School.

filed under: sport & adventure by Bev (Aug 07)

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($-$$$) With certified organic coffee beans grown in the mountains surrounding Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa, Café Zihuatanejo is a place any coffee lover won't want to miss. For years, they have offered green and freshly roasted beans (both whole and ground) in their small store on Calle Cuauhtémoc. In 2006, they also opened a "proper" cafe in Centro that serves up their coffee, espresso drinks, a wide range of teas, and both breakfast and daytime fare.

just the facts, ma'am: Café Zihuatanejo is open from 8 am until midnight every day with breakfast served until noon. Many menu items can be ordered as entirely "organic" (there is typically a 5-10 peso surcharge due to increased cost in ingredients). Café Zihuatanejo has been certified organic by the USDA, OCIA, and has received awards for their coffee from as far away as Australia. In addition to being committed to organic coffee growing techniques, they also promote recycling by offering a small discount on coffee bean purchases when you bring your bag back to their Cuauhtémoc shop.

don't miss: Wake up the whole family with a pot of coffee for just 40 pesos (a single serving cup of café americano is 10 pesos). There are plenty of options for non-coffee drinkers including a wide range of fruit smoothies and teas. The ginger te (te gingebre) is especially delicious. Breakfast "packets" are a wonderful way to start the day before heading to the beach while the crepes (savory or sweet) taste great with a cappucino at night.

meet me @: the pedestrian street of H. Galeana (between restaurants Jarocho and Nueva Zealandia). Café Zihuatanejo has quickly become a popular meeting place for locals looking for an alternative to bars and clubs.
You can also still buy green and roasted beans by the 1/2 kilo or kilo in their shop at Calle Cuauhtémoc # 170. They offer several roasts/blends including French Roast, Cuban Roast, Americano, Expresso, an anti-depressive blend, and decaffeinated varieties.

filed under: @zihua- cafes by Isahrai (Jul 07)

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The local Animal Humane Society has been a fixture of Zihuatanejo for 25 years. It is funded completely through private support and never turns away a needy, wounded, or abandoned animal. They work especially hard to rehabilitate wild species so they can be returned to their natural habitat in addition to placing domesticated animals with loving homes. SPAZ sponsors a free sterilization program for dogs and cats, valiantly trying to curb the proliferation of abandoned and malnourished animals that currently live on Zihua's streets. They also hope to soon initiate a permanent education program in local schools.

just the facts, ma'am: the Humane Society is always looking for volunteers to help walk dogs, clean and feed rescued animals, assist with publicity and fundraising, and work on sterilization days. You can also purchase a SPAZ t-shirt from the stores below the Humane Society to help support the Society's work.

meet me @: the Animal Humane Society of Zihuatanejo is located at Casa Marina, Paseo del Pescador #9, next to la cancha (aka el zocolo or the basketball courts) downtown.

filed under: do good by Isahrai (Dec 06)

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($$$$) Carlo Scuba is located on the lovely Las Gatas Beach in Zihuatanejo. With advance reservations, a boat will pick you up from the Zihuatanejo Pier and take you to the shop to get outfitted for scuba diving or snorkeling, and from there they set off to any number of interesting dive sites. The divers are PADI certified, and they offer full instruction and certification courses for beginners, and refresher courses for novices and experienced divers.

just the facts, ma'am: Carlo Scuba is open daily for dive trips, by reservation only. Payments may be made via PayPal.

don't miss: an ice-cold post-dive beer on Playa Las Gatas with your dive instructor.

meet me @: Carlo Scuba is located on Playa Las Gatas.

filed under: sport & adventure- waterlogged by Bev (Dec 06)

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($$$) Fun4rent offers a variety of outdoor-adventure rentals, including one- and two-person kayaks, bicycles, mopeds, town carts, sea scooters and more. They also provide kayak tours around Zihuatanejo and also Laguna Valentin. Their goal is to be an earth-friendly business, and their tours impart information about the local ecosystem and wilderness.

just the facts, ma'am: Fun4rent is open Monday through Saturday, 8 am – 7 pm, and Sundays by appointment only. Services include free delivery of equipment rented for the full day. Tours are bi-lingual and eco-friendly.

meet me @: Fun4rent is located on Calle Agustin Ramirez, #3 Colonia Centro, across from the Jungle Bar.

filed under: sport & adventure- waterlogged by Bev (Dec 06)

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