Las Gatas

 Of the four beaches that frame Zihuatanejo Bay, Las Gatas is the least accessible, only reachable by pangas (small water taxi boats) or by hiking along the path & rocks between Playa la Ropa and Las Gatas. It is the remote location that makes it my favorite in-town beach as it affords both vacationers and locals an escape from Zihua Centro, traffic, and hotels. An early morning hike or afternoon boat ride to Las Gatas feels like my own mini-vacation every time. The waters are often the clearest in the area and are protected by an ancient man-made reef making it fantastic for snorkeling along the coral and for wading in the shallow waters. The terrain is a mixture of sand and small rocks so wearing water shoes is highly recommended, even while swimming.

just the facts, ma'am: The beach is lined with restaurants that offer familiar beach seafood fare, cervesas, and cocktails. It can be hard to decide where to park your beach towel for the day because they all seem so similar; the good news is - they're all good so you can't really make a bad choice! If you continue all the way to the end of the beach, you'll find Owen Lee's Las Gatas Beach Club, a rustic ecological resort that is perfect for truly escaping any worries or the frustrations of modern civilization. Past Owen's, there is a walking path to the lighthouse where you will be blown away with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

meet me @: Round trip tickets for the pangas to Las Gatas on the far side of Zihua's Bay are available for 30 pesos from several vendors near the Municipal Pier in Zihua Centro where the water taxis dock to load and unload passengers. The pangas only run until about 5 pm so make sure to check with the operator when the last pickup is for the day and keep track of time - or at least ask your waiter to do so while you keep track of your piña coladas! You can also hike to Las Gatas from the far end of Playa la Ropa. The walk's difficulty ranges from medium to arduous as the waves and tide can overwhelm the rocky path. No matter what, you will have to climb over a few large boulders and should make sure to wear slip-proof and sturdy shoes. Also, make sure to reward yourself with a silly tropical cocktail upon your arrival for mastering the trek!

filed under: beaches by Isahrai (Jul 07)
tagged: kids play