($$$$) 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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($$) For fun in the sun that won’t empty your wallet, don’t miss Magic World: Ixtapa. Magic World is our very own water slide park, and is full of refreshing pools, water slides, shaded lounge chairs, and lots of umbrellas. The section for children has 6 water slides of various shapes & designs and is open all day. There are two high-speed water slides for adults and older kids only which are open from 12-2 and 4-5 every afternoon. There is also a wave pool open daily from 3-4. If you get hungry, choose from any of the three restaurants on the premises. They sell hamburgers, hot dogs, burritos, chicken, and seafood. You can also organize a party at Magic World, with packages for up to 20 people that include entrance fee and food for $75 pesos per person during low season and $80 pesos per person during high season.

just the facts, ma'am: They are open every day from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. High season rates 50 pesos for locals and 80 for tourists. Low season rates are 40 pesos for locals and 60 for tourists. Children 3 years and under get in free. To get the local rate, you must show proof of your address (driver’s license, voter’s card or utility bill will suffice).

meet me @: Magic World: Ixtapa is located right next door to Hotel Ixtapa in Ixtapa.

filed under: waterlogged by Bev (Aug 07)

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($$) If you’re tired of the touristy crowds, but still want an authentic, delicious and affordable meal in a tranquil, tropical setting, you must try Pollocoa in Coacoyul. Located off the beaten track, the slogan at Pollocoa is “Lo Mejor en Pollo” (The Best in Chicken) and they are not exaggerating. Chicken comes grilled, breaded, in a creamy poblano sauce, with mole, as chicken cordon bleu, or any other way you wish to have it prepared. The menu also includes a full range of appetizers, salads, seafood, steaks and Sunday pork specials. For an extra cost ($50 pesos per adult and $25 pesos per child) you can use their swimming pool for as long as you want. The shallow end is partitioned off from the deep end, and is just shallow enough for a 2 1/2-year-old (mine to be precise) to stand up in without water wings. While waiting for your meal, or to burn off some of the calories after you eat, you can stroll the grassy grounds and watch the farm animals at the back of the property. They include turkeys, chicken, roosters, parrots, and most interestingly, ostriches. You can also while away your time watching the cooks work in the open-air kitchen, which is built around the natural rock formations originally on the property.

just the facts, ma'am: Restaurant Pollocoa is open every day, from 9:30am to 6pm. At the moment it is one of the undiscovered gems of Zihua, so it is never crowded, and sometimes you can have the whole pool area to yourself. Free wifi is available, as is shaded parking. Parties are welcome and include the cost of the pool. The six on-sight bungalows also have free access to the pool and wifi. Most of the restaurant and the restrooms are wheelchair accessible.

don't miss: The homemade pico de gallo is fabulous and has a surprising touch of oregano in it. The grilled chicken comes as a 1/4 order, 1/2 order or a whole chicken, and is a family favorite. If you want to branch into seafood, the coconut shrimps with mango sauce is a must.

meet me @: Pollocoa is located in Coacoyul on Carratera Nacional Acapulco-Zihuatanejo (on the left-hand side of the road from Zihuatanejo to Acapulco).

filed under: @elsewhere- authentic fare- casual dining- restaurants- waterlogged by Bev (Feb 08)

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When you enter the Zihuatanejo Dive Center, administrator America Orta greets you with a friendly smile, and you know you’ve come to the right place. The dive masters and instructors are PADI certified, and ready to teach you scuba safety and basics in the on-site classrooms. Then they take you to various hotels in the area for in-water practice before you go out into the open water for the real dives.

just the facts, ma'am: Zihuatanejo Dive Center, open Mondays through Saturdays, 8:30 am – 6 pm, provides classes and gear for scuba. It also rents snorkeling equipment, kayaks, sailboats for up to 8 people, and snooba (a watersport that allows you to dive up to 10 feet without carrying heavy tanks - great for children!). English, French and Spanish spoken.

meet me @: Zihuatanejo Dive Center is located on the road to Puerto Mio, just on the other side of the footbridge, and is a quick walk from Zihua Centro.

filed under: sport & adventure- waterlogged by Bev (Jul 07)

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