Zihuatanejo Annual International Sailfish Tournament

The XXVIII Edition of the Zihuatanejo Annual International Sailfish Tournament will be taking place in 2011 the first week of May in this Pacific coast paradise of Zihuatanejo..

Last year, the organizing committee of this world-class fishing tournament announced more than 200 competitors participated in the event and the proceeds were matched by the municipal government and destined to a community cause or project.

As in years past, vehicles will be the major prizes to be won awarded to the fisherman who traps the biggest sailfish, marlin or mahi-mahi. During this season, sailfish in this area can reach up to 175 pounds.

Zihuatanejo is considered an important fishing port due to its abundance of species, where you can also catch grouper, sierra, barracuda, yellow tail and bonito.

Nowadays, eco-friendly fishing is the practice with sailfish caught and immediately released.

http://www.luxuryvillaszihuatanejo.com

http://www.montecristomexico.com

Source: http://www.zihua-ixtapa.com/2010/03/sailfish-tournament-zihuatanejo-201/

7 Tourist Attractions in Zihuatanejo

According to Mapsoftheworld.com, the tourist attractions of Zihua have attracted very many people from all over the World.

Among them here are my seven favorites:

1. Stunning Beaches

Great for swimmers, surfers and for snorkeling in the underwater canyons and coral formations surrounded by crystal clear blue water

2. Water Sports

Sailing, windsurfing, parasailing, water skiing, scuba diving trips, etc.

3. Local Cruises

There are numerous local boat tours and cruises that include "stops at good places for swimming, snorkeling and diving... watch the sun go down and take a picture of the sinking sun from the cruise".

4. Sports Fishing

Zihua is one of the finest places in Mexico for sports fishing

5. Horseback Riding

On the beach and through coconut, papaya and mango plantations

6. Golf and Tennis

Swing your racquet and your club surrounded by the natural beauty of Zihua

7. Ecotourism Activities

Such as hiking, kayaking, excursions, bicycling, etc.

So many ways to energize yourself in Zihuatanejo!

http://www.vacationvillaszihuatanejo.com

http://www.montecristomexico.com

¿Frida Kahlo in Zihuatanejo?

American artist, Judith Kindler refers to Frida Kahlo's influence on her work in an article by Rebecca Teagarden of the SeattleTimes.com as "instrumental in a very personal way".

Kindler says of Kahlo. "Kyle [Kindler's husband] and I were in Mexico a few years before the Frida Kahlo craze. We stumbled upon this woman in Zihuatanejo who ran a private museum. She took us on a backroom tour of Frida Kahlo's life through an artist's work... I have always been hiding behind humor. Seeing the strength [Frida] had visually to reveal her pain helped me do that. Being open to letting people see more into me".

The Seattle multidisciplinary artist has a postcard of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera on her refrigerator: "She's on here to remind me to open up; we all have these similar emotional experiences."

Judith Kindler has a new series of photographs, "Don´t Hate Me Because I´m Beautiful". (www.judithkindler.com)

http://www.luxuryvillaszihuatanejo.com

http://www.montecristomexico.com

December 2010 Events in Zihuatanejo

According to Zihuatanejo Journal these are the early December 2010 events:

• DATE: Thursday, December 2, 2:00 pm – 11:30 pm / PLACE: THE FLOPHOUSE BAR

1st anniversary of the Flophouse bar offering cold 10 peso beers and 10 pesos off drinks, with live music. Open from 2 pm on.

• DATE: Saturday, December 4, 2010 – starting 6:30 p.m. / PLACE: COCONUTS RESTAURANT

Grand re-opening of Coconuts Restaurant with canapes and cocktails. The new menu additions look too good to be true: hand made crab ravioli, goat cheese tortellini, seared foie gras, salt crusted red snapper, Thai seafood curry laksa, palm hearts with lobster medallions, Artichoke carpaccio with wild arugula and poached shrimp… mmmm… as well as the old standbys of coconut shrimp, succulent pork chop, etc.

• DATE: Wednesday, December 8 – 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm / PLACE: LA MADERA FOODCRAWL

Fundraiser for the 2011 International Zihuatanejo Guitar Festival and sample great food

• DATE: Saturday, December 11 – 7:00 pm to 8:30 p.m. / PLACE: COCONUTS RESTAURANT

Isahrai Azaria will be giving a presentation on Graphic Design Basics

• DATE: Saturday, December 18 – 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm / PLACE: COCONUTS RESTAURANT

Art Opening: Tropical memories, Tropical Recuerdos. Art exhibit of works by Zihuatanejo artist, Grace Relfe. Grace captures the colors of Zihuatanejo beaches, landscapes and lifestyle in acrylics and oils.

http://www.luxuryvillaszihuatanejo.com

http://www.montecristomexico.com

Zihuatanejo in TOP 10 Best Family Destinations in the World

Ixtapa Zihuatanejo was named among the TOP 10 "Best Family Destinations in the World for 2010" by TripAdvisor. (http://www.tripadvisor.com/TCDestinations-cFamily-g1)

Listed with such favorites as: Marne-la-Vallee (EuroDisney in France); Urayasu, Japan; Majorca, Spain; Anaheim & Carlsbad in California and Orlando in Florida.

In the category of "Family Destinations for the Caribbean & Mexico", Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo came in first place ahead of well-known touristic sites. (http://www.tripadvisor.com/TCDestinations-cFamily-g147237)

This award is a result of the votes granted by thousands of travelers based on their vacation experiences all around the World.

Among the reasons cited for voting for Zihua were the wide range of activities, including ecotouristic, that the area offers.

Another advantage of this pearl of the Pacific Riviera is the proximity to major cities in North America with direct flights from many of them.

http://www.luxuryvillaszihuatanejo.com

http://www.montecristomexico.com

Zihuatanejo, the Fishing Paradise of the Gold Coast of Mexico

Why is Zihuatanejo one of the best places for a fishing vacation?

The people in the know will list a few hard facts to answer this question:

• The water´s temperature year round is between 75 and 86 degrees
• Storms are virtually non-existent because Zihua is nestled in a natural harbor, so "lost fishing time is mostly margarita-related", says gitanasportfishing.com (1)
• There's always abundant sailfishing, and in certain months it´s mixed up with large yellowfin tuna, blue marlin, dorado, black, striped marlin and roosterfish.

According to this website, this is what the different seasons will bring to the fisherman in Zihuatanejo:

"Winter (November - Mid February) It's all about the sailfish. There will be dorado and in-shore species to go after, but... sailfish is the ticket

Spring (Late February- April) Add blue marlin to the sailfish and some more dorado. This is also the most important period for large yellowfin tuna. If your arms get really tired, you can always go for bonito and jacks one day

Summer (May - August) The sailfish continues to deliver. Dorado is now present in maximum numbers. Roosterfish can now be found reliably along the beaches. The yellowfin is still around sometime into June, blue marlin into July.

Fall (September - October) The most interesting proposition next to the sailfish is the roosterfish, which can be very good at this time". (1)

So grab your fishing gear and take advantage of the Fall rental rates for private villas in Zihua.

http://www.luxuryvillaszihuatanejo.com

http://www.montecristomexico.com

Sources: http://www.gitanasportfishing.com/

New ecotourism attraction in Zihuatanejo, showcases biodiversity of Mexico

There are more than 170 countries in the World, yet out of these, twelve alone harbor in between 60 and 70% of the total biodiversity of the planet and thus earn the privilege to be called megadiverse. Mexico is one of them (1)

Carol Canter of the San Francisco Examiner writes about a new ecotourism attraction in Zihuatanejo called El Refugio de Potosi, a 45-minute bilingual guided tour where adventurers of all ages can "get up close and personal with local flora and fauna".

"Black-Bellied Whistling Ducks whistle while they waddle into the Turtle Pond for their morning dip. Green Military Macaws and Yellow-Headed Amazon Parrots 'converse' at amplified volumes. The Chachalacas, which resemble wild turkeys, are even more boisterous!," writes Canter, adding: "Jewel-like colibris shimmer in the sunlight, their tiny wings aflutter like high-speed engines".

This might also be your best chance to view safely behind a glass, boa constrictors, scorpions and even marvel at the impressive 60-feet long skeleton of a sperm whale.

A crocodile program is also planned for later this year.

El Refugio de Potosi is a non profit venture, developed and funded by contributions and many volunteer hours, that has earned the support of the tourism community in Zihua and which has become a popular stop on eco-tours such as the serene early morning kayak/birdwatching trip on the lagoon at Refugio de Potosi offered by Zoe Kayak Tours (2)

http://www.luxuryvillaszihuatanejo.com/

http://www.montecristomexico.com/

Sources:

(1) http://www.vivanatura.org/Biodiversity.html

(2) http://www.examiner.com/active-seniors-travel-in-san-francisco/el-refugio-de-potosi-new-ecotourism-attraction-zihuatanejo-mexico