Isla Ixtapa boat trip

The cheapest boat ride in Ixtapa and a whole beach day in itself. Pangas shuttle across from the embarcadero at Playa Linda, at the north end of the hotel strip, and drop you at Playa Varadero, the main beach, on the sheltered side of the island where the water is calm and good for swimming.

The island is small enough to cross on foot in minutes. Cuachalalate sits on the same calm side, and Playa Coral faces the open Pacific; it is rockier and can be rough, but it is where the snorkellers go. Playa Sacrificio has no restaurant at all, just a small hill with a view out to sea. Everywhere else, palapa restaurants serve grilled fish, tacos and cold beer, and in high season there are lines for jet skis, banana rides and a seat in the shade. Raccoons, iguanas, armadillos and the odd deer live along the trails inland.