Mexico Vacations - Ixtapa Activities
Golfing in Ixtapa
Ixtapa has two excellent golf courses, the Palma Real Golf and Tennis Club, an 18 hole Robert Trent Jones Jr. design, and the new Marina Ixtapa Golf Course.
Palma Real Golf and Tennis ClubSportfishing in Ixtapa & ZihuatanejoSometimes knows as the Ixtapa Golf Club, this is one of Mexico's best golf courses. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. , the manicured rolling fairways run through a jungle and coconut plantation to the Pacific Ocean at Playa Palmar . This 6898 yard, par 72 course is also a wildlife preserve with many species of birds and three large lakes populated by alligators .
Palma Real is a complete golf club including pro shop, driving range, putting green, locker facilities, club house , lighted tennis courts , paddleboard courts, swimming pool , restaurant and bar .
Greens fees are approx. $60 USD for 18 holes with reduced afternoon rates from 3 to 7 pm (caddy or cart required). Golf carts (about $25 USD), caddies ($15 USD) and club rentals ($20 USD) are also available. Tips average $20 USD. Hours: 7 am to 7 pm.
Tel: (52-755) 553-1062 or (52-755) 553-1163
Marina Ixtapa Golf Club
This 6807 yard,18 hole, par 72 course at Marina Ixtapa was designed by Robert Von Hagge in 1994 to test players at all levels of skill. The " Dunes-Style topography " combined with large sand traps and three kilometers of canals (water hazards come into play on 14 holes) require accurate shots to reach the expansive rolling greens.
Marina Ixtapa Golf Club also offers a putting green, driving range, pro shop, club house , shower and locker facilities, bar , restaurant and lounge , tennis courts , meeting rooms and an on course beverage cart .
Greens fees : Approx. $60.00 USD from 7:00 AM, and $47.00 after 1:30 PM. Cart/caddy included. Club rentals approx. $35.00 USD. Tips average about 20 USD. Hours: 7:00 am TO 7:00 pm
Tel: (52-755) 553 1410 or 553-1424
Ixtapa is a very popular spot for sportfishing. The main catch in the Ixtapa area is marlin and you will find many boats returning with at least half a dozen marlin after a day of fishing.
To go sportfishing, you will have to go to Zihuatanejo and rent a boat and crew there for the day. You can do this before you leave through a sportfishing service or a travel agent, but it can also be done down there. You might get a better boat if you do it in advance (especially during high season).
There is a marina in Ixtapa, but those are primarily private boats. Sometimes you will find one or two fishing boats for rent in the marina, but your best best will still be Zihuatanejo.
Make sure you tell them to bring drinks in the boat. They will buy ice to keep it cool.
Since fishing is not as good in the afternoon and evening, you could go fishing in the morning and then head to Isla Ixtapa for lunch. You need a boat to get to it anyway. You could even have them cook your recently caught marlin, but they have plenty of good fish on that island. They make some good coconut drinks on the island too.
After a nice day of fishing and eating on Ixtapa Island, you will have a nice drive back to Zihuatanejo in front of the Ixtapa beach as the sun sets between the islands behind you. It's the perfect day of fishing.
