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Playa Las Gatas

Пляж Лас-Гатас
Mexico · Beach · Ixtapa
crystal
Best month: December

Best for

Ideal for snorkelling enthusiasts and couples seeking a secluded beach with rich marine life. Suitable for day trips. Not suitable for families with small children due to lack of lifeguards.

Best month

December

Water
+28.0°C
Length
400 m
A scenic beach in a sheltered cove, accessible by water taxi from Zihuatanejo. It features calm water and rich marine life, popular for snorkelling and a quiet retreat.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
A scenic beach in a sheltered cove, accessible by water taxi from Zihuatanejo. It features calm water and rich marine life, popular for snorkelling and a quiet retreat.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Secluded beach accessible only by boat
  • Crystal-clear water
  • Rich underwater world
  • Best snorkelling spot in the region
  • Calm water protected by a breakwater
  • Restaurants on the beach
  • Historic site

Cons

  • Accessible only by water taxi
  • No roads
  • Limited space (400 m)
  • Crowded in high season
  • No lifeguards
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for snorkelling enthusiasts and couples seeking a secluded beach with rich marine life. Suitable for day trips. Not suitable for families with small children due to lack of lifeguards.
Features
What makes this beach unique
The ancient stone breakwater built by Tarascan king Calzontzin in the 15th century creates a calm lagoon. The underwater world inside the breakwater is the richest on the Costa Grande coast.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
fine
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
20 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
mixed
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
recommended
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
400 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
crystal
Underwater Visibility
12.0 m
Average Water Temp
+28.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+31.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.2 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
November December
Season end
April
Best month
December
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
5.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats.
Dangerous creatures
sea urchins
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
No
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
No
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
No
Parking
No
Wi-Fi
No
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
8 pcs
Best restaurants

Daniel-s

Mexican, seafood

Long-running local favourite with fresh fish, ceviche and regional cuisine

El Manantial

Mexican, seafood

Restaurant with fresh seafood and bay views

Nearby cuisines

Mexican

Traditional Mexican cuisine with seafood

Must try: Ceviche, grilled fish, tacos

Seafood

Fresh seafood from the Pacific Ocean

Must try: Shrimp, fish, octopus
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
moderate
Silence Level
moderate
Sunset Quality
beautiful
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
moderate
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
Yes
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
No
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Water shoes Snorkel mask Cash
Best Time to Swim
In the morning when the water is calmer and underwater visibility is better. The best time for snorkelling is before 11:00.
Local Rules
Keep the area clean, do not leave litter. Do not touch corals or marine life.
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Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Calzontzin Breakwater

Ancient 15th-century stone breakwater creating a calm lagoon

Zihuatanejo

Scenic town with fishing harbour and market

Playa La Ropa

Neighbouring popular beach with restaurants and water sports

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa Las Gatas: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity crystal, average temperature +28.0°C, warms up to +31.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Playa Las Gatas: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.2 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Playa Las Gatas: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 20 metres from the shore. Bottom — mixed. It is recommended to bring aqua shoes — parts of the bottom have rocks or corals. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Playa Las Gatas: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — fine. Beach length — 400 metres.
Playa Las Gatas: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in November, December. It ends in April. The best month for a holiday is December. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Playa Las Gatas: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. Rip currents are unlikely. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa Las Gatas: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: sea urchins. We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Playa Las Gatas: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, toilets. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa Las Gatas: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming.
Playa Las Gatas: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Daniel-s, El Manantial. Cuisines available: Mexican, Seafood. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa Las Gatas: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Water shoes, Snorkel mask, Cash.
Playa Las Gatas: when is the best time to swim?
In the morning when the water is calmer and underwater visibility is better. The best time for snorkelling is before 11:00.
Playa Las Gatas: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Keep the area clean, do not leave litter. Do not touch corals or marine life.
Playa Las Gatas: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, diving. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Playa Las Gatas: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for snorkelling enthusiasts and couples seeking a secluded beach with rich marine life. Suitable for day trips. Not suitable for families with small children due to lack of lifeguards.
Playa Las Gatas: what makes this beach unique?
The ancient stone breakwater built by Tarascan king Calzontzin in the 15th century creates a calm lagoon. The underwater world inside the breakwater is the richest on the Costa Grande coast.
Playa Las Gatas: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Secluded beach accessible only by boat, Crystal-clear water, Rich underwater world, Best snorkelling spot in the region, Calm water protected by a breakwater, Restaurants on the beach, Historic site. Cons: Accessible only by water taxi, No roads, Limited space (400 m), Crowded in high season, No lifeguards.
Playa Las Gatas: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Calzontzin Breakwater, Zihuatanejo, Playa La Ropa. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Playa Las Gatas: how do I get to the city of Ixtapa?
The beach is located near the city of Ixtapa. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Ixtapa.

City

Ixtapa

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.

Best month

December

Useful information

Country: Mexico
Type: Beach
Coordinates: 17.623760, -101.546610

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