Ixtapa (Zihuatanejo), Mexico

Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa lie 150 miles northwest of Acapulco. Although a mere three miles of geography separate the two towns, they are in fact poles apart. In the 1960s, Mexico's tourism chose sites for future development. They selected Cancun and Ixtapa. Today, Ixtapa is an internationally renowned tourist destination with luxury resorts. Zihuatanejo, on the other hand, remains a relatively unspoiled fishing village graced with golden beaches and a relaxed air.