Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa on Mexico's western coast may be located only 4 miles apart, but they are centuries away from each other in development and style. Zihuatanejo is a charming fishing village which has been inhabited since the beginning of Mexican civilization. It is thought that Zihuatanejo was a matriarchial society associated with Mexico's Olmec civilization many centuries ago. On the other hand, Ixtapa was developed by the Mexican government in the 1970s as a resort destination, much like Cancun on the Yucatan peninsula. Half of the land in Ixtapa was designated as an ecological preserve, thus preserving the natural beauty of the area among the modern resort amenities.

Zihuatanejo is a charming glimpse of the Mexico of the past. The town encircles a lovely bay, with narrow brick streets fanning out from the centro, where fishermen display their catch of the day. For a bit of history, check out the Museo de Arquelogia de la Costa Grande with its exhibits on the cultures that occupied the western coast of Mexico before the arrival of the Spanish. It is located at the end of Paseo del Pescador. There are over 250 market stalls filled with Mexican arts and crafts in Zihuatanejo's tourist crafts market or Mercado de Artesenia Turistico, as well as a municipal market where you can find anything from hammocks to huaraches (Mexican sandals), so there is plenty to keep the serious shopper busy.

There is plenty to do in Ixtapa, from golf and water sports to horseback riding on the beach. There are malls located across from the hotels in Ixtapa called Centro Commercial a Puerta and Centro Commercial Los Patios, where you can find everything from sportswear to folk art. There is also a market with over 150 stalls near the hotel zone, and locals will be more than happy to help you to find the perfect treasures to bring home with you. Many of the best beaches are not open to the public, but if you go just a bit south of the hotel zone, Playa Vista Hermosa is a lovely beach bordered by cliffs, and non-guests of the Westin (which it fronts) are welcome to enjoy the sun and sand.

About the Author: Stephanie Larkin is the editor of http://www.Cruise-to-Mexico.net, as well as http://www.WaltDisneyCruise.net and other cruise websites. She and her family are avid cruisers - her 3 children especially love the towel animals and chocolates left on their pillows at night!