When approaching the Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo airport by air, you can see a formation of rocks not far from shore, a lagoon and a large beach. This is Barra de Potosí. About a 45-minute drive from Zihuatanejo, Barra de Potosi is a relaxing beach that really gets you away from it all. The beach restaurants have hammocks and lots of cold beer, and the waves are gentle enough that even children can generally swim in the ocean. If the waves look a bit rough, the lagoon is a good way for the family to cool off.

don't miss: Lying in a hammock in the shade while sipping a cold beer and watching the gorgeous view.

just the facts, ma'am: Numerous different activities are available, including kayak rentals, boat rentals, swimming, boogie boarding, and sunbathing.

meet me @: To get to Barra de Potosí from Zihuatanejo, follow the signs for Highway 200 to Acapulco, and take a right about 20 minutes later at the sign for Barra de Potosí. Follow the extremely bumpy road until you find the restaurant of your choice. If you go all the way to the end of the road, you have many restaurants to choose from.

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($$$$) Carlo Scuba is located on the lovely Las Gatas Beach in Zihuatanejo. With advance reservations, a boat will pick you up from the Zihuatanejo Pier and take you to the shop to get outfitted for scuba diving or snorkeling, and from there they set off to any number of interesting dive sites. The divers are PADI certified, and they offer full instruction and certification courses for beginners, and refresher courses for novices and experienced divers.

don't miss: an ice-cold post-dive beer on Playa Las Gatas with your dive instructor.

just the facts, ma'am: Carlo Scuba is open daily for dive trips, by reservation only. Payments may be made via PayPal.

meet me @: Carlo Scuba is located on Playa Las Gatas.

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($$$) Fun4rent offers a variety of outdoor-adventure rentals, including one- and two-person kayaks, bicycles, mopeds, town carts, sea scooters and more. They also provide kayak tours around Zihuatanejo and also Laguna Valentin. Their goal is to be an earth-friendly business, and their tours impart information about the local ecosystem and wilderness.

just the facts, ma'am: Fun4rent is open Monday through Saturday, 8 am – 7 pm, and Sundays by appointment only. Services include free delivery of equipment rented for the full day. Tours are bi-lingual and eco-friendly.

meet me @: Fun4rent is located on Calle Agustin Ramirez, #3 Colonia Centro, across from the Jungle Bar.

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($$) For fun in the sun that won’t empty your wallet, don’t miss Magic World, Ixtapa. Magic World is our very own waterslide park, and is full of luscious pools, waterslides, shaded lounge chairs, and lots of umbrellas. The section for children has 6 water slides of various shapes and designs and is open all day. There are two high-speed waterslides for adults and older kids only, and they are open from 12-2 and 4-5 every day. There is also a wave pool, which is open daily from 3-4. If you get hungry, choose from any of the three restaurants. They sell hamburgers, hot dogs, burritos, chicken, and seafood. You can also organize a party at Magic World, with packages for up to 20 people that include entrance fee and food for $75 pesos per person during low season and $80 pesos per person during high season.

just the facts, ma'am: Magic World, Ixtapa is located right next door to Hotel Ixtapa in Ixtapa. They are open every day from 10:30 to 5:30. High season rates in pesos are: $50 for locals and $80 for tourists. Low season rates in pesos are $40 for locals and $60 for tourists. Children 3 years and under get in free. To get the local rate, you must show proof of your address (driver’s license, voter’s card or bill will suffice).

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When you enter the Zihuatanejo Dive Center, administrator America Orta greets you with a friendly smile, and you know you’ve come to the right place. The dive masters and instructors are PADI certified, and ready to teach you scuba safety and basics in the on-site classrooms. Then they take you to various hotels in the area for in-water practice before you go out into the open water for the real dives.

just the facts, ma'am: Zihuatanejo Dive Center, open Mondays through Saturdays, 8:30 am – 6 pm, provides classes and gear for scuba. It also rents snorkeling equipment, kayaks, sailboats for up to 8 people, and snooba (a watersport that allows you to dive up to 10 feet without carrying heavy tanks - great for children!). English, French and Spanish spoken.

meet me @: Zihuatanejo Dive Center is located on the road to Puerto Mio, just on the other side of the footbridge, and is a quick walk from Zihua Centro.

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