Playa Blanca, Playa Larga

Playa Larga and Playa Blanca are in fact parts of the same long stretch of white sand that runs from the hills just south of Zihuatanejo Bay, past the airport and all the way to Barra de Potosí. Originally, the entire stretch was simply referred to as Playa Larga, but recently many people refer to the stretch north of the Las Pozas lagoon and estuary (that lie close to the airport) as Playa Larga, and the southern stretch, from the airport to Barra de Potosí, as Playa Blanca.

Playa Large

Playa Larga and Playa Blanca together form a long stretch of sand several miles long – a great spot for a lengthy stroll in the surf at any point along it. These stretches of beach are ideal spots to whale and dolphin watch even from the shore. Whales can often be seen migrating up and down the coast between about December and February; dolphins are more a year-round phenomenon and it is an incredible experience to watch them frolic and play along the surf-line.

Caution: These beaches are open ocean beaches with heavy surf and dangerous ndertows, riptides and currents that have often swept even strong swimmers out without warning.

Access to the Playa Larga Section

Close to Zihuatanejo leaving town southward toward Acapulco and the airport and  just prior to the Coacoyul turnoff to the left, is a turnoff to the right that will take you to Playa Larga. This secondary road, paved but fairly narrow, winds through coconut groves and goes past small huts and houses tucked away beneath the trees. Many of the coconut palms have mango trees and bananas planted below them, and in certain areas you can see where coconuts have been harvested and split and are lying out to dry in the sun.

On one of the last curves before reaching the beach itself is a corral of horses that are available for beach horseback riding tours. Playa Larga is a prime spot for rides along the beach or even longer treks into the hills.

Playa Blanca looking north

On this stretch of beach is a series of palm-thatched enramadas and restaurants serving fresh seafood (oysters, grilled fish, tiritas, seafood cocktails, abalone, etc.) and cold drinks. Some of the businesses have small swimming pools for cooling off, as the crashing beach break on Playa Larga is often dangerous for swimming. It is an open-ocean beach and waves crash along the shore, throwing up a mist that often enshrouds its length. Those brave enough to pit themselves against these breakers should exercise extreme caution.

Volleyball nets and soccer posts are often set up in front of the restaurants afford the opportunity for some exercise under the sun, but the favorite activity along this strand is simply beach combing.

Taking a walk toward the rocks at the northern end of the Playa Larga section, one passes no more than a few palapa-roofed houses under palms. In this area, there’s plenty of space between neighbors. The land, where it is  not cultivated, is generally dry and you can see cacti growing right down to the sand from the hillside.

At the rocks at the northern end of Playa Blanca one can look back along miles upon miles of white sand toward the hilly promontory at Barra de Potosí on the southern end. Local residents sometimes surf fish near the rocks, both with hand lines and small nets.

Playa Blanca and Las Pozas

Playa Blanca and Las Pozas (the area near the lagoon and estuary at the beach end of the airport runway) can be accessed either from the north, via the road to the airport, or by taking the new paved road from Los Achotes on Hiway 200 to Barra de Potosi, and turning north along the beach from there.

Approached from the airport, there is a small turnoff to the right, just before entering the airport proper, onto a dusty dirt road that runs along the airport perimeter fence. Arriving at the beach, there are a couple of small seafood enramadas which form the area known as Las Pozas. A small lagoon is often enjoyed by children, as again, along this entire beach, the heavy beach surf and rip tides are best avoided.

Following the beach road south, one passes a number of small homesteads as well as newer constructions including condominium complexes and a few bed and breakfasts and even boutique hotels. There is not much vegetation along this beach other than that surrounding the small lagoons. As one approaches Barra de Potosí, more and more small homes and restaurants appear.

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