Playa Larga, Playa Blanca and Las Pozas

Playa Larga, Playa Blanca and Las Pozas 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 northern stretch as Playa Larga, the section and lagoon at the north end of the airport as Las Pozas, and the southern stretch, from the airport to Barra de Potosí, as Playa Blanca.

Access to the Playa Larga Section

Close to Zihuatanejo on the new road to the airport is a turnoff to the right as you leave town, just before reaching the Coacoyul intersection on the way to the International Airport. Taking a right at the Playa Larga sign, one travels a secondary road that 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, as well.

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.

On this stretch of beach is a series of Enramadas and restaurants serving fresh seafood (oysters, grilled fish, tuna tiritas, seafood cocktails, etc.) and cold drinks. Some of the locales 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 it's length. Those brave enough to pit themselves against these breakers should exercise extreme caution.

Volleyball nets and soccer posts 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 beachcombing.

Playa Larga and Playa Blanca form a long stretch of sand several miles long - a great spot for a lengthy stroll in the surf at any point along it. Taking a walk toward the rocks at the northern end of the Playa Larga section, one passes a few palapa-roofed houses under palms. In this area, there's plenty of space between neighbors. 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.

Access to La Pozas and Playa Blanca

Las Pozas and Playa Blanca 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 permiter fence. Arriving at the beach, there are four or five small seafood enramadas which form the area known as Las Pozas. A small lagoon provides safe swimming for smaller children as again, along this entire beach, the beach break 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.