Zihuatanejo is a city located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico in the western part of the state of Guerrero. It sits within a section of the coast known as the Costa Grande, positioned approximately 240 kilometers northwest of Acapulco. Politically, the city belongs to the municipality of Zihuatanejo de Azueta, though both entities are commonly referred to by the same name. It serves as the fourth largest city in the state and functions as a significant urban center along this stretch of the Mexican Pacific.

The area was originally inhabited by nomadic tribes and later groups such as the Chumbia and Panteca before being conquered by the Aztecs in 1497. The Spanish arrived in the 1520s, using the bay for exploration and as a port for ships sailing to the Philippines. The name Zihuatanejo may derive from Purépecha or Nahuatl origins, while the municipal suffix honors José Azueta, who died fighting a U.S. incursion in 1914. In 2023, the town was designated a Pueblo Mágico for its cultural and historical importance.

Historically a fishing village surrounded by haciendas, Zihuatanejo has retained a traditional town feel despite modern development. It is located on a well-protected bay popular with private boat owners during winter months. Nearby lies the modern tourist resort of Ixtapa, five kilometers away, which was developed in the 1970s to complement the area. The historic downtown maintains a small-town vibe, contrasting with the large-scale tourism infrastructure found in adjacent zones.

The region is now the third most-visited area in Mexico after Cancún and Puerto Vallarta, drawing visitors primarily for its status as the most popular destination for sports fishermen. The local economy has shifted from colonial exports of tropical woods and cotton to tourism and fishing. Cultural heritage is preserved through archaeological sites like La Soledad De Maciel, which was occupied from 3000 BCE until a tsunami in the early 600s CE.

The city had a population of 130,000 people as of 2020, while the municipality recorded 126,001 inhabitants in that same year. Access is provided by the Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport, which offers domestic and seasonal international flights from North America. A new highway, Autopista Siglo XXI, connects the city with Morelia, reducing travel time from Mexico City to about six hours. The area experiences a tropical climate suitable for winter tourism.