Mexico's Pacific coast has a distinct ancient history that is unique in all of Mesoamerica. Archaeologists and art historians treat this area as a unified region, defined by its tradition of shaft or chamber tombs, underground burial chambers at the base of a deep shaft. The oldest of these have been dated as far back as 1900 BC, but the most significant were probably built between 1500 BC and 800 BC.

Much of what is known about the cultures of west Mexico is based on the excavation of these tombs and the analysis of the clay sculptures and vessels found within. The ceremonial centers around the tombs suggest a fairly developed spiritual and religious life. Shaft tombs are found nowhere else in Mesoamerica, but they are found in Ecuador and Colombia. It's quite likely that maritime exchange between western Mexico and northern South America began some 3000 years ago.

Around the close of the Classic period, a metal-working tradition made its appearance in western Mexico. A comparison of these copper artifacts with those found in Ecuador demonstrates striking similarities, leading archaeologists to conclude that contact between western Mexico and northern South America continued well into the Postclassic period.

The Spanish arrived in Mexico in 1519 and soon traveled to Zihuatanejo.

Ixtapa was a coconut plantation and nearby Zihuatanejo a sleepy fishing village until 1970, when Fonatur - the Mexican government's tourism-development organization - decided that the Pacific coast needed a Cancún-like resort complex. Ixtapa was selected for its proximity to the US, warm average temperatures, tropical vegetation and lovely beaches. Fonatur bought up the coconut plantation, laid down infrastructure and rolled out the red carpet for hotel chains and real-estate developers.

Today, Ixtapa's big hotels line Playa del Palmar - a long, broad stretch of white sand that's often overrun by parasail and jet-ski outfits. Other tourist drawcards include the Ixtapa Club de Golf Palma Real and the Marina Ixtapa Golf Club. Scuba diving is also a popular pastime in the warm, clear waters. Another recent addition to Ixtapa's kitsch and glitz is Magic World - an aquatic park with slides and pools, you know the deal.

Zihuatanejo is much larger than Ixtapa; its suburbs continue to grow, spreading around Bahía de Zihuatanejo and climbing the hills behind town. It draws tourists for very different reasons to its resort neighbor, the main one being peace and quiet. Marine life is abundant here due to a convergence of currents, and the visibility can be great for scuba diving. Sportfishing is also a popular pursuit - sailfish are caught year-round. Small-scale fishing is still the city's economic mainstay, so the seafood here is simply divine.