The Ultimate Guide To Playa Las Gatas: Snorkeling In Tropical Paradise

Playa Las Gatas is one of those dreamy little beaches you just have to visit if you’re in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo. Unlike many of the beaches along this stretch of Mexico’s Pacific Coast, the water here is calm, crystal clear and perfect for swimming, making it an easy place to spend an entire afternoon.

From its crystal-clear turquoise waters to its palm-fringed shoreline, Playa Las Gatas feels like stepping into a tropical postcard. Whether you’re planning to snorkel, relax under a palapa with a margarita in hand or enjoy fresh seafood right on the sand, Playa Las Gatas has a little bit of everything.

In this Playa Las Gatas guide, I’m sharing everything you need to know before you go, including how to get there, what to expect, where to eat and a few tips to help you make the most of your visit.

Looking for a more detailed guide for your next trip to Zihua? Check out my Zihuatanejo Travel Guide with recommendations on hotels, restaurants, and more to explore.

Quick Deets: Playa Las Gatas

Where Is Playa Las Gatas?
- Playa Las Gatas is located just outside of Zihuatanejo and is only accessible by water taxi or by hiking the coastal trail from Playa La Ropa.
How Do You Get There?
- The easiest and most popular option is the water taxi from Zihuatanejo’s main pier. The ride only takes about 10 minutes and is honestly part of the experience.
When Is the Best Time to Visit?
- I recommend visiting in the morning or early afternoon, when the water is calm and clear for swimming and snorkeling.
- If you’re visiting during peak season, arriving earlier also gives you a better chance of snagging a great spot on the beach.
Do You Have to Pay to Visit?
- No! Playa Las Gatas is a public beach, but you’ll want to bring cash for the water taxi, beach chairs, food and drinks.
What Shouldn’t You Miss?
- Rent a beach chair, order fresh seafood, spend some time snorkeling and don’t skip walking to the far end of the beach where it gets much quieter.
What Should You Bring?
- Bring cash for the water taxi, beach chairs, food and drinks, along with sunscreen, a towel and your snorkeling gear if you have it. Water shoes can also be helpful if you plan to explore the rocky areas around the beach.
How Long Should You Spend Here?
- I would plan to spend at least half a day here, but it’s easily the kind of beach where you can relax from morning until sunset.

What to Expect at Playa Las Gatas

One of the things I loved most about Playa Las Gatas is that it feels much more relaxed than you might expect. Once you arrive by water taxi, you’ll find calm, crystal-clear water, rows of beach chairs under colorful umbrellas and several beachfront restaurants where you can easily spend the entire afternoon.

The water here is protected by a natural reef, making it one of the calmest beaches in the area and a great place to swim or snorkel. Whether you’re looking to relax with a drink in hand or spend the day in the water, Playa Las Gatas has a little bit of everything without ever feeling overwhelming.

How to Get to Playa Las Gatas

BY BOAT

The beach is only accessible from Zihua by boat (or a pretty intense hike, which I wouldn’t recommend to the standard traveler).

Water taxis leave from the main pier in Zihuatanejo starting at 8:00 AM and run until 5:00 PM. Tickets cost about $100 pesos per person, and you can grab them right at the dock. It’s a very easy process, with boats leaving quite often!

If you want to have it all handled for you, you can book a tour through Viator HERE, which includes lunch!

Beware of overpriced tours! Plenty of people will approach you to buy their tours, but it’s much cheaper to stick to the boats from the piers.

BY HIKE

There’s also a hiking trail you can take to access the beach. It’s a pretty rugged, steep route, so I wouldn’t recommend. Plus, I had asked around about where to access the trail, but was never pointed in the right direction. It didn’t seem to be a very accessible option.

Spend the Day at Playa Las Gatas

The Journey to Playa Las Gatas

The boat ride to Playa Las Gatas is short and sweet—just 20 minutes—but it’s a fun way to kick off your day. You’ll glide past fishing boats and take in beautiful views of Zihuatanejo Bay.

Once you step off the boat onto the tiny pier, you’ll be hit with stunning views of the beach. The water is clear, the sand is soft, and there’s plenty of palm trees lining the beach.

Head down to the furthest most point of the beach, away from the restaurants, to set up for your beach day. This is where the bulk of the palm trees are, and if feels like tropical oasis! And, if you’re here in the morning, you’ll likely have it just about to yourself! Plus, it’s the most beautiful backdrop for photos.

Snorkeling and Water Activities

The name “Las Gatas” comes from a local legend about nurse sharks (once called “gatas” by fishermen) that used to inhabit the waters here. But, today, it’s a safe and tranquil place for swimming and snorkeling, with a natural breakwater created by coral reefs that calm the waves.

If you’re into snorkeling, you’re definitely in for a treat! The water is clearest earlier in the day, so head out to explore right away. Keep an eye out for coral chunks—that’s where the fish like to hang out. Chances are, you’ll be able to spot some vibrant parrotfish, angelfish, and some other colorful fishies. If you don’t have your own gear, you can also rent from a few different vendors on the beach!

For the more adventurous, there’s a small underwater statue of Christ, known as “El Rey de Reyes.” The statue is located about 13 feet under the water, but you’ll be able to see if a few feet down! Sadly, I wasn’t able to find it, though. Other travelers mention tour guides that will take you out to see, so also keep an eye out for groups of people gathered around a paddle board. Chances are, that’s what they’re gathered around!

But, if you prefer to stay above the water, you can also rent some water sports for the day. There’s plenty of paddle board or kayak rentals along the beach, which is another great way to take in views of the surrounding hillsides.

Restaurants & Bars

There’s no need to pack a lunch or snacks for your trip, as the beach has plenty of restaurants to choose from, all offering fresh seafood and authentic Mexican dishes.

If you set up on the beach by the palm trees, you’ll have to walk back down the beach towards all the restaurants. We had a sweet family sitting next to us on the beach, and they watched our towels for us while we grabbed a bite!

Since a lot of the restaurants also offer beach chairs, you’ll likely sit behind some beach-goers. But, you’ll still have an amazing view while snacking. Make sure to grab a margarita, and you’ve got the ultimate beach meal.

We ended up at Restaurant Otilia, one of the closer beaches to the palm area. There’s tons of great options on the menus, with local favorites including ceviche, fish tacos, and grilled snapper. We tried the coconut shrimp, and let me tell you – it was a must get! They also have a fun pina colada drink that comes out in a pineapple!

On your walk back, find the bar on your left side that has a sign for fresh coconut drinks. How much more tropical can you get?! Plus, the bartenders are super sweet, and make a mean drink (and it’s cheaper than the restaurants)! If he likes you, you might just get an extra shot for free.

Is Playa Las Gatas Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Playa Las Gatas ended up being one of my favorite beach days in Zihuatanejo. Between the calm, crystal-clear water, great snorkeling and beachfront restaurants, it’s the kind of place where you can easily spend an entire afternoon without ever feeling rushed.

If you’re only in Zihuatanejo for a few days, I would absolutely make time for Playa Las Gatas. The short water taxi ride is part of the experience, and once you arrive, it’s easy to see why this beach is one of the area’s most popular spots.

I would come early, settle into a beach chair, order lunch by the water and plan to stay for a while. If I ever make it back to Zihuatanejo, Playa Las Gatas will definitely be one of my first stops.