Thread: Las Gatos in Zihautenajo

We did this beach on our own. Don't recommend it. Wish we'd gone to Las Ropas beach instead. Took a water taxi to the beach $3.50 round-trip. Really small smelly boat. When we got to the beach landing we were helped out of the boat by some young boys. They all wanted tips. Walked down beach to a restaurant with umbrellas and some shaded lounge-chairs. Each restaurant you pass (they actually butt-up to one-another with only the color of their lounges/chairs or umbrellas differeniating (sp) has a waiter beckoning you into their place. We stopped at the one that had a menu posted. Beer was warm and no ice to keep bottles cool. Found out the hard way that a Deep Fried Shrimp Taco is what we know as a tacquito with small salad sized shrimp. The tortilla was great. Was afraid to eat the shrimp as they smelled old. The waitress didn't speak English (our waiter had disappeared and he spoke only a little English) and I don't speak Spanish. The water was clear, lots of moss floating around, but had lots of sharp rocks between ankle depth and waist deep. Didn't have swim shoes so couldn't swim. Lots and lots of peddlers. A polite "No thank-you" worked well in most cases. When it came time to leave, we walked back to the little landing and asked the young boy who seem to be in charge for a taxi. We showed him our tickets, he scowled and proceeded to call out for someone. There were lots of boats, including the one we had taken over to the beach, just waiting at idle. After a few minutes, and several people had been picked up (evidentley they had other tickets) we asked again. He called out again. After several more minutes a taxi arrived from the mainland. They young boy indicated we were to get into this boat. I was helped in by another young boy, who then begged for a tip. I gave him a dollar. The boy in charge then started yelling for his tip. He didn't get one. There were three other people (Mexican citizens) with us. The driver moved away from the pier and then stopped. We waited another 5 minutes before 2 other people were loaded onto our boat. Then, off we went. There was a limited amount of snorkeling going on, but in a really small area that had been marked off. There were a few banana boats, but saw no jet ski's for rent nor parasailing. All of these and more were available at Las Ropas. Las Ropas also had a much bigger beach and looked like good swimming. I'd try there next time. Was really disappointed in Las Gatos.

Thanks for sharing your experience! Sorry it wasn't what you were expecting. Maybe this review will help others to make a better decision on their beach day.

I believe a bunch of CLF "Spirit Cruiser" were going to spend the day at Las Gatos as well. I'm hoping this was just our experience and that theirs was better. Hopefully they will post.

It's been a LONG time since I've been to Zihautenajo. This was really great info for when I finally go back some day.

I had a great day at Las Gatos just because I was with a great group of friends.
I agree the swimming wasn't very good and the food had me a little worried so I passed on eating much of anything. I did polish off a few beers and they were cheap and cold.
The water taxis were a real pain and anyone with mobility problems had better pass this one up.

I actually enjoyed my day at Los Gatos. Pictures at:

I was with a whole group of extremely fun people, so that always makes things more fun. However, I think it would be fun on my own as well.

I bought water taxi tickets at a little booth right by the port. It was $6 for a round trip. The water taxi is a small (maybe 6 people total?) boat. It is a challenge to get in and out of the boat and those mobility problems would find it difficult if not impossible to get in and out.

It's a quick 10 minute trip over to Los Gatos and our driver took us right next to the ship so we could take pictures.

Once we got there, we were met by a restaurant owner who walked with us down the beach and told us all the wonderful things that his place could offer us. Our group had already settled on a spot, so unfortunately the poor guy was out of luck with us. The restaurants are right next to each other and it's difficult to tell where one starts and another ends. They all provide lounge chairs, regular chairs, tables and umbrellas, some will rent snorkeling equipment and banana boat rides.

The water was soooo wonderfully warm. It is rocky, but with water shoes or tevas, it's possible to walk out into the water for a long ways without it coming up much further than your knees or hips. Because of the rocks, there's places for fishes and other sea creatures to hide, so those who snorkeled said that they saw some interesting animals.

There are very good massages available right on the beach for $20 for 45 minutes or $25 for 60 minutes. They book up fast, so get there early to reserve a time. They will do acupressure or cupping as well. Just be aware that cupping leaves large round bruises on your back!

The food was really good and I had no intestinal issues from it. I had a garlic shrimp platter for $7 that had about a dozen large shrimp. I didn't eat the rice or the salad that came with it. The shrimp were tasty. I also had a pina colada that was served in the pineapple. I didn't order it in the pineapple, but it came that way and I was charged $8 for it. A non-pineapple pina colada is $5 and is plenty big.

As I said, I enjoyed my day on the beach. It's not a beautiful Caribbean type beach, but it was warm, the company was fun, the water was wonderful, the food tasty and the drinks strong.

Thanks EVERYONE! Good info!

One thing I've learned, for sure, is to take WATER SHOES!

I loved my day at Las Gatos and Iggipolka said everything I would have!!

But beware of the cupping during the massage. I ended up with a huge hickey looking thing from one of them being left on too long. It wasn't painful but it looked awful with my sundresses. But it was good as a topic of conversation starter.

I agree with Iggy, we enjoyed Los Gatas a great deal. Hermon, my Kansas farmboy, doesn't do beaches very well and this trip provided him a place to sit in the shade and he enjoyed the Coco Loco he ordered while I enjoyed the water and massage. While the massage wasn't the best I've ever had, the price was right and there is no such thing as a bad massage. Did not bring water shoes and was really sorry I didn't as the rocks were a pain. And the rocks also made it difficult to get in and out of the water with snorkling gear. The taxi's were a challenge to get in and out of but Hermon who does suffer some mobility problems managed without much trouble. Never saw anyone begging for tips for the taxi nor did we have a problem getting a taxi from the beach.

Alot of that enjoyment has to be credited to the friends we were with but I also think if we were ever there again we would probably do Los Gatas with or without friends. It was simply a relaxing day.

Originally Posted by stanford's girl

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I ended up with a huge hickey looking thing from one of them being left on too long. It wasn't painful but it looked awful with my sundresses. But it was good as a topic of conversation starter.

Understand! Reminds me of the time I got a "StingRay Hickey" in Grand Cayman! Rather hard to explain back home ....