Welcome to Colonia La Madera, the little neighborhood with the big heart. Half a century ago, it was here that the first Zihuatanejo tourists came to experience the stunning vistas, tranquil sunsets and leisurely pace of life that still characterize our area. In our opinion, La Madera has it all: an array of restaurants and bars with variety enough to satisfy any palate, casual shopping opportunities, art galleries, and friendly residents who will help you practice your Spanish while sharing a bit of the areas history. You will find vestiges of bygone days situated side-by-side with hotels and condos catering to budgets ranging from economy-minded backpackers to honeymooners seeking the vacation of a lifetime. Follow the links on this home page to discover what is available in our colonia, which is strategically located within walking distance of - el centro - (downtown), the Fishermans Walk fronting Zihuas Playa Principal (main beach), and crescent-shaped LaRopa beach. Bienvenidos.

 

History of Colonia La Madera

 

The name of Zihuatanejo comes from the Nahuatl word Cihuatlan that means "place of women".

Between the years of 1890 and 1910, Zihuatanejo begins to get known as a fishermen village with all its inhabitants living near or very close to the shore. By 1923, Zihuatanejo gets famous as an exporter of fine woods. La Madera (the wood) beach, gets its name from the loading of wood to the ships at that particular point.

Near the cemetery of La Madera, according to several native-born sources—stood a factory where turtles were processed into food. The turtles were unloaded from pangas to a small cove close to the present pink building (Villas Paraiso Condo), loaded into wooden, iron-wheeled wagons and pushed by hand on iron rails to the plant. The factory operated until the 1960’s.

Now Colonia La Madera is one of the top tourist destinations in Zihuatanejo Mexico. It has a veriety of hotels, top quailty restarants, stores (misulanious - tourism), relastate aents, as well as seral other businesses and homes...

Check out these historical photos of Colonia La Madera . (Click here)