Troncones is a small beach village on the Pacific coast of Guerrero, 41 km north of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo airport (ZIH). It has about 700 residents, a 5 km beach that faces the open ocean, a left-hand surf break at its north end and, in season, sea turtles nesting on the sand. This guide covers the essentials for planning a trip.
Key Takeaways
Troncones is 41 km north of ZIH airport, about 45 minutes by car on Highway 200.
The dry season runs from November to May. The rainy season, from June to October, is also the season of turtles and, through September, of bigger surf.
The surf ranges from Troncones Point, a left at the north end of the beach, to La Saladita, a long, gentle left about 20 minutes north.
Guerrero is under US, Canadian and UK travel advisories, and the state's violence is concentrated in a few municipalities.
Lo Sereno Casa de Playa, a ten-suite adults-only hotel on the beach, is the only hotel in Troncones in the MICHELIN Guide.
Where Is Troncones, Mexico?
Troncones sits on the Costa Grande of Guerrero, in the municipality of La Unión de Isidoro Montes de Oca. Mexico's 2020 census counted 699 residents. The village is about 32 km north-west of the town of Zihuatanejo and 41 km from the airport, along Federal Highway 200, and a turn-off from the highway leads down to the beach.
The beach runs for about 5 km. At its north end it meets the small bay of Manzanillo at a rocky point, and the coast keeps going north past Playa Majahua to La Saladita.
What Is Troncones Known For?
Surf, first of all: Troncones Point at the end of the beach and La Saladita just up the coast. Then the sea turtles: olive ridleys nest here, and the turtle camp on the beach releases the hatchlings at sunset. In winter, humpback whales come to this coast, and Playa Troncones is one of the official places to watch them. And the pace: a long beach, a few places to eat, and evenings that end with the sun going down into the Pacific.
How to Get to Troncones, Mexico
Fly into Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH) and drive 41 km north on Highway 200, about 45 minutes. Nonstop flights reach ZIH from Mexico City, Guadalajara, Querétaro, Tijuana, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix and Los Angeles, with more US and Canadian cities in winter. From Mexico City the flight takes about an hour and a quarter. By car from the capital it's about 620 km, seven and a half to eight hours, via Morelia and the Siglo XXI highway.
Lo Sereno arranges private transfers from ZIH: write to us with your flight details.
Best Time to Visit Troncones
From November to May it's dry: each month averages under 25 mm of rain, with afternoons of 31 to 33°C. From June to October the rains come, with September the wettest month, and the hills turn green. The surf is biggest from May to September, olive ridley turtles nest most from June to October, and the official whale-watching season runs from 15 December to 20 March.
The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from 15 May to 30 November, with its peak in late August, so if you travel in those months, check the forecast before you leave.
Is Troncones, Mexico Safe?
Troncones is in Guerrero, a state the US places at Level 4, "Do not travel". Canada and the UK advise against non-essential travel to Guerrero, except Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo when you arrive by air. Within the state, violence is concentrated in a few municipalities: in 2025, Acapulco alone accounted for almost half of Guerrero's intentional homicide investigations, while La Unión, the municipality of Troncones, recorded 7.
These are figures by municipality, not by village. Our guests travel here by air to ZIH, on flights that land in daylight, with a transfer arranged by the hotel. If you drive, use the toll roads and travel only in daylight. Check the current advisories before you book.
Things to Do in Troncones, Mexico
Surf at Troncones Point or La Saladita, help release baby turtles at sunset from July to October, ride a horse along the beach, see humpback whales in winter, or spend a day in Zihuatanejo and on Isla Ixtapa. Lo Sereno also has its own boat, the Ple Bella, for private trips of four or seven hours from Marina Ixtapa.
See the experiences at Lo Sereno.
Surfing in Troncones
Troncones Point is a steady left over a rock bottom with some coral, at the north end of the beach, best on south and southwest swells from May to September. The village beach has peaks in both directions, and Playa Majahua is a gentle beach break for beginners and intermediate surfers. About 20 minutes north, La Saladita is a long, soft left whose rides often run past 150 meters, and a favorite place to learn. From November to February the waves usually stay between 1 and 3 feet.
Surf schools at La Saladita give lessons and rent boards, and we're happy to recommend an instructor.
Where to Eat in Troncones
The cooking here comes from the sea and from Guerrero: pescado a la talla, tiritas, ceviche and, on Thursdays, pozole. Terraza, the restaurant at Lo Sereno, sits 100 meters from the water. Between 5:30 and 6:30 the Pacific turns everything gold while the team sets the tables, and dinner comes at seven, just after the sun has gone. The menu changes with the day's catch and produce from Guerrero. Breakfast is included with every stay, and Terraza welcomes guests from outside the hotel when there's room; from November to March, reserve ahead.
Where to Stay in Troncones
Lo Sereno Casa de Playa
Lo Sereno Casa de Playa is an adults-only hotel on Playa Troncones, with ten suites facing the Pacific, each with its own terrace. The MICHELIN Guide, where it's the only hotel listed in Troncones, describes polished concrete floors, glass-encased bathrooms, locally sourced furniture, and an open-air bar and restaurant overlooking an infinity pool and the ocean. It's also a member of Design Hotels. The pool ends where the Pacific begins.
See the suites and availability.
Troncones vs. Zihuatanejo
Both share the airport and Highway 200, about 30 to 40 minutes apart. Zihuatanejo is a town around a sheltered bay, with a waterfront, a market and calm beaches such as Playa La Ropa. Troncones is a small village on the open Pacific, with surf, turtles and long quiet days. Many travelers stay in Troncones and spend a day in Zihuatanejo.
The Beaches of Troncones
Playa Troncones is the village beach: about 5 km of sand, lined with palms, facing the open Pacific, so the sun sets over the sea. Waves break along it, bigger from May to September and smaller in winter, and riptides can be strong, so swim only when the sea is calm and ask at the hotel how it looks that day. From June to October olive ridley turtles nest here, and the turtle camp on the beach releases the hatchlings at sunset.
At the north end, the beach meets the bay of Manzanillo at a rocky point: this is Troncones Point. Beyond it lie Manzanillo's small beach and, further north-west, Playa Majahua. The walk from Playa Troncones past the point to Manzanillo and Majahua makes a lovely morning; set off early and carry water.
About 10 km north, some 20 minutes by car, La Saladita is a long, gentle point break with surf schools on the beach. For calm water for a long swim, Playa La Ropa in Zihuatanejo is 30 to 40 minutes south.
A Perfect Weekend in Troncones from Mexico City
Take a morning flight from Mexico City and you land at ZIH before noon, with the beach 45 minutes away. Spend the first afternoon between the pool and the sand, and watch the sunset before dinner at Terraza. On Saturday, a surf lesson at La Saladita, a horseback ride or a day on the Ple Bella; in season, a turtle release at sunset. On Sunday, a last morning on the beach and an afternoon flight home.
FAQ
Where is Troncones?
On the Pacific coast of Guerrero, Mexico, 41 km north of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo airport (ZIH) and about 32 km north-west of the town of Zihuatanejo.
What airport do you fly into for Troncones?
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH), 41 km south of the village, about 45 minutes by car on Highway 200.
When is the best time to visit Troncones?
From November to May for dry weather. From May to September for the biggest surf, from July to October to see a turtle release, and from 15 December to 20 March for whales.
Is Troncones good for surfing?
Yes. Troncones Point is a left at the north end of the beach, best from May to September, and La Saladita, about 20 minutes north, is a long, gentle left that suits every level.
Is Troncones safe?
Guerrero is under US, Canadian and UK travel advisories, and violence in the state is concentrated in a few municipalities, Acapulco above all. Read the safety section above and the current advisories before you book.
Troncones in Short
A 5 km Pacific beach, a village of about 700 people, a left-hand point at the end of the sand and a long left up the coast, turtles in the green season and whales in winter. Forty-five minutes from ZIH. The pool and the hammock are equally valid answers to the question of what to do here.
When you know your dates, write to us and we'll help you plan the trip.
Sources
- INEGI, 2020 census: Troncones, 699 residents, via City Population; Troncones, Wikipedia, and Troncones, Wikivoyage: 5 km beach, Troncones Point, Manzanillo Bay, 32 km from Zihuatanejo (consulted October 2026).
- Wikipedia, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport: airlines and destinations (consulted October 2026).
- Servicio Meteorológico Nacional climate normals for Zihuatanejo, 1951 to 2010, in the climate table of Zihuatanejo, Wikipedia.
- US Department of State, Mexico Travel Advisory (29 May 2026); Government of Canada, Mexico travel advice and UK FCDO, Mexico travel advice (both 1 October 2026); SESNSP, open crime data, municipal figures for 2025.
- Surf Without a Car, Troncones surf guide and La Saladita surf guide (consulted October 2026).
- Campamento Tortuguero ECOT, via Zona Turística; Ixtapa Zihuatanejo Convention and Visitors Bureau, Humpback whales (consulted October 2026).
- MICHELIN Guide, Lo Sereno Casa de Playa and hotels in Troncones (one hotel listed, consulted 2 October 2026).