-just back from a trip from ~Mexico.

Here is a summary of the trip (recommendations)

This is in/around/about the Ixtapa / Zihuat / Troncones areas.

Troncones = ~20+minutes North of Ixtapa.
We rented a house for a week at Manzanillo Bay.
The area is still rural and new enough to get some fantastic deal.
Be sure your rental has air conditioning. There are some great properties around Troncones like the "Troncones Surf Club" and the "Inn at Manzanillo Bay" Troncones is becoming a fairly popular place for surfing but it really is not for the beginner (unless you hire Beto?) right there in Troncones...he'll take you to some calm spots.
For dining and lodging the "Inn at Manzanillo Bay" is fantastic. We didn't stay there but did look in at their bungalows, that surround a nice secluded pool that opens to the beach. The Inn also will house or run surf lessons. Bring your stick(s), there is storage for them and the hospitality is so accommodating. The food prices were average to high (for the area) but the taste...well worth it.

Zihuat. = The orig./old town area
We spent a day wandering the markets, encountered a demonstration. The merchants, although not many English speaking, were friendly and not as aggressive as I've seen around the more populated vaca.spots (Mazat / PV / Cabo). It is a great town to practice your spanish...they are friendly, laugh at you..but are very helpful. We did take a sunset catamaran out of the Zihuat that (although labeled as a booze-cruise) was hardly so. It was a great view on the Picante with Capt.Tony and his crew.

Ixtapa = The newer, up-n-coming vacation town
We spent another 4 nights in Ixtapa at the Emporio. The service and staff at the Emporio were great, again - very helpful as we attempted spanish. The wait staff, that is usually very nice when the potential of american money/tips arrive, were not pushy at all. A server that seemed to work 15hour days, every day we were there would see us coming out of the elevator and leave his post for breakfast / lunch / dinner / pool side to greet us, help us set up chairs for the ladies by the pool,etc. Certainly above-beyond from Everisto.

Side activities and recommendations are:
(other than the Picante catamaran I mentioned above)

Surfing = We took surf lessons from Catch O'Lola, arranged there in Ixtapa. Our guide was Roberto and he was great (laughing at me hysterically as I got caught sideways on a wave and just got pummeled). We were all up and surfing - what a blast.

Zip-Line = On the main street in front of the hotels there are white-booths that are run by the tourism industry (not timeshare groups). The booth across from the Emporio, at/near the parking lot for Senor Frogs is a fellow named Mario. He pulled down a super deal for us, $30 per person for a 3hr zip-line course. I know . .. it's Mexico but I'll confirm for you now, this zip-line outfit was very professional, knowledgeable and considered Safety First. I wouldn't hesitate to go with them again.

Dining =
Troncones - Inn at Manzanillo Bay (if you're in Troncones, eat at the Inn!)
Ixtapa - A very small place, right on the main street near Senor Frogs (don't go there!!!) is a place called Deborahs Chili Beans. The prices are what everyone wants to expect when going to Mexico, with 2x1 beers all day long. The quality of food is better than Senor Frogs and more than half the price.
Also, the same owner (Deborah?) runs another restaurant called Mama Norma & Deborahs - very nearby....continue past Senor Frogs and ask - they'll point you in the right direction - just around the next corner.

Tips =
Car rental in Mexico... if you haven't been or simply haven't rented a car in Mexico be prepared - always a hard sell on the added 'daily insurance'. Even if it says it is optional, it seldom is. The roads outside of Ixtapa / Zihuat can get a little rough...the extra insurance is (other than locally..required) - worth it! Soooo, if your weekly rate says $100, wooHoo, but expect to spend another $15-$25 PER DAY for the insurance.