Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

• Are you right on the beach, and how close is the water?
• How do I get out to your place from the airport, and how long does it take?
• Do all of your rooms have a private entrance/exit?
• Do your rooms have air conditioning?
• When are you open?
• Where is Hotel Troncones located in reference to other well known landmarks?
• Which airport to I fly into?
• What is the surf like?
• Do you have a restaurant on the premises?
• Do you have refrigerators in your rooms?
• What is there to do around Hotel Troncones?
• Do I have to know how to speak Spanish?
• How strong is the sun?
• How do we get into Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa from Hotel Troncones?
• Can I get laundry done?
• Are there good surfing spots nearby?
• Can I send e-mail while I am there?
• Is there a departure tax at the airport?
• Do I need to bring my passport?
• Do I need a visa?
• Do I need an international driver’s license to rent a car?
• Do I need a jacket or sweater?
• How late is your bar open?
• Do you take travelers checks?
• Where can I get pesos once I am there?
• Can I use my ATM card?
• I am a vegetarian, can you accommodate me?
• What kind of groceries can we get in Troncones?
• Can I drink the water?
• How are the medical facilities?
• What kind of power outlets do you have?

Are you right on the beach, and how close is the water?

All of our rooms and the bungalows have a beach view and uninterrupted access to our private beach.

How do I get out to your place from the airport, and how long does it take?

You can take a taxi to Hotel Troncones from the airport (and back) or you can rent a car. Hertz, Alamo, Budget, and National have rentals at the airport. The trip takes about 30 minutes.

It is simple to get a taxi at the airport; there is a "Ground Transportation" desk when you come out of customs. Tell them that you want to go to Troncones and they will take your payment and give you a ticket that you can take out the door to the Taxi stand. The cars are in good shape though and most have AC. All of the taxi drivers know how to get to Troncones. Don’t worry, there is only one road to Troncones so you can’t get lost.

Do all of your rooms have a private entrance/exit?

All of our rooms have private entries. The bungalows have a private entrance and exit. Every room boasts a private balcony and ocean view.

Do your rooms have air conditioning?

Yes. All of our rooms and bungalows are air conditioned.

When are you open?

We are open all year round.

Where is Hotel Troncones located in reference to other well known landmarks?

We are on the pacific coast of Mexico. We are 200 miles north of Acapulco, and about 7 hours drive south from the city of Manzanillo. We are a 7 hour drive west from Mexico City. We are a 35 minute drive from Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo.

Which airport to I fly into?

You need to fly into the Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo International Airport.

What is the surf like?

In the wintertime the surf is anywhere from small to medium, it is perfect for boogie boarding and body surfing. In the summertime the surf is usually from medium to big, depending on the conditions. If there is a tropical storm in the vicinity it will really bring the surf up.

Do you have a restaurant on the premises?

Yes! Troncones Steakhouse serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We offer a full bar and authentic Mexican menu as well as many American favorites. See the restaurant section for a sample menu.

Do you have refrigerators in your rooms?

Yes, all of our rooms are equipped with refrigerators.

What is there to do around Hotel Troncones?

There are a number of activities available in the vicinity. You can go hiking, bird watching, mountain biking, surfing, swimming, travel to surrounding villages, visit local plantations, plan a massage, snorkeling, and horseback riding in Troncones. In Zihuatanejo you may go sport fishing, scuba diving, or shopping. See the activities section for more details.

Do I have to know how to speak Spanish?

No, we are an American-owned resort. Our hotel manager speaks English and Spanish.

How strong is the sun?

The sun is very strong. Always bring sunscreen and a hat and most of all use them!

How do we get into Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa from Hotel Troncones?

It is simple to take a taxi in, which will cost you about $50 (US) round trip or you can rent a car. Car rentals are anywhere from $50 (US) a day to $120 (US) for a big van.

Can I get laundry done?

Yes, for a small fee laundry services can be provided. Just ask the resort manager for a laundry list upon arrival.

Are there good surfing spots nearby?

There are lots of good surfing spots with in an hour drive from Hotel Troncones, not to mention the one right in front of the hotel! A few of them world class: La Saladita, Playa Linda, The Ranch, Rio Nexpa, La Boca, Troncones point to name a few.

Can I send e-mail while I am there?

There are many places in Zihuatanejo and a couple of places in Troncones that allows you to use their computers for a fee.

Is there a departure tax at the airport?

No, and don’t let them convince you otherwise. You must keep your tourist card, however, and present it upon departure.

Do I need to bring my passport?

Yes. Even if you are a US passport holder and they tell you that you don’t really need it, bring it anyway. Life is much easier in Mexico if you have one. Minors must have both parent permission to travel.

Do I need a visa?

If you are an American or Canadian when you are on the plane the attendants will give you a form to fill out this is your tourist visa, they will stamp it at the airport. Don’t loose it. You will need to give it back when you leave the country. You do not need to obtain any other type of visa prior to your trip.

Do I need an international driver’s license to rent a car?

No, any local driver’s license is OK.

Do I need a jacket or sweater?

The most that you might need in December or January is a long sleeved t-shirt.

How late is your bar open?

This will vary between 8:00pm and 10:00pm depending on the time of year.

Do you take travelers checks?

Yes, we do.

Where can I get pesos once I am there?

There are several shops in Zijuatenejo that can exchange money for you. See the resort manager for small transactions.

Can I use my ATM card?

There are quite a few ATM machines in Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa that take the Plus system and Cirrus. But sometimes they are out of service, although not too often. Sometimes, although you think that you can use you card anywhere; it hasn’t been programmed to go international: check at your bank before leaving.

I am a vegetarian, can you accommodate me?

Absolutely. Our chefs are skilled at catering to the individual dietary needs of our guests. Don’t be afraid to ask when ordering. See our restaurant section to view menus and pricing.

What kind of groceries can we get in Troncones?

The best plan is to stop at La Comercial Mexicana in Zihautanejo, on your way to Troncones. That is the big shopping market where you can find anything from fresh groceries to that extra bathing suit you forgot. If you are more adventurous, our favorite place is the fresh market (Mercado) located in downtown Zihuatanejo, good for food items as well as the best deal in local souvenirs.

Locally in Troncones there are several corner stores that carry the basics. Eggs, milk, cheese, cereal, some fruits and vegetables, water, beer and drinks as well as local junk food (chips, Twinkies, ice cream, etc.) are available at these stores.

Can I drink the water?

The water is clean enough to drink, however, our water is still different than what you may be used to and, depending on your stomach’s constitution, you may experience some discomfort. We recommend, in the interest of a pleasant vacation, that you stick to bottled water. Bottled water is offered at the bar, as well as all the local markets.

How are the medical facilities?

The hospitals in Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa are quite good. As are the medical clinics in some of the smaller surrounding towns. However, some of the more remote surf spots are a solid hour drive away from the nearest facility. We recommend to all our guests to travel with an emergency first aid kit.

What kind of power outlets do you have?

We have U.S. compatible electric service for powering portable radios, alarm clocks, irons, hair driers, etc.