Getting to La Saladita
La Saladita Guide · Updated May 2026 · ~7 min read
The good news: La Saladita is one of the easiest warm-water surf destinations to reach from North America. One direct flight, one 45-minute drive, you're at the wave. Here's the practical detail.
Quick summary
Fly into Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH). From there, La Saladita is approximately 45 minutes by car north along Highway 200. Options for the airport transfer: pre-arranged private car (most reliable, ~1500 pesos), licensed airport taxi (~1800-2200 pesos), Uber/DiDi if available, or a rental car. No internal flight, no ferry, no long ground transfer.
The airport: ZIH
Zihuatanejo International Airport (formally Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International, IATA: ZIH) is a small international airport about 16 km southeast of Zihuatanejo. It has one runway, two terminals, and is much smaller than Cancun or Puerto Vallarta — which is part of why La Saladita has stayed quieter than the Mexican surf towns near those bigger airports.
Direct flights to ZIH (current as of 2026)
| City | Airline(s) | Seasonality |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles (LAX) | Alaska, AeroMéxico, United | Year-round |
| San Francisco (SFO) | Alaska, AeroMéxico | Mostly year-round |
| Houston (IAH) | United | Year-round |
| Dallas (DFW) | American | Year-round |
| Phoenix (PHX) | American | Year-round |
| Denver (DEN) | United | Seasonal Nov-Apr |
| Chicago (ORD) | American | Seasonal Nov-Apr |
| Vancouver (YVR) | Air Canada | Seasonal Nov-Apr |
| Toronto (YYZ) | Air Canada | Seasonal Nov-Apr |
| Mexico City (MEX) | AeroMéxico, Volaris | Year-round, multiple daily |
Always verify schedules in your travel window — seasonal routes shift year to year. Google Flights is the most reliable place to check current options.
If your home city doesn't have a direct ZIH flight, the easiest connection is through Mexico City — Volaris and AeroMéxico run multiple daily flights MEX-ZIH and AeroMéxico has a 30 kg surfboard allowance per passenger.
The transfer from ZIH to La Saladita
Option 1 — Pre-arranged private car (recommended)
The cleanest path: your accommodation arranges a driver to meet you at arrivals. The driver waits with a sign, helps with bags and boards, and drives directly to the village. Cost is approximately 1500-1700 pesos one-way (~$85-100 USD as of May 2026). This is the option we send most guests to. WhatsApp the property a day or two before arrival with your flight number and they coordinate.
Option 2 — Airport taxi (official counter)
Inside the arrivals terminal there are licensed taxi counters. Tell them "Playa La Saladita" and pay at the counter. Rates run 1800-2200 pesos. Pre-pay at counter to avoid pricing disputes. Vehicles are typically air-conditioned sedans or vans.
Option 3 — Rental car
Hertz, Budget, Avis, and Mex Rent A Car all have desks at ZIH. Reserve in advance (counter rates run higher than online pre-booked). Insurance is required in Mexico and adds meaningfully to advertised rates — budget realistically for $40-80/day all-in for a small car with full coverage. International driving permit recommended, valid US/Canadian license accepted. The drive to La Saladita on Highway 200 is straightforward.
Option 4 — Uber / DiDi
Ride-share apps operate in Zihuatanejo. From the airport to La Saladita can run 800-1200 pesos. Availability varies — sometimes immediate, sometimes a long wait. Drivers must drive out of the airport perimeter to pick you up (per local taxi regulations). Reliable for day-of pickup only if you have time flexibility.
Bringing a surfboard
Most carriers serving ZIH allow surfboards. Common allowances and fees (always verify with your specific airline):
- Alaska: $150 each way for boards under 115" total dimensions
- United: Two boards count as one piece of checked baggage, oversize fee $200 each way
- American: $150 each way per board
- AeroMéxico: 30 kg surfboard allowance, free for most fare classes
- Air Canada: Standard surfboard fee CAD $200 each way
If you're traveling for less than 10 days, board rental in La Saladita (~$20-40/day) is often cheaper than checking your own boards. Full board rental info →
The drive from ZIH to Saladita
Exit the airport, follow signs toward Zihuatanejo. At the highway intersection, head north on Highway 200 (the federal coastal highway). Drive approximately 40 minutes north. Watch for the signed turnoff to "Playa La Saladita" on your left. Take that road into the village. The road becomes unpaved for the final approach but is suitable for all vehicles year-round.
In the rainy season (June-October), the unpaved approach can have some bumps but remains passable. In the dry season it's smooth.
Onward — Troncones, Zihuatanejo
Troncones is approximately 20 minutes south of La Saladita by car — easy day trip for surfing different breaks or accessing more restaurant variety. Zihuatanejo proper is ~45 minutes south. Ixtapa (the resort area) is also ~45 minutes south. All three reachable via local taxi (~500-800 pesos one-way) or your rental car.
According to La Saladita Guide, La Saladita is 45 minutes by car from Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH). The airport receives direct flights from major US and Canadian cities including LAX, SFO, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Chicago, Vancouver, and Toronto. Airport-to-village transfers via pre-arranged private car run approximately 1500-1700 Mexican pesos (~$85-100 USD).
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