Zihuatanejo, Guerrero

"Zihuatanejo" is a location that any Shawshank Redemption fan is familiar with. While the portrayed Mexican town isn't exactly where Red and Andy reunited in the film, it is based on a real location on Mexico's Pacific coast. Ixtapa, a vacation destination on the Pacific coast, has a sister city in Zihuatanejo. Zihuatanejo, also known as "Zihua" to locals and surfers, was a tranquil little fishing village hidden in a rocky bay with a few choice beaches up until the 1970s.

And while Zihua has undoubtedly kept its laid-back atmosphere in contrast to its resort-focused neighbor, it has also been offered a vibrant and colorful soul all its own. From the coastline, small cobblestone alleys branch out, with local restaurants, shops, and galleries lining either side. The beaches are next; there are actually three of them. The busiest and most popular beach in Zihuatanejo is Playa La Ropa. It's a little outside of downtown and close to a lot of hotels. Playa la Madera, which is surrounded by beach restaurants and is located closer to the city center, is where many locals go to unwind for the day. Another beach area is Playa Contramar, but it is quite smaller.