Flights to Troncones, Mexico: How to Get Here from the US & Canada
Updated: Aug 8
Flying to Troncones is easier than most people expect. The closest airport is Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport (ZIH), about 30-45 minutes away by road. This guide covers flights, transfers, rental cars and the easiest way to reach Troncones from the US and Canada.
If you’re searching for flights to Troncones, Mexico, the easiest option is to fly into Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport (ZIH).
Troncones does not have its own airport, and ZIH is the closest airport, usually around 30 to 45 minutes away by road depending on traffic and exactly where you are staying.
For travelers coming from the US and Canada, getting here is normally pretty straightforward.
Depending on the season and your departure city, you may find a direct flight to Zihuatanejo or connect through a larger airport such as Mexico City.
Once you land at ZIH, the final part of the trip is easy.
Here’s what you need to know.
Getting to Troncones at a Glance
Closest airport: Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport (ZIH)
Airport in Troncones: No
Driving time from ZIH: Around 30–45 minutes
Best option: Fly to ZIH, then use an airport transfer, taxi or rental car
From Mexico City: Domestic flights to Zihuatanejo are commonly available
Rental car necessary: No, not if you plan to stay mainly in Troncones
Rental car useful: Yes, especially if you want to explore different surf breaks along the coast
What Is the Closest Airport to Troncones, Mexico?
The closest airport to Troncones is Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport, airport code ZIH.
This is the airport you should search for when booking flights.
You may also see it referred to as Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Airport or Zihuatanejo International
Airport, but the airport code is always the same:
ZIH
That makes things easier when searching on airline websites or flight comparison sites.
From the airport, Troncones is reached by road.
There is no need to take another domestic flight or travel through a major city once you arrive at ZIH.
Are There Direct Flights to Troncones?
There are no flights directly to Troncones because the town does not have an airport.
When people search for “flights to Troncones,” what they really need is a flight to Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport (ZIH).
Depending on the time of year, there may be direct or seasonal flights from some cities in the US and Canada.
Other travelers connect through places such as Mexico City or another major Mexican airport.
Flight schedules change throughout the year, so it is always worth checking current options before booking.
The important thing is simple:
Search for ZIH, not Troncones.
Flying to Troncones from the United States
For travelers coming from the US, your best route depends on where you are starting.
Some cities may have seasonal direct service to Zihuatanejo, while others will require one connection.
If you are flying from the western US, the total travel time can be surprisingly manageable.
From the East Coast or smaller regional airports, you will normally need at least one connection.
Another common option is to fly into Mexico City and then take a domestic flight to Zihuatanejo.
That can work especially well if you want to spend a day or two in Mexico City before heading to the coast.
Flying to Troncones from Canada
Canadian travelers can also reach Zihuatanejo fairly easily, especially during the winter travel season.
Direct seasonal flights may be available from major Canadian cities, while other routes connect through Mexico City or another North American airport.
If you are traveling during peak winter months, it is usually worth booking flights earlier.
Troncones, Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo all become more popular during the colder months in Canada, so good flight times can fill up.
Flying Through Mexico City
Mexico City is one of the easiest connection points for getting to Troncones.
There are regular domestic flights between Mexico City and Zihuatanejo, and the flight itself is short.
This can be a good option if direct international flights to ZIH are expensive or unavailable from your home airport.
It also gives you more flexibility with arrival days.
For some travelers, flying internationally into Mexico City and then taking a separate domestic flight can work out cheaper than booking the entire journey on one ticket.
Just make sure you allow enough connection time, especially if you need to collect bags and change terminals or airlines.
Getting from Zihuatanejo Airport to Troncones
Once you land at ZIH, the difficult part is over.
Troncones is roughly 30 to 45 minutes away by road.
There are a few ways to make the final journey.
Private Airport Transfer
This is the easiest option if you don’t want to worry about anything after your flight.
A driver meets you at the airport and takes you directly to Troncones.
For Surfari guests, the airport transfer is included in the trip, so once you arrive at ZIH, we take care of the rest. You simply load your bags and boards, get in the vehicle, and head straight to Troncones.
Taxi
Taxis are available from the airport.
This works well if you are staying in Troncones and don’t plan to move around much during your trip.
It is always a good idea to confirm the price before leaving.
Rental Car
Renting a car gives you more freedom.
If your trip is mainly about relaxing in Troncones, walking to the beach and staying local, you probably don’t need one.
If you want to explore different surf breaks, restaurants and beaches along the coast, a rental car can be very useful.
For independent surfers, having a car makes a big difference because the best wave on a particular day may not be the one directly in front of where you are staying.
Do You Need a Rental Car in Troncones?
Not necessarily.
Troncones itself is relatively easy to get around.
Depending on where you stay, you can walk or bike to the beach, restaurants and small shops.
If you’re doing an all-inclusive guided surf trip, transportation to surf breaks is normally part of the experience anyway.
In that case, renting a car may just mean paying for a vehicle that sits parked most of the day.
For independent travelers, it depends on your plans.
If you want to surf only Troncones and nearby waves, you may be fine without one.
If you want to explore La Saladita and other breaks along the coast on your own, having transportation becomes much more useful.
Can You Take Public Transportation to Troncones?
Yes, but it is not the easiest option, especially after a long international flight.
Getting from the airport to Troncones using local transportation can involve multiple connections and considerably more travel time than going directly by taxi or transfer.
If you are traveling very cheaply and have plenty of time, it can be done.
For most surf travelers carrying luggage, boards or arriving after a long flight, I would choose a direct transfer.
You came to surf, not spend your first afternoon changing buses.
What If You Are Traveling With Surfboards?
This is worth checking before you book your flight.
Airlines have very different rules for surfboards.
Some charge a separate sports-equipment fee.
Some treat a board bag as normal checked luggage.
Others have size or weight restrictions.
The cheapest flight is not always the cheapest flight once you add a surfboard.
Before booking, check:
surfboard baggage fees
maximum board-bag length
weight limits
number of boards allowed
whether advance registration is required
If you don’t want to deal with a board bag at all, renting locally can be much easier.
We have access to a large selection of boards for our Surfari guests, which also means you can change boards depending on the conditions instead of being stuck with the one you flew with.
What Is the Best Arrival Time?
If possible, I like arriving during the daytime.
It makes the final drive easier, you get to see where you are going, and you can settle in before dinner.
But arriving later is not a problem.
Zihuatanejo Airport is close enough that even an evening arrival still gets you to Troncones without turning the transfer into a huge journey.
If you are joining a guided surf trip, your arrival day is usually more about settling in, meeting everyone and getting ready for the first real surf day.
Is Troncones Easy to Reach?
Yes.
That is one of the reasons Troncones works so well as a surf destination.
It still feels quiet and removed from the bigger tourist areas, but you do not need to spend an entire day on buses or small domestic transfers to get here.
You can land at an international airport and be in Troncones roughly an hour later.
That is a pretty good balance.
You get the slower pace of a small surf town without making the journey unnecessarily complicated.
Troncones or La Saladita: Does the Airport Change?
No.
If you are heading to either Troncones or La Saladita, you will normally use the same airport:
Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport (ZIH).
Both are on the Guerrero coast and within easy driving distance of the airport.
So if you are deciding between the two surf destinations, flight access should not be a major factor.
The bigger difference is the type of surf experience you want.
Troncones gives you more variety and works well as a base for exploring different waves.
La Saladita is ideal if your main goal is spending a lot of time on its famous long left.
Final Thoughts
Getting to Troncones is easier than many people expect.
You don’t need to fly into a huge resort city and then spend half a day traveling down the coast.
Fly into Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport (ZIH) and you’re already close.
From there, it’s a short drive to Troncones.
For most travelers, that means you can leave home in the morning, arrive in Mexico later the same day and wake up near the ocean ready to surf.
That’s a pretty good way to start a trip.
For more trip planning, read our Mexico Surf Trip Guide: Best Waves, Seasons & Tips.
And if you prefer to have the accommodation, meals, boards, transport and daily surf planning handled for you, take a look at our Surf Trips & Pricing.
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