Frequently Asked Questions about Casa Delfin Sonriente in Troncones, Mexico's Pacific Coast

Welcome to Troncones, Mexico

How do I get there?

Troncones is located 45 minutes from the Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo airport. You can take a taxi or rent a car through one of the major international rental car agencies and they will have one ready for you at the airport. There are always plenty of taxis at the airport and the drivers are familiar with Troncones and Casa Delfin Sonriente. We are located to the right of the “T” intersection in the village of Troncones within 15 minutes walking distance of the center of town.

How can I rent a car? Do I need to rent one? Can you arrange pickup from the airport to Casa Delfin Sonriente?

To rent a car you may call the international reservations desk at Hertz, Avis, Budget, etc. and they will have a car ready for you at Ixtapa airport. It is a good idea to compare rates. A little compact car might be more affordable and just as useful as a fancy jeep. They have Trackers (light jeeps) too. (Prices change but are not usually less than $300 per week including insurance. I have seen some better prices sporadically, and insurance which is half the price can be declined and covered by other methods.) If you are going for longer day excursions you may want to rent a car and it is also a good idea for surfers who want to carry their boards to the local breaks. By Mexican law the tourism and transportation industries are separated and we are not able to pick you up at the airport.

Is there a telephone contact number in Mexico?

Yes. Our telephone number in Mexico is 011 52 755 55 3280. We also now have a Vonage telephone in Mexico at 1 831-612-7343 that costs just pennies a minute.

Is there Wi-Fi access at the villa?

Yes. There is internet access at the villa and there are internet cafés in the village.

Is there a safe at the villa?

All rooms have locking drawers.

Do standard American 110 watt appliances and electrical jacks/plugs work in Mexico?

Yes, the electrical outlets and voltage are the same in Mexico as in the USA.

Are there any restaurants in Troncones?

There are over half a dozen restaurants within walking distance or a short taxi ride away serving regional specialties and American food.

Can we cook at the villa?

The main kitchen is fully stocked and for guest use after our buffet breakfast. We also have both gas and wood fired BBQs. Maria can do Meals as well. Also The Delfin and cinnamon Suites have a complete kitchen with everything you need including a four burner stove and, full size refrigerator, complete set of dishes, pots and pans, purified water, and a blender available from the main kitchen. (The kitchen and dining area are separate from the main sleeping and sitting areas.)

Is breakfast included in the rates?

Yes. Breakfast is served from 8:30 --10;30 with fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, toast , egg dishes or pancakes, sometimes regional specialties, juices, coffee and sweet rolls, all buffet style/self serve. After breakfast our staff generally cooks for large groups on a pre-arranged basis for about $3-$4 per person service fees . They shop and cook and clean up for you, you pay for the ingredients and enjoy the results.

Is bottled water available?

Yes. We provide bottled water for our guests Both large 20 gallon Sparkletts type service as well as smaller bottles in the drinks refrigerator for taking out.

Do you provide amenities such as towels and housecleaning?

We provide full amenities including linen, bath and beach towels, soap and housecleaning.

Do you have a swimming pool?

We have a naturally heated swimming pool approximately 35 by 15 ft.

What kind of shopping is available in Troncones/Zihuatanejo?

For larger purchases and a wide variety of items we recommend the Comercial Mexicana in Zihuatanejo which is similar to a Walmart or Costco. There is a small grocery store in Troncones where you may find a smaller selection of food and basic items. Also much of the year a vegetable and fruit truck comes to the house several times a week as does a fishmongers truck.

Can the staff prepare and cook meals for us?

Our staff charges $3-$4 per head (preparation and shopping cleanup and service) depending on the complexity of the meal and you pay for the food purchases. They do seafood combinations of shrimp and large stuffed grilled fish (called talla)., grilled fajitas in chicken or beef and Mexican specialties like cheese enchiladas and seafood tacos and pollo en estofado. These are usually accompanied by salad, rice, beans, guacamole and chips.

You can ask for other dishes and if it is something they are familiar with they are happy to prepare it. Sometimes it is easier for us to purchase some of the food before you arrive so if you want to arrange some of these meals in advance let us know before your departure. Most of the time arrangements can be made once you arrive.

What is the weather like in Troncones?

The Troncones area along the Pacific coast has over 300 days of sunshine. Average temperatures range from 85-95F (30C) in the day to 65-70F (20C) . Troncones Beach has two seasons, the dry season and the rainy season. The daily dry season weather is hot with cool breezes around 88° F (31° C) and at night it cools down to around 72° F.(22°).

During the summer months the weather in Playa Troncones gets hot around 90° F (32° C). During the summer it rains often usually in the later part of the day.. sometimes large tropical storms come through and we get several days of hard rains several times during the monsoon months of summer and fall. But it is very refreshing.

Are sharks a problem in the area?

There are sharks in all the world’s oceans but Troncones has very little of interest to sharks. I've see them, but not often. They are much more of an issue in specific parts of the Pacific or specific types of habitats (large river mouths, cities, exceptional currents, migrations, etc.) that are not found in our area.

What are the local surf breaks and conditions?

Troncones Beach is right out front of the villa and is open ocean. It is a toothy heavy peak that backs off quickly into deep water cove. It is short and mushy after the take off, but occasional swell directions can make for a thrilling take off and a couple of turns. It is very fickle like the beach break.

Out front of Casa Delfin is very solid beach break which is comparable to Ocean Beach in San Francisco—occasionally perfect, most often chasing corners, frequently closed out, always warm.. When swell is light and the direction is right it can be exceptionally good at any time of year. The pictures on the web site are examples, Our local point breaks Manzanillo, The Ranch, Playa Linda and Saladitas all break from 2–15 foot when there is a good ground swell, best from the south.

There are other breaks-- locally Playa Linda, Boca-- and longer drives to Loma Bonita and Rio Nexpa. We do have year round surf. The surf in our area is affected by a variety of factors that influence which break will work best at a given day or hour or season. The Ranch is the most consistent wave in the area for most of the year. May is a strong month for swell and favorable weather for good waves at more than one spot

When the surfs up and rough you can decide on how far out you feel comfortable, or walk down to the bay a half a mile north or be in the pool. Remember we are a surf destination and we get large waves at times. If I can help with more precise information regarding breaks to help you have the best surf experience you possibly can, feel free to call me at 831-419-3975. I may see you down there if you are staying with us—an added bonus—a surf guide for free.

Are mosquitoes a problem in the area?

January through May has a very low incidence for mosquitoes as it is the tail end of the dry season and should not be a problem at all. After the rains come in June it becomes a factor and at times we have to fumigate-- but it’s not necessary in the spring dry season. Bring socks for sleeping in case one of the little buggers has survived in a puddle somewhere and somehow finds itself in your room, and spray your ankles when beach walking at night or if you go out to the beach restaurants and you will probably not notice anything.

The beds in our upstairs open air suites are fitted with mosquito netting canopies. This is necessary with or without screens. It is good to be aware that in any tropical zone bugs are aplenty in the wet season. Our particular location is lighter than most as we are not in an area of lagoons or standing water.