Manzanillo

Manzanillo is in Colima state in Mexico. Manzanillo makes a great getaway with world famous beaches, festivals with lots of local flavor and fabulous outdoor activities. Splash it up (grab a surf or boogie board), catch dinner (sport fishing) peek into a volcano or explore the deep blue sea.

Understand

The city has been referred to as the "sailfish capital of the world". Since 1957, it has hosted national and international fishing competitions, such as the Dorsey Tournament. In 2020, it was home to 160,000 people.

The city is well known internationally for deep-sea fishing, the green flash phenomenon during sunsets, and as the warm waters of the ocean. The city is a destination resort and has many hotels and self-contained resorts, particularly built on the De Santiago peninsula which juts out into the Pacific north of the city centre. Also at the north end of Manzanillo bay is the resort Las Hadas ("the fairies"), which is the most famous of the city's resorts. Manzanillo is a popular cruise ship port of call. Excellent swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving is found in Santiago Bay, a few miles north of the city where a cargo ship sank in a hurricane in 1959. Other wrecks and reefs plentiful with fish are scattered throughout the bay.

Manzanillo consists of two bays with crescent-shaped beaches, each about 6.5 km in length. Bahía de Manzanillo is closer to downtown and is the older tourist section. Bahía de Santiago, to the west, is the newer and more upscale area. The two are separated by the Santiago Peninsula. Ship channels are located at the southeast end of Bahía de Manzanillo where large cruise ships enter the port area.

Climate

The dry season, which is from November to May, has little precipitation, and temperatures tend to be cooler than in the wet season. The average temperature in March, the coolest month, is 24 °C (75 °F). The wet season, which runs from June to October, has warmer temperatures, averaging 28.3 °C (83 °F) in July, and humidity during this time is higher.

Get in

Map of Manzanillo

By plane

19.1482-104.56011 Aeropuerto Internacional de Playa del Oro (Manzanillo International Airport, Manzanillo Costalegre Airport, ZLO ^IATA), Carretera Manzanillo-Barra de Navidad, Km. 42 Col. Playa de Oro (The airport terminal is located along the beach and off of Carretera Manzanillo-Barra Navidad (Hwy 200) 32 km (20 mi) west of town on an airport road (Carr Aeropuerto Manzanillo) from Km42 along the main highway, and 150 km (93 mi) from Colima City). A major airport for commercial flights serving Barra de Navidad, Manzanillo, Colima City, and the surrounding areas of Colima state and in the adjacent regions of Jalisco state. It is served by the following:
- Aeromexico Connect: (Mexico City)
- Alaska Airlines: (Los Angeles)
- Mesa Airlines dba United Express: (Houston Bush Intercontinental)
- Westjet': (seasonally from Calgary)

Additional domestic & international connections are made in Mexico City. Additional international connections and to the U.S. are through Los Angeles and Houston depending on the airline you choose. There is no public transportation to/from the airport, so you'll have to hire a cab, shuttle, or rent a car.

The next nearest major airport for commercial flights from additional domestic & international destinations is at Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR^IATA), 273 km (170 mi) (4 hr) north. Most travelers would fly into Puerto Vallarta at a more competitive airfare and take a bus (from the nearby bus station) or rent a car and drive to Manzanillo.

By bus

19.088911-104.2911082 Terminal de Autobuses de Manzanillo, ☏ +52 314 33 6 80 35. This bus station serves long-distance routes to cities outside the state. The main lines operating here are:

Autovias, toll-free: 0800 622-22-22. (updated Aug 2016)
ETN; Turistar, toll-free: 0800 8000-836. (updated Aug 2016)
^{[formerly dead link]} Grupo Estrella Blanca, ☏ +52 55 5729-0807, toll-free: 800-507-5500. They also operate the Elite, Futura and the Pacifico brands. Connects Manzanillo to other cities and towns in Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Jalisco, Mexico state and Mexico City. (updated Aug 2016)
Omnibus de Mexico, ☏ +52 55 5141-4300, toll-free: 01 800-765-66-36. Goes up to Cd Juarez through Queretaro, Celaya, Chihuahua, Cd Gomez
Nuevo Horizonte, Sur de Jalisco, ☏ +52 312 313-55-45, +52 312 307-09-22, toll-free: 01 800 622-22-22. First and second class connections to Armeria, Cd Colima, Guadalajara, Cd Guzman, Lazaros Cardenas, Tecoman, Tren Ligero (updated Aug 2016)
Primera Plus, ☏ +52 477 710 0060, toll-free: 800 375-75-85. (updated Aug 2016)

Take the Rt 7 (Centro-Valle-Jardines Santiago-Valle-Vista del Mar) or 7-A (Centro-Valle-Sta Carolina) bus going south to get to downtown from the street in front of the bus station.

Get around

See

Do

Coco Loco Tours (Manzanillo), Km 15 Blvd Miguel de Madrid, Col Santiago (Scuba Shack), ☏ +52 44-314-333-3678, cocolocotours@gmail.com. For the adventurous, athletic traveler you can hike or walk, depending on your skill set. Along your journey you will get to swim in hidden lakes, play beneath waterfalls, and see small villages. Ascend all the way to Manzanillo’s many scenic mountain tops and get a breathtaking, 360-degree view of this Manzanillo and the endless blue of the Pacific Ocean.
Ocean Pacific Adventures, ☏ +52 314-335-0605, +52 44-314-357-0717 (Manzanillo), fish@bay.net.mx. If you like to fish or if you want to learn, Manzanillo is the Sailfish Capital of the World and makes is a premium fishing destination. With Ocean Pacific Adventures you can see all types of fish and work with experienced captains. If you are beginner do not worry, you will learn the proper technique to catch a variety of fish, including marlin, dorado, and rooster fish.
Rainforest tour, crlocalguide@hotmail.com. A hike on trails through the rainforest near Manzanillo led by an expert local guide. See a variety of jungle animals and plants, including sloths, lizards, frogs, spiders, and "walking trees". Bring a raincoat or poncho and good shoes. (updated May 2016)

Buy

Eat

Café Coral Seccion Audiencia L-1, Peninsula de Santiago, Manzanillo +52 313 331-2200 Serving continental breakfast (05:00 - 07:00), breakfast buffet (07:00 - 11:00), lunch (13:00 - 17:00) and dinner (18:00 - 23:00). A warm, spacious and bright, buffet-style restaurant.
La Plaza Esmeralda, Seccion Audiencia L-1, Peninsula de Santiago (on the beach bay area of La Audiencia), ☏ +52 313 331-2200. Th-Sa 19:00-23:00. La Plaza Esmeralda offers romantic setting with a buffet dinner and live music entertainment.

Drink

Nirvana Lounge, Seccion Audiencia L-1, Peninsula de Santiago, ☏ +52 313 331-2200. Daily 17:00-01:00.
7/24 Lounge, Seccion Audiencia L-1, Peninsula de Santiago, ☏ +52 313 331-2200. 24 hours. The name says it all. A flash of the wristband is all you need to gain entry into the Tesoro All Inclusive Club any time of the day.

Sleep

Tesoro Resorts Manzanillo, ☏ +52 313 331-2200. Seccion Audiencia L-1, Peninsula de Santiago. Located along the secluded beach bay of Bahia la Audiencia, Live music at dinner, dancing, outdoor theater, group activities and classes, outdoor adventures, sports instruction, childcare & social activities for kids.
The hotel where "10" was filmed was at Las Hadas. It's an exquisite hotel, worth the extra bit of money to stay at!
19.105838-104.3421741 Barceló Karmina, Avenida Vista Hermosa, 13, ☏ +52 3143311300, karmina@barcelo.com. (updated Aug 2016)

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