Located halfway between Puerto Vallarta and Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Manzanillo is the country’s largest seaport and arguably its best-kept beach secret. Don’t let the towering smokestacks fool you. The resorts, beaches, scuba diving and fishing around this industrial town are as good as Cancún and Acapulco without the crowds and cruise ships.

Intro

Downtown Manzanillo is an authentic, working-class city of more than 100,000 with a handsome jardín (main plaza), lots of inexpensive seafood and Mexican restaurants, and a handful of serviceable hotels.

But as you make your way up Manzanillo Bay and further into the Santiago peninsula, the bustle of Manzanillo gives way to wide stretches of quiet beach, palm-carpeted hills dotted with pastel-colored vacation homes, and some of the finest resort hotels in the country.

The beaches around Manzanillo are easily accessible and perfect for a variety of water-based fun. The best swimming beaches are La Audiencia (watch the jet skis) on the far side of the Santiago peninsula and San Pedrito, conveniently the closest beach to downtown Manzanillo. San Pedrito can get a little crowded on the weekends, so a lot of people prefer Las Brisas, a little further up the peninsula and significantly cleaner and quieter.

For surfing and boogie boarding, head to the Santiago Bay on the north side of the Santiago peninsula. Miramar beach and Olas Altas (literally “tall waves”) are the favorite surf spots for locals.

Among Manzanillo’s many well-kept secrets is its world-class diving. Several exceptional dives are within meters of the shoreline, offering tons of magnificent coral and exotic sea life like seahorses, giant puffer fish, moray eels and even tremendous (but harmless) whale sharks. And don’t miss the thrilling sunken frigate only 28 feet below the surface off of Playa La Boquita. Everyone recommends Underworld Scuba as an outfitter, charging around $70 for a two-tank dive.

Manzanillo has earned the title of “World Capital of Sailfish” for its abundance of these magnificent trophy fish. Every year in November, the town hosts an international sailfish tournament. The sailfish season is from November to March, conveniently in synch with the region’s best weather and peak tourist times. Expect to pay around $200 for a four-person cruiser with professional guides.

Golf is another huge draw for Manzanillo. La Mantarraya Golf Course at Las Hadas is world famous. Twelve of its 18 holes are played over water and the final green rests on its own private island. Other top courses in the area are Isla Navidad, El Tamarindo and the 27-hole course at the Grand Bay Hotel in nearby Barra de Navidad.

The Manzanillo region is home to several lush, well-preserved lagoons that attract a profusion of wildlife, particularly birds. If birding is your thing, grab your binoculars and telephoto lens and search out the stately herons at La Laguna de Las Garzas (they nest in December and January) and the memorable Laguna de Cuyutlán. Horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking excursions to nearby villages and jungles can also be arranged through your hotel or with an adventure travel outfitter.

The Manzanillo bar and club scene picks up on the weekends, when locals and tourists mix and mingle at some upscale (and low-scale) watering holes. For a singularly strange, but entirely enjoyable bar experience, check out Bar Social, where you might think you’ve accidentally traveled back in time and possibly to another planet. Don’t miss the classical string quartet.

The hottest dance clubs are Disco Boom Boom at the Club Maeva Hotel & Resort and the unattractively named Vog Disco. Disco Boom Boom gives preference to couples and guests of the hotel and it might be tricky to get through the door during peak tourist season. Vog has both live music and DJs and is famous for its light show. If you’re looking for salsa (dancing, not the dip), head over to Ole Ole

In and around the main plaza, you’ll find a slew of knick-knack and crafts shops, but nothing to write home about. Some of the high-end hotels have their own craft and boutique shops, and there’s a small craft market that sets up shop in front of Club Maeva selling regional wares. For a disarming variety of things made out of shells, visit the Palacio de las Conchas y Caracoles in the small downtown area of Santiago.

This somewhat undiscovered beach gem is located on the Pacific coast, south of Puerto Vallarta, and enjoys fantastic weather in all seasons. As is true for the entire region, the summers are hot and humid, with temperatures in the 90s. Winter and spring are dry and very pleasant.

Best time to go: January, February, March (high 85º, low 68º)

Average annual temperature: 82º

Hottest months: June, July, August

Coolest months: January, February, March

Manzanillo is not a typical seaside resort town. It is at once a luxury beach destinatioin, a bustling commercial port, and a pristine, undeveloped, eco-friendly region. Wonderful beaches, deep sea fishing, and water sports abound in this gold coast destination, as well as tennis and golf.

An important seaport since before the Spanish Conquest, Manzanillo is now a popular international tourist destination where Snowbirds adjust to a very comfortable life in the sunshine. Today, Manzanillo is solidly on the rise. Helped by an extensive hospitality infrastructure of more than 3,500 hotel rooms, new highways, a very motivated business and tourism community, a new shopping center, a handsome archeological museum and the virtues of its home state Colima, it is rapidly becoming a sound destination for travelers and retirees.

Ask any traveled Mexican which state they’d choose to live in and inevitably 7 out of 10 will tell you Colima. Why? "Because", they say, "its safe, affordable, beautiful and the best place to raise a family". The third smallest of Mexico’s 32 states, Colima is nestled between Jalisco to the north, Michoacán to the east and the Pacific to the west. The state has virtually no unemployment, pollution or crime, corruption has been found to be extremely low, and the level of education among her citizens is two years above the national norm. At one million, her hardworking, conscientious people seem to know the value of what they have and are willing to share it with you at a reasonable price.

While Manzanillo retains the laid-back demeanor of a resort town, the groups orchestrating her comeback are not. They’re serious and they have a plan. The International airport in Manzanillo has been in place for 25 years. The 'stay two nights, get the third night free' tourism promotion has been thriving since 1996 and the Archeological museum opened its doors in 1999. Six major hotels in the area offer excellent convention facilities. Tourism materials in English and Internet sites are exposing this jewel to the outside world. Manzanillo’s old port is being groomed for its new role as an artisan, restaurant, and day tour destination for the year 2003. A new shopping complex with Internet cafes, food courts, ATMs, a taxi stand, bus stops and other services crucial for the international traveler are in place.

In case reading this makes you fret that Manzanillo will soon resemble Eurodisney, don’t worry. The sail fishing, boating, and exquisite golfing, tennis, water sports and breathtakingly-blue waters of the Santiago and Manzanillo bays still remain the authentic draw they always were. But now they are enhanced by groups thrilled to take you into the jungle and the lagoons, up to see the extraordinary volcanoes, into the night to release turtle hatchlings, aboard ship to scuba and snorkel, and to help you hook and eat the delicious catch-of-the-day - all at a reasonable price. So if you haven’t been to Manzanillo check it out, if you haven’t been to Manzanillo in the last year or so, go back.

Manzanillo is about 4 ½ hours from Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara is about the same distance to the northwest. Colima City, which is the state capital and home of the amazing volcano, is just over one hour away. Manzanillo has daily temperatures in the range of 80° in the day and as low as 55° F at night. From November to January you may need a sweater or jacket during your evening strolls. It almost never rains in Manzanillo in the winter. Manzanillo has two bays, Manzanillo Bay where Santa Barbara Suites are located and Santiago Bay separated by the Peninsula where Dolphin Bay Cove is located. The newer areas of Manzanillo is a pleasantly understated resort zone along twin bays, while the old town area, has the feeling of small-town Mexico with street vendors and cafes along the plaza. This area has been changed to attract more tourists to the harbour and there are lots of cruise ships arriving here. One block back you will still find the small-town Mexico feeling. There are retail shops surrounding the Jardin, or Town Square, and they continue down Avenue Mexico for roughly eight blocks. It is interesting to watch the ships in the harbour and it is possible to arrange for deep sea fishing.

Downtown Manzanillo and the dock areas have recently undergone major renovation works. The bustling seaport, Mercados and shops as well as the Archaeological Museum, located just north of downtown at the San Pedrito campus of the University of Colima, all provide for a wonderful explore. The museum displays 5,000 of its more than 18,000 collected artifacts, which come from the immediate region, the state of Colima and Mesoamerica. The Santa Barbara Suites Hotel and Olas Altas Suites are centrally located - whatever your interests, you will only be minutes away.

There is a varied list of places to go and visit and you will receive an Information Booklet upon arrival which you will find very helpful. The guests who have been to Santa Barbara previously are always happy to talk about where they have been and are very helpful to new arrivals.

Why Manzanillo?

Because... • its highly safety standards • its less expensive than other destinations • it has a great weather • you get the best fruit and prices • its fun ! • it's economic and easy to get there • Manzanillo provides an escape to a hidden paradise. Manzanillo is a city commonly known as "Heavenly Paradise" and also is proclaimed as the "sailfish capital of the world". Unlike other tourist destinations in Mexico, Manzanillo presents a casual, relaxing atmosphere in addition to its many activities. Time simply seems to move slower in the mixture of pleasure and natural wonder.

Culture

In Manzanillo is the Archaeological Museum, located just north of downtown at the San Pedrito campus of the University of Colima. The museum displays 5,000 of its more than 18,000 collected artifacts, which come from the immediate region, the state of Colima and Mesoamerica.

In addition you will find art galleries, cultural expositions, dance and dramatic theatre, dinner theater, concerts, folkloric performances and artesanias in every city and major town in Colima.

Colima City's colonial buildings and traditional parks and gardens have been beautifully preserved. Around her main plaza are three excellent museums, the University of Colima’s "Pinacoteca" or Fine Art Painting Museum, the Museum of Western Culture and a Mask Museum which is a delight for collectors.
The Ballet Folklorico is considered the country’s best. The area offers numerous attractions including the curious magic zone, the El Salto waterfall, the Nogueras Hacienda, and breathtakingly beautiful villages tucked below the region’s twin volcanoes.

On Thursday evenings the University philharmonic orchestra often performs in the plaza bandstand while couples dance in the open air. The University of Colima is known for its strong medical and technological programs.

Beaches and Lagoons
In Manzanillo, every day is a beach day. The volcanic sand is a mix of black, white, and brown, with the southernmost beaches being the blackest. Most beaches post warning flags if the conditions are dangerous or jellyfish have been sighted.

Shrugging off the chill of cold weather can be deeply satisfying on the 20 kilometers of choice beaches around Manzanillo. The city claims 12 beaches, each listed below with their individual attributes. Parallel to the arc made by Manzanillo Bay are four lagoons (not including the working inner port) studded with birds and wildlife. Click on the Eco-adventures link to find out about lagoon and wetlands tours.

La Audiencia - This beach slopes gently toward Santiago Bay. Its sugary sand and soft waves make it excellent for sunbathing and swimming.

La Boquita Beach - At the mouth of the Juluapan lagoon, this beach is located on the western side of Santiago bay. Like most of the beaches in this bay, its deep sandy shelf and gentle waves allow for wading and easy swimming.

La Escondida Beach - Fine, light-brown sand and gentle waters characterize this beach.
Las Hadas Beach - One of the most beautiful beaches in Manzanillo, its name means "the fairies'. Located in front of the Moroccan-styled resort of the same name, it was made famous by the American movie "Ten" starring Bo Derek and Dudley Moore. An exclusive beach, it is perfect for swimming, snorkeling scuba diving, and other water sports.

Miramar Beach - On the west side of Santiago Bay, this is a fun place to rent sports equipment and swim.

Arrecife - Sometimes written in French as L’Recife, this rocky reef is for sunsets and drinks, not for swimming.

Azul Beach - The intense blue of the ocean gives this beach its name, "Blue Beach". Soft gray sand and luminous sunsets make it a romantic favorite.

Elephant Rock - "Roca Elephante" is an hour’s boat ride from the port of Manzanillo or a half-hour’s water journey from Las Hadas resort. Named for its animal-like rock formations and located at the westernmost end of Santiago bay, the massive boulders form a narrow cove ideal for boat swimming. Snorkeling enthusiasts find the marine life clearly visible in the still waters.

Olas Altas Beach - This is the beach surfers prefer.

Playa de Oro Beach - Near the Manzanillo international airport, "Gold Beach" gets its name from the sunken American ship "Golden Gate" which went down in 1862, taking with it 500 passengers and a cargo of gold. The sunken vessel is about a kilometer from the shores of Peñon de Torrecillas.

San Pedrito Beach - Gentle waves makes this beach ideal for children.

Santiago Beach - The namesake of its bay, this beach is one of the most popular beaches in area. Boat trips to the Santiago Lookout at the tip of the peninsula show off the beach’s golden sand and the intense blue waters of the bay.
Suites staff can assist you with beach chairs, loungers and sunshades.

Resorts

Grand Bay Isla Navidad - a 27 hole golf course designed by Robert Von Hagge, is just one of the outstanding features of this world class hotel, resort and marina. Located on the Isla Navidad peninsula across from Barra de Navidad, this resort can be viewed by boats rented from the Manzanillo pier.

Karmina Palace Golf and Spa Resort - located on Manzanillo’s main thoroughfare, the lush golf course is easily visible from the road. A six star resort, it offers spa and convention services as well as first rate service.

Las Hadas, an 18 hole golf course, two pools, 10 tennis courts, 70 vessel marina, water sports and a wide range of first rate services characterize this white Moorish-style, 5 star resort.

Sports/Eco-adventure

Golf - The climate in Manzanillo fosters the development of world-class golf courses, of which Manzanillo has 4, with the magnificant 18 hole Las Hadas Mantarraya, the 27 hole Isla Navidad, the spectacular 18 hole El Tamarindo and Club Santigo's 9 hole course. You can play 72 holes of golf without ever seeing the same Green twice! The courses are the site of national and international competitions.

Sport Fishing - Crowned the World Sailfish Capitol of the World in 1954, Manzanillo continues its rein. In the months from February to November it is the setting for national and international championship competitions.

Sailing - Three marinas provide berths for sailboats from all over the world.

Surfing - Olas Altas is the preferred beach for surfers.

Tennis - Hard surface and clay courts can be found at a number of resorts in Manzanillo. June is the month for the Maeva Hotel International Amateur Seniors Tennis Tournament.

Hotels, Travel Agencies and Tour Operators can rent equipment for the following acitivities:

Windsurfing
Water skiing
Jet skiing
Kayaking
Swimming
Snorkeling
Scuba Diving
Boat Touring
Paddle Boarding
Banana Boat Rides
Horseback Riding
Bicycling and Mountain Biking
ATV Four-Wheeling

Events
Starting February 5, near Colima city in Villa de Álvarez, one of Mexico’s most traditional and interesting fairs begins with the building of a rodeo ring by hand. Built to begin the festivities of the "Charrotaurino" fair, the building of "La Petatera" opens a powerful portal for visitors to glimpse the rich traditions of the region. Also in February the National Sailfishing Tournament, the Manzanillo "Carnaval" and the Amateur Tennis Tournament is held.
In May the Fiestas de Mayo, much like a province or state fair, offers everything from musical events to cockfights.

In June the Maeva International Amateur Seniors Tennis Tournament brings athletes from all over the world.

In September the "Fiestas Patrias" celebrate regional traditions.

In November the state explodes with tournaments and events of all kinds such as the Salsa, Cumbia and Merengue dance fest, The "All Saints Fair" in the city of Colima, the International Sailing Tournament, the Las Hadas Amateur Cup Golf Tournament, the Grand Bay Isla Navidad International Golf Tournament, and the Maeva National Open Tennis Tournament.

When Friends and Family Visit
Your guests can release turtle hatchlings at the turtle sanctuary in Armería and kayak the lagoons and estuaries near the Bay of Manzanillo while birdwatching. Horseback riding, hiking and fishing in the Sierra Madre mountains, caving, and mammoth truck and ATV adventures, snorkeling, scuba diving and sail fishing are just a few of the outdoor options available for children, teenagers and adults. Van tours to the volcano, Colima city, archeological zones, museums and other attractions can also be arranged.

Food
With a fishing fleet based in Manzanillo's harbor, you can safely expect to find the finest of seafood in the local dining rooms and beach-side palapas. Manzanillo is world famous for its seafood cuisine - all fresh fish, all the time.

We suggest that you plan on having your main meal a la Mexicana - in the early afternoon. That is when the fish is freshest - just off the boats. But, don't let that suggestion prevent you from evening dining, as the menus and different dining ambiances available are certain to please both your palate and your budget.

Manzanillo is also the Swordfish capital of the world. So, you can take advantage of the charter fishing Captains and their boats.

While we cannot promise a Swordfish, the richness and variety of fish in and outside of the Bays, are certain to be tempted by your fishing hook. (And you can either have a restaurant cook your catch, or bring it back to your kitchen, and show off your culinary talents.)

Manzanillo lies on the Pacific coast, about two thirds of the way south down the long coastline of Mexico. A natural harbour, it has become the largest container port on Mexico's Pacific seaboard and is rapidly becoming a well known tourist destination.

The Port of Manzanillo has been developed over the past few years to become a vital part of the economy of the State of Colima and the main industrial thrust from local governments emphasizes the importance of this vital industry to the whole of Mexico. Transport from the City for both arriving & departing cargo is easily handled by excellent highways through to Guadalajara & the north, although there is no rail link to either Colima or Guadalajara currently.

A quiet, peaceful and safe town, Manzanillo is home to about 125,000 Mexican nationals and probably 10,000 ex-pats escaping the harsh reality of northern winters. It is not a designated resort destination in the eyes of the Mexican Government which selects various areas, like Nuevo Vallarta, Ixtapa & Cancun, then develops these towns specifically for tourism. Beautiful and natural places like Manzanillo and the Costa Alegre to the north grow in spite of their efforts.

Manzanillo has just a few major hotels which specialize as all- in-one resorts, and dozens of smaller hotels or bungalow complexes where people can rent for several months at a time at extremely good rates. Recently many condominium developments have been started as previous holidaymakers decide to make the major move towards calling Manzanillo home, for greater parts of the year. Suitable housing and accommodation to purchase were in short supply as they had been owned by Mexican families for many years, passing down from father to son for generations and not available on the general housing market.


Manzanillo Average Temperatures

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Avg High - F 81 79 78 79 81 85 86 86 85 85 84 81
Avg High - C 27 26 26 26 27 29 30 30 29 29 29 27
Avg Low - F 66 65 65 67 70 75 75 75 75 74 71 68
Avg Low - C 19 18 18 19 21 24 24 24 24 23 22 20


The weather is extremely pleasant, maintaining an average daytime temperature in the low 80’s in the winter time and high 80’s in the summer and rainy season. The main difference in the seasons is that during the rainy season, June to November, the humidity climbs noticeably and can become quite uncomfortable at times. The hurricane season stretches from June to the end of October.


The principal tourist season is from December through to Easter. At both Christmas and Easter, Mexicans who live inland, swarm to the coastal resorts making accommodation both hard to find and much more expensive.

This is far from a shopping mecca although several large American outlets have moved here in the past few years. There is now a Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Office Max, Office Depot, KFC, Burger King, Subway plus a Dairy Queen is now open. There are rumors that a Sam’s Club is coming, but there has been no concrete evidence of that to date. However in Colima, only an hour drive away, there are several Malls with different shopping selections, Sears, a Sam’s Club and a Home Depot open.

Hospitals are plentiful here, both social security and private, and good care can be found in both. Health care workers, for the most part, rarely speak English fluently although there always seems to be someone available who will do their best to help you, Costs are very reasonable, with doctors’ fees about $25 and visits to specialists costing about $40. Most specialties are covered locally but Colima is close and Guadalajara is only 4 hours away if more attention is required. Dental and optical services are also available, usually at much cheaper costs than in Canada or the USA.

Access by land, air or sea is easy, there are flights daily during the winter season and weekly in the summer from many US cities. The Port Authorities are on duty year round and the roads in Mexico are generally very good on the highways. There are toll roads connecting most cities, which are mostly well maintained (there are always exceptions) but they are fairly expensive, although much safer than using the free roads which can add many miles to the route. It is, however, a rule that should be adhered to "DO NOT DRIVE IN HOURS OF DARKNESS", either early morning or after dusk. Many reasons include wandering cattle, wandering people, wandering bicycles, wandering bandits.

Before the spanish colonization not much happened at Manzanillo, the place was unhabited by several groups of indians from wich not much is known, their cities and tombs, as far as I know, have not been studied and some have been ransacked. apparently an important activity for them was fishing pearls.

The first spaniard arriving at Manzanillo was Gonzalo de Sandoval, he disembarked in a place called Salagua not far away from the place in wich the city is located today. in 1527 the Manzanillo bay was "discovered" and his advantages as a maritime port were soon noticed, as the western zone of Mexico was not very well known several expeditions sailed from this place, the most important was the one lead by Hernán Cortés, a trip in wich he discovered the California peninsula, another one finished with the discovery of the Revillagigedo islands.

Appart from this events not much happened in the colonial Manzanillo, and it remained a rural town while other places developed.

After Mexico independence Manzanillo's port was opened (after drying some swamps around it), and in 1848 a customs office was established allowing the town to trade with other countries, until now this remains one of the two most important activities in the city, and if you get away from the beaches you'll see thousands of containers being handled in the port.

Manzanillo became important enough to became the state capital for three days, this occured during the mexican revolution when, in 1915 Pancho Villa menaced with taking the city of Colima, something wich never came to happen.
In 1921 the airport was opened, but it wasn't until the seventies when Manzanillo discovered it other important activity, tourism.

In 1979 the film "10", starring Bo Derek Dudley Moore and Julie Andrews, popularized both the Ravel's bolero and the Manzanillo hotel called Las Hadas (one of your several accomodation options), since then Manzanillo has became an important beach destination for Mexico, of course it can't compete with places like Cancún or Puerto Vallarta, but instead of nightlife and package tourism you'll find a peaceful and still surrounded by wildlife place.

Recently Manzanillo has been recieving another tousristic boost as a result of the increase in cruising lines including the city in their iyineraries.

We bypassed the anchorage at the Hotel Las Hadas (where ‘10’ starring Bo Derek was filmed) and headed directly for the port at the center of town. As we were came closer to the breakwater we were still scanning the visible harbor debris for the masts of other sailboats but discovered upon entering that we were it. We anchored at the edge of the panga/fishing boat mooring section, just inside the channel markers. Inside the breakwater is very still but there is a lot of large shipping and tug activity so we get wakes occasionally. Nobody has hassled us, nor has officialdom come out to talk to us so presumably we are in an okay spot. The only people who have talked to us are curious fisherman who want to know where we are from/where we are going; a navy boat just motored by (there is a base here) and we just overheard the comment, “Barco de vela! Tranquila!” So basically, people are pretty damned friendly.

We spent our time mostly stocking up on supplies: veggies, ice, beer, Nutella, and Coconugs. Nutella is something I am indifferent to the states but rises in status to a necessity the moment I set foot out of the country; Coconugs are similar to the candy bar Mounds, minus the corn syrup and another 30 odd ingredients. We tell ourselves that they are good “watch snacks” in an attempt to justify the fact that we are buying a box of candy bars. However, this is a lot of bullshit because we generally eat nearly the entire lot before we even get out to sea. (Nutella, by the way, is good for you; it says so right on the container. “Energia de las avellanas; los elementos nutritivos de la leche; rica en proteinas y sales minerales.”)

We spent a bit of time at the main mercado, buying vegetables, eating lunch in the upstairs food stall section, and just leaning over the railing on the second story and watching the alimentary action.


Aerial view of the mayhem.

One of our favorite street snacks here is the tuba drink served into plastic cups out of quaint gourd jugs by very nice guys who, if asked, will not hesitate to describe in detail exactly how tuba is produced, start to finish, with a little history thrown in, while the bees swarm. (Bees really love tuba.) They congregate along Mexico street at intersections mostly and we have seen them mostly in the early day–i.e., they are not night venders. The tuba is served with a couple spoonfuls of peanuts in the top (if you wish) and has a tangy sweet bready and slightly fermented flavor. It reminded us of kvass (from Russia/Ukraine). We tried a couple of different tubas from different venders and they are actually different. Our favorite was less sweet and had a stronger flavor; the tuba guy said that it was ‘tuba natural’ (but they all say that if you ask), however, this time I think he was serious.

Other notable street food mentions go to El Bigotes Taco stand on M. Galindo near Mexico and the churro dude more on corner. He sells the churros by the piece and they are crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside just like they should be.

There are two different areas of Manzanillo, "El Centro," the downtown area, and the "Zona Hotelera," or hotel zone.

"El Centro"

The downtown area of Manzanillo consists of a Malecon, or boardwalk, about a mile long.

You can walk along the harbor, enjoying the view of anchored fishing boats, from the motorcruisers chartered for tourist sailfishing, to small pangas, used by local fishermen. Along the way there are numerous benches, shaded by palm trees, and sculptures done by local artists. An old ship's anchor (a cargo ship sunk in the hurricane of 1959) is an interesting conversation piece, and a good background for a photo.

As you get to the downtown area, you'll see the "Jardin," or garden, which is the town square. If you're driving, the best parking is on the north side of the Jardin. The Jardin is where everyone congregates--to have lunch, get their shoes shined, or "people watch." On many evenings when it's cooler, bands play in the gazebo, and folks dance in the plaza. Feeding pigeons is a favorite pastime, too.

Just off the Jardin is Av. Mexico, with its numerous shops offering tourist treasures. In fact, all around the Jardin are storefronts offering everything from silver to T-shirts. There are also several restaurants offering a variety of Mexican dishes and seafood at reasonable prices.

The downtown area around the Jardin is currently being renovated. Though it is closed to traffic right now and your are re-routed around the central area, the project is estimated to be finished by this coming 2003 tourist season.

The "Mercado"

Manzanillo's mercado, or market, offers a variety of items for consumption. If you want the freshest seafood, fruits or vegetables, go from 8-10 in the morning. This is mainly a "locals" market, but tourists love it for its authentic Mexican flavor. Of course, other items, such as piñatas, pottery and leather goods are available. The mercado area is located on Av. Francisco I. Madero, behind the Club de Leones (Lions Club), one block south of Av. Mexico.

"Zona Hotelera"

The Zona Hotelera, or Hotel Zone, is actually about 3 miles north of Manzanillo, and is about 4 miles long. All of the major hotels and restaurants in the area are located in the Hotel Zone. The area has been renovated, with sidewalks, benches, shade trees and potted plants. Colorful cement umbrella-covered bus stops and pay phones are strategically located every few blocks or so. The road is called Blvd. Miguel de la Madrid, or Blvd. Costero and provides a frontage road for buses and left turns (on arrow only).

Getting around by bus

Manzanillo has a very simple bus system. Look at the window of the bus. If it says, "El Centro," or "Jardin," it's going to the downtown area. (These buses always go south.) Try to have 1 and 2 peso coins for fare. If you have U.S. dollars, they won't exchange, and if you have large peso bills, you can't get change or get short-changed. Each time you take a bus, it's about 4 pesos (depending on the quality of the bus). If you change buses, you pay again. It's best if you offer 4 pesos to the driver as you board, and act like you know what you're doing. If you ask a question in English, the driver won't understand you. If you give him 5 pesos, instead of 4, you may not get change (unless you hold your hand out like you expect it). It's just the way of poor bus drivers trying to earn a living!

Traveling by bus is totally safe and is an interesting experience if you like to mingle with the locals. Normally a bus comes by every 10 minutes, in either direction. If not, it's probably siesta time, from 2-4:30 p.m.

If it says, "Mercado," it's going to the mercado, or market. (These buses also always head south.)

If the bus says, "Brisas," it is going to the Las Brisas section (an older area with many budget-priced hotels, actually the original "hotel zone" before the harbor was enlarged). This bus will only be heading north from downtown Manzanillo. If you want to get to Las Brisas from the Santiago Bay area (or any area of the hotel zone, you will have to get off at the "crucero de Las Brisas" (traffic circle), walk across the main highway and stand in front of the "Scotiabank." Watch for a bus coming from Manzanillo with "Brisas" in the window.

If a bus says, "Las Hadas," or "Tesoro," and has a small blue dolphin logo on the front, it is going to the Peninsula de Santiago, where the 5-star hotels, Las Hadas, Hotel Tesoro (formerly Hotel Sierra) and Los Tucanes (formerly Plaza Las Glorias) are located.

If a bus has "Miramar," on the window, it takes you north to Miramar Beach where the tianguis (open air tourist markets) are located.

"Santiago," or "Salagua," means the bus will take you to the center of these small villages, about 6 miles north of central Manzanillo.

If a bus says, "Com. Mex," "Commercial," or Com. Mexicana," it will take you to the Plaza Manzanillo shopping mall, with the Commercial Mexicana supermarket/department store.

If the bus says, "Soriana," that is another mall/supermarket/department store.

Take a ride!

Getting around by taxi

Taxis can be very reasonable, as long as you ask the price BEFORE you get in. You should be able to get almost anywhere in Manzanillo (except for Vida del Mar and L'Recif Restaurant) for 35-50 pesos or less. However, some hotel taxis charge a premium rate because they've paid a higher union fee to sit in front of the hotel. For example, if you take a taxi from the Hotel Tesoro to the Kiosko convenience store (about 6 blocks), the fee is 25 pesos. If you walk out to the street and hail a taxi, or go up the hill to the employees' entrance, the taxi fee is 15 pesos. You do not tip taxi drivers. The tip is included in the price.

Make sure you have small change. Taxis will not carry change so they can keep yours. If you ask the price before you get in, also ask if they have change for whatever bill you plan to give them. If not, they'll stop along the way at a taxi stand to make change. Do not pay in American or Canadian dollars.

If several of you are going to the same place, share the taxi. They also have vans (called "combis" for large groups of up to 8 people). By law, cars can carry up to 5 passengers. The rates are the same for one person or five.

If you need a restaurant or hotel recommendation, do not ask a taxi driver. Often, his version of "the best food" is his uncle's place, or a spot where he gets a commission for bringing you there. Restaurants usually close one day a week, particularly on Sundays and Mondays. Ask your hotel to call and confirm that the restaurant is open. Some taxi drivers will take you there even if they know it is closed, just so they can take you somewhere else and collect a double fee. Don't let your taxi driver take you to any place other than the one you want to go. Sometimes the driver will tell you of a "better" restaurant, but that only means it's better for him and his pocketbook.

You should always get the number and "sitio" (site) of the taxi. There are over 800 taxis in Manzanillo, and without the number and "sitio," you will never be able to track down any article you accidentally left in the backseat. You wouldn't believe how many tourists have left cameras, wallets, purses, cellular phones, sunglasses and other stuff in taxis. If you don't get the "sitio" and taxi number, say "adios" to your valuables.

You can also hire a personal taxi for the day. Tell the driver where you want to go and negotiate the price. If you really don't want to drive, find a driver you like, and go exploring, and use the tourist guidebook featured on this web site as your guide. The going rate is $50-80 U.S. dollars per day, depending on where you want to go.

If a taxi offers to wait for you while you're doing an errand, such as confirming your flight reservations, remember, you will pay for it. His time is money. He's not waiting just to be a nice guy; he's hoping for a little extra tip. If you don't want to pay extra for his services, it's very easy to get another taxi, no matter where you are in Manzanillo.

Despite the above cautions, most taxi drivers here are very friendly and honest. It's a good idea to take a taxi when you've had a few too many tequilas, and stumble out of Colima Bay Cafe at 2 a.m.

This information has been taken from the 150-page tourist guidebook, "Manzanillo and the state of Colima, Facts, Tips and Day Trips," written by Susan Dearing.