Manzanillo On Your Own

The 10 Top Things to do in Manzanillo

Manzanillo is wonderful town to visit, and is one of the relatively undiscovered gems of the Mexican Riviera. The main focus of the town is commerce, being the most important commercial port on the Pacific. But tourists can have a great time in the city and the surrounding areas.

1. Enjoy a day pass at the Las Hadas resort. It was here that Bo Derek and Dudley Moore kindled their romance.


2. Explore the undersea world of Manzanillo with Aquatic Sports. A scuba diving excursion with Aquatic Sports and Adventures can't be beat.


3. Snorkel the reefs in Manzanillo's bays. What could be better than a snorkel in the clear, warm waters of the Pacific?


4. Visit the nearby towns of Colima and Comala. This is a magical journey into the heartland of Mexico.


5. Take a drive through the countryside to the picturesque village of Barra de Navidad. On this trip, you'll see the real Mexico.


6. Enjoy a great meal. Many people insist that Colima cuisine can't be beat.


7. Catch a big one. The deep sea fishing in Manzanillo can be a mystical experience.


8. Shop for handicrafts at Las Primaveras. You never know when you'll find that perfect gift.


9. Take in a round of golf at the Las Hadas course. Who knew that 18 holes at a world-renown course could cost so little?


10. Go birding. Birders are passionate about their hobby, and Manzanillo provides a great venue to find their prey.

Getting Around

Orientation

Your ship will dock at the commercial pier in the port. There's nothing around the port except for industrial facilities. Taxis are available at the port.

Taxis. Taxis are an efficient way to get around Manzanillo, and the prices are reasonable (but a bit more than in other tourist ports). However, make sure you agree on a price before you board the taxi. You should be able to get almost anywhere in Manzanillo for between $50-60 pesos. Don't tip the taxi drivers; it's included in the price of the ride.

Make sure you have small change, as taxis will not carry change so they can keep the difference. Do not expect to pay the driver in American or Canadian dollars.

Bus Service. Manzanillo has a safe and simple bus system: The bus lines travel south, and they travel north. If the sign in the window says "centro," it's going downtown. Pay for your bus ticket in pesos only.

Car Rental. We don't recommend renting a car in Manzanillo, because public transportation is cheaper and, overall, it tends to be a lot more convenient. If you're looking to get around town in your own vehicle, hire a car and driver for the day.

Hiring a Car and Driver for the Day. If you're hiring a personal taxi for the day, tell the driver where you want to go and negotiate the price. The going rate is $75-100 U.S. dollars per day, depending on where you want to go.

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Shopping

Manzanillo is not a great place to exercise your shopping gene. But there are a few places to take a look at what they've got.

What's Special in Manzanillo

Shells, including shell jewelry, locally-made handicrafts and hammocks.

Recommended Shopping Areas in Manzanillo

See our Map of Recommended Manzanillo Shopping Areas for the locations of the shops listed below.

While there are a few tourist-oriented shops nearby the Jardin in downtown Manzanillo, they're not worth a special trip. High-end boutiques can be found along Boulevard Miguel de la Madrid near the Santiago Peninsula and at the Las Hadas resort.

Plaza Pacifico, a small mall near the Santiago Peninsula, houses an assortment of clothing stores and handicraft shops, restaurants and a bar.

Plaza Manzanillo, in the Salagua neighborhood, has over 50 shops, including a Comercial Mexicana department store and clothing boutiques.

Las Primaveras, located at Calle Juarez #40 in Santiago, sells arts and crafts in their large shop taking up the first and second stories of two houses. Around the area you'll also find numerous small shops also selling handcrafts.

One of the best places to find handmade wares is at the traditional Tianguis markets (open air tourist markets) in Miramar Beach, north of downtown Manzanillo.

Colima Cuisine

Seafood reigns supreme in coastal Colima; look for dishes that incorporate shrimp, lobster, crab, scallops, oysters, shark fin soup, and especially the emblematic icon of Manzanillo, swordfish. Colima's tropical coastal zone produces coconuts, bananas, lemons and more, that are also featured in the cuisine. Colima cuisine is especially known for its coconut-based dishes.

Typical and popular Colima dishes include:

• Tatemado: a stewed dish made with spicy pork which has been marinated in coconut vinegar


• Cuachala: a corn-based dish with origins in Mesoamerican cuisine


• Chilayo: a pork and vegetable stew


• Birria: a spicy goat stew


• Pozole Blanco: a pork and hominy stew


• Tamal de cenizas: literally an ashen tamale. Rather than steamed, tamales de ceniza are dry roasted over the embers of wood fires


• Moyos: a dark species of crab


• Caldo de Pescado: Fish stew made with various kinds of fish


• Callo de Hacha: Scallops tossed with strips of red onion and chile, marinated in fresh lime juice and served with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers


• Ceviche de pescado ahumado: ceviche made with smoked fish is a local specialty


• Sopitos: small tortillas covered with tender, tasty shredded meat

Some of the more interesting regional beverages available in Colima include:

• Tuba: a mildly alcoholic drink made from palm tree sap


• Tejuino: a fermented corn drink


• Bate: a thick drink made with chia-like seeds


• Licuados: fruit shakes


• Ponches: Mezcal mixed with tropical fruit juices


• Ponche de grenada: pomegranate punch is the most well-known, but you can find tamarind and guava punches as well.

Typical Colima desserts include:

• Cocadas: coconut sweets


• Dulce de tamarindo: dried candied bananas


• Alfajores de pina: pineapple shortcake

Manzanillo Specialties

The cuisine you'll find in Manzanillo's restaurants is generally based on seafood, traditional Mexican recipes or international dishes. It is quite good, so enjoy!

Restaurants

Recommended Restaurants in Manzanillo

See our Recommended Manzanillo Restaurants Map for the locations of the restaurants listed below.

El Fogon
Mexican Cuisine
El Fogon has a great retro atmosphere and serves good food and cold beer. Aztec soup and chamorro--a roasted ham shank--is highly recommended.
On the Blvd. de La Madrid at km 10, in the Zona Hotelera

El Caballito
Steaks and Seafood
The El Caballito offers inexpensive food and good service in a pleasant atmosphere. Everything from steaks to seafood. Next door to El Fogon. Free beer with your meal.
On the Blvd. Costero Miguel de La Madrid at km 10, in the Zona Hotelera

Ristorante Portofino
Italian and Wood Fired Pizza
Portofino offers a pleasant ambiance, a romantic atmosphere, good food and excellent service. One of the better places for dining in Manzanillo.
On the Blvd. Costero Miguel de la Madrid km 10
Tel: +52 (314) 333-1333

El Tablao
Steaks and Seafood
The fantastic view of Santiago Bay makes this one of the most spectacular restaurants in Manzanillo. El Tablao offers a wide variety of seafood dishes as well as regional cuisine. The lobster and wine dinner is their specialty. Good atmosphere, friendly service and music on weekends.
Located in Santiago Bay, in front of Club Maeva.
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to midnight; closed Sunday night.
Tel: +52 (314) 335-0522

El Vaquero
Steaks
El Vaquero is famous for their mesquite-broiled steaks, prepared exactly the way you like them. The meat is sold by the kilo (2.2 lbs.) The menu is in Spanish, but there are English-speaking waiters. Try the arrachera (marinated flank steak); it can be ordered especial, which means a thicker cut, and is generally more flavorful and tender. Chips and salsa and bean soup are served with the meal. Baked potatoes are available a la carte, as are grilled sweet onions. Air-conditioned. Credit cards accepted.
Crucero Las Brisas 19, in the Las Brisas area.

Juanito's
American and Mexican
This inexpensive restaurant is one of the liveliest places in Manzanillo, attracting both gringos and the locals. Enjoy the excellent American and regional Mexican food while watching cable TV or reading an American newspaper. Great breakfasts (including omelets and waffles), a varied lunch menu (including hamburgers, fried chicken, barbequed ribs and milkshakes), and some of the best Mexican food in town.
Located on Blvd. Costero Miguel de La Madrid Km 14, in the Santiago Bay area
Open 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Tel: +52 (314) 333-1388

La Toscana
Continental
Specializing in French cuisine, the menu includes duck a l'orange, rack of lamb, giant shrimp wrapped in bacon, and lobster, the house specialty. Located on the beach with a spectacular view of Manzanillo Bay, the harbor and Las Hadas. Live classical guitar music. Full bar. Reservations recommended.
Located on Blvd. Costero Km. 11, in the Hotel Zone area
Open daily 6:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Tel: +52 (314) 333-2515

El Oasis
Continental
One of the most popular restaurants in Manzanillo. El Oasis offers delicious beverages and fine food served by a cheerful, friendly staff. The restaurant is situated in a casual tropical setting with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean and Santiago Bay.
Located in Club Santiago
Tel: +52 (314) 335-0944

Hotel La Posada
American Cuisine
Famous for its American-style breakfasts, featuring omelets, French toast, pancakes, fresh fruit and juice, bacon or ham. Includes all-you-can-drink coffee or tea. Lunches are good, too, with giant club sandwiches, hamburgers and cheeseburgers (the best in town), fresh fish sandwiches, grilled ham and cheese, and barbequed pork on a bun. The sandwiches come with a pot of bean soup and cole slaw.
Breakfast is served from 8:00 am to 10:00 am; lunch from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Avenida Lazaro Cardenas 201, in the Las Brisas area.
Tel: +52 (314) 333-1899

Sunset Lounge
Seafood
Nice atmosphere, clean, friendly staff. Serving lunch and dinner. Situated on the beach, with a great view of Manzanillo Bay and the harbor.
Open daily 1:00 pm to midnight
Located on Blvd. Costero Miguel de La Madrid, one block north of Colima Bay Cafe, in the Hotel Zone area

La Pergola
Continental
This excellent restaurant is run by Austrian manager and chef Wolfgang, who whips up some delicious sauces for his imaginative dishes. If asked, he'll also make German food for you. Offers a happy hour with unforgettable margaritas.
Blvd. Costero Miguel de la Madrid km 11.5; one block south of the Plaza Manzanillo on the sea side in the Hotel Zone area.
Open daily 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Tel: +52 (314) 333-2265

Activities

Tour Operators

Tlaloc Tours Manzanillo is a large and well-respected tour operator in Manzanillo. With a large fleet of vehicles and English-speaking guides, they offer a variety of tours that include Manzanillo Shopping and Sightseeing, day trips to Comala, Colima and the Magic Pueblos, Zip Line, ATV, Kayaking, Eco tours and much more. Contact them directly by phone from the US or Canada at +52 (314) 334-1180, or through MSN Messenger.

GoManzanillo.com is the biggest tour operator in town. They offer numerous excursions that you can arrange over the internet prior to arriving in Manzanillo.

Moretours offers tours to Colima, Barra de Navidad, local markets, fruit plantations, birding in the estuary, exploring caves and the jungle; you need to e-mail or call them to arrange a tour.

Sea to Sierra Outdoor Adventures offers several biking, diving, snorkeling, horseback riding, fishing and eco tours that are worth checking out. Again, you need to e-mail or call them to arrange a tour.

Beaches in Manzanillo

Manzanillo has almost 10 miles of beaches in its two harbors, Bahia de Manzanillo and Bahia de Santiago.

• Playa Las Brisas begins at the jetty that marks the ship channel and curves westward along the older tourist zone. This beach, along with Playa Azul and Playa Salagua, is 4 miles long and used for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and windsurfing.


• Playa Azul is the central beach area of Bahia de Manzanillo.


• Playa Salagua is the name of the westernmost stretch of beach on Bahia de Manzanillo, extending to the Santiago Peninsula. As you make your way west along the beach, the water gets rougher, and the drop off into the harbor makes it more dangerous for swimmers.


• Playa La Audiencia is located on the western side of the Santiago Peninsula. This small beach is one of the best swimming and snorkeling beaches in Manzanillo.


• Playa Santiago extends from the Santiago Peninsula to the mouth of the Rio Colorado creek.


• Playa Olas Altas is located just west of the mouth of the Rio Colorado creek on the Bahia de Santiago. Then the name of this gently curving stretch of beach changes to Playa de Miramar.


• Playa de Miramar is popular for boogie boarding, surfing and swimming.


• Playa La Boquita is located at the opening to Laguna de Juluapan. Here you'll find seafood palapas and souvenir shops. The water is tranquil, allowing for some good snorkeling and scuba diving. There's even an offshore wreck in shallow water.

Birding Locations

Located just north of town, Laguna de las Garzas is a good spot for birding. The native fowl include herons, pelicans and flamingos. The large Laguna Cuyutlan, south of town, is not only good for birding, but you can kayak here as well.

Day Trip to Colima and Comala

GoManzanillo Tours offers their Magical Colonial Tour, a 7-hour day trip to Colima and Comala. The trip begins with a scenic drive through the mountainous countryside to "La Plaza Principal," the main square of Colima, where you'll visit the Cathedral and the Government Palace. Then you'll visit the pyramids of La Campana, take in the beautiful town of Nogueras, and visit village of Comala, nestled in the shadows of two volcanoes. Here you'll make for a local restaurant on the town square and enjoy a delicious lunch (at your own expense). This unforgettable trip runs $90 per person.

Day Trip to Barra de Navidad

GoManzanillo Tours offers a Manzanillo to Barra de Navidad tour, a 6½-hour day trip through the countryside to Barra de Navidad. The trip will take you through the picturesque town of Cihuatlan to see the spires of the majestic Catholic church, and then arrive in Barra de Navidad. Barra de Navidad is a quaint farming and fishing village, built on a sandbar, with a picturesque lagoon on one side and the crashing sea on the other. Here, you'll have the opportunity to stroll along Barra's cobblestone and brick streets, and have plenty of free time to explore, shop in the stores, and enjoy a lunch of the local fare (at your expense) in one of the many seaside restaurants, before heading back to Manzanillo. The trip runs $75 per person.

Diving

Aquatic Sports and Adventures is the newest PADI Resort Facility in Manzanillo. They offer offer high-level snorkel trips as well as diving. A typical 2-tank dive would depart the beach at 9:00 am and return at noon. Contact them before your trip, as they have certain requirements and need information (shoe size, jacket size, weight) to expedite the pre-dive process. Divers must be certified (you must show your C Card) and need to sign a waiver. They also offer a 4-hour Discover Scuba class that is held in a pool only.

SPECIAL CRUISE PORT INSIDER DISCOUNT: Aquatic Sports and Adventures is currently offering a 10% discount on any of the 6 dive tours they offer on their Dives page to readers who mention CruisePortInsider.com. The offer is good through the end of 2011.

Address: Privada Los Naranjos #30, Santiago, Manzanillo
Tel: from the US, (909) 266-0271; in Manzanillo, the number is +52 (314) 334-6394.

Deep Sea Fishing

Ocean Pacific Adventures offers deep sea fishing from either a 28-foot Compact Cabin Cruiser, or a 40-foot Motor Cruiser.
Tel: +52 (314) 335-0605

The Luckiest 2 is a 38-foot Bertram Sport Fisher, featuring an English speaking crew with 21 years experience. Price include beer, soft drinks, fishing license, insurance and professional Pompanette fighting chairs.
Tel: +52 (314) 357-1044 (cell); and +52 (314) 334-6524 (home)

Golf

Shore Trips offers an 18 Holes of Golf at Las Hadas tour for golfers who want to play this wonderful championship course. The course is an 18-hole, par 71, 7,980-yard Peter Dye golf course featuring "island" greens, rated one of Mexico's top five courses; 13 holes have water features; with a dramatic 18th hole. The price is $164 per person, and includes green fees, one round of golf on the 18 hole championship Las Hadas golf course, shared golf cart and all taxes. Club rental is $25, and transportation to the course is not included (the 30-minute taxi ride will run about $10). There are two tee times available: 10:00 am and noon.

Las Hadas Resort

Currently operated by the Las Brisas chain of upscale hotels, Manzanillo's grandest resort, Las Hadas, is worth a visit in itself. If you're not registered as a guest, you can still wander the grounds of the resort. To actually enter the hotel, you need a dining reservation; the gate is guarded.

Shore Trips offers a Fabulous Beach Day at Las Hadas tour for those of you who want to experience all that Las Hadas has to offer. You will have full use of the resort for the day, the pool, the beach, the incredible tented "palapas" with their Moorish spires, a three-course lunch, unlimited soft drinks and towels. Offered daily, the price is $57 per person. Transportation to the hotel is not included; the 30-minute taxi ride will run about $10.

Snorkeling

Shore Trips offers a Half Day Snorkeling Adventure tour for folks who want to explore the undersea world of Manzanillo. On this trip, you'll travel to 3 great snorkeling spots via a 30-foot open-bowed fiberglass boat with a canvas cover. Your first snorkel is the magnificent 10,000 year-old-reef, "The Aquarium," replete with a plethora of colorful fish and living coral. Next, you'll move to the 300-foot-long shipwreck San Luciano, the casualty of a 1959 hurricane, sitting in 25 feet of clear, warm Pacific Ocean water. The last snorkel is at Elephant Rock, a unique underwater wonder boasting a booming, surging blow hole, tunnels and arches and lots of fine fish, all in 10-25 feet of water. A highlight at Elephant Rock is the feeding of hundreds of King Angels. This trip includes all equipment (especially for beginners and children), including snorkel vests, exposure suits for warmth and protection and snorkeling rafts with special viewing windows. Operating daily, the 3½-hour trip runs $57 per person, with two departure times (8:30 am and 11:00 am). Transportation to the starting point is not included; it'll cost about $12-$14 per taxi of up to 4 people (each way), and will take about 15 minutes from the cruise ship pier.