In addition to its natural wonders, Manzanillo offers a myriad of cultural experiences that allow you to immerse yourself in the authentic Mexican way of life. Explore the historic downtown area, with its cobblestone streets and colorful colonial architecture.

Browse through local markets bursting with handicrafts, vibrant textiles, and delicious street food. Indulge in traditional Mexican cuisine, savoring the flavors of mouthwatering dishes that have been perfected over generations.

Playa Miramar: Bask in the sun at Playa Miramar, one of Manzanillo’s most popular beaches. Enjoy swimming, snorkeling, or simply unwind with a refreshing drink under the shade of a palm tree.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling: Dive into the underwater world and explore the vibrant coral reefs teeming with colorful marine life. Manzanillo’s waters are perfect for both beginners and experienced divers.

Historic Downtown: Take a stroll through the charming streets of Manzanillo’s historic downtown, adorned with colonial architecture and vibrant local markets. Indulge in authentic Mexican cuisine, shop for unique souvenirs, and soak in the lively atmosphere.

Deep-Sea Fishing: Known as the “Sailfish Capital of the World,” Manzanillo offers excellent opportunities for deep-sea fishing. Charter a boat and try your luck at catching marlin, tuna, or sailfish.

Manzanillo is proud of its rich cultural heritage, which is reflected in its festivals, traditions, and warm-hearted locals.

During your visit, immerse yourself in the local culture by attending the annual Fiestas de Mayo, a vibrant celebration featuring parades, live music, traditional dances, and mouthwatering cuisine.

The people of Manzanillo are known for their friendliness and welcoming nature, ensuring that visitors feel right at home. Engage in conversations, try speaking a few Spanish phrases, and experience the genuine warmth of the locals.

While Manzanillo itself offers an abundance of attractions, there are also remarkable places to explore nearby.

Visit the enchanting lagoons of Barra de Navidad, take a day trip to the scenic Isla Navidad, or venture to the stunning Colima Volcano National Park, where you can hike amidst lush forests and discover the fascinating volcanic landscapes.

Barra de Navidad

Just a short distance away, you’ll find the enchanting lagoons of Barra de Navidad, where you can immerse yourself in tranquil natural settings and observe a variety of bird species.

Isla Navidad

Take a day trip to the scenic Isla Navidad, an island paradise that boasts pristine beaches and opportunities for snorkeling and fishing. For nature enthusiasts, a visit to the Colima Volcano National Park is a must.

This breathtaking park offers hiking trails that wind through lush forests and showcase the awe-inspiring volcanic landscapes of the region.

Colima Volcano National Park

Colima Volcano National Park is a natural wonder that will leave you in awe. This magnificent park showcases the breathtaking beauty of the Colima Volcano, an active stratovolcano that stands tall amidst lush forests and picturesque landscapes.

As you explore the park’s hiking trails, you’ll be immersed in the tranquility of nature while witnessing the raw power of volcanic activity.

The park offers a unique opportunity to witness the dramatic volcanic landscapes, including lava flows and craters, and observe the diverse flora and fauna that thrive in this extraordinary environment.

Whether you’re an avid hiker, a nature enthusiast, or simply seeking an unforgettable adventure, a visit to Colima Volcano National Park is an experience that will leave a lasting impression.

When planning your trip to Manzanillo, consider the best time to visit to make the most of your experience.

The best time to visit Manzanillo is during the dry season, which typically runs from November to May, offering warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine. If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons of October or June.

Manzanillo has a tropical savanna climate. The dry season, which is from November to May, has low amounts of 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.

In 2012, the port of Manzanillo initiated an ecological project consisting of dredged canals and creating islands in the Lagoon of the Valle de las Garzas, a protected wildlife area. With this work, the port plans to increase the flow into the lagoon, thus increasing the viability of the enhanced ecosystem that includes the planting of 15,000 mangrove trees.

Extensive use of geotextile tubes (TITANTubes), manufactured by Flint Industries, was included in the channel creation. These geotextile tubes, often referred to as “geotubes” were used to create 2 parallel breakwaters on either side of the dredged channels.

Hurricane Patricia

On Friday, October 23, 2015, Manzanillo was caught in the path of Hurricane Patricia. A Category 5 on the Saffir Simpson Hurricane wind scale, it was the most powerful cyclone ever measured in the Western Hemisphere, with sustained winds speed up to 200 mph (320 kph). Hurricane Patricia made landfall on October 23 at 7:45pm with catastrophic damage. The center of the storm hit just north of Manzanillo, saving the town from the 200 mph winds. Puerto Vallarta was also near the catastrophic damage zone. Wind and high surf created a catastrophic damage zone. Damage totaled at least $283 million.

16th century

In 1522, Gonzalo de Sandoval, under orders from conquistador Hernan Cortes, dropped anchor in the Bay of Salagua (north of Manzanillo Bay), looking for safe harbors and good shipbuilding sites.

In the year before he left, Sandoval granted an audience to local Indian chieftains in a small cove, which today carries the name Playa de La Audiencia.

A great part of his fleet, which left to conquer the Philippines, was constructed in Salagua.

Manzanillo Bay was discovered in 1527 by navigator Alvaro de Saavedra, naming it Santiago de la Buena Esperanza, or Santiago’s Bay of Good Hope.

Manzanillo was the third port created by the Spanish in the Viceroyalty of New Spain. It became a departure point for important expeditions. Cortes visited the bay twice to protect his galleons from Portuguese pirates.

Over the next 300 years, the Pacific Coast’s history is filled with accounts of pirates from Portugal, England, France and even Spain assaulting, looting and burning ships for their rich cargos.

19th century

In 1825 the Port of Manzanillo opened, in recently independent Mexico, and so named because of the abundant groves of native Manzanilla (Hippomane mancinella) trees that were used extensively in the early days of shipbuilding.

Manzanillo was raised to the status of a city on June 15, 1873. The railroad to Colima was completed in 1889.

20th century

In 1908, President Porfirio Diaz designated Manzanillo as an official port of entry to Mexico.

It was the state capital of Colima from February 20 to March 1, 1915, while Pancho Villa’s troops were threatening to capture the city of Colima.

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, having been featured in the movie 10 starring Bo Derek and Dudley Moore. Beach scenes were filmed on La Audencia Bay, just over the hill from Las Hadas.

Manzanillo is a popular cruise ship port of call. Many tourists go from their cruise ships on city tours. 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 4 miles 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, a steep outcrop on whose slopes are some of the most beautiful hotels.

Ship channels are located at the southeast end of Bahía de Manzanillo where large cruise ships enter the port area. Manzanillo was once the scene of piracy and adventure. Nowadays, its peaceful bays and sophisticated tourist and port infrastructure have made it one of the main tourist resorts and trading centers in the west of Mexico.

Manzanillo is the busiest port in Mexico, as measured by total tonnage and volume of containerized cargo.

In 2007, the port moved 1.4 million TEUs and 18.0 million tons of total cargo. Port business experienced a significant surge during the USA’s West Coast Lockout in Long Beach, California, in 2002.

The port is connected by Ferromex rail lines to Guadalajara and Mexico City.

Manzanillo is also home to the Navy’s Pacific Naval Force. Manzanillo also hosts the most efficient port for tuna landings in Mexico. It handles exports like fish, corn, copra, lemons, bananas, canned foods, wine, lumber, and minerals.

Manzanillo is well connected by Highway 200 to Colima City, to the Northwest and to Puerto Vallarta.

The Playa de Oro International Airport (ZLO) is a small airport located about 35 minutes north of Manzanillo along Highway 200. The airport offers international and national flights. In addition to flights to and from the USA, the airport has international service to and from Canada. The airport is operated by “Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico”. Ground transportation is limited to taxis and car rentals. It has daily domestic and international flights and has recently been remodeled.

You can dial 078 from any phone, where you can find free information about tourist attractions, airports, travel agencies, car rental companies, embassies and consulates, fairs and exhibitions, hotels, hospitals, financial services, migratory and other issues.

Or dial the toll-free (in Mexico) number 01-800-006-8839.

You can also request information to the email correspondencia@sectur.gob.mx

MORE EMERGENCY NUMBERS:

General Information: 040 (not free)

National Emergency Service: 911

Radio Patrols: 066
Police (Emergency): 060
Civil Protection: +52(55)5683-2222
Anonymous Complaint: 089

Setravi (Transport Mobility): +52(55)5209-9913
Road Emergency: 074

Cruz Roja: 065 o +52(55)5557-5757
Firefighters: 068 o +52(55)5768-3700