This active Pacific port city has white sandy beaches and warm waters year-round. Local fishermen catch marlin, sailfish and tuna, making it a prime spot for sport fishing and seafood.
Manzanillo sits on Mexico's Pacific coast between two curved bays shaped like crescent moons. This city thrives on deep-sea fishing and cargo ships, with international fishing competitions such as the Dorsey Tournament held every November. Beaches here have coconut palms along the shore, and you can snorkel near a sunken cargo ship in Santiago Bay. Take a short drive to Comala, a town with cobblestone streets and white buildings overlooked by the Colima volcanoes. The main square fills with people buying mango slices sprinkled with chili powder, and resorts on the Santiago Peninsula provide golf courses and quiet swimming spots. Manzanillo feels more like a working port than a polished tourist destination, giving you a real sense of coastal Mexico.
Beaches and Bays
Manzanillo’s shoreline divides into two bays split by the Santiago Peninsula. Near downtown, BahÃa de Manzanillo has a busy port with dockside restaurants serving ceviche and grilled fish at Playa Las Brisas. Resorts like Las Hadas fill BahÃa de Santiago, their white buildings descending toward small beaches protected from waves. On the ocean side of the peninsula, Playa Miramar draws surfers with reliable breaks. Snorkelers visit the wreck of a cargo ship sunk in 1959 off Santiago Bay, where water clarity reaches 30 feet and schools of blue tang dart around coral-covered metal.
Fishing and Water Activities
Between November and March, charter boats leave the marina daily for sailfish, marlin, and yellowfin tuna. The International Sailfish Tournament in November attracts teams from Mexico and abroad, with weigh-ins open to spectators. Dive shops organize trips to Los Frailes, an underwater rock formation where octopuses hide in crevices. Many resorts rent kayaks, and guided boat tours take you to beaches only reachable by water. South of the city, Cuyutlán Lagoon attracts pink flamingos and egrets during winter migrations.
Colonial Towns and Archaeology
Drive 40 minutes inland to Comala, a town designated as a Pueblo Mágico for its preserved architecture and cobblestone streets. The Nogueras hacienda displays stone tools and pottery from pre-Aztec cultures alongside 1800s coffee-processing equipment. Closer to Colima city, the La Campana archaeological site contains pyramids and stone platforms built between 1500 BCE and 1500 CE. Guides point out ancient drainage channels and explain how rituals were performed in the main plaza. These sites highlight inland Colima’s history, contrasting with Manzanillo’s focus on the ocean.
Local Life and Markets
Each morning, the zócalo fills with people buying fresh-squeezed orange juice and tamales wrapped in banana leaves. At the municipal market near Avenida México, fishermen sell today’s catch next to stalls repairing sandals and sewing machines. The Miramar flea market offers hammocks, coconut oil soap, and cajeta made by simmering goat’s milk in copper pots. After sunset, head to Oasis Ocean Club for live banda music and tacos al pastor served on the beach. Most shops here sell everyday items rather than souvenirs, reflecting the city’s practical character.
Climate and Travel Timing
From November to May, expect dry days with temperatures around 89°F (32°C) and cooler evenings perfect for walking along the malecón. Rain arrives briefly most afternoons between June and October, with August being the most humid month. Hurricanes occasionally approach between August and October, but the bays’ shape usually protects the coastline. Hotels lower their rates from April to June after the winter tourist season ends. Surfers find the best waves in July, while fishing tournaments dominate November.
Getting There and Safety
Playa de Oro International Airport (ZLO) has direct flights from Los Angeles, Phoenix, and several Canadian cities during peak season. Drive from Puerto Vallarta in about five hours via Highway 200, or reach Colima city in 90 minutes heading east. If driving from the U.S., obtain a vehicle permit from Banjercito offices at the border and stick to daylight hours for safer travel. Follow the U.S. State Department’s advice to avoid non-tourist areas due to cartel activity—stay near the Santiago Peninsula or cruise port. Police presence is strong in resort zones, but keep phones and wallets secure in crowded markets.
Golf and Resorts
Las Hadas Resort, famous for its role in the movie 10, has an 18-hole golf course surrounded by mango trees and a marina filled with yachts. At Mantarraya Golf Course near Salahua Beach, players navigate fairways that curve along cliffs with views of passing container ships. Non-guests can buy day passes including equipment rentals and pool access. Most all-inclusive resorts cluster on the Santiago Peninsula, offering activities like salsa classes and paddleboarding. For more privacy, rent a villa with a terrace overlooking BahÃa de Santiago.
