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Manzanillo, Colima

to the west Barra de Navidad, Jalisco
Cihuatlán, Jalisco
Melaque, Jalisco
Jaluco, Jalisco
to the north Colima, Colima
Comala, Colima
to the east Cuyutlan, Colima

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The tourist zone of 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 such as Las Hadas [photo]. A ship channel is located at the southeast end of Bahía de Manzanillo where large ocean liners enter the port area. Other large ships may be seen anchored in the bay. The industrial/commercial zone occupies a relatively small area beyond the channel.

The coastal Hwy 200 passes along both bays and most hotels are located on or very near the highway. The Manzanillo Airport is located 22 miles west on Hwy 200. 25 miles/40 km to the west on Hwy 200 is the town of Cihuatlán. 38 miles/61 km west is Barra de Navidad, Jalisco. 61 miles/98 km to the northeast is the city of Colima with the town of Comala nearby.

Beaches • Playas

Playa de Cocos is just south of Barra de Navidad. To get there by car, exit hwy 200 at km 51 at the Isla de Navidad sign. Follow the road for several miles, crossing a bridge (into Colima), then paralleling the beach, through the golf course, take the left fork at the traffic circle, and after another mile the road ends at the beach. Wide, miles long beach, rather steep with waves breaking close in. Dangerous for swimming but good for fishing and beachcombing.
Playa El Viejo is a tiny downtown area beach accessible by footpath.
Playa San Pedrito is another small downtown area beach just across the ship channel from the tourist zone. Restaurants, swimming.
Playa Las Brisas begins at the jetty that marks the ship channel and curves westward along the older tourist zone. Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, windsurfing. At some point the name changes to Playa Azul and then to Playa Salagua. Altogether about 4 miles of beach.
Playa Azul This is central beach area of Bahía de Manzanillo.
Playa Salagua is the name of the westernmost stretch of beach on Bahía de Manzanillo.
Playa La Audiencia is a small beach located on the western side of the steeply sloped Santiago Peninsula. Swimming, kayaks, windsurfing, water skiing, jet skis, etc.
Playa Santiago The 5-mile long curving beach of Bahía Santiago begins at Santiago Peninsula as Playa Santiago. At the mouth of the Río Colorado creek it becomes Playa Olas Altas.
Playa Olas Altas (high waves) is located just west of Santiago Peninsula in Bahía de Santiago. At some point the name of this gently curving stretch of beach changes to Playa de Miramar. Boogie boarding, surfing, swimming.
Playa de Miramar is also in Bahía de Santiago.
Playa La Boquita is located at the southwest end of Bahía de Santiago at the opening to Laguna de Juluapan. Seafood palapas, fishing boats, very calm, good snorkeling, scuba diving, offshore wreck in shallow water.

Hotels • Hoteles

Additional accommodations are available in Barra de Navidad and Melaque, 45 minutes to the west. Reservations are recommended for Easter week and Christmas week. During the remainder of the high season (winter) there will normally be many vacancies although some hotels will be full at times.

Budget • Económico

Hotel Emperador B. Dávalos 69. (314) 332-2374. Downtown, clean, ceiling fans, restaurant. $15 U.S. double.
Motel Playa San Pedrito Teniente Azueta 3. (314) 332-0535. Located on Playa San Pedrito, garden, pool, tennis court, ceiling fans, $25 U.S. Credit cards accepted.

Moderate • Módico

CocoCabañas Located on Playa de los Cocos on the Isla de Navidad peninsula. (281) 205-4100 (U.S.), (335) 004-2686 (Mexico). Beachside bungalows, pool, bar, wireless internet, solar power. Email Contactus@ecocabanas.com. (12/05)
Hotel Colonial Bocanegra 28 at Avenida México, one block from the waterfront. (314) 332-1080, (314) 332-1134, (314) 332-1230. Built in the 1940's, high ceilings, stained glass windows, nicest downtown hotel. US$22 - $26 (1/03)
Hotel Fiesta Mexicana Km 8.5, Hwy 200. (314) 333-2180. Located on Playa Azul, pool, restaurant, TV, phones, AC, big boxy building. $60 U.S.
Hotel Marina Puerto Dorado Avenida Lazaro Cardenas 101. (314) 334-1480, (314) 334-1481, (314) 334-1482. Located on Playa Las Brizas, 2-bedroom suites with 2 baths, hide-a-bed and kitchenette accommodate 6 people, pool, AC, restaurant, well-kept. Also penthouse suites with rooftop palapas. $60 U.S. Recommended. [Photo 42K]
hotel Parador Marabella Km 8.5, Hwy 200. (314) 333-1103, (314) 333-1105. Located next to the Fiesta Mexicana on Playa Azul. Pool, restaurant, parking, some rooms with AC. $25-$45 U.S.
Hotel Playa de Santiago Located on Playa de Santiago. (314) 333-0055, (314) 333-0270, fax (314) 333-0344. Pool, tennis court, boat ramp, phones, ceiling fans. $35-$50 U.S.
Hotel La Posada Avenida Lázaro Cárdenas 201. (314) 333-1899. Pool, parking, $55-$80.
Suave Vida Suites (314) 333-2528. Av. Lázaro Cárdenas No. 1316, Las Brisas. 1 and 2-bedroom suites. info@suavevidasuites.com

Expensive • Caro

Hotel Las Hadas Located on the Santiago Peninsula, east side facing Bahía de Manzanillo. (314) 334-0000, (314) 334-2000, (888) 559-4329 toll-free in U.S. (Brisas Hotels). Fax (314) 333-0430. Restaurant, marina, sunset cruise, golf course, tennis courts, water sports. $200-$300 U.S. [photo]
Barcelo (was Karmina Palace). Av. Vista Hermosa #13, Santiago Peninsula. 1-877-527-6462, (314) 334-1313, (314) 334-1915 (fax). New all inclusive golf & spa resort. 3 Restaurants, 5 Bars, 8 Swimming Pools, Gym. [Photo].
Hotel Plaza Tucanes Av. Del Tesoro S/N Península de Santiago. (314) 334-1098. 5 minutes from the beach. Packages for all inclusive or not. reservacioneszlo@plazatucanes.com
Hotel Maeva On Hwy 200 at the Santiago Peninsula. (314) 335-0595, (800) GO-MAEVA from the U.S. and Canada, fax (314) 335-0395. All-inclusive, water sports, tennis, gym, scuba, snorkeling, horseback riding, field sports, bars, restaurants, disco, large pool, Spanish lessons, games, AC, no phones or TV. $210 U.S. [Photos]
Pepe's Hideaway (314) 333-0616. Luxury bungalows, gourmet dining, king-size beds, pool, jacuzzi, hammocks. pepe@pepeshideaway.com (7/04)
Gran Costa Real Manzanillo (was Hotel Sierra) Avenida La Audiencia 1 on the Santiago Peninsula, west side, on Playa La Audiencia facing Bahía de Santiago. (314) 333-2000, (800) 333-3333 from the U.S. or Canada. Pool, cable TV, phones, mini-bars, tennis courts, golf course, AC. $150-$200 U.S.

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Restaurants • Restaurantes

Benedetti's Pizza Km 7, near the Las Brisas intersection. Pizza, salad bar.
Coco Loco Cafe Located at Suave Vida Suites and Hotel in Las Brisas, 3rd traffic light. Pizza oven, grill. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Carlos'n Charlie's Closed Km 8 on Hwy 200.
Chantilly On the south side of the zócalo. Delicious comida corrida, reasonably priced. Good coffee. Popular and recommended.
Restaurant Jalapeños Km 10.5, Hwy 200. Popular.
Juanitos Cybercafé Km.14 Hwy 200. (314) 333-1388, (314) 333-2019 (fax). Email: juanitos@delfin.colimanet.com Since 1976. 8 AM - 11 PM daily. Excellent burgers, homemade sausage, public internet connection.
Monkey's Restaurant in front of the Commercial Mexican shopping Center. 11am - 10pm. Southern fried chicken. Recommended.
Restaurant Lychee on Morelos by the dock. Chinese food.
El Patio in the Hotel Colonial on Avenida México. Good seafood selection, resonable.
Restaurant El Vaquero Crucero Las Brisas 19. Steaks. Expensive.

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Celebrations • Fiestas

Fiesta de Mayo is Manzanillo's main celebration and begins near the end of April, runs for two weeks and ends around May 10. Numerous events including sports, art exhibits, parades, concerts, native dances, carnival.
Fiesta de Guadalupe celebrates the patron saint, the Virgin of Guadalupe, beginning December 1 and lasting for 12 days. Parades, native dances and costumes, displays and offerings for the Virgin of Guadalupe.

Transportation • Transportación

Airport The Manzanillo airport, located off Hwy 200 several miles northwest of town, is served by several international carriers. This includes flights on America West from Arizona.
- Aerocalifornia.
- America West Airlines www.americawest.com.
- Alaska Airlines (sometimes) www.alaskaair.com
- Aeromar/Mexicana Airlines has daily flights to Manzanillo from Mexico City. www.mexicana.com.
- Delta Airlines www.delta.com.
Bus Station Manzanillo Central de Camiones, the new Manzanillo bus station, is located just inland from the Las Brisas beach area just north of downtown.
Car Rentals
- Arrendadora de Autos " Ku-Ce" (314) 336-6373 Balvino Davalos No. 100, El Centro
- Auto Rentas de Mexico (314) 333-2580 Crucero las Brisas S/N
- Odin Renta Auto (314) 333-1112, (314) 334-0897 BLVD. Miguel de la Madrid No. 412
- Renta De Autos Budget (314) 333-1445 Blvd. Miguel de la Madrid km. 10
- Sub-Agencia de National Car (314) 334-2000 Avenida Vista hermosa y Avenida de los Riscos, Peninsula de Santiago; (314) 333-0611 Aeropuerto Internacional
- National Car Rental (314) 333-0611, (314) 333-1140 blvd. Miguel de la Madrid V. km. 7
To drive from Laredo, Texas to Manzanillo is about 800 miles and takes 20 hours.
Flight to Manzanillo tomzap's February 2010 flight to Manzanillo in a Piper Arrow.
Insurance, AHA International (800) AHA-1778. Auto, health, and property insurance for Americans and Canadians in Mexico. Health insurance for Mexicans traveling outside of Mexico.
Insurance, Baja Bound (888) 552-BAJA (2252). Mexican auto insurance for foreigners driving to Mexico.

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Tour Operators, Outfitters • Operadores Turísticos, Proveedores

Admire Mexico Tours Alvaro Obregón No. 105 (inside Casa Alvarada B&B). (312) 314-5454, (312) 315-5229. Cultural, nature, volcano tours, lodging, car and bike rentals. Email: AdmireMexicoTours@hotmail.com.
Moretours Transportadora Turistica S.A. DE C.V. Tabachin #5 Fracc. Arboledas Santiago. (314) 35 30377, (314) 334-6572. Tours to Colima, Barra de Navidad, markets, plantations, estuary, caves, jungle. Email: more_106@hotmail.com
Sea to Sierra Outdoor Adventures (315) 355-5790 (Mexico), 044 (315) 100-0282 (cell). Avenida Veracruz #204, Barra de Navidad. Mountain biking tours - quality bikes, helmets, gloves. Horseback riding with English and Western tack. Excursions via suburban including tours to Colima and the Volcano. Tuesday and Friday Yacht trips. Fishing trips. Email: info@seatosierra.com. (11/09)

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Sport Fishing, Boat Tours • Pesca, Excursiones en Barco

The International Sailfish Tournament takes place during the last half of November. Another tournament takes place in early February. (333) 32770.
Sportfishing trips may be arranged through Flota Amarilla, (333) 21031, office on Avenida Niños Héroes, at the dock downtown.
Ocean Pacific Adventures offers deep sea fishing in boats ranging in size from 26' to 40'. (314) 335-0605, 044 (314) 357-0717 (cell). Email: fish@bay.net.mx. Web: http://www.mexonline.com/opafish.htm.

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Scuba • Buceo

Aquatic Sports and Adventures (314) 334-6394 (Mexico), (314) 124-4233 (Mexico cell). Privada Los Naranjos #30, Santiago, Manzanillo. PADI dive services. SCUBA, snorkel, training, rentals, dive boat, nitrox, service. terry@aquaticsportsadventures.com. (6/09)
Neptunes Diving and Sports Center. (314) 334-3001, (314) 334-3002 (fax). Email: diving@neptunesdiving.com. Km 14.5 Miguel de la Madrid. Diving, snorkeling and a variety of water sports activities. www.neptunesdiving.com.
Pacifico Water Sports (314) 331-0101 ext. 3804. Email: hector_pacifico@hotmail.com located at the Hotel Las Hadas. Scuba, snorkeling, fishing, tours and more. (1/04)
Underworld Scuba - Scuba Shack PADI Dive Center #20008, Km. 15, Blvd. Miguel de la Madrid, Santiago, Colima Mexico 28861, just north of Juanito's restaurant, on the beach side. (314) 333-0642, 044 (314) 358-0327 (when calling from Manzanillo), 045 (314) 358-0327 (when calling from elsewhere in Mexico), 011-521 (314) 358-0327 (when calling from the U.S. or Canada). scuba@gomanzanillo.com PADI, NAUI and CMAS-approved classes. Recommended. Ecotour also available. www.divemanzanillo.com

Medical • Médico

Dentist: Dr. Jesús Ibarra. The office is called Dent, located directly behind the Pemex station across the street from the mercado in Valle. Speaks English, recommended.
Insurance, AHA International (800) AHA-1778. Auto, health, and property insurance for Americans and Canadians in Mexico. Health insurance for Mexicans traveling outside of Mexico.

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Real Estate • Bienes Raíces

Lomas del Mar Sold Two ocean-view residential lots for sale on the Juluapan peninsula.
Marsha Hernandez (315) 355-5911, (315) 355-5349 (fax). Realtor for Barra de Navidad and area.
Coldwell Banker Candy King - Conrado Bielsa (314) 334-2712, 044 (314) 103-0406 cell, (877) 701-5892 US or Canada. Blvd. Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado #14540, Plaza Miramar, Local 2 y 3. candyk@coldwellbankermanzanillo.com. (2/06)
Mexican Bay Real Estate (314) 335-1343. Gerry Szakacs.
Homeowner and Visitor Services Anna: bigsister68@hotmail.com. If you have a home away from home in Manzanillo, I can help you with it's administration and supervision. I am a responsible, honorable person who can make procedures, payments, help supervising home maintenance, help with shopping etc. I have references and many years living in Manzanillo. (3/05)
Insurance, AHA International (800) AHA-1778. Auto, health, and property insurance for Americans and Canadians in Mexico. Health insurance for Mexicans traveling outside of Mexico.
Mexican Bay Real Estate (314) 335-1343. Gerry Szakacs.
Perla del Mar (314) 333-2904, 305-0482. 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath luxury beachfront condominiums for sale in Playa Las Brisas area. Secure parking, fitness center, infinity pool, maid service, private balcony.

Miscellaneous • Misceláneo

Alcoholics Anonymous (314) 335-0184, 333-2085. (11/07)
Amigo Surf Mexico 011-52 (322) 306-6548, 011-52-322-297-1744 (from US), 297-1744 or 044 (322) 306-6548 (from Puerto Vallarta), 01 (322) 297-1744 0r 01 (322) 306-6548 (from rest of Mexico). Live aboard surf adventures based in Banderas Bay cruises south to Manzanillo. Web: www.amigosurfmexico.com
Amigos por un Refugio Animal 044 (314) 117-8150 (cellphone). a non-profit animal welfare organization. Free sterilization clinics. ara.mzlo@yahoo.com.
Occasional bullfights take place at either the Salagua or El Coloma bullring. Check for posters.
For crafts there is Centro Artesanal Las Primaveras, located at Juárez 40. (314) 333-0173. Downtown, 2 blocks from Hwy 200, open daily.
Club Santiago Golf Course Km 19, Hwy 200. (314) 335-0370. 9-hole course, $40 fee to play 18 holes.
Have You Met Manzanillo? article by Brandon Cornett providing an introduction to Manzanillo.
Jan Castillo Languages Miguel de la Madrid, km 12.5, upstairs. (314) 335-3770. Regular and immersion Spanish classes, translation of texts and documents, personal assistance/interpreting services, jan@jancastillo.com (2/06)
Lawyer Ruben Romo. Palma Real No. 19, Salahua, Manzanillo, Colima. C.P. 28860. (314)334-3066. r_romo66@hotmail.com. English-speaking, recommended for help with business, real estate and other legal matters.
Surf & Adventure Cruises 44-foot private yacht. Day trips, overnight trips, fishing, diving. Alicia & Cap. adventurcruises@yahoo.com
Manzamigos Tourist and foreign resident assistance group. manzamigos@yahoo.com
Mercado de Artesanias handicrafts market, in the Walmart parking lot. Held during the winter months. You can see crafts made in several of the Mexican states. The products include woven articles, silver, pottery, mezcal mixes, several different types of mole, chairs, ladies dresses, shirts, belts, shoes, sandals, candies, pictures, bed spreads, table cloths and some beautiful hammocks. There are other items as well. Well worth the trip, you'll enjoy every stand that you see. They seem to have very good prices. The artisans are very happy to talk to you about what they make and how it is made. (1/10)
The main market, Mercado Municipal, is located downtown at Cuauhtémoc and Independencia.
Project Amigo 312 395 4485. Colima. Helping poor children in Mexico, offering international volunteer opportunities, and fostering fellowship among Rotarians. Email: inquiry@projectamigo.org. Web: www.projectamigo.org
Snoopy goes to Manzanillo Statue donated in honor of Manzanillo fan, cartoonist Charles Schultz, and the Manzanillo sister city, Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Tiangas Market Weekly market held on Saturdays in the Santiago neighborhood.
Tourist Information Office (314) 333-2277, fax (314) 333-1426.
Trans Marine de Mexico Sa de Cv full service ship agents / brokers / fuel suppliers. 140 Av. Morelos, Centro, 5to depto; 28200 Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico. Tel: 52 (314) 332-2060, 332-0480. Fax: 52 (314) 332-4477, telex: 62542, email: vtudoran@aol.com
Viva Vino (314) 336-7914. Blvd. Miguel de la Madrid #1185. liquor, cold beer and a large selection of wines (about 100). Tasting bar. Free delivery with minimum purchase. tomas@vivavino.com.mx (9/08)
WaterSports: Promociones y Recreaciones, (314) 333-1848 at Playa La Audiencia, offers water-ski towing and wave-runner rentals.

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This page has been visited times since June 25, 2006. The Pacific Coast of Mexico

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Tom Penick: tom@tomzap.com