Manzanillo is more than beautiful beaches and palm trees. Manzanillo attractions include golf, fishing, diving, archaeological sites, museums, ecology and adventure. Come and enjoy Manzanillo sightseeing on your next vacation. There's something for everyone, including serene venues perfect for doing nothing at all.
Diving and Snorkeling
A multifaceted range of ocean flora and fauna in fascinating shapes and beautiful colors are abundant in these bays. The main species are globefish, sea urchins and manta rays. For snorkeling, we recommend La Boquita Beach, where you will find a sunken ship and coral reefs.
For diving enthusiasts there are several interesting options. Las Hadas is ideal for beginners, since it is fairly shallow and has few currents, whereas La Ahogada is a rock that is just barely above the water. La Audiencia has a maximum depth of 12 meters and has a sand and rock floor. El Arrecife is 60 ft. deep with a lovely underwater landscape, and there is also a great site at La Roca del Elefante (or Elephant Rock) which is a deep area with a rocky floor, where you can explore an underwater canyon. And finally Los Frailes, consisting of small crags and located south of Elephant Rock, is only for experts because the water reaches depths of 27 meters and there are strong currents. Diving is definitely one of the main attractions in Manzanillo. This is a beach with average sized-waves, a moderate slope and moderately grainy sand with golden tones. This is a popular place to fish for red snapper, pargo and other minor species.
Salahua Beach
This is a beach with average sized-waves, a gently sloping sand bank and slightly grainy sand with golden tones. This is a popular place to fish for red snapper, pargo and other interesting species.
Las Hadas Beach
This lovely beach is a haven of peace and tranquility, sheltered in a cove where the surf laps gently against a beach that slopes gently into the sea. The sparkling white façade of the famous Las Hadas International tourist resort is possibly the most iconic image in Manzanillo. The eye-catching design mixes Mediterranean, Moorish and Mexican styles.
Miramar Beach
At Miramar beach there is a fantastic art and crafts market that has stalls vending souvenirs at very reasonable prices. This is one of the most popular beaches because it has sun shades, thatched-roof restaurants and horseback riding.
Sport Fishing for Sailfish
Tremendous riches are hidden in the watery depths of Manzanillo; among these are sailfish and marlin that reproduce in the area. It is this abundance of fish that has made Manzanillo the site of the International Dorsey Tournament since 1954, and earned it the title of Sailfish Capital of the World, since 1957 when 336 trophy fish were caught. This Tournament takes place in November and there is another national one in February.
The abundance of sailfish is impressive and the opportunities for catching the fish are nothing short of astonishing. While in other ports it is necessary to sail 2 or 3 hours out to sea in order to catch a sailfish, here you'll find the fish within 10 or 15 minutes of setting out. You'll be able to catch sailfish and dorado all year round, with marlin and tuna mainly from November to March.
Isla Navidad
Reefs, cliffs and gorgeous beaches of golden sand, create a stunning backdrop for the luxury tourist resort of Hotel Gran Bay with its extraordinary 27-hole golf course, one of the best in Mexico. It was in 1541 when the Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza arrived here, exactly on Christmas Day or Navidad, thus making it an obvious choice of name for the island.
Colima
Capital of the State of Colima, this quaint colonial city is an interesting side trip, about an hour's drive from Manzanillo on a well-maintained highway. It lies in a fertile valley with two imposing volcanoes (one still active) towering above. The city has been occupied since the 11th century, and was settled by the Spaniards in 1523. It boasts several magnificently preserved colonial buildings and three plazas, and is home to several interesting museums.
Comala
Comala, about an hour from Manzanillo and a short distance from Colima, has been designated by SECTUR (Mexicos Ministry of Tourism) as one of about 18 Enchanting Towns throughout Mexico. Comala is famous for its typical outdoor family restaurants, fabulous colonial architecture, cultural attractions and nearby archaeological sites.
Tenacatita
About an hour from Manzanillo lies Tenacatita, one of a string of isolated beaches along the unspoilt Costalegre coast, and home to the wonderful Blue Bay Los Angeles Locos Resort. Here you will find some of the most private and beautiful beaches perfect for couples because of the romantic ambience.
Golf
This "sun and surf" destination also offers an amazing variety of scenic, manicured golf courses. All told, golfers face the challenges of 72 holes of fine golf, sure to please golfers of all abilities. Each year hundreds of golfers from all over the world head to Manzanillo to test their skills and take some strokes off their game. What they find is an ideal climate and pervasive tranquility necessary to enjoy an unforgettable golfing experience.
The best golf course is the one at Isla Navidad, designed by Robert Von Hagge. Nestled between the rainforest and the ocean, El Tamarindo offers golfers an experience similar to that of Isla Navidad, where beginners and pros alike will be sufficiently challenged in this secluded environment. Another excellent course is the hotel Las Hadas Golf Club, with 18 holes and a spectacular view of the sea. Club Santiago also attracts a lot of golfers because of its lush tropical beauty.
University Archaeological Museum
The modern design of this museum should come as no surprise, as it is a relatively new addition to the city; it was opened with the purpose of exhibiting artifacts from the pre-Hispanic cultures from Western Mexico. Five exhibition rooms display more than 1,800 pieces from a collection that numbers about 18,000. Among the most popular exhibits are two shaft tombs from the Comala era, about 300 to 500 AD. Manzanillo sighseeing is an unparallel adventure!