Manzanillo Attractions
How to get there
From Mexico City by air in about one hour; by rail via Guadalajara (12 hours) to Manzanillo (8 hours; however, there is no direct connection in Guadalajara, so there is a waiting time); by bus in about 19 hours; by car about 940km/580mi via Guadalajara and about 840km/520mi via Morelia ad Zamora.
Manzanillo lies on a peninsula at the southern end of two curving bays, the Bahía de Santiago and Bahía de Manzanillo, surrounded by luxuriant jungle and by banana and coconut plantations. It is an important Pacific port, but has also developed into a popular holiday resort in recent years, thanks to its extensive beaches and the excellent deep-sea fishing.
History
Near the site of Manzanillo there stood in pre-Columbian times the settlement of Tzaiahua (Náhuatl, "where cloth is laid out to dry"), at one time capital of the Indian state of Coliman. It has been suggested that during this period the port was already engaged in trade with Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. In 1526 Cortés and his Spaniards reached Tzalahua, and soon afterwards founded a settlement here, Santiago de Buena Esperanza. From here they sailed along the coast as far as the Gulf of California. After 1560 the Spanish vessels which sailed to east Asia (e.g. for the conquest of the Philippines) were built and fitted out here. It is only within recent years, however, that the building of roads and railways and the establishment of air services have enabled Manzanillo to develop to its present size.
From Mexico City by air in about one hour; by rail via Guadalajara (12 hours) to Manzanillo (8 hours; however, there is no direct connection in Guadalajara, so there is a waiting time); by bus in about 19 hours; by car about 940km/580mi via Guadalajara and about 840km/520mi via Morelia ad Zamora.
Manzanillo lies on a peninsula at the southern end of two curving bays, the Bahía de Santiago and Bahía de Manzanillo, surrounded by luxuriant jungle and by banana and coconut plantations. It is an important Pacific port, but has also developed into a popular holiday resort in recent years, thanks to its extensive beaches and the excellent deep-sea fishing.
History
Near the site of Manzanillo there stood in pre-Columbian times the settlement of Tzaiahua (Náhuatl, "where cloth is laid out to dry"), at one time capital of the Indian state of Coliman. It has been suggested that during this period the port was already engaged in trade with Peru, Ecuador and Colombia. In 1526 Cortés and his Spaniards reached Tzalahua, and soon afterwards founded a settlement here, Santiago de Buena Esperanza. From here they sailed along the coast as far as the Gulf of California. After 1560 the Spanish vessels which sailed to east Asia (e.g. for the conquest of the Philippines) were built and fitted out here. It is only within recent years, however, that the building of roads and railways and the establishment of air services have enabled Manzanillo to develop to its present size.
Beaches
Manzanillo has a whole range of fine beaches on the open sea. To the south lie the Playa de Campos and Playa de Ventanas (waves and currents); in the Bahía de Manzanillo in the north-west the beaches of Rompeolas, San Pedrito, Las Brisas, Playa Azul, Salagua and Las Hadas (with a well-designed holiday centre); in the Bahía de Santiago are La Audencia, Santiago Olas Altas, Playa de Miramar and La Boquita; past the Juluapán peninsula lies the Playa de Oro.
Fishing
Anglers are superbly catered for (sea-raven, catfish, mojarra, sea bass, snapper, etc.), together with excellent deep-sea fishing (sailfish, fanfish, bonito, etc.).
Manzanillo Surroundings
Laguna de Cuyutlán
South-east of the town lies the Laguna de Cuyutlán, with interesting animal and plant life.
From the lagoon it is 24km/15mi via Armería to the resort of Cuyutlán. The coastal region between there and Boca de Pascuales 8km/5mi south-west of Tecomán is known for the "green waves", high waves coming in from the Pacific which sometimes appear green as a result of the presence of fluorescent marine organisms.
From the lagoon it is 24km/15mi via Armería to the resort of Cuyutlán. The coastal region between there and Boca de Pascuales 8km/5mi south-west of Tecomán is known for the "green waves", high waves coming in from the Pacific which sometimes appear green as a result of the presence of fluorescent marine organisms.
