Manzanillo lies along the Pacific Mexico coast in the center of the Mexican Rivera between Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco. It is 98 km (61 mi) west of the City of Colima and 276 km (172 mi) south of Puerto Vallarta.
With its fine natural harbors, Manzanillo was an important seaport even before the Spanish conquest. It was first settled by Europeans in 1522, and was used as a departure point for Spanish expeditions to Baja and northern Mexico. An abundance of hardwoods helped convince Cortez to establish Latin America's first shipyard here in 1531. In 1564 the expedition that led to Spanish rule in the Philippines set sail from Manzanillo, headed by Miguel Lpez Legaspi. Other expeditions that originated from Manzanillo led to the discovery of Baja and "Alta" California (today, the State of California).
This uncrowded and authentic coastal paradise is one of Mexico's best-kept secrets. Fresh, flavorful, and reasonably priced restaurants and charming, intimate hotels aren't the only things you'll be raving about in Manzanillo. Eco-friendly tours allow visitors to experience jungles, waterfalls, volcanoes, and grottos. Its long, sandy beaches are no less than spectacular, and divers and fishermen alike are always thrilled with the bounty of beautiful creatures in the sea!
Outside of the bustle of downtown, a few kilometers up the coastline highway you enter Manzanillo's luxurious and pleasantly understated resort zone. The road leads you past mini-malls, souvenir shops, restaurants and nightspots and connects two large bays of golden sand beaches. The pace is slow and casual. Shopping, dining, nightlife and sightseeing are subdued by comparison to other Mexican Riviera resorts. A main draw for sports enthusiasts is the areas excellent deep-sea fishing. The sailfish catch here is excellent.
A restoration effort in the downtown area completely refaced the waterfront buildings that now greet thousands of visitors who arrive on the more than 50 cruise ships that make a port call here. There is a new Museum of Archaeology and a super highway (Autopista) between Manzanillo and Guadalajara makes a day trip to one of Mexico’s most alluring inland cities a pleasant 3-hour excursion.
http://www.manzanillo.com.mx/2004
Manzanillo Tourism Board Site – English |
