Manzanillo

For all beach lovers looking for ocean waves and miles of white sand, your destination is in Manzanillo, Mexico. Two bays forming a crescent shape, Manzanillo and Santiago, are located next to each other on this section of the Pacific Coast. The combination of nearly 13 km of beach and temperatures that rarely fall below 21 degrees means that Manzanillo resorts have a lot to offer, for everyone. Families will enjoy the protected areas of Manzanillo Bay. The gentle waves and kilometres of sand make it the perfect place to relax with the little ones or walk along the coast. Audiencia Beach is a popular beach on Santiago Bay, to the north of the rocky peninsula that divides the two bays. Parasols available to visitors and food vendors mean that it is very pleasant to spend a day next to the sea. In addition, anyone with a diving mask can take the opportunity to watch balloon fish, sea urchins and angelfish while floating on the water.

Visitors that have some diving experience can explore the deeper water where coral reefs and sunken boats attract shoals of brilliantly coloured fish. One famous underwater wreck is the enormous cargo ship that sunk in 1959. It is also possible to travel back centuries, to the times when pirates sailed these waters. Hotel guests in Manzanillo that are interested in surfing and getting an adrenaline rush will find that their wishes are fulfilled on Miramar Beach. Located near the southern end of Manzanillo Bay, Miramar is a well-known setting for boogie boarding and surfing, with waves that can reach up to three metres.

The time required to reach the city centre by taxi or bus from the Manzanillo hotels located on the bay is very short. The old town is separated from the beaches by the port entrance. Guests can walk through the Álvaro Obregón Gardens, a square with many trees where the sea views and the fountains offer a tranquil place to enjoy during the day. At night, the square is filled with life, with music and dancing, and is very popular with local people. A must-see is the gigantic statue of a sailfish, found near the coast. This brilliant blue coloured sculpture, which represents a fish jumping with its open dorsal fin, is homage to the reputation of the city as the Mecca of sport fishing. Nicknamed The Sailfish Capital of the World, Manzanillo is the setting for important national and international fishing contests, due to the major interest that sport fishing has attracted. Hire boats take sport fishermen to the best sites; the sailfish is most abundant between June and October. There are also other large fish that can be caught all year round. Just a few steps from the sailfish monument is the Archundia Iguana Sanctuary, a refuge for more than 300 iguanas. Here, the reptiles are free to roam, and eat edible green leaves that are provided by local people. Surrounded by virgin landscapes, Manzanillo is one of the most important tourist ports in Mexico, although many tourists will never guess based on the peaceful atmosphere that surrounds this tropical paradise.