Things to Do in Manzanillo, Mexico

The Pacific Emerald welcomes tourists with open arms, sure to make use of all the sites and activities that are offered. Beaches are the most important attractions, but are not just the only thing; there are several places where extreme sports challenge the most experimented ones and where all competitions open their paths towards the fun.

Eco Tourism

Ecotourism is a series of lay back, recreational activities that allow the visitor to whether admire the nature, to make a photo safari, to walk comfortably and to learn to value nature. In Manzanillo and its surroundings, there are ideal places for this lay back and fun activities at the same time.

At Peña Blanca, Palo Verde Estuary, Tepalcates Bridge and the Turtle Sanctuary Ecological Center, the visitor interested in admire closely an impressive Bird Sanctuary, as well as the turtle, endangered species. One can take pictures and appreciate the nature, enjoy from a walk or a boat tour along with your couple or family. As well as the horse tour which is a unique experience that will give you the opportunity to enjoy nature while visiting Manzanillo. There is a swamp lagoon by the beach shores, where iguanas will be able to be observed and an enormous variety of exotic birds as well.

For hiking and camping, or spending a fun night after touring through the paths appreciating nature, it is recommended to visit Natural Camp and La Floreña Tropical Forest. Take a look at the section of places to visit for more detail information.

Sport Fishing

The story tells that during 1957, 336 sail fish were caught in Manzanillo bay. Ever since, the place has been known as “The World’s Sail Fish Capital”, although few years before, since 1954 became the venue of the Dorsey International Tournament, signing up more than 8 thousand fishermen from all over the world in some of its editions. During February and November are the most important tournaments, although pretty much all year long people from all ages participate, organized by the Manzanillo’s Fishing Sport Club, A.C. Take a look at the Events Section for more details.

Visitors without experience also can rent a boat with all the necessary services, with the minimum and precise instructions, to have fun. Expert personnel are willing to escorts whoever requests them to for the adventure. There are instructors with years of experience on fishing and assistants that set up everything for the activity, in fact at some restaurants your catch can be cooked.

At the dock there is a fleet with more than a hundred boats available that adorn the horizon. The most precious species for fishing are: Sail Fish, Dorado, Marlin or tuna, some of almost 4 meters long. Most of the fish caught are released back to the ocean. To go out fishing is necessary having a medium size boat that can be rented right there, this offers all the instruments for fishing, radios VHF, life savers and bathrooms, even some boats offer cabin service, meals and cold beverages. Everything needed to go around a minimum distance of 10 miles off the coast and have fun catching fish.

Scuba Diving

Manzanillo offers the marine richness that Pacific Ocean has in its depth, ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are just as many sites to scuba dive as the size of the ocean, sites named on fancy ways but distinguished by the guides and professionals, for visitors to tour according to their experience and interests.

In the deep sea, scuba divers can appreciate closely the impressive rocky and coral formations, also moving on the water near the gigantic stingrays and multicolor fish. Pretty much is recommendable to adventure on every single beach: Las Hadas, La Audiencia, El Arrecife, El Carrizal, La Roca del Elefante and Los Frailes are some of the recommended sites.

Kayak and Surf

Manzanillo has ideal waters to practice kayaking; a great example is the Marabasco River in El Centinela Cooperative, and Isla Navidad where there is crocodile community. It’s common to see surf enthusiasts practicing this activity in the waters of Boca de Pascuales beach, in Tecoman. This beach is unique in its kind in Mexico, featured by its volcano-origin black sand; besides, the tourist will be able to enjoy exquisite fresh seafood in the beachside food stands.

In the other hand, in Cuyutlan Beach, at 20 minutes from Manzanillo, exists the famous “Green Wave”, a wave that reaches or passes a height of 6 meters, which occurs during summer months full of paraphernalia around it. At just 10 minutes from Cuyutlan is Paraiso Beach, another place for those who love surf and windsurf.

Extreme Sports

For those adrenaline rush lovers, Manzanillo offers the necessary resources to leave you satisfied. In natural Camp and La Floreña Tropical Forest, the tourist can practice mountain biking, hiking, rappel activities at a cliff of 12 meters high.

For those who are ATV enthusiasts, the finish line is at El Indio Ranch, after three hours of touring on an ATV with the company of a bilingual expert guide. The exiting tour gets through La Vaca Mountain and Peña Blanca Beach in the search of the attractions of Los Cayacos Forest.