Manzanillo, Mexico

Colonial Tour

4bolts — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:23:02 GMT

We took the colonial tour in this port. It was a 1 1/2 hour drive out to Colima and it was very humid, so take a wash cloth from the room with you. Our first stop we could go with the tour guide or just walk on our own. That is what we did. We walked to the church where there was a mass and then over to the museum and a few shops. There is a best western hotel there and you can use their bathrooms. Then we just sat down and had a beer while waiting for the rest of the tours to come back to the meeting area. Again, there were officers stopping traffic to let people cross the street. The police were also driving up and down the street in trucks with 4 armed officers in the back. Back on the bus to the ruins. We had a very good guide and he spoke about the finds. We climbed up on some of them and went over to where they were doing further excavating. They had someone there to keep back the tourists who wanted to jump into the site even after being warned they could not. there was a bathroom there too and it was being remodeled.

The lunch we went to had authentic food and it was set up to deliver courses to each table. There were vendors that came in and offered goods at each table. And of course there was the recommended shop across the street. It was a bit to long of a stop even with the allowed shopping time. All of us were sitting on benches waiting for the bus and sweating.

We didn't get to see the volcano area and that was our main reason to go. Napped on the bus going back and never did cool down until we got into the pool later on.

Costa Alegre Wine and Jazz Festival

ZLO — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 20:19:59 GMT

If you are sailing in February, 2010 and are looking for something to do when you are in Manzanillo, you might want to check out the 3 day Costa Alegre Wine y Jazz Festival being held on Feb. 19th, 20th and 21st, 2010. The website is located at: www.costaalegrewineyjazzfestival.org.mx

Surfing in Manzanillo

Albert — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:54:33 GMT

Has anyone gone surfing in Manzanillo? Mainly interested in renting a board and finding/getting to a nearby beach that has small to medium waves for a novice surfer. Thanks in advance for any info.

Manzanillo Fishing

Norm and Eileen — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:09:29 GMT

Has anyone fished the carnival charters in Manzanillo? We will be there in October.

Thanks, Norm and Eileen

My thoughts on Manzanillo:

CRUISER4LIFE — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:32:53 GMT

This was my second time down to Manzanillo seperated by about ten years. You know what changed? NOTHING! What was there to do or see? NOTHING! Im the most open minded, easy going, party loving guy in the world (just dont ask the wife).

The cruise itself was Awsome! The Spirit was great, Acapulco (go to the Paradise Club and PAY the cover charge for a table at La Cebrada, where the cliff divers are, front row seats and dinner for less than what most cruisers pay for the tour there).

In Zejatanajo, Ixtapa (Spelling!) Find Zorro's, this GREAT cantina that has $1 Coronas and the owner will sit and chat you up. This port was the highlight of our cruise! We could have gone over to Ixtapa but it was so great to see old world Mexico and the hospitality was something you cant find in the new Touristy Mexico.

Now Manzanillo, I would have saved time and money if I hadn't had gotten off the ship. We exited the ship, bypassed the thousand taxi drivers as we usually do and went exploring. After walking the coast line for about an hour we ask a police officer in spanish where the best spots were for tourists. He tells us the same thing as the cruise excursion people on board, MiraMar bay and La Central. La Central was another half hour or so walk away with the same stuff to buy as everywhere else in Mexico. We chill looking through La Central untill we get to this one intersection and this old man tells us in spanish to "turn around, it's not safe." I'm 6'2 and 250 lbs and I did not hesitate. We grab a taxi and ask him to take us to the only other place, Mira Mar. A 30 minute drive later we're at some lake/swamp looking place, with about fifty + hispanics and no Tourist looking people at all (ever see Touristas?, think Hostel in Mexico). Dramatic? Not at all. I've got three diffrent black belts and am fluent in spanish and refused to be dropped off there. 30 minute drive back to the ship!

Would I do this cruise again? In a heartbeat. Would I get off in Manzanillo? Hell NO! Do this cruise for no other reason than Zejatanajo and Acapulco are GREAT! Stay on board for Manzanilo though... waste of time. Cheers!

Shore excursions

Roger — Fri, 25 May 2007 22:16:46 GMT

Going to Manzanillo in Oct. Any good shore excursions? Would appreciate any info.