A major working seaport on Mexico’s Pacific Ocean coastline, Manzanillo also draws its fair share of sunseekers who come for the beaches, resorts and water sports. Between a charming Old Town and the upscale Peninsula de Santiago, you’ll find both ambience and luxury in Manzanillo.

Things to do

To find the sun and surf, head over to Bahía de Santiago, one of Manzanillo’s two bays. This is where to find Playa La Audiencia, a lively strip of sand with relatively calm waters for water sports and personal watercraft. Go snorkelling at a shipwreck near Playa La Boquita or hit the waves for excellent surfing and body boarding at Playa Miramar.

Dive into seafood heaven with crab tostadas, octopus and scallops at street stalls, such as Mariscos El Aliviane. To taste the freshest swordfish and marlin tostadas, stop by the unassuming Mariscos El Delfin above the fish market. You’ll find international cuisine in the upscale Oasis Ocean Club on Santiago Bay and live music in the beach bar at Hostal Olas Altas.

Secrets lurk in the waters offshore, with mysterious shipwrecks and long stretches of vibrant coral reefs that lure in deep-sea divers. You’ll float along underwater fissures and swim through tunnels, arches and sea mounds flowing with lava.

Eager to discover why Manzanillo calls itself the “Sailfish Capital of the World”? International sailfish tournaments flood the coastline in December and February, but you can go sports fishing on your own or with a guide any time of the year. You’ll get a chance to pull in sailfish, marlin, amberjacks, tuna, dorado and roosterfish.

Getting around

Local buses and taxis provide transportation throughout the city, beaches and peninsula. You can pick up a rental car at Playa de Oro International Airport, about 35 kilometres from the hotel zone in Manzanillo.