Manzanillo

For all those beach lovers looking for ocean waves and miles of white sand, your destination is Manzanillo, Mexico. Two bays that form a crescent, Manzanillo and Santiago, lie side by side on this stretch of the Pacific coast. The combination of almost 13 km of beach and temperatures that rarely drop below 21 degrees means that Manzanillo's resorts have a lot to offer for everyone. Families will enjoy the protected areas of Manzanillo Bay. The gentle waves and miles of sand make it a perfect place to relax with the little ones or walk along the coast. Audiencia Beach is a popular beach on Santiago Bay, north of the rocky peninsula that divides the two bodies of water. The umbrellas available for visitors and food vendors make it very pleasant to spend a day by the sea. In addition, anyone with diving goggles will have the opportunity to see puffer fish, sea urchins and angelfish from the surface of the water.

Those with some diving experience will be able to explore the deep waters where coral reefs and wrecks attract schools of brightly colored fish. A famous underwater witness to behold is a huge cargo ship that sank in 1959. It is also possible to go back centuries, to the days when pirates sailed these waters. Guests of Manzanillo hotels who are interested in surfing and getting a good dose of adrenaline will find their needs satisfied at Miramar Beach. Located near the southern end of Manzanillo Bay, Miramar is a coveted environment for boogie boarding and surfing, with waves that can reach up to three meters high.

The trip to the city center, either by cab or bus, is very short from the hotels in Manzanillo, located on the bay. The old town is separated from the beaches by the harbor entrance. Visitors can stroll through the Jardín Álvaro Obregón, a tree-lined plaza where ocean views and fountains provide a tranquil setting during the day. Likewise, the square comes alive at night with music and dancing and is very popular with the locals. A sight not to be missed is the gigantic statue of the sailfish, which is located next to the coastline. This bright blue sculpture, depicting the fish leaping with its dorsal fin fully expanded, is a tribute to the city's reputation as a sport fishing mecca. Nicknamed The Sailfish Capital of the World , Manzanillo is the scene of important national and international fishing competitions due to the great interest in sport fishing among the population. Charter boats will bring sport fishermen to the best spots, with sailfish being most abundant between the months of June and October. There are also other large fish that can be caught throughout the year. A few steps from the monument to the sailfish is the Archundia Iguanarium, a refuge for more than 300 iguanas. There, the reptiles live in freedom and feed on edible green leaves provided by the locals. Surrounded by unspoiled nature, Manzanillo is one of the most important seaports in Mexico, although many tourists would never guess it based on the peaceful atmosphere that surrounds this tropical paradise.