Going Out in Manzanillo

Outdoors

Beaches: Playa San Pedrito, with its shallow waters and close proximity to downtown, is the most popular beach with visitors, whereas Playa Miramar is populated with boogie boarders, surfers, and bodysurfers. The best swimming and snorkeling can be found at Playa Audiencia.

Museum of Archeology and History: Opened in 1996, this museum has displays of the area’s history plus shows on contemporary Mexican art. Every Friday evening there are free cultural events staged.

Fishing: Manzanillo is known for its sport fishing. Depending on what season it is, one can expect to catch sailfish, marlin, dorado, dolphin fish, rooster fish, and wahoo. Trips can be arranged directly at the fisherman’s cooperative or through a travel agency. Fishing trips last about 5 hours and cost approximately US$35 per hour.
    

Shopping

Shopping isn’t a big activity in Manzanillo; most people come for the sand and sun. The majority of the hotels have some sort of boutique or shop located inside selling a selection of jewelry, art and fashionable clothing. Local craftsmen make exquisite mother of pearl shell engravings, as well as silver jewelry and woven clothing, which are sold in little tourist shops around town.

On several street corners you’ll come across vendors selling tourist items such as T-shirts, belts, hats and clothing. Bargaining is encouraged in Manzanillo among the many vendors, except in the retail shops and stores located in malls.

The Plaza Manzanillo, the largest mall in town, has multiple shops selling jewelry, fashions, gifts and souvenirs, and a large department store inside.

There are a few dive shops that sell a variety of professional dive gear.

Sports and Exercise

Golf: The 18-hole course, designed by Roy Dye at La Mantarraya was rated in the world’s top 100 golf courses in Golf Digest. At the Club Santiago you will find a nine-hole course designed by Larry Hughes. A 27- hole course, which was designed by Robert Von Hagge, is located on Isla Navidad.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling: Rocky points and coves make for excellent diving and snorkeling. Underworld Scuba offers professional diving tours and classes. Giant puffer fish, moray eels, coral reefs, and an abundance of marine life are some of the things you will see while diving.

Bars and Nightclubs

No one comes to Manzanillo expecting the flashy, overdone night club scene of Cancun or Acapulco. Still, there are several great options for those looking for a night on the town.

Vog Discoteque is as close as you get to Cancun. Filled with young party-goers dressed to the nines, the club plays top pop hits and packs the dance floor, and sometimes the tables.

Ajoining Bar de Felix offers a casual alternative with pool tables and a smaller dance floor.

Nautilus, an impressive building with a miniature lighthouse outside and built to resemble a sunken ship inside, is one of the newest clubs on the street. Brought to Manzanillo by the owner of Olympus Bar in Colima, the night spot caters to well-heeled clientel.

Tucked away several storefronts over is Bongo, a small but cozy bar specializing in beer served in gigantic earthen mugs. Like its name implies, local bongo artists will often drum up a storm on a lively makeshift stage lit by candles.

Return to Top