General Information
Transportation
Atractions
Colima
Comala
Costa Alegre
Isla Navidad
San Patricio, Melaque and Barra de Navidad
Shopping
Sports and outdoor activities
• Colima
Side from the Costa Alegre (discussed below), an interesting ride is to the City of Colima. The city can be reached in about one hour over a well-maintained four-lane highway. Capital of the State of Colima, this quaint and very charming colonial city lies in a fertile valley with two imposing volcanoes (one still active) towering above.
The still active Volcán de Fuego is 25 km to the north, beside the taller (but extinct) Nevado de Colima. There are two newly opened archaeological sites (El Chanal and La Campana) that are visited as part of a popular day tour to Colima (contact local operators for excursion details).
Colima is an important regional center of commerce (population 145, 000), although seldom visited by vacations. It has been occupied since the 11th century and was settled by the Spaniards in 1523. The city center has well-preserved colonial buildings and three plazas that run from west east. There are several interesting museums including the Museo de las Culturas del Occidente, displaying one of México´s best collections of Pre-Columbian pottery and artifacts. The modern and eclectic Casa de la Cultura is a cultural institute offering free art, music and dance classes.
The city´s cathedral, originally built here in 1527, and subsequently rebuilt several times due to frequent earthquakes, is on the east side of the Plaza Principal. Next door is the Palacio de Gobierno. It dates to 1884-1904. Its interior walls are blazoned by murals by Jorge Chavez Carrillo depicting Mexican history.
There is also an enormous collection of antique automobiles packed into a warehouse near downtown. Over 300 vehicles, dating from 1912-1950 can be seen.
• Comala
Nearby village (population 8,000) is also worth a visit. This white washed town is famous for its fine carved wood furniture, handicrafts, and relaxed village ambiance. Attractive main square with arched porticoes and cafes surrounds pretty main square gazebo and beautiful church. On the way to the city is a mysterious "inversion hill" where objects appear to defy gravity!
• Costa Alegre
(Also known as Costa Careyes). Most exploring outside of Manzanillo is done by heading north along Highway 200, into the neighboring State of Jalisco. This scenic 246 km highway between Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta takes you past tropical fruit plantations, deserted beaches, quiet fishing villages, and lagoons filled with exotic waterfowl.
Though the two-lane highway is not actually coastal, it offers occasional glimpses of the Pacific.
Most villages and resorts are accessed via dirt roads that cross Highway 200. Here are a few worthwhile Stop-over points (listed as you head north from the Playa de Oro Airport).
• Isla Navidad
(35 minutes/30km north of the airport.) this mega resort/ marina/ golf course is taking shape on a finger of land that separates the Pacific from the Laguna de Navidad. When completed, Isla Navidad will transform this region from a hinterland into one of the Pacific´s major resorts. A fine 27-hole golf course designed by Robert Von Hagge is ready for play, and hopes to lure prospective real estate investors. In total over 1,200 acres of land are being transformed to include two marinas (700 slip capacity), a golf course, shopping center, equestrian center, tennis center, and the new Grand Bay Hotel.
• San Patricio, Melaque and Barra de Navidad
(40 minutes/32 km north of airport) this picturesque duo of villages rests on a sand bar between the open sea and Laguna de Navidad, just a short boat ride across the channel from Isla Navidad. They are most popular with Mexican visitors (mostly from Guadalajara) and adventurous gringos wanting a break from more civilized settings.
This is also the location of one of México´s premier surfing beaches. Between Melaque and Barra is a lovely 6.5 km long curved bay with thatched hut restaurants. A couple of dozen small and inexpensive hotels are available in this very Bohemian setting, ideal for relaxation. Boat trips are available to Laguna de Navidad.
• Shopping
Manzanillo has its share of shopping opportunities, thanks partly to its proximity to Guadalajara, Mexico’s arts and crafts capital. Don’t expect a wide assortment of shops and malls, as most shopping is centered around the area’s few resorts. The new Plaza Manzanillo mall is a popular new addition. There is also a traditional ¨tianguis¨ market in front of Vog disco with crafts from around Mexico Shell lovers can visit the Palacio de las Conchas y Caracoles in Santiago.
Downtown El Dorado Bazar: excellent selection of fine craft ítems, jewelry; in front the zócalo.
El Caracol: shell jewelry and clothing accessories; across from the zócalo.
Pasaje Oscarana: small downtown mall carrying clothing, jewelry and books.
Resort Shopping Boutique Maeva: resortwear and T-shirts the entire family; Club Maeva.
Galería de Arte: fine selection of Sergio Bustamante works plus others; Hotel Sierra Manzanillo.
Indígenos: silver jewelry.
Maria de Guadalajara: women’s resortwear in the latest fashions. Puerto Las Hadas arcade and Plaza Manzanillo.
Paco Silva: locally designed fashions for women; Plaza Pacífico.
The new Plaza Pacífico mini-mall houses an assortment of clothing and handicraft shops, a restaurant and bar.
• Sports and outdoor activities
Golf
The region is now home to 72 holes of fine golf.
La Mantarraya: 18- hole course rated by Golf Digest as one of the world’s top100 courses. This Roy and pete Dye-desingned course nexto to las Hadas Resort offers plenty of water and palm trees,and a spectacular finishing hole. The are outstanding clubhouse facilities and an excellent tennis center as well.
Club Santiago Resort: this manzanillo resort offers a well-maintained 9-hole course.
Isla Navidad: location of a new 27 hole course, designed by Robert Von Hagge,and already considered to be oneof México`s best favilities; tel. in Guadalajara (3) 641-8283.
Tamarindo Country Club: a spectacular 18- hole course overlooking the pacific (designed by David Fleming); tel. 35515031.
Tennis
Facilities are excellent in manzanillo.
Club Maeva - 12 courts, 6 lighted
Las Hadas Club Resort - 10 lighted courts
Club Santiago - 6 lighted courts
Sierra Resort - 4 lighted courts
Grand Bay - 3 lighted courts
Playa de Oro - 2 lighted courts
Water sports
The are boasts some of mexico’s best beaches. Miles of untouched coastline spread out across the resort’s two main bays (Santiago and Manzanillo). Here’s a rundown of the best beaches in and around manzanillo... PLAYA MIRAMAR: at the north end of Bahia Santiago. This beach is popular With body surfers,windsurfers and boogie boarders; calmer waters toward juluapan peninsula at la Baquita beach. PLAYA LA AUDIENCIA: beautiful cove along the north side of Santiago peninsula; fine beach for snorkeling and swimming. PLAYA AZUL: long wide stretch of golden sand between Las Hadas and downtown; relatively calm seas to the south with waves to the north. OLAS ALTAS: between Plaza Santiago and Playa Miramar; area’s best surfing. PLAYA DE ORO: long golden sand beach with medium waves. Near the airport.
Fishing
Manzanillo is renowned for its excellent sailfish catch. An international tournament is held each february. Charters are easily arranged upon arrival and normally depart from the marina at Las Hadas. A full- day trip with and guides runs around $300 US per boat.
Diving and snorkeling
Water conditions are favorable for snorkeling, especially near rock outcroppings that surround Santiago Peninsula.
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