Manzanillo (The “sailfish capital of the world”) is the largest port city on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Host of numerous national and international fishing competitions, Manzanillo has become a hotspot for fishing addicts and tourists alike.
The city was founded by the Spanish during the 16th Century as a shipbuilding yard. Later the port was used as a setting off point for exploratory missions in the Pacific. For over 300 years, the city’s history is filled with pirate sieges and great battles. Important to note for scuba divers, it’s rumored that thousands of pieces of Spanish gold litter the sea floor. You never know what you might find.
Today, Manzanillo is the largest commercial port servicing the Pacific ocean in Mexico.
Other attractions
Surrounded by mountains, pristine beaches and crystal clear water, Manzanillo is a veritable playground for the adventurous traveler. Outside of the city are hidden lakes to swim in, waterfalls to find and mountains to climb. The view from the top of these is extraordinary and well worth the effort. Looking toward the ocean, Manzanillo is known as a sport fishing destination and several companies are waiting to take you deep sea fishing. While you could fill your week with adventures, don’t forget to take some time to relax on one of the many pristine, white sand beaches.
Getting there
The Playa de Oro International Airport is a smaller airport located around 40 minutes north of Manzanillo. Offering both national and international flights to the USA and Canada, this is the closest airport to the city. Manzanillo can also be reached from the north and south along highway 200 so arrival from Puerto Vallarta, Colima and other surrounding cities is a possibility.
