Manzanillo

Colima's main port city and beach destination, Manzanillo offers a more authentic, less touristy Mexican beach experience with working fishing boats, colonial charm, and excellent local seafood. It's an ideal base for exploring Colima's natural beauty and enjoying a genuine coastal town atmosphere.

Things to do

• Playa Audiencia — A sheltered cove with calm turquoise waters perfect for swimming and snorkeling, backed by local seafood restaurants and beach vendors.
• El Fuerte de San Blas — A colonial-era Spanish fort overlook with cannons and historical plaques offering panoramic views of the bay and surrounding coastline.
• Santiago Estuary Boat Tour — Local fishermen offer guided trips through mangrove channels to spot herons, pelicans, and crocodiles while learning about working fishing practices.
• Playa Manzanillo (Town Beach) — The main beach anchored by the active fishing port where you can watch boats unload their catch and purchase fresh seafood directly from vendors.
• Laguna de Cuyutlán Day Trip — A saltwater lagoon 25 kilometers south known for its green-tinted waters, bioluminescent plankton at night, and fresh seafood at waterfront palapa restaurants.
• Chanticleer Winery Restaurant — Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific, this restaurant combines local ingredients with wine pairings and serves as an evening gathering spot for visitors and expats.

Food to try

• Ceviche Colimense — Fresh local white fish cured in lime juice with onions, cilantro, and chile, served with tostadas and representing Colima's signature coastal dish.
• Tostadas de Atún — Crispy fried tortillas topped with fresh-caught tuna, mayo, avocado, and pickled onions, sold by vendors near the fishing port.
• Huachinango a la Sal — Whole red snapper encased in sea salt and baked, then cracked open tableside to reveal moist, delicately flavored fish at beachfront restaurants.
• Camarones al Ajillo — Gulf shrimp sautéed in abundant garlic, butter, and white wine, a staple preparation at seafood palapa restaurants along the beach.
• Caldo de Camarón — A warming broth made from shrimp stock with tomatoes, cilantro, and served with lime and tostadas, eaten for breakfast or light lunch.
• Agua de Jamaica at Local Juice Stands — Tart hibiscus flower drink served ice-cold from street vendors, the quintessential refreshment for cooling down in the tropical heat.

Local customs & good to know

• Visit the fish market early morning — Arrive before 7 AM at the working dock to see the daily catch being unloaded and negotiate directly with fishermen for the freshest seafood at best prices.
• Respect fishing village rhythms — The town operates on fishing schedules rather than tourist schedules; restaurants and shops may close unexpectedly during rough seas or poor catch days.
• Learn basic Spanish greetings — Unlike resort areas, English is rarely spoken; locals appreciate visitors who attempt Spanish and will be more helpful and welcoming to those making the effort.
• Embrace the slower pace — Manzanillo moves deliberately without the hustle of major tourist destinations—plan for leisurely meals, unexpected closures, and the understanding that mañana is a genuine timeframe.