Manzanillo
Manzanillo can be broken into
two zones. The downtown area (not normally visited by tourists)
is first and foremost a commercial port. In contrast, a few short
miles up the coastline you enter the luxurious and pleasantly
understated resort zone. Two large bays of golden sand and sometimes
rough surf are connected via a coastal highway that leads past
an occasional mini-mall, souvenir shop, restaurant and a couple
of night spots. Bahía de Manzanillo (to the south) has
most of the development while Bahía de Santiago (further
to the north) is largely undeveloped.
For many visitors Manzanillo's slow paced expansion is a blessing.
Miles of untouched beach are easily accessed from the area's
resorts, and outside of the bustle of downtown, the pace is slow
and casual. Shopping, dining, nightlife and sightseeing is subdued
by comparison to other Mexican Riviera resorts.
While Manzanillo has yet to fully blossom as a major resort center,
the city is a gateway to the unspoiled and little known Costa
Alegre region of Mexico's Pacific Coast. This coastal area to
the north of Manzanillo (towards Puerto Vallarta) is sprinkled
with some of Mexico's loveliest beaches and bays and is also
home to several posh resorts.
