PORTS OF CALL - Mexico
Manzanillo, Mexico
Landscape doesn't get much more enticing than what you'll find in Manzanillo: tall palm trees, mango trees, superb sandy beaches, sprawling jungles and mountains covered with palms. The town is named after the bountiful groves of manzanillo trees that were used extensively in the early days of shipbuilding. North of the port is the Santiago Peninsula luxury resort zone. The peninsula separates the town's two golden sand bays. Today, Manzanillo is Mexico's busiest commercial seaport, a tropical tourist paradise as well as the "fishing capital of the world".
Don't Miss
Wander the Museum of Archaeology and History, where you can admire contemporary Mexican art and learn about this region's past. The museum hosts free cultural events on Friday evenings that are definitely worth attending.
Fun Things to Do
- Play a round of golf amid banana trees, coconut palms and bougainvillea at La Mantarraya Golf Course, one of Mexico's top ten courses.
- Cast out your line! Manzanillo is renowned for its fishing - wahoo, sailfish, swordfish, giant tuna, marlin, and mahimahi.
- Dive in and enter the underwater world with Underworld SCUBA.
Shopping for Bargains
Downtown near the central plaza are shops selling Mexican clothing and crafts, mostly from Guadalajara. You'll find a traditional tianguis, outdoor market, in front of the entrance to Club Maeva, with souvenir items from around Mexico. In San Pedrito there are numerous shops and restaurants to explore that are right on the beach.
Note: You can bargain for better prices with beach vendors and vendors at the tianguis markets.
Local Flavours
Carnitas is a famous Mexican dish made with braised pork. It can be eaten by itself with tortillas and chili sauce or as the filling in tamales, burritos or tacos. Traditional Mexican food is not served spicy. Hot sauces are typically available to add as much zing as each diner desires. Another authentic dish you should try is Birria, a mutton soup, usually made with a whole goat or lamb. The meat is seasoned with a paste of ground spices and chilies and cooked in a barbecue pit.
Currency
Mexico's currency is the peso (MXN). The $ sign is used to refer to pesos, so don't be shocked at the price tags. Any prices in U.S. dollars are listed as US$ or USD. Many hotels, restaurants and shops also accept major credit cards, which usually offer you a good exchange rate.