Manzanillo is one of those secluded hide-a-ways that you'll never forget--if you can just get there. Since, during the summer months, there is only one direct flight, on Aero California from Los Angeles (LAX) to Manzanillo's airport, Playa de Oro (ZLO), finding a hassle-free, inexpensive way to get here can be a pain. But here's several ways to make it easier, and once here, you'll understand why it's worth the extra effort!

Many major metropolitan cities have direct flights to Pto. Vallarta or to Guadalajara. Aero Mar has a direct flight from San Diego to the airport in Colima. You can arrange for transportation to and from any of these airports through expomanzanillo. You can also rent a car and drive yourself, or take a first class bus!

PUERTO VALLARTA

There are always special deals to Pto. Vallarta. We've seen airfares as low as $199 round trip. Search the internet for an "air only" price, or call your travel agent. Check the travel section in your local newspaper. Summer rates to Pto. Vallarta from all major American cities can avarage about $250 round trip, or less, if you watch for specials.

Manzanillo is only 4 hours south of Pto. Vallarta, so rent a car! It's a beautiful, safe drive along the Pacific Coast. You'll see miles of coconut and banana plantations, small Mexican villages, and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean! The road, although a very good two-lane, has a few hills and curves. You'll reach an altitude of 4,400 feet, where you'll enjoy a forest of pine trees and wonderful smells, and you'll drop down to sea level to experience the ocean breezes. You'll see various birds and other assorted wildlife, such as armadillos, deer, iguanas or coatimundis (raccoon-like creatures). There are numerous places to stop along the way for a refreshing soft drink or ice cold beer.

If you'd like to do a little exploring
along the way,
here's some highlights:

BOCA DE TOMATLAN: About 20 minutes south of PV, the little fishing village of Boca stands out as being very picturesque, although somewhat touristy. The Cafe Primitivo boasts a beautiful view of the small bay, and also has a pet coatimundi.

EL TUITO: About an hour out of PV, this town is famous for its Mexican moonshine, called raicilla. Brewed up in the hills, you can buy it for about $7/liter from one of the roadside restaurants. It is reputed to be an aphrodesiac and a few other qualities that you'll have to experience!

FORTUNA, CHAMELA, PERULA AND ROSADAS BEACHES: About another hour to the south, you'll see signs to these areas--small villages with thatched-roof restaurnats on the beach. Generally large waves for body surfing and boogie boarding in some areas, and shell collecting and swimming in others. There's inexpensive, overnight camping in Chamela in case you'll want a stopover.

VILLA POLYNESIA: You're halfway to Manzanillo! This started out as an idyllic copy of a polynesian village, but its remoteness didn't quite help its popularity. They have "tropical huts" to sleep in, and also tent-shaped cabins, a restaurant (usually not open during the summer), and a wide expanse of beach. The roadside restaurant is a good stopping point for lunch (the busses stop here), the food is Mexican, tasty, and inexpensive.

EL TECUAN: A very nice, rustic hotel, tucked away off the main road is in this beautiful forested location. Prices range from $40-$65/night, depending on the season. On the 15 minute drive to the hotel, you can see all types of wildlife. Parts of the movie, "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" were filmed here. You'll recognize the turn-off by the lighthouse on the right (west) side of the coastal highway.

TENACATITA: Another beautiful white sand beach, with areas for snorkeling and diving, beachcombing and thatched-roof restaurants with excellent fresh seafood.   Other small beaches, such as Playa Mora and La Boca are often used for camping. Each small beach is an individual treasure for you to explore.

LA MANZANILLA: This little fishing town as several hotels, and a few restaurants. You never know what will be open or closed, but where else can a person stay for $5-$10/night? If you need to make a phone call you can do it here. You're only an hour from Manzanillo.

BARRA de NAVIDAD & MELAQUE: Since you're only about 40 minutes from Manzanillo, you'll probably want to save this for a special trip. There's lots to do and see here, and it's worth spending some time a little later in your vacation.