Manzanillo, Colima

Manzanillo is the biggest city in the Mexican state of Colima. It sits right on the Pacific Ocean and has Mexico's busiest port. This port is very important because it handles lots of cargo for the area around Mexico City.

The city is also known as the "sailfish capital of the world". Since 1957, Manzanillo has hosted many fishing competitions, including the Dorsey Tournament. Because of its beautiful beaches and fun activities, Manzanillo has become a popular place for international tourism. People come from all over to enjoy its sunny weather and exciting fishing opportunities.

History

In 1522, a sailor named Gonzalo de Sandoval arrived near Manzanillo and looked for safe places for ships. He met local leaders in a small cove now called Playa de La Audiencia. Many ships were built there for trips to faraway places.

Later, in 1527, another sailor named Alvaro de Saavedra found Manzanillo Bay and named it "St. James of Good Hope." It became an important spot for ships leaving on big journeys.

In 1825, the Port of Manzanillo opened, named after the many Manzanilla trees nearby. The town became a city in 1873, and a railroad reached it in 1889.

In 2026, Manzanillo held a big international triathlon with athletes from many places, held at Playa Miramar and Los Arcos.

Description

In 2020, Manzanillo had 191,031 residents, with almost equal numbers of men and women. It is the second-largest community in the state after Colima, the capital. The municipality covers a large area of 1,578.4 km² and includes smaller communities like El Colomo. Manzanillo is known as a beach resort and calls itself the "sailfish capital" of the world, holding a yearly sailfish fishing tournament. The Revillagigedo Islands, located off Mexico's Pacific coast, are part of the municipality but are managed by the federal government.

Manzanillo is a sister city to Flagstaff, Arizona, San Pablo, California, and Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Tourism

Manzanillo is famous around the world for deep-sea fishing and special sunsets known as the green flash. The city has warm ocean waters and many hotels, especially on the De Santiago peninsula. One of its most famous spots is Las Hadas, a resort that appeared in a movie starring Bo Derek and Dudley Moore. Visitors also enjoy beaches like Playa Miramar and Los Arcos, where people often gather for events.

The city is called the Sailfish Capital of the World and holds fishing competitions that attract visitors from many places. Manzanillo has two beautiful bays with long, curved beaches. Bahía de Manzanillo is closer to the city center and has been popular with tourists for longer. Bahía de Santiago, a bit further west, is a newer and more upscale area. Both bays are peaceful and popular with travelers, and the city has become an important place for tourism and trade along Mexico's west coast.

In 2010, a special dock for cruise ships was built at the port, marking a big step in making Manzanillo even more welcoming to visitors.

Culture

Manzanillo has a rich food culture with popular local dishes like tatemado, pozole seco, and pipián that people of all ages enjoy.

The city’s culture has been shaped by Indigenous groups such as the Nahua and Otomi communities. A recent census showed that a small number of people in Manzanillo still speak Indigenous languages like Zapoteco, Náhuatl, and Otomí. In recent years, many people from other countries, especially from the United States, Venezuela, and Germany, have moved to Manzanillo to join family or find housing, making the city more culturally diverse.

Geography

Climate

Manzanillo has a tropical savanna climate. The dry season lasts from November to May, with little rain and cooler temperatures. The coolest month, March, averages around 24 °C (75 °F). The wet season runs from June to October, with warmer temperatures averaging about 28.3 °C (83 °F) and higher humidity.

In 2012, the port of Manzanillo began an ecological project. This included dredging canals and creating islands in the protected Valle de las Garzas Lagoon. The project aimed to improve water flow into the lagoon and support the environment by planting 15,000 mangrove trees. Special tubes called geotextiles were used to build breakwaters alongside the new channels.

Hurricane Patricia

On October 23, 2015, Manzanillo faced Hurricane Patricia. This hurricane was one of the strongest ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere, with winds up to 200 mph (320 km/h). It hit land near Manzanillo, causing a lot of damage. The town was spared the strongest winds, but still saw strong winds and rough seas. The total damage was estimated to be at least $283 million.

Transportation

Manzanillo is the busiest port in Mexico, handling a lot of cargo. In 2007, the port moved 1.4 million TEUs and 18.0 million tons of goods. The port became very busy during a work stoppage on the USA's West Coast in 2002. The port is linked by train to Guadalajara and Mexico City.

Manzanillo is also where the Navy's Pacific Naval Force is located. It is the best place in Mexico for catching tuna. The port exports fish, corn, copra, lemons, bananas, canned foods, wine, lumber, and minerals.

The city is connected by Highway 200 to Colima City and Puerto Vallarta.

The Playa de Oro International Airport is a small airport north of Manzanillo. It offers flights both inside and outside of Mexico, including to the US and Canada. The airport is run by Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifico, and visitors can reach it by taxi or car rental. The airport has daily flights and was recently remodeled.

Sister cities

Manzanillo has several sister cities around the world. These include:

• Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
• Flagstaff, Arizona, United States
• San Pablo, California, United States
• Santiago de Chile, Región Metropolitana de Santiago
• Ningbo, China
• Valparaíso, Chile Región de Valparaíso
• Weihai, China