Posted by tim on Marzo 21, 2000
I am planning on going to Mexico in the fall and I heard of this small village on the Bay of Tenacatita called La Manzanilla, in the state of Jalisco. I am looking for a place that is quiet and on the ocean. Can anyone give me some information on this place? Is it affordable to live there? Is the fishing good?
Posted by mark on Marzo 24, 2000
I have spent winters in LM for the last 15 years. I have caught sail, tuna, marlin, red snapper, needle fish (great for ceviche!) and many other types of pescado and seen my share of whales and porpoises. The weather there is ideal because of the westerly winds of the Pacific and the living is easy. The locals are very friendly and enjoy new faces in the village. You cannot go wrong if you decide to visit or live in this quaint little village on the Pacific.
Posted by Tony on Marzo 23, 2000
It is better to not talk loudly about La Manzanilla. Keep it a quiet cool secret.
Posted by David Eidell on Marzo 22, 2000
This is one of my small village hideouts. A new paved road now connects La Manzanilla to Mex 200. The village is really just that – about 1,000 people at the maximum. Two hotels: El Cazador and La Puesta del Sol – weekly rentals equal less than ten dollars per day. Several small restaurants, and two tiny markets. Bus service north and south from the “main” market. Nice beach, and to the north lies Playa Tenacatita, an excellent beach with more restaurants. Very affordable region. According to friends there is a very active Internet cafe in the village of Melaque to the south. Sate tourist urges in Barra de Navidad, bank in Cihuatlan, and do serious city stuff in Manzanillo (all to the south). You can find really decent surf fishing from El Tecuan to the south around the point. The sheltered parts of the many bays in the area are good for snorkeling and spear fishing. If you are a coffee lover, do yourself a favor and take a coffee brewer. Outrageous Plug: I purchased a “Black & Decker” micro coffee brewer that utilizes an insulated coffee cup as the brewing receptacle. It has lasted a solid year on Mexican La Luz without blowing up. Another nice feature is the built-in screen – no filters needed although I’ve found that the #2 size Melita coffee filters fit perfectly and seem to mellow out some of the bitterness. This thing is small enough to pack and there is no glass to shatter. I bought mine in Wal-Mart. Oh yeah, I can brew two big mugs worth of coffee on a heaping Teaspoon of coffee (this is a cheapskate’s dream coffeemaker). And another thing… (pulling a Clouseau) the machine only requires 600 watts instead of the usual 1,500. It won’t cause a blackout in your hotel.
Saludos, David
Posted by dan on Marzo 21, 2000
Try www.eden.com/~tomzap/manza.html
Posted by Wendy Vine on Abril 22, 2000
I read the articles about La Manzanilla and we are keen to go there next Christmas. There is mention of Senor Aceves’ bungalows, which sound great. Does anyone out there have an address for him? (I am hoping he speaks some English, as my Spanish is very limited, although I could get a friend to translate a letter or FAX.) Also, does the trailer park also have rooms, or would we need to go to the Boca de Iguanas Hotel? I have also heard that there are lots of stingrays to be careful of when you go into the water. Is it a huge problem?
Posted by dave on Abril 24, 2000
I have been staying in this village for a few years so I am aware of Aceves’ operation and Boca’s also. Aceves’ rooms are inexpensive but along with that comes low air circulation, being at one of the noisiest points in the village even though it is on the beach, and then of course there are the relentless mosquitoes from the nearby lagoon. He does not speak English and there are no rooms at the campground, just sand and the beach, no pads or electricity. The Boca De Iguana is an inexpensive hotel, but again it is on the main road in town, is relatively clean but all of the amenities are marginal.
I have never seen a sting ray on the beach or in the water in front of the village. At certain times of the year there are small jellyfish in the water that can sting you a bit but they are usually farther out in the Bay of Tenacatita. The area is beautiful and a great place to vacation. The waves are great for boogie boarding, the beach is wonderful to walk on, there is a abundance of wildlife to observe, the caimans (crocodiles) in the lagoon are the northern-most species of their type in Mexico, the butterflies are unbelievable, the people are extremely friendly, the food is really tasty and the fishing is some of the best in the world. Good luck and I know that you will enjoy yourself because I truly believe this is one place that everyone should experience at last once in their life if not each year. There are many places to stay in the village and information on this can be accessed at www.choice1.com/mexico/manzanillo
Enjoy!!!
