🇲🇽 Manzanillo, Mexico — Cruise Port Guide
Mexico's busiest Pacific port and self-declared Sailfish Capital of the World — a giant blue sailfish on the malecón, twin bays of dark-gold sand, and the white Moorish domes of Las Hadas.
Updated September 2026
Quick facts
Getting ashore
When to visit Manzanillo
Best December-April for dry weather in the 80s°F; June-October is hot and humid and falls in the Pacific hurricane season, with September the wettest month.
Getting back to the ship on time
Playa Miramar, Las Hadas and Barra de Navidad all sit 20-40 minutes from the pier along a single coastal road that backs up in the afternoon, so arrange a return taxi and leave a wide margin.
All-aboard is ship's time — check it in the daily programme, and set your watch to it.
Things to do in Manzanillo
Historic centre & sailfish
The zócalo, malecón and blue sailfish monument, all walkable from the pier.
Playa La Audiencia
The calmer, more sheltered of the two bays, good for swimming.
Las Hadas day pass
Whitewashed Moorish resort village with a pool and beach open for a fee.
Playa Miramar
Bigger surf on Santiago Bay, popular with bodyboarders and kitesurfers.
El Tortugario
Turtle sanctuary and lagoon at Cuyutlán, south along the coast.
Barra de Navidad
Lagoon village up the coast in Jalisco, about 40 minutes each way.
Popular excursions
Colima Colonial Towns & Volcano Views
Comala's white village and lookouts toward the smoking Volcan de Fuego.
Deep-Sea Sportfishing
Chase billfish from the self-styled sailfish capital of the world.
Cuyutlan Turtle Sanctuary & Lagoon
Meet rescued sea turtles and cruise a mangrove lagoon down the coast.
What to eat
- Ceviche de sierra
- Pescado a la talla
- Tatemado de Colima
- Sopitos colimenses
- Tuba (fermented palm drink)
Weather by month
Best time to visit: Dec-Apr (dry season)
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 86° | 65° | 0.6" |
| Feb | 86° | 64° | 0.2" |
| Mar | 86° | 65° | 0.1" |
| Apr | 87° | 67° | 0" |
| May | 89° | 71° | 0.3" |
| Jun | 90° | 75° | 5.1" |
| Jul | 91° | 76° | 5.9" |
| Aug | 91° | 76° | 7.1" |
| Sep | 90° | 75° | 9.1" |
| Oct | 90° | 74° | 3.9" |
| Nov | 89° | 70° | 1" |
| Dec | 87° | 67° | 0.6" |
Local phrases
A little history
The blue Monumento al Pez Vela on the malecón marks Manzanillo's claim as Sailfish Capital of the World.
Manzanillo moves more container traffic than any other port in Mexico.
The Moorish white domes of Las Hadas resort appeared in the 1979 film 10.
Tuba, a lightly fermented palm drink sold from gourds, is a Colima speciality.