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~ COLIMA ~
An interesting side trip is
to the City of Colima (96 km to the east). The city can be reached in about
one hour over a well-maintained four-lane highway. Capital of the State of Colima, this
quaint and very charming colonial city lies in a fertile valley with two imposing volcanoes (one still active) photo
shown above.
The still active VolcÝn
de Fuego is 25 km to the north, beside the taller (but extinct) Nevado
de Colima. There are two newly opened archaeological sites (El
Chanal and La Campana) that are visited as part of a popular day tour to Colima (contact
local operators for excursion details).
Colima is an important regional
center of commerce (population 145,000), although seldom visited by vacationers. It
has been occupied since the 11th century and was settled by the Spaniards in 1523.
The
city center has well-preserved colonial buildings and three plazas that run from west to east. There
are several interesting museums including the Museo de las Culturas del Occidente, displaying one
of Mexico's best collections of Pre-Columbian pottery and artifacts. The modern and eclectic
Casa de la Cultura is a cultural institute offering free art, music and dance classes.
The cityås Cathedral, originally built here in 1527, and subsequently rebuilt
several times due to frequent earthquakes, is on the east side of the Plaza Principal. Next door is the Palacio de Gobierno. It
dates to 1884-1904. Its interior walls are blazoned by murals by Jorge Chavez Carrillo
depicting Mexican history.
There is also an enormous collection of antique
automobiles packed into a warehouse near downtown. Over 300 vehicles, dating from 1912-1950
can be seen.
The
nearby village of Comala (population 8,000) is also worth a visit. This
white washed town is famous for its fine carved wood furniture, handicrafts, and relaxed village ambiance. Attractive
main square with arched porticoes and cafes surrounds pretty main square gazebo and beautiful church. On
the way to the city is a mysterious Ïinversion hillÓ where objects appear to defy gravity!
~ Costa Alegre / Costa Careyes ~
Most of the exploring
outside of Manzanillo is done by heading north along Highway 200, into the neighboring State of Jalisco.
This scenic 246 km highway between Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta takes you past tropical fruit plantations, deserted beaches, quiet fishing villages, and lagoons filled with exotic waterfowl.
Though the two-lane highway is not actually coastal, it offers occasional glimpses of the Pacific.
Most villages and resorts are accessed via dirt roads that cross Highway 200. Here
are a few worthwhile stop-over points (listed as you head north from the Playa de Oro Airport).
NOTE: The region is home to just over 2,000 lodging units, varying from simple bungalows to some of Mexico's fanciest (and
most expensive) resort getaways.
Isla Navidad (35
minutes/30 km north of the airport): This mega resort/marina/golf course is taking shape on a finger of land that separates
the Pacific from the Laguna de Navidad. When completed, Isla Navidad will transform this region from a hinterland into
one of the Pacific's major resorts. A fine 27- hole golf course designed by Robert Von Hagge is ready for play, and
hopes to lure prospective real estate investors. In total over 1,200 acres of land are being transformed to include
two marinas (700 slip capacity), a golf course, shopping center, equestrian center, tennis center, and the new Grand Bay Hotel.
San Patricio Melaque &
Barra de Navidad (40 minutes/32 km north of airport): This picturesque duo of villages rests on a sand bar between
the open sea and Laguna de Navidad, just a short boat ride across the channel from Isla
Navidad. They are most popular with Mexican visitors (mostly from Guadalajara) and adventurous gringos wanting a break
from more civilized settings.
Between Melaque and Barra is a lovely 6.5 km long curved bay with thatched hut restaurants.
A couple of dozen small and inexpensive hotels are available in this very Bohemian setting, ideal for relaxation. Boat
trips are available to Laguna de Navidad.
Tenacatita (60
minutes/55 km north of airport): This gem of a beach is accessed by an 8 km long dirt road, passing a small village set among
banana and coconut trees. The nearby lagoon is filled with exotic birds. As you approach the coast, the lovely
BahÂa de Tenacatita unfolds with its sandy and serene beaches. A small river flows into the
sea here. Swimming and snorkeling are good, and there are a few good seaside restaurants. Just south of the entrance
to Tenacatita is a sign directing you to the area's accommodations, the all-inclusive Blue
Bay Los Angeles Locos, deluxe El Tamarindo and Punta Serena.
~ Isla Navidad ~
(35 minutes/30 km north of the airport)
This mega resort/marina/golf course is taking shape on
a finger of land that separates the Pacific from the Laguna de Navidad. When completed, Isla Navidad will transform this region
from a hinterland into one of the Pacific's major resorts. A fine 27- hole golf course designed by Robert Von Hagge is ready
for play, and hopes to lure prospective real estate investors. In total over 1,200 acres of land are being transformed to
include two marinas (700 slip capacity), a golf course, shopping center, equestrian center, tennis center, and the new Grand
Bay Hotel.
~ San Patricio Melaque & Barra
de Navidad ~
(40 minutes/32 km north of airport)
This picturesque duo of villages rests on a sand bar between
the open sea and Laguna de Navidad, just a short boat ride across the channel from Isla Navidad. They are most popular with
Mexican visitors (mostly from Guadalajara) and adventurous gringos wanting a break from more civilized settings.
This is also the location of one of Mexico's premier surfing beaches. Between Melaque and Barra is a lovely 6.5 km long curved
bay with thatched hut restaurants. A couple of dozen small and inexpensive hotels are available in this very Bohemian setting,
ideal for relaxation. Boat trips are available to Laguna de Navidad.
~ Tenacatita ~ (60 minutes/55 km north of airport) This gem of a beach is accessed by an 8 km long dirt
road, passing a small village set among banana and coconut trees. The nearby lagoon is filled with exotic birds.
As you approach the coast, the lovely BahÂa de Tenacatita unfolds with its sandy and serene beaches. A small river flows
into the sea here. Swimming and snorkeling are good, and there are a few good seaside restaurants. Just south
of the entrance to Tenacatita is a sign directing you to the area's accommodations, the all-inclusive Blue Bay Los Angeles
Locos and deluxe El Tamarindo and Punta Serena.
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