July 18, 2000

MANZANILLO: THE BEST COMBINATION OF SUN, BEACHES AND WATER SPORTS

• Enjoy this fun and colorful port

• Its sea is perfect for all water sports practice

Manzanillo offers a huge array of possibilities that will make your vacation the most extraordinary because is a destination that has everything you want and need from a great variety of water sports to some of the most modern golf and hotel facilities of the world.

Manzanillo is located 243 kilometers from Guadalajara in Jalisco and is a destination that welcomes its visitors in a warm embrace of soft breeze that invites you to return, also splendid beaches with calm waves and golden beaches making it an unique combination.

If you are a sun lover you should know that this colorful port bathed in by the Pacific Ocean waters has over 20 kilometers of wonderful beaches, beautiful bays and coves to choose from while picking out a place to get a tan.

Manzanillo's sea is ideal for water sports practice, because you will find different kinds of waves ranging from moderate to the one known as the "green wave" which can measure up to eight or ten meters in height.

Manzanillo has twelve different beaches all in a few minutes distance. All of which can revitalize your body and mood with their sun, sea, sea breeze and breathtaking landscapes.

San Pedrito. - If you are traveling with children we recommend you visit San Pedrito beach because the waves are calm and this allows children to enjoy the beach and have fun with the pelicans that are found there.

Las Hadas. - This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Manzanillo. You can snorkel, scuba, swim and practice water sports safely. Its name means "the fairies", given hundreds of years ago by sailors. It got its name from a legend in which sailors said that during the night mainly when there was a full moon, some lighted silhouettes appeared dancing on the water. Nevertheless, afterward it was found that what those men saw where the natural reflections of lights on moving sea.

Roca del Elefante. - Or "elephant rock" it's a one boat ride from the port of Manzanillo and half hour from the "Las Hadas" Hotel Marina. It's an enormous rock formation that gets its name from the spectacular resemblance to the shape of an elephant. This small beach is very narrow and surrounded by great rock formations. The calmness of its waves provides a magnificent spot for swimming. The surrounding area is a great area for open scuba practice. Average depth is 20 meters and has a rocky bed in which an extended and beautiful variety of corals and marine plants can be admired. Also giant shells can be found in this astonishing place.

Playa de Oro. - "Gold Beach" this is found near the Manzanillo International Airport. It gets its name from the fire and sinking in 1862 of the American ship registered with the name of "Golden Gate". It was sailing south from San Francisco, California with 500 passengers and gold cargo. Its remains are still found a kilometer from the shore of a place called Peñón de Torrecillas.

Playa Santiago. - Very close to Manzanillo is Playa Santiago or "Santiago Beach" it is characterized by its fine almost powdery black colored sand. Its moderate pending and soft waves make of this an ideal place for resting and fun.

Playa Azul. - "Blue Beach" it gets its name from the fact that the sea that can be seen from here has an intense blue color. This is a very attractive place to enjoy a dazzling landscape and get carried away by its enchanting spell. Walk and feel the softness of its softly gray colored sand and take a look at the beautiful constructions of the hotels that lie there surrounded by palm trees.

Miramar. - The fine sand of this beach with its light brown color, its soft waves distinguish it from the rest. You can enjoy swimming, sun bathing and relax under a splendid sun and on this beach. Water sports equipment rental is available. You will find vendors where you can find typical craft made from natural materials such a tortoise and palm.

Some of the other beaches are: La Audiencia, with its fine sand and moderate waves

Playa Campos, open sea, deep water and strong waves. Red snapper fishing is possible here y Peña Pargo, natural refugee for marine birds you can admire wildlife in its natural splendor.

Among the main water sports that can be practiced when visiting Manzanillo are: scuba diving, snorkeling, banana rides, water ski and boat tours.

Scuba. - Scuba can be practiced in almost all beaches of the port. All the hotels offer this service including equipment rental for this sport. An especially good area for scuba is the rocky bed that surrounds the Santiago Peninsula.

Snorkel. - You are able to snorkel above a cargo ship sunk by the hurricane in 1959. Currently it's found at a depth very close to the surface and it's filled with coral and marine life.

Saw Fish Fishing. - Most hotels and marinas offer professional services for help and instruction and also the providing the necessary equipment. You can rent fishing boats, yachts and sailboats with food and beverage service provided also a crew ready to solve anything.

Horseback and Bicycle Riding Tours. - You can also take tours that the hotels offer daily on horse back in motorcycles mountain bicycle to take a spectacular view of a beach, lagoon or mountain.

Golf- For golf lovers, Manzanillo has four important and spectacular course: Navidad Island with 27 holes, and considered as one of the best worldwide, Las Hadas 18 hole course, private club El Tamarindo with 18 holes, -six of which lie on the seafront and also the one in the Club Santiago. Lovers of the most elegant sport will enjoy some of the most spectacular greens on beach dunes, lagoon surroundings sea and mountain landscapes.

As you can see there is a lot to enjoy in Manzanillo where the sun's different colors and its amazing beaches will delight you. There is no doubt you will always find spectacular views and landscapes with different colors and shades. Manzanillo is the color you want it to be!

*If you are thinking about spending some great time in this port please contact: Manzanillo Convention and Visitors Bureau / Boulevard Costero Miguel de la Madrid No. 1294-B, Salahua, Manzanillo, Colima. Tel.: (333) 3 13 80 / Fax (333) 3 20 80, or visit our page: www.manzanillo.com.mx, or write to this e-mail address:manzanillo@bay.net.mx