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Voykit pocket guide · Mexico
La Manzanilla
Spend 2 days: one for beach‑side activities, a second for mangrove tour or a short hike; longer stays only for deeper wildlife volunteering.
La Manzanilla is a tiny fishing village on the Bay of Tenacatita, about a mile of gentle surf, mangrove wildlife and modest lodging. Most visitors fit the main sights and a few water‑sports into a two‑day stay; extra days are useful for classes or volunteer work.
- Country
- Mexico
- Best months
- Nov–Mar (dry, warm, high‑season activities)
- Avoid
- Jun–Oct (rainy, limited services)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- MXN
- Money
- Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $). Cards work in hotels, chains and many restaurants; markets, street food, small shops and colectivos are cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget $300–$500 MXN excl. bed · Mid $500–$800 MXN excl. bed · High $800+ MXN excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Telcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities. SIMs sell at OXXO shops and phone stores; registration with an ID may be requested — check.
- Emergency
- Police 911 · Tourist assistance 078
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 127 V · 60 Hz · US plugs fit; many older sockets have no earth pin.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.; Bars: MXN 10–20 per drink or 10%.; Petrol station attendants: MXN 10–20; more for windscreen and tyres.; Guides and drivers: 10% or MXN 200–400 a day.; Supermarket baggers (often older volunteers): MXN 5–10.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.
- Toilets
- Put paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Taxi airport‑to‑town (one way) | $50 |
| Meal at beach palapa restaurant | MXN 120–250 |
| Bike rental (half‑day) | MXN 150–300 |
| Mangrove tour (guided) | MXN 200–400 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ZLO · Manzanillo Airport
- ≈45 min drive south; car rental or taxi ($50 each way).
Typical fares
- Taxi ZLO → La Manzanilla
- about $50 each way (check)
- Bus Melaque → La Manzanilla
- ≈ MXN 30–50 per ride
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk or bike for town centre; taxis available; a few daily buses connect to Melaque (≈20 min) and Barra de Navidad; car rental at ZLO airport.
See and do
Known for
- Gentle surf beach
- Mangrove wildlife tours
- Local fishing charters
- Yoga and art workshops (high season)
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Melaque | First‑class bus from Puerto Vallarta to Melaque, then 20 min walk or taxi | ≈1 h total |
| Barra de Navidad | ETN or Primera Plus bus from La Manzanilla (departing from Barra de Navidad stop) | ≈30 min |
Sleep
- Modest hotels & bungalows
- Private baths, shared kitchens; air‑conditioning uncommon.
- Campgrounds
- Basic facilities near the beach.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? |
| Where is the beach? | ¿Dónde está la playa? |
| I would like to rent a bike. | Quisiera rentar una bicicleta. |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; a kiss on the right cheek among friends; avoid: Skipping 'buenos días' when entering a shop
- Punctuality: Be on time for tours and buses; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Talking: Warm small talk, family, food, football; avoid: Jokes about cartels, the wall or migration
- Churches: Covered shoulders, quiet; avoid: Photos during mass
- Dining: Say 'provecho' to other diners when leaving; avoid: Rushing the waiter
Scams and watch-outs
- No direct bus from Manzanillo Airport – arrange taxi or rental.
- High‑season hotels fill quickly; call ahead.
- Taxis from airport cost about US$50 each way (check current rate).
Generally safe; watch for strong surf, keep valuables out of sight on the beach, and confirm taxi rates before boarding.
One and two days
No timed day plan for La Manzanilla yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Gentle surf beach
- Mangrove wildlife tours
- Local fishing charters
- Yoga and art workshops (high season)
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – La Manzanilla coordinates: www.wikidata.org/wiki/QXXXXX
- Wikivoyage: La Manzanilla, revision 5310453 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5310453
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/la-manzanilla). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.