Things to Do

A Great Vacation
You’ll find much to enjoy in this picturesque village on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. Between its lush, jungle-covered hills and the tranquil Bay of Tenacatita, La Manzanilla offers the best of both worlds: modern convenience flavored with old Mexico charm. Plus, because we’re so small, everything is within walking distance.

La Manzanilla’s crescent of golden sand beach is bathed in sunshine and lined with graceful palms swaying in soft tropical breezes among colorful palapa-covered restaurants. The gentle surf of Tenacatita Bay is perfect for all ages, whether you’re interested in splashing, swimming, kayaking, snorkling, boogie-boarding, fishing, or just kicking back.

In the village you’ll find several excellent restaurants, wi-fi service, shops with fresh produce and fish, a number of small grocery stores, boutiques for mementos, a pharmacy, even art galleries and a book store. La Manzanilla also is part of the Costalegre’s extensive eco-tourism program, and our mangrove lagoon featuring dozens of caimanes (American crocodiles) is a must see.

Why do people keep coming – and coming back! – to La Manzanilla? It’s a great spot for weddings, honeymoons, and romantic get-aways. Families find it a safe environment for children, as well as an idyllic retreat from everyday stress. They come for a variety of reasons, but mostly because La Manzanilla is as naturally tranquil as it is beautiful.

Things to know about La Manzanilla, Costa Alegre Jalisco Mexico

La Manzanilla
La Manzanilla is a small fishing village on the Pacific coast of Mexico, one hour north of Manzanillo and three hours south of Puerto Vallarta in the state of Jalisco in an area called Costa Alegre, which means Happy Coast. The neighboring towns around La Manzanilla are Cihuatlan, Melaque, Barra de Navidad, Isla Navidad, Tenacatita, Boca de Iguanas, Los Ingenios, Emiliano Zapata, Rebalsito, Careyes, El Tecuan, and Tamarindo.

La Manzanilla’s crescent, golden sand beach is bathed in sunshine and lined with graceful palms swaying in soft tropical breezes among colorful palapa-covered restaurants. The gentle surf of Tenacatita Bay is perfect for all ages, whether you’re interested in splashing, swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, boogie-boarding, fishing, or just kicking back.

In the village you’ll find several excellent restaurants, wi-fi service, shops with fresh produce, tortillas, and fish, a number of small grocery stores, boutiques for mementos, a pharmacy, even art galleries and a bookstore. La Manzanilla also is part of the Costalegre’s extensive eco-tourism program, and our mangrove lagoon featuring dozens of caimans (American crocodiles) is a must see.

Beach Walk
Enjoy a peaceful walk along the beach to Boca de Iguanas (3.5 miles).   Relax and have an espresso at Boca de Iguanas before heading back.

Golf
There are two world class golf courses nearby – Isla Navidad at the Grand Bay Resort in Barra de Navidad (phone: 52 314-331-0500) and El Tamarindo Golf and Beach Club (phone: 52 315-351-5031; Website

Bike Rentals
There is a bike rental and store about a block South of the Jardin on Calle Tamarindo.

Book Store
“Manos ayudandose” – a great little non-profit store selling used books. It is staffed by volunteers and all proceeds go to the local schools and health clinic. Mostly books in English. Nearly on the corner of Calle Tamarindo and the Jardin. Opening hours are posted on door.

Gallery
Is a very nicely designed and appointed Gallery owned by Tonia Mangini with some nice art and occasional artist’s openings. Located just up the side street from Palapa Joe’s on Calle Perula Sur # 83.  Website

Spanish Classes
Offered by Irma, a dedicated teacher. One on one classes or groups. Phone: (315) 351-5596

La Catalina Natural Language School
One to four-week Spanish language courses for beginning to advanced students. Held at the Cultural Center. Phone: (315) 351 5362  Website

Artesian Market
Every Friday morning at the Jardin.

Yoga Classes
Bending Tree Yoga

Eileen’s Cooking Class
Thai, Indian, Middle Eastern and Mexican dishes. Please check her website for scheduled classes. Website

Las Joyas
Visit the waterfalls and basins after the rainy season. Approximately a one hour hike from the riverbed on the South-side of the village upward.

Dancing
Monday Night. Live-music at Jolanda´s restaurant. Great ambience and great fun! During high season.

Open Mic
At Palapa Joe’s restaurant (Website). Once per month during high-season. Got some talent and want to present it in front of an audience or watch others perform? Great fun!

Tours
La Manzanilla is located on the Bay of Tenacatita, which has some of the best fishing in Mexico including huachinango, tuna, dorado, jack, and sailfish. It also provides safe harbor for many sailboats and power yachts.

Surrounding Areas

Sea To Sierra
Veracruz #204, Barra de Navidad, Jalisco. (315) 355-8582. Mountain biking tours; helmets, gloves, water, bikes provided. Excursions via suburban and taxi including tours to Colima and the Volcano. Scheduled Yacht trips; Tuesday Tenacatita snorkel and beach w/Jungle River Tour and Friday Sunset Cruises. Fishing, Yacht and boat charter. Email: info@seatosierra.com.  The very best adventure tours in Mexico’s Costalegre! Sea to Sierra offers: mountain bike tours, scuba and snorkel tours, fishing and boating, horseback riding etc. Website

The Only Tours Costalegre
315) 355-6777 (voice/fax). Ray and Eva, located next to La Paloma in Melaque, Jalisco. Snorkeling trips, tours to Colima City, Volcano tours via suburban. Snorkeling gear, boogie boards, and mountain bikes for rent. Email: raystoursmelaque@yahoo.com. Website

Barra de Navidad
A 20 minute drive South on Highway 200. Barra is a great place to buy souvenirs or to enjoy the nightlife on weekends.  On the very South end of the beach is a great spot for amateur surfers. There are a couple of stores that offerclasses and rent boards .

Groceries

Buying Groceries
We recommend the ‘Super Hawaii’ grocery store in Melaque (15 minute drive south on Highway 200).  They have more variety of foods and larger quantities than the stores in La Manzanilla.
For quick staple foods, La Manzanilla has several small markets.  You can find these by walking around the main roads in La Manz.

La Manzanilla Restaurants

There are some great restaurants in La Manzanilla and the surrounding villages.  We have listed some of our favorites.

Palapa Joes
(315) 351-5348 - A La Manzanilla landmark serving fresh seafood, thin crust pizza, hamburgers, salads, casual Mexican selections and our famous chunchy chicken tacos with a full bar.  Open Tuesday – Saturday 12 PM – 10 PM. Live music – November thru April

Martin’s
Just past the bridge South of the main plaza. Upstairs dining with a nice view of the Tenacatita Bay. Open for breakfast (good omelets) and for dinner (great fish, fajitas, steaks and other upscale menu items). Open every day except Tuesday. They also sell coffee beans from a co-op in the mountains.  Reservations at 351-5106.

Jolanda’s
Asian and European cuisine.  Located by the main road on the beach.  Jolanda and her husband are from Holland and specialize in European/Asian dishes that are excellent. Open Thursday – Monday 9 AM – 10 PM.  Check the Event announcements for their Wednesday evening Ricetable events and Dancing evenings with live-music.  Reservations at 351-5449.

Café de Flores
Cafe de Flores is located on Playa Blanca near the Jardin in the center of town. This is a top restaurant recommendation. The food is excellent as is the service. Contact Information (315) 3517376, e-mail - alexmayberry@hotmail.com.

Coco Locos
Great pizzas and fried calamari.  Enjoy some wonderful dinners there in the restaurant or get a pizza to go and eat on our patio and watch the sun set.  Located on the main road along the beach.

Lora Loka’s
Right in the center of town where the “pasillo” connects the main street to the beach. Great spot for Mexican breakfasts and watching the sunset. In the evening she offers one or two special dishes that usually change daily.

Tacos Mr. Chop-Chop
Right on the main street (can’t be missed when open) and next to Quetzal. This is the local thriving taco stand. Excellent tacos on handmade tortillas and great salsas. Open most evenings around 8 PM. Not to be missed!

Melaque Restuarants

Click here for a map of Melaque (pdf).

Alcatraz
Upstairs, near trailer park. Try their Chicken Special (Pollo Estilo Alcatraz) slices of sautéed chicken, onions, green peppers, served in a hot stone bowl. Also excellent, garlic shrimp (with or without shells). Dine in their upstairs palapa while watching the world go by in the streets below. Recommended.

Restaurante Aurora’s
Great lunches; try the shrimp salad. Recommended.

Restaurante Ava
Corner of Gomez Farias and Alvaro Obregon.

Bigote’s Palapa
On the beach. Restaurant and bar. Happy hour 2pm – 9pm and Bingo on Tues and Fri afternoons. Open late. Good food, popular.

Cafeteria La Marina
San Patricio
Gomez Farias 55 and in front of the beach. Mexican food.

Ceasar’s y Charlie’s
(315) 355-5699. Located in the back of a little shopping center on Av. Gómez Farías, next door to Hotel Monterrey. Walk through the hotel and it’s right there. Good happy hour. Recommended. (11/05) 
Club Dorado – located on the beach in a large palapa. Open all day, live music sometimes, somewhat pricier than others. Popular.

Floricita
Located across from the bank. Good food.(11/05)

Flor Morena
On the square, open 5 pm – 11 pm. Melaque’s most popular restaurant. No seafood except shrimp, pozole (soup/stew) on Sundays. The pozole is inexpensive.

El Guerrillero
Alvaro Obregon, 4 blocks from the beach. Homemade tortillas, grilled chicken and steaks. 
Hamburgesa Maui  - Tortas, hamburgers and fries.

Los Hornitos
Located on Hwy 200 at the main entrance to San Patricio Melaque. Pollos asados, barbeque chicken. English spoken. (5/06)

Las Palmas
Located on the beach. Good seafood, hospitality, and economical. Open until sunset. 
Pedro’s Grill – Vincente Guerrero #6a, near Restaurante Avas. (was Pedro’s Fish & Chips) Fresh fish, prawns, chicken, homemade fries. Recommended. (11/07)

Restaurante Maya
on the beach. restaurantmaya@hotmail.com Opens at noon for lunch and dinner. Upscale, relative to other local restaurants. Canadian Chefs. Recommended.

Market
The village market is located on R. Corona at Lopez Mateos. This is a block from the zócalo toward the beach. Small stands serve inexpensive meals including sushi

Roosters
Popular for breakfast. Open Wednesday-Sunday for breakfast and dinner. Recommended.

La Salamandra
Abel Salgado #382. (315) 355-6479. Good food. Service is often slow.

Señor Froys
On Abel Salgado St., one block off the beach. (11/05)

Siete Estrella
West side of plaza. Breakfasts, burritos, guacamole, hamburgers, etc., and very good fresh fruit liquados (milkshakes). Reasonable.

La Terraza
Located about 2 blocks from the bus terminal toward Villa Obregon. Good breakfasts, homemade bread, sticky buns, English spoken, ocean view.

Thrifty Ice Cream
Near the plaza. Lots of flavors.

Barra de Navidad
 Restuarants

There are a lot of restuarants in Barra de Navidad.

La Casa de la Abuela
Corner of Av. Lopez de Legazpi and Sonora.

Alcatraz Bay
On Veracruz on the lagoon near El Manglito. Known for its molcajetes (lava bowl meals). (5/08) 
Los Arcos de Jalisco – new restaurant located near Esperanza restaurant. Recommended, moderate pricing.

Bananas
In the Hotel Barra de Navidad. (315)355-5554. Opens early, best breakfasts in Barra. (2/06) 
Casa Chips – 198 Miguel Lopes de la Gaspi. (315)355-5555. Restaurant, & bar. Open til 8. 
Cenadura Esperanza – Av. Veracruz. Chinese food. Recommended.

Café Barra
Mazatlan #122, 1/2 block from Posada Pacifico and a little hard to spot. Open in the high season.

Coco Cabañas
On Playa de Cocos on the Isla de Navidad road. (335) 004-2686. Thai cuisine. Dinner only, lunch by request, reservations please. Recommended. Website

Colimilla
Isla de Navidad, accessed by lancha. Family restaurant. Recommended.

Restaurant Felix
On Jalisco across from the church.

Fortino’s
Just out of town along Isla Navidad (take a water taxi).

Isadora’s
Yucatan #47, on the lagoon. (315) 355-8520. San Francisco cuisine. Somewhat pricey. Romantic, some people like it.

El Manglito
On Morelos where the boats dock.

Margarita’s
2nd story, palapa roof, gorgeous view, sports bar on street side, outdoor bar on ocean side. Run by Jorge Morett (Sea Master family).

Mary Tierra
Located on Avenida Lopez de Legazpi on the east end of town. One of the nicer restaurants in La Barra.

Mariscos Nacho
On the beach, north end. One reader reports having the best fish ever.

Maxim’s
Is a real hot spot for nightlife and music. Second story with ocean view, second to last place before the malecón.

Mozoka
On Veracruz on the lagoon, just south of Yucatan. Excellent food at reasonable cost. Recommended.

Restaurante Pati
On Calle Jalisco. BBQ chicken, carne asada. Inexpensive.

Piper y Lover’s
López de Legaspi #154A. (315) 355-6747. Same great prices, music, pool table and Piper. Food often available.

Ramon’s
On Av. Lopez de Legazpi across from the Hotel Barra de Navidad. Recommended.

Veleros
On Veracruz on the lagoon near Isadoras.  Somewhat pricey.

Popeye’s
Located at the east end of Avenida Lopez de Legazpi near the jetty. Popular with beachgoers during the day. Less crowded at night. Their specialties include avocado piled high with shrimp or fish salad (very good) and shrimp stuffed with cheese and wrapped in bacon. Great margaritas. Have gotten a couple of negative visitor comments though.

Roctavios
Restaurant/bar near the malecón.

Seamaster’s
Located on Avenida Lopez de Legazpi on the beach side. Good service, bland food, strong drinks, happy hour.