La Manzanilla is a fishing community on the Mexican Pacific coast, located in the Costalegre tourist corridor. Fishing is the town’s traditional livelihood. Estero La Manzanilla also shapes the character of the town: its mangrove and lagoon landscape complements its beach appeal. When choosing accommodation in La Manzanilla, you can consider whether you want to focus your stay primarily on the coast, wildlife watching, or a combination of the two.

Location and Getting There

La Manzanilla is accessible via Federal Highway 200 between Tepic and Barra de Navidad, and lies 60 kilometers from the municipal seat. As a guide to travel times, it is about 60 minutes north of Manzanillo and three hours south of Puerto Vallarta. These details place the town on the Costalegre and offer different reference points for planning your trip.

Beach and Lagoon

La Manzanilla Beach in Bahía de Tenacatita is described as an area with calm waves and a moderate slope. Wave conditions change seasonally, so if you are planning beach days, you can take this into account when choosing when to travel. The beach is considered suitable for fishing and water sports. Camping is possible on the beach near the lagoon. This means the coast offers both activities on the water and an alternative type of overnight stay.

Estero La Manzanilla and Its Natural Environment

Estero La Manzanilla borders the town and covers 263.96 hectares. It is listed as a Ramsar site in the municipality of La Huerta, in the state of Jalisco; it was designated on February 2, 2008. A Ramsar Information Sheet, completed in November 2007, puts the estero’s mangrove area at 200.48 hectares and records 55 waterbird species observed in the lagoon. These details reflect the documented ecological character of the lagoon landscape. The ecological zone near the lagoon is under official protection.

Crocodiles and Wildlife Watching

The crocodile is considered a symbol of La Manzanilla and the town’s main tourist attraction. The November 2007 Ramsar Information Sheet also identifies the estero as home to one of the three most significant populations of American crocodiles on the Jalisco coast. In La Manzanilla, crocodiles are watched from purpose-built observation points. Local guides lead excursions to watch birds, including fish-eating birds and herons, as well as other animals. Local guides also lead excursions to observe caimans. The availability of individual guides may vary; if interested, ask about specific excursions in advance.

Cuisine and Coastal Route

Traditional beach palapas in La Manzanilla offer a chance to try typical regional cuisine. This adds a culinary dimension to the town’s beach and nature attractions. A coastal route connects La Manzanilla with Boca de Iguanas and offers another useful reference point for getting oriented at the destination.

Discover more destinations: Tesistan, Atotonilco, Puerto Vallarta, Municipio Zapotlanejo, Aguacate, Ipala, San Juan Cosala, Tonalá.

For the broader travel overview: Jalisco.