Manzanillo, Colima
Straddling two gorgeous bays with the Sierra Madre range at its back, Manzanillo boasts all of the qualities that make the Mexican Pacific coast so popular among Royal Holiday members: clear skies, bright sun, and unbeatable surf. With its vibrant and revitalized historic downtown, the centro historico, sunshine on all but five days of the year, and nearby opportunities for every kind of outdoor adventure, Manzanillo possesses everything a traveler might want from a vacation. Whether one wants to use Royal Holiday points on a trip to one of the world’s premier fishing tournaments or just spend a relaxing week on the beach, Manzanillo fits the bill.
Royal Holiday members visiting Manzanillo stay at Las Hadas Golf & Resort, which features abundant amenities throughout its sprawling grounds. The resort’s charming studio rooms are just a step away from a private marina, easily rented water-sports gear, and a waterfall-and-bridge festooned pool complete with its own islands. At the resort, guests can enjoy dining at one of the four in-house restaurants, relax on the resort’s private beach, or play a round of golf at the Golden Tee Award-winning course. While Royal Holiday members will want to explore the rest of the region, it can be tough to leave Las Hadas.
Beyond the resort’s grounds, Manzanillo continues a centuries-long tradition as a port of call; its port was Latin America’s first shipping yard, and it remains the country’s busiest commercial port. Drawing water-sports enthusiasts for decades, Manzanillo is home to the Dorsey Tournament, and the city has earned the title of the “Sailfish Capital of the World” for as long as anglers have known of the bounteous marine life present in the region. While sailfish season goes through the winter months, Royal Holiday members can charter a boat and enjoy deep-sea sports in Manzanillo year round.
The natural beauty of Manzanillo has made it a popular destination for ecotourists as well, and Royal Holiday members interested in soaking up natural Mexican beauty will not be disappointed. The nearby Isla Navidad includes another world-class golf destination, but nature lovers will come to take in the breathtaking cliffs and tranquil lagoon. Others will enjoy a trip inland or up the coast, where gems like the Manantlan Biosphere Reserve await those searching for authentic Mexican flora and fauna.
Manzanillo also includes a charming cityscape outside of the luxury resorts in the zona hotelera, with a refurbished city center designed especially for walkability. Enjoy lunch at a palapa along the beach or sip a cooling agua de tuba while taking in the beauty of the bay from a spot along the main plaza, Jardin Alvaro Obregon. Royal Holiday members looking to learn more about the area’s culture will do well to travel to Comala, a short trip from Manzanillo and near the capital, Colima, where one can find the Centro Cultural Nogueras, a handsome museum and art gallery on the Hacienda de Nogueras. The building itself has a storied history, serving both as a plantation and as the home of famed Mexican artist Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo.