Welcome to La Manzanilla Mexico
Roughly 40 minutes north of the Manzanillo international airport on the Costalegre, steamy jungle meets creamy sand beaches in the Bay of Tenacatita. The beaches along the Bay of Tenacatita are relatively unpopulated expanses dotted with palm trees and palapas (thatched roofed buildings), providing the perfect spot for quiet relaxation and meditation.
On the interior of the Bay of Tenacatita is a five-mile arching beach of fine sand that connects the town of La Manzanilla with Boca de Iguanas. Boca de Iguanas is nestled on the north end of the La Manzanilla beach in Tenacatita bay amid a protected mangrove estuary in an area which is more tropical than most of the Costalegre.
The town of La Manzanilla is small: one main street runs parallel to the beach and loops around at the far end of town where several expansive homes rise above the bay. La Manzanilla is fast becoming an escape for North Americans seeking a laid-back lifestyle and stunning surroundings; the thriving expat community already supports a New York style art gallery, cultural center, language school, humane society and several restaurants (Mexican, American Style & even Pan-Asian).
Further on along the bay, the wide creamy sand at Boca de Iguanas provides plenty of opportunities for gathering shells and interesting rocks that are washed up by the gentle surf. At the north end of the beach, enter the cave with an altar to the Virgen María. Explore the mangroves that knit the local river system, a body of water teeming with wildlife of the swimming and flying sort. Relax on the beach and watch as fishermen work their trade in the frothy waters.
The small village of La Manzanilla (1,000 population year-round), is located 10 minutes south by car (or a 35 minute stroll on the beach) of Boca de Iguanas, has experienced incredible growth of North American tourism in the last few years. Also nestled along this large bay are two very different vacation properties: the all-inclusive Blue Bay and Punta Serena resorts and the exclusive 2,000-acre El Tamarindo Golf & Beach development.
Costalegre Mexico
Until recently, the Costalegre has been an overlooked stretch along Mexico’s undulating Pacific Coast found between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo.
Exclusive resort enclaves mingle with tiny fishing villages, hidden beaches, rocky coves, and marshy mangrove lagoons filled with countless species of bird. Combined with a pleasing year-round climate averaging 75 degrees F and 345 days of spectacular sunshine, the Costalegre coastline is a forgotten paradise for those who wish to escape the fast pace of big city life.
Surrounded by lush tropical jungle and the Sierra Madre mountain ridge, spectacular cliff-top mansions and open beaches, the Costalegre Pacific coast area is often referred to as the “Mexican Riviera” for its exclusive location, allure for wealthy European and foreign jetsetters, and pristine landscape.
Activities and pursuits in the Costalegre center around the sea: deep sea fishing, surfing, kayaking, scuba diving and snorkeling, windsurfing, boating and yachting. Horseback riding, tennis, golf on three championship courses in the area, bird watching and polo are also favorite past times.
The Costalegre has cultivated its reputation as the playground of the rich and for foreigners seeking their own private escape in an ecologically stunning setting. Although the coast has been slow to development, the Jalisco government has been building and upgrading the regional tourism infrastructure. Several luxury hotel properties exist in the area in their own private enclaves of nouveau aristocracy.
President Vincente Fox visited and toured the area in late 2004, as an added sign of confidence in the future developments. With a flight time of just under three (3) hours from Los Angeles, the Costalegre destination is serviced by Manzanillo’s international airport (ZLO) to the south and Puerto Vallarta’s airport (PVR) to the north.
An international airport is also in the planning stages for the Costalegre. The Costalegre is connected to both by a modern, well-paved, two-lane highway: driving from one end to the other takes less than three hours. A toll-road is planned to be constructed over the next few years that will allow for the same distance to be traveled in 2 hours and thus connecting the Guadalajara-Manzanillo-Puerto Vallarta- Guadalajara tourist loop.
|
