Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico cruise port
Central AmericaMexico › Manzanillo

Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico

The Sailfish Capital of the World keeps it real — no glitzy tourist strip, just a vibrant downtown plaza, sheltered coves of calm water, and flavors you won't find anywhere else in Mexico.

⚓ Pier (docked)🕒 Typical call: 8-10 hrs💵 Mexican Peso (USD accepted)🗣️ Spanish
Docking
Pier — Muelle Fiscal, central downtown
Walk to center
5-10 min to Jardín Álvaro Obregón
Best For
Authentic Mexico, beaches, local food
Don't Miss
Tuba drink from a vendor on the Malecón
📄 Take this port with you
A printable port guide — key info, things to do & tips. Includes an editable “My Day in Port” box for your ship times & booked excursions.
⬇ PDF (print)⬇ Word (editable)

Getting Ashore

Ships dock at the Muelle Fiscal right in downtown Manzanillo — no tender required.

Getting Ashore in Manzanillo

  • 1
    Walk off the shipPass through a small cruise terminal and you're immediately at the harbor's edge — the main plaza is a 5-10 minute flat walk from the gangway.
  • 2
    Reach the plazaHead toward the giant blue sailfish sculpture and Jardín Álvaro Obregón. The Malecón boardwalk runs along the waterfront from here.
  • 3
    Get a taxi for beachesOfficial taxis queue at the port exit. Agree on a fare before you get in — no meters. Pesos preferred; drivers accept USD at a lower rate.

💡 Pro move: Some ships may berth at a cargo terminal ~2 km east; a paid shuttle runs to downtown in that case. Check with your ship.

Piers & Tendering by Cruise Line

Manzanillo is a pier port — ships dock at the Muelle Fiscal near downtown El Centro.

Cruise LineTypical Berth / ArrivalDock or Tender
Princess, Holland America, Norwegian, Carnival, Royal CaribbeanMuelle Fiscal, El Centro📍Docked
Oceania, Crystal, Expedition shipsMuelle Fiscal or cargo pier east of downtown📍Docked

Top Excursions

From iconic Moorish resorts to inland Pueblo Mágicos — Manzanillo offers easy half-day trips and some of Mexico's most authentic shore excursions.

Relax

Las Hadas Resort Day Pass

The all-white Moorish-style resort that starred in the movie '10' with Bo Derek. Buy a day pass for pool and beach access — still one of Mexico's most striking settings.

⏱ Half day🚕 15-20 min by taxi🏖️ Pool + beach access
Find Las Hadas day tours →
Nature

Playa La Audiencia Swim & Snorkel

A sheltered cove on the Santiago Peninsula with exceptionally calm, clear water. The best beach for swimming and snorkeling near Manzanillo, with local vendors and golden sand.

⏱ 2-4 hrs🚕 20 min by taxi🐠 Great for snorkeling
Find snorkel tours →
Culture

Comala & Colima City Day Trip

Comala is a Pueblo Mágico with white-washed buildings, artisan shops, and views of the active Colima Volcano. Pair it with Colima city for colonial architecture and local markets.

⏱ Full day🚌 90 min inland🌋 Volcano views
Find Comala day tours →
Wildlife

Cuyutlán Turtle Sanctuary

About 45 minutes south, El Tortugario protects sea turtles, iguanas, and crocodiles. Depending on season you may help release baby turtles into the Pacific.

⏱ 3-4 hrs🚕 45 min south🐢 Turtle release seasonal
Find turtle sanctuary tours →
Adventure

Sport Fishing — Sailfish Capital

Manzanillo earned its 'Sailfish Capital of the World' title for a reason. Half-day deep-sea fishing charters target sailfish, marlin, and dorado in the Pacific.

⏱ 4-6 hrs🎣 Deep-sea fishing🏆 World-record waters
Find fishing charters →

Self-Guided Walks & Hikes

The flat downtown is easy to explore on foot — the Malecón, plaza, and market are all within a short stroll of the pier.

Downtown Plaza & Malecón Stroll

Easy · 45-60 min · flat

Walk from the pier to the iconic giant blue sailfish sculpture, then into Jardín Álvaro Obregón for the main plaza and church. Continue along the Malecón boardwalk for bay views and local vendors selling tuba.

  1. StartMuelle Fiscal, Manzanillo
  2. StopEl Pez Vela sculpture, Manzanillo
  3. StopJardín Álvaro Obregón, Manzanillo
  4. StopIglesia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, Manzanillo
  5. EndMalecón, Manzanillo
🗺️ See full route in Maps →

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Climate normals for Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainy DaysSunriseSunset
Jan85°F / 29°C70°F / 21°C17:33 AM6:40 PM
Feb84°F / 29°C70°F / 21°C17:25 AM6:57 PM
Mar85°F / 29°C69°F / 21°C17:05 AM7:06 PM
Apr85°F / 29°C69°F / 21°C06:39 AM7:14 PM
May87°F / 31°C73°F / 23°C26:22 AM7:24 PM
Jun87°F / 31°C76°F / 24°C136:19 AM7:36 PM
Jul88°F / 31°C77°F / 25°C156:28 AM7:38 PM
Aug87°F / 31°C77°F / 25°C206:38 AM7:24 PM
Sep86°F / 30°C76°F / 24°C216:45 AM6:59 PM
Oct86°F / 30°C76°F / 24°C166:51 AM6:33 PM
Nov86°F / 30°C75°F / 24°C47:05 AM6:18 PM
Dec85°F / 29°C72°F / 22°C27:23 AM6:22 PM

Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)

Insider Tips

  • 🍹
    Try tuba from a Malecón vendor: This coconut-palm sap drink topped with peanuts and apple is unique to Colima — you won't find it anywhere else. Look for vendors with red clay jugs.
  • 🚕
    Always agree on taxi fare first: Manzanillo taxis have no meters. Confirm the price in pesos before you get in. Uber is not reliably available here.
  • 💱
    Carry pesos: Beach vendors, taxis, and local food stalls prefer or require cash in Mexican pesos. ATMs are available near the plaza.
  • 🐟
    Order Ceviche Colima: The local style uses finely minced sailfish with grated carrot — very different from Cozumel or Cabo versions and worth seeking out at waterfront spots.
  • 🗣️
    Less English spoken here: Unlike Cozumel or Cabo, Manzanillo is a real working port town. A translation app and a few Spanish phrases go a long way.

Getting Around

Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.

🚗 Ride-share: ✅ UberUber operates in Manzanillo and is available 24/7 via the app. Upfront pricing and a reliable alternative to negotiating taxi fares.🚍 Hop-on hop-off: ❌ No HOHO bus

🚕 Taxi

$8–$12 USD

Official port taxis are available dockside to downtown (El Centro). Agree on a fare before departure — around 105–120 MXN or $8–10 USD is typical.

📱 Uber

Varies (app)

Uber is active in Manzanillo with upfront pricing. Slightly cheaper than port taxis and no fare negotiation needed.

🚌 Local Bus

~5 MXN (~$0.25 USD)

City buses marked "El Centro" or "Jardin" run near the port to downtown. Very cheap but slow and can be crowded.

🚐 Port Shuttle

~$3 USD round-trip

Some ships offer a shuttle van to the Malecon boardwalk for a small fee. Check with your ship — availability varies by docking location.

🚗 Private Transfer

$40–$60 USD

Private transfers to city hotels or specific attractions can be pre-booked through operators like Pelago or Agoda. All-inclusive pricing with no surprises.

Cruises Calling Here

Upcoming cruises that call at Manzanillo, Colima, Mexico. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.

ms Koningsdam
Holland America
Vancouver → San Diego
⚓ Calls 23 Oct 10:00 - 18:00 (10:00–18:00) 202628 nights15 portsDeparts 2026-10-03
View itinerary · 15 ports
28 days, one-way from Vancouver to San Diego
  1. 03 Oct 16:00Vancouver, BC Canada
  2. 09 Oct 08:00 - 18:00Hilo, Hawaii Island
  3. 10 Oct 08:00 - 19:00Kahului, Maui Island Hawaii
  4. 11 Oct 08:00 - 17:00Nawiliwili, Lihue, Kauai Island Hawaii
  5. 12 Oct 07:00 - 21:00Honolulu, Oahu Island Hawaii
  6. 13 Oct 08:00 - 17:00Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Island
  7. 19 Oct 08:00 - 17:00Santa Catalina Island CA, Avalon, California
  8. 20 Oct 07:00 - 17:00San Diego, California
  9. 23 Oct 10:00 - 18:00Manzanillo, Mexico Riviera
  10. 24 Oct 08:00 - 17:00Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico Riviera
  11. 25 Oct 08:00 - 17:00Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico Riviera
  12. 27 Oct 07:00 - 17:00La Paz, Baja California Mexico
  13. 28 Oct 06:00 - 16:00Loreto, Baja California Mexico
  14. 29 Oct 08:00 - 13:00Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Mexico
  15. 31 Oct 07:00San Diego, California
Find this cruise to book →
$4,184from / pp

Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.