Manzanillo
offers a tranquil atmosphere that encourages the pursuit of
unhurried pleasures. In fact, there's little to draw you
away from the golden sand beaches and fantastic resorts of
this pleasantly understated destination known as the
"heavenly paradise." Set along two sparkling bays
separated by the Santiago Peninsula, Manzanillo boasts
dozens of golden sand beaches fringed by lush fruit
plantations and jungle vegetation. Shopping, dining and
nightlife are quite subdued, and the number of tourist spots
is minimal in comparison to those found in other parts of
Mexico's Pacific Coast. Instead, life centers on the Resort
Zone. To the south, Bahia de Manzanillo offers an array of
fabulous resorts with everything from water sports and
deep-sea fishing to golf.
For
those seeking more seclusion, Bahia de Santiago is a far
less developed area with only two resorts and plenty of
quiet. Chateau Manzanillo is above the bay in this beautiful
area. The coastal highway in between may lure you off the
beach for a while with its restaurants, souvenir shops and
nightspots, but you'll want to return in time for
Manzanillo's brilliant sunsets that give way to star-filled
nights. Chateau Manzanillo has the best sweeping views
of all the bay from Santiago to the Northernmost
tip.
Located to the south of Puerto Vallarta is Manzanillo,
a resort that remains unspoiled and
unknown to many tourists. The downtown area is a
bustling commercial port (it was Latin America's first
shipyard in 1531), and there are a handful of resorts
scattered about (including the extravagant Las Hadas), but
the area is dominated by fruit plantations, jungle
vegetation and uninhabited beaches. Manzanillo is
indeed a subdued place when compared to other Mexican
resort destinations and this makes it a nice quiet
getaway. Although there are plenty of restaurants and
night life. To the north of Manzanillo, in the State of
Jalisco, along Highway 200 lies the Costa Allegre,
a largely undiscovered collection of bays and
beaches. The drive to Puerto Vallarta along this
stretch of the Pacific is definitely a worthwhile trip.
Manzanillo beaches include Playa de Oro near the
airport; this stretch of sand has medium waves for
surfing. Olas Altas is probably the area's
best surfing beach. For snorkeling and swimming try Playa
la Audiencia. Visitors will also find four golf
courses here, and the colonial city of Colima,
about an hour away, is worth a visit. This city has
been occupied since the 11th century, and recently, two
new archeological sites, La Campana and El Chanal,
have opened here.
Mexico is a wonderful country, full of rich traditions and
a
colorful history. Its people are some of the kindest
you will encounter anywhere, but rumors persist about
Mexico, and many foreigners are concerned about traveling
in this third world country. When foreigners see
negative publicity about Mexico they often assume that all
of Mexico is dangerous or unstable. The truth is
that Mexico is a large and diverse country and an incident
in one area of the country should not be taken as an
indictment of the entire country. Manzanillo is very
safe with a very low crime rate.
Below
you will find some general information about Mexico:
Population:
94.4 million Area: 761,603
square miles
Capital:
Mexico City Religion:
Roman Catholic
Currency:
The Peso
Entering
Mexico
You
do not need a passport to enter Mexico, although it is
recommended. An original birth certificate and a
photo ID, preferably a driver's license, are all that are
legally required to gain entry. You will need a
tourist visa; you will receive this on the airplane or at
the border if you drive into Mexico. A tourist visa
is good for either 90 or 180 days;
Busses
Mexico
is a country that runs by bus. It is possible to get
virtually anywhere on Mexico's bus system, and although
some buses look as if they are held together with chewing
gum and shoestring, most are reliable and run (somewhat)
on time. They are also very inexpensive. There
are three classes of buses; the executive class runs
between cities and offers closed-circuit television; first
class buses have assigned seats and run between towns;
second class and local buses are often standing-room only
and an experience! You may want to try Mexico's
train system as well, although "system" is a
generous term. Trains are not nearly as reliable as
the buses and are generally for people not afraid of a
little adventure!
Travelling by bus is another option which quite a few people
choose. Buses run to cities throughout the Mexican Republic
such as Colima (2 hours), Puerto Vallarta (6 hours), and
Guadalajara (5 hours). First class routes compare favorably
to most lines in the U.S. & Canada. Buses allow the
traveller a great opportunity to see the Mexican countryside
as well as save money.
Pets
You
may take your pets (cats and dogs) into Mexico, and they
will not be quarantined. They do need to be up-to-date
on their shots and be in good health upon entering, and you
will need current papers from your veterinarian stating
that.
By Air
Flying is the
easiest way to reach Manzanillo and Costa Alegre. The
resort's are served by the Playa de Oro
International Airport (ZLO) located northwest of
Manzanillo. Advance reservations in getting to Manzanillo
are recommended, especially in the peak season - October
through May. The airport is 43 kms. (29 miles) from
downtown Manzanillo. Chateau Manzanillo is 25
minutes by car.
Most commonly encountered restrictions are:
-
Most food items - especially plants, fruits and seeds.
-
Cigars and cigarettes - over 20 packs per person may
be subject to duty.
-
Liquor and wine - over 2 bottles per person may be
subject to duty.
-
Controlled substances and drugs - a no no!
-
Firearms - only for hunting and must obtain a permit
from the Mexican Consulate in advance.
The Immigration counter is your first stop after
you disembark the plane. Here you will have to present your
passport (or birth certificate) along with the Tourist Visa
you filled out on the plane. Your tourist visa and passport
will be stamped to make your arrival official. (You will
need to keep your passport and tourist visa with you at all
times while in Mexico) Next you'll proceed to the baggage
claim area for your luggage.
Customs
is the last step, here you will need to have
your Customs Declaration Form handy (the other form you were
given on the plane). Recently Mexico adopted a "Red
Light - Green Light" system for customs. If you have
put "Nothing to declare" on this form, you will be
asked to push a button....... If the light is green you can
exit without inspection; if the light is red you will be
subject to inspection. This is a random system, and
therefore there is no way to know whether you will get a
green or red light. Entering Manzanillo is easy and
the custom agents are friendly.
Now that you have fully arrived in
Manzanillo, We will greet you at the airport and if you are
a group of 3 or more you will need to rent a taxi or
car.
Traveling by
taxi is a good way to get to Chateau Manzanillo. We
will greet you at the airport, and have you follow our house
manager to the Chateau Manzanillo. If you have a party
larger than three, you will have to get a taxi, or rent a
vehicle. Most taxi's charge $5 to go most anywhere in
Chateau Manzanillo.
Car Rentals
reservations can be made at
the airport, before arriving or in Manzanillo. Note: We will
add a car rental page later.
Confirm your airline reservations at least 24 hours before
your return date, and arrive at the airport at least one
hour before your departure time. Please also note that when
you are checking in at the airport, you will be asked to
return your tourist visa to the airline, which will be
returned to the Immigration Office.
Sport Fishing & Marinas
There is a marina on Santiago Peninsula at the Las Hadas
Resort. Isla Navidad also has
a 700-slip marina in conjunction with the Grand Bay Hotel
& Resort. We have phone numbers at the Chateau
for boat & captain rentals or you can go to the marina
and find a boat you like.
Playa La Audencia Beach |
TRAVEL
ESSENTIALS
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Currency
The Peso presently values beween 9-10 Pesos to 1 US
dollar. Banks generally have the best exchange rates &
open at 8:30am or 9:00am, make sure you check what hours
they do money exchanges. In addition there are private
money exchanges or "casa de cambios" that stay
open longer, offering slightly less favorable rates than
banks, but the convenience of a quick transaction at
almost any time of the day or night.
Automatic
Teller Machines
Some banks may have 24 hour
teller machines that allow you to take cash advances on
your credit cards, or even ATM cards - paid in pesos.
However, at times the ATM machines may have communication
problems with banks in the US or Canada, and consequently
may not respond to your needs precisely when you need
them, most of the time you have no problems.
Cash
Most of the larger
establishments - from restaurants to shops, will readily
accept US currency. The issue in that case will be the
exchange rate that they offer; it is advisable to ask
first in order to avoid any disappointments. Also, whether
paying in Dollars or in Pesos, it is a good idea to carry
small bills with you, as it is often difficult for small
shops or stands to make change for large bills.
Credit
Cards
Most of the hotels, resorts and more upscale restaurants
and shops will accept credit cards, with some or no
surcharge. However, you have to keep in mind is that many
other establishments - especially smaller ones with lower
prices, do not accept credit cards. While you are planning
your trip, make sure that you carry - or have access to,
enough cash or traveller's checks.
Helpful Hints
Most Restaurants & Shops accept credit cards
readily. On the other hand, the smaller and economy
oriented ones usually do not.
Time
& Pace
Manzanillo is in the Central Time Zone.
It is said that the pace of
life is generally slower in Mexico. At times it is true!
Due to the hot temperatures in summer months, the
residents of this area (Mexicans and Non- Mexicans alike)
have learned to slow down and pace themselves - especially
when working outside under the sun.
Siesta or the mid-day break is
a tradition that reflects the necessity of avoiding
heat-related fatigue. It coincides with the hottest time
of day when people retreat to their homes to eat and rest
in the shade. You may see businesses closed for
"siesta" 2:00 pm to 4
pm, while being open till at least 7:00 pm afterwards.
However, the growth of the Mexico's resort areas is
changing this tradition rapidly. More and more businesses
are now opting for a "9 to 5" approach,
eliminating the "siesta" times.
Communications
You can call (direct dialing) and fax to anywhere in the
world from Manzanillo, using the facilities at Chateau
Manzanillo.
Major US long distance companies have also established
Mexican 800 numbers for making calls charged to
"calling cards".
Internet
Access
Internet access is available at
Chateau Manzanillo, most of our rooms have a modem
connection on the phone. AOL has numbers in Mexico
City, and most of the time you can use our access to the
internet.
Santiago Peninsula
This is where many of Manzanillo's top resorts are
found. Self-contained resorts bustling with shops,
restaurants, night life, boating activities, and beach
activities. Chateau Manzanillo has a view of the entire
Peninsula from most rooms.
Playa Azul & Playa Miramar
Manzanillo's two top beaches are strung out with hotels,
bed & breakfast inns, and vacation rentals. The main
boulevard, Miguel de la Madrid or also know as Blvd.
Costero is the home to Manzanillo's tourist services.
Here you'll find restaurants, nightclubs, car rental
agencies, and shopping. Chateau Manzanillo looks
down on this area and the breath taking waves of
Santiago Bay.
Costa Alegre
The "Happy Coast". To the north of Manzanillo
lies the one of the Pacific coasts scenic hideaways.
You'll find 5 star resorts and small traditional hotels
tucked away in beautiful coves. If you are looking to
get away from it all, this is the place!
Drinking
Water
The water and ice
machine ice at Chateau Manzanillo is purified and
drinkable.
We Test The Water
Regularly At Certified Laboratories
Mexico
Overview
Mexico...a place where time moves a bit more
slowly, where schedules and appointment calendars give
way to the sound of surf and the feel of pure, warm
sunshine and ocean breezes...where the most stressful
decision you may have to make is whether to spend the
afternoon shopping or sunbathing. Unlike anywhere
else, Mexico is truly the perfect place for relaxation
and getting away from it all. Mexico's magic is the
combination of peaceful comfort and relaxation in a
setting of stunning natural beauty, with people
as genuinely warm and friendly as you'll find
anywhere. From your first glimpse of a panoramic
sunset or the feel of the warm Mexican sunshine on
your skin, you'll know that Mexico is truly a vacation
paradise unlike any other.
Spend your day poolside or on the beach, soaking up
the tropical sun, or perhaps shopping at one of
Mexico's huge marketplaces. Recreational pastimes
include world-renowned
sportfishing,
jetskiing, snorkeling, fascinating local tours,
golf,
even authentic Mexican fiestas complete with dancers
and Mariachi bands.
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