La Manzanilla, Mexico – Living life in a coastal town

Have you ever been on a beach vacation and thought, “Wow, I would love to live here.” That’s basically how we ended up in La Manzanilla, Mexico.

Where is La Manzanilla? It’s a 45-minute drive north of Manzanillo, on the Pacific coast. It’s still a relatively small town, only about 2,000 full-time residents, but it’s growing as a vacation destination. Every year I see more young families during the winter months, many from Colorado, Minnesota or northern Canada; everyone here for a week or two to rest from the cold weather.

Chamomile is not for everyone. If your idea of ​​the perfect Mexican vacation includes nightclubs and all-inclusive resorts, then you won’t be happy here. La Manzanilla offers the charms of a beach paradise yet to be discovered. Most of the shop and restaurant owners speak very little English but they are extremely friendly and broken English with broken Spanish can go very well!

The beach is crescent-shaped and about 3 km long. The bay is protected from undertows and big waves, making it perfect for kids, swimming, kayaking, and boogie boarding. At the southern end of the bay you’ll find interesting snorkeling spots and maybe a Ridley turtle from time to time.

No visit would be complete without lunch at El Rincón and a plate of perfect shrimp ceviche. EL Rincón is my favorite beachside palapa restaurant. Owned and operated by Blanca and her family, it is a must see on any itinerary.

Interestingly, for such a small town, there are several very good restaurants in La Manzanilla. At Figaro’s you’ll find Italian food and a wood-fired pizza oven, at Palapa Joe’s you can listen to live music on Friday nights and at Martin’s you’ll find delicious steaks and powerful margaritas.

There are a few basic hotels, but most people choose to stay in one of the many La Manzanilla rentals around town, prices ranging from $25 to $150 a night, depending on location and amenities. If you are a group of two or 10, you can find comfortable accommodation, if you plan well in advance.

As I write its 85 degrees, sunny and with a light sea breeze. But hey, like I said… It’s not for everyone!