Manzanillo Cruise Port
Manzanillo, Mexico · Pacific
Cruise ships dock at Muelle de Cruceros (Downtown Cruise Pier), Manzanillo.
Plan my port daysDocked port: ships tie up at the cruise pier on the edge of the historic centre, a 5–10 minute walk from the sailfish monument and Jardín Álvaro Obregón. The resort beaches (La Audiencia, Miramar, La Boquita) need a 20–35 minute taxi or local bus.
At a glance
Port summary
Manzanillo is Mexico's busiest cargo port, but cruise ships use a dedicated pier on the edge of the historic centre (El Centro), away from the container terminals. You walk straight off along the waterfront to the malecón, where the 25-metre blue Pez Vela (sailfish) monument stands beside Jardín Álvaro Obregón, the palm-shaded main square. Shops, a few cafés and simple seafood restaurants line the streets behind it. On a few days a ship may be sent to a cargo berth further east instead; then the cruise line runs a shuttle to the centre. The centre is compact and done in an hour or two: stroll the malecón, photograph the sailfish, sit in the square, and if you want a view, take a short taxi up to the lookout on Cerro de la Cruz. Most visitors then head for the beaches. Manzanillo has two bays separated by the Santiago Peninsula. Playa La Audiencia, a sheltered cove next to the Moorish-style Las Hadas resort, is the calmest swimming beach (about 25 minutes by taxi). Further west on Santiago Bay, Playa Miramar has palapa restaurants and gentle surf, and Playa La Boquita has calm water and a shallow shipwreck you can snorkel. Avoid swimming at Playa Olas Altas, which has strong currents. Local buses marked Santiago, Miramar or Las Hadas run along the coast road from the centre for a few pesos, but taxis are simpler: they are not metered, so agree the fare before you get in, and arrange the return pick-up. Further afield, the Cuyutlán turtle sanctuary is about 50 minutes south-east, Barra de Navidad about an hour north, and Colima city and the pueblo mágico of Comala about 1.5 hours inland, which is best done as an organised tour. Colima state is under a high-level US travel advisory. US government staff may visit only the Manzanillo tourist and port areas (historic centre, malecón, hotel zone and Santiago Peninsula). Stay in those areas on your own and use the ship or a reputable operator for inland trips.
Cruise dock
Muelle de Cruceros (Downtown Cruise Pier)
Dedicated cruise pier on the edge of the historic centre, separate from the container terminals. A 5–10 minute flat walk along the waterfront to the sailfish monument and Jardín Álvaro Obregón. Occasionally ships are sent to a cargo berth further east, with a shuttle to the centre.
Latitude: 19.055544, Longitude: -104.314325
See dock on port map →Getting to Manzanillo
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Bring pesos: about MXN$1,000–1,500 per person covers taxis, a beach lunch and small purchases.
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Excursions compared
3 comparedManzanillo panoramic tour: sailfish monument, Santiago Peninsula and Las Hadas
≈ 3.5 h · sold by 3 cruise lines
Cruise line
€45$50
Do it yourself
€31$35
Save ≈ €14Save ≈ $16 (31% off)
Walk 5–10 minutes from the cruise pier along the waterfront to the Pez Vela monument and Jardín Álvaro Obregón. Take an unmetered taxi from the square to Playa La Audiencia beside Las Hadas (about 25 min, MXN$150–200 per car; agree the fare first), then a short taxi on to Playa Miramar for the beach market and a palapa lunch (about MXN$120). Taxi back to the pier from Miramar takes 30–35 min (MXN$250–350 per car); arrange the pick-up time, as cruising taxis are scarce at the beaches. Local Miramar/Las Hadas buses (about MXN$12–15) work too but are slow.
See the DIY plan →
Cuyutlán turtle sanctuary, mangrove boat ride and Salt Museum
≈ 5.5 h · sold by 3 cruise lines
Cruise line
€65$73
Do it yourself
€74$83
Similar cost — pick on convenience
Hire a vetted driver at the port gate or book one in advance (about MXN$2,000–2,500 per car for the half-day, ~€100–120, waiting time included); the coastal highway to Cuyutlán takes about 50 minutes. Tortugario entry is roughly MXN$50–80, the mangrove boat ride on the Palo Verde estuary about MXN$100, and the Salt Museum asks a small fee. A small-group local tour from Manzanillo with transport, boat ride and entries is about $70 per person if you prefer a guide.
See the DIY plan →
Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Manzanillo?
- Your ship docks directly at the Manzanillo cruise terminal in Mexico.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Manzanillo?
- Yes. Manzanillo is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Manzanillo centre?
- Typical options include On foot, Taxi, Local bus, Shuttle bus, Other transport. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Manzanillo?
- Plan for at least 2 hours ashore to see Manzanillo independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Manzanillo and are cards accepted?
- Manzanillo uses the Mexican peso. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Manzanillo cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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