Tripology Travel Experts Blog

Magic Pueblos of Mexico and Manzanillo, Too

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

On November 14 I left for Manzanillo, Mexico, with a group of travel agents, people from the Mexico Tourism Board, a representative from the Manzanillo Tourism Board, a tour operator, a travel writer and the representative from the hotel where we had been invited to stay, Barcelo Karmina Palace. This was a typical FAM trip, go look at hotels and see where my clients would enjoy staying and what the area has to offer.

We flew out on Alaska Airlines, about a 3 hr. non-stop flight to Manzanillo. Alaska is one of my favorite airlines in that it offers wide leather seats and ample leg room. The airport in Manzanillo is small but well organized, with NO time share people waiting for passengers to exit baggage claim. The sun was shining, it was around 85 degrees, and we left for the hotel area.

The road leaving the airport had banana plantations on either side, and we connected to the main highway heading south, going past roadside stands selling salt and coconuts, both major products of the state of Colima, which is were Manzanillo is located.

Arriving at Barcelo Karmina Palace they did a check in for us with cold drinks in an area just off the lobby. The lobby is vast and well appointed, lots of comfortable seating area, lobby bar, just a nice place to hang out. My room was large, huge bathroom with double sinks and a full tub and walk-in shower; sleeping area with a comfortable bed and television, sunken living room with balcony with full ocean view, another television, mini-bar and comfortable seating. Lots of closet space and lots of hangers. Nice start to the trip!

Dinner that night was in a palapa by the ocean, so great views to go along with a good dinner. The weather was beautiful for dining out. In the morning, we had one of the very best breakfast buffets I have seen. Most important to me, GREAT coffee. I don't know if it was grown in Colima, but it was really, really good.


Barcelo Karmina Palace has an excellent gift shop with reasonable prices; nice spa and Alma, my spa therapist was great! There is a gym, several different places to dine (all included in the price), multiple swimming pools and beautiful grounds.

After breakfast, we were on our way to the Colonial cities of Colima and Comala. This was an added bonus to the trip. No hotels to inspect, just two Colonial cities to get to know and a trip to a museum. There is an active volcano just outside Colima, and the road to Colima gives great view of the volcano. The road through the town of Manzanillo passes upscale night clubs, restaurants, WalMart and Home Depot. Shortly after passing the new port facilities in Manzanillo and the downtown area, we entered the toll road.

The toll road to Colima is two lanes in either direction, easy driving, not much traffic on a Sunday. It is one of the places in Mexico I would actually recommend renting a car for a day and driving to Colima, Comala and Nogueras. I had the same experience in Loreto, Baja California. I would see no reason NOT to rent a car and drive up to Mulege while in Loreto.

The toll road to Colima is lined on either side with plantations. First, there are acres of plantations of coconut palms. Then, acres of key lime plantations. Behind the plantations to the east are mountains. There is some mining in the state of Colima, a good deal of agriculture, and the port. Colima is a small but prosperous state.

Colima itself is clean and easy to drive around, with a main square and a church and businesses branching off from the main square. On the main square is the home of former president of Mexico Miguel de la Madrid. We stopped and looked in the church, where a Mass was being held, bought ice cream from the street vendor and did a little shopping, and from there we were off to Nogueras, a former plantation and the home of the artist Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo. The road to Nogueras was somewhat harder to drive, being more of a country lane, but not heavly trafficked or difficult to drive, just a rougher ride. The museum was quite interesting, with Rangel Hidalgo's paintings in one room and another room devoted to amazing pre-Hispanic pottery. Colima is famous for it's pottery dogs in often charming poses. The pottery work done by the pre-Hispanic peoples of the area is imaginative and done of fine clay. An amazing amount of work in the museum has been found in relatively good shape. There is a gift shop at the museum that offers reproductions of Rangel Hidalgo's paintings, either suitable for framing, or on coasters, coffee mugs, mouse pads...just about everything you can imagine.


From the plantation we were off to Comala and lunch! Comala is a pretty little town, designated as one of the Magic Pueblos of Mexico. There are 33 Magic Pueblos (Pueblos Magicos) throughout the country, so named for their unusual historical or religious significance, a heritage that has been preserved over time and reasonable access from major cities or other tourist destinations. Comala is small, clean, and of historical significance. We had lunch in the portales by the main plaza. The food was delicious, the beer was cold, and the company was interesting. It was a really great day and visiting Colima and Comala were definite, unexpected, highlights of the trip.


We inspected several hotels. Besides Barcelo Karmina Palace, where we stayed, we were welcomed at Las Hadas, where the movie 10 was filmed. Las Hadas is still romantic and luxurious, but it is not all inclusive. Tesoro, which had lovely beach views from every room we inspected, has the advantage of being able to offer adjoining rooms for larger family groups. Tesoro is all inclusive.


We also visited Club Maeva. Club Maeva has an excellent children's program and, after dinner in their "reservations only" Italian restaurant, they allowed us to stay and watch their entertainment. They put on a great show! The performers are all people who work at the resort and they do a completely professional job singing, dancing, and providing entertainment for all ages.


Leaving Manzanillo we visited our guide Hector's ranchito, Rancho Pena Blanca. He provides guided ATV excursions and has a small blue agave plantation where he shows how tequila is made and does tequila tastings. The tequila we sampled was excellent, although he does not bottle tequila on his rancho. Well worth doing either the tequila tasting and/or the ATV excursion.


Our last day, on the way back to the airport, we were taken to Grand Bay Hotel at Isla Navidad. Grand Bay is a Wyndham Hotel, about 25 minutes from the Manzanillo airport, and about an hour north of the Manzanillo beach area. Definitely, Grand Bay Hotel is one of those places you just have to experience to believe. It is a beyond beautiful hotel. We inspected many rooms, from the least expensive to the Presidential Suite all of the rooms were flawless. Grand Bay is located on a 27 hole golf course, and there is a small motor boat that takes you to Barra de Navidad for shopping and casual dining. Barra de Navidad is in the state of Jalisco and Isla Navidad is in the state of Colima.


We were served lunch at Grand Bay Hotel and the lunch was as lovely as the hotel. The hotel is a destination...it is not the kind of place where you can walk out the front door and go shopping. For that, you need to get in the motor boat and go to Barra de Navidad. The boat ride is 2 pesos, so not a budget breaker! Grand Bay has a fabulous spa, the golf, areas to relax and regroup, everything you could wish for except "action". There are several beautiful restaurants, but no disco. If you are going for disco and dancing and meeting other singles...think Manzanillo! If you are looking for complete relaxation and pampering, think Grand Bay.


I really did not want to leave Grand Bay. I could have stayed for a week with no problem! However, all good things end. From Grand Bay Hotel we were off to Manzanillo's little airport and the Alaska flight back to LAX. I checked to see how much it would be to upgrade to first class (my birthday was last Monday, so I decided, if it wasn't TOO expensive, I DESERVED it!). Upgrade to first class was $104., so I flew home first class on Alaska and enjoyed another excellent meal and a Bloody Mary in a REAL glass...life is good in first class!


Manzanillo and Isla Navidad are wonderful, safe destinations. There is enough of a variety of hotels to be able to offer something for everyone...families, couples and people looking for mild adventure. Please come feel free to discuss which hotel would be right for you. I have photos and can give you first hand information.


In the meantime, please remember to check out Kiva.org.


Until next time,

Sonia
Share:

20 Responses

You must login to post a comment

Request a Free Quote From up to 3 Travel Specialists

Save time. Great values. Tripology.com






  • Services required:

Subscribe to Tripology Blog

Featured Travel Video

powered by

Watch more travel videos at www.tripfilms.com

Latest Tripology Blog Posts