Try Experience Mex-ECO Tours. They are located in Melaque and offer wildlife, culture and action tours ranging from Sea Turtle encounters to surf lessons.

Mangrove Tours- Interpretive birding tours through La Manzanilla mangrove are being offered and guided by Dave Collins and/or Joseph Rutherford in collaboration with CIPATLI, the local La Manzanilla ecotourism cooperative. If you've never been through the mangrove before it's a magical and educational journey into another world!

Minimum group size is 3 persons, and maximum is 15. To book, call Dave at 044 (315) 104-5442, or Joseph at 044 (315) 104-4231. Tours are run in a paddle-powered "panga" boat (the guides do the paddling) from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. (this schedule may vary depending on time of year), and can be scheduled any day of the week as long as minimum group size is met.

Contact Fiesta Mexicana; 314-338-6316 and ask for Pancho or Alex. You'll certainly see one or two crocodiles and other reptiles, birds, possibly some fish. $300 pesos for boat/hour and can take up to 8 persons.

You can find more information about the La Manzanilla Mangrove within this site or at the University of South Florida Website where you can learn about the ongoing research project taking place in La Manzanilla.

Fishing tours can be arranged through the fishing co-op located across the street from Cafe Risa.

15 miles north of La Manzanilla and 3 kilometers off Highway 200 is Arroyo Seco (Playa Chica). This is a good spot and draws lots of surfers. Not for novices. You can find surf shops in the town of Barra offering lessons.

Linda Mandala offers massage. Her local number is 351-7396 or by email

Linda Baril offers her services as a licensed practitioner of reflexology. Contact her by email

This is a great place to grab some reading material as you head for the beach. All proceeds from the used book sales benefit the community. Book donations are welcome. The shop is usually open from 10 am-1 pm, if volunteer staff members are available. Located on Tamarindo Street, just off the jardín.

Galería La Manzanilla located at Calle Perula Sur# 83 hosts several “meet the artist” open houses during the high tourist season. The gallery hosts a nice mix of Mexican and expatriate artists working in painting, sculpture and pottery. Hours vary depending on the season. Many of the expatriate residents of La Manzanilla are artists. Check the La Manzanilla events page to find information about individual showings

El Tamarindo Beach & Golf Resort is located just a few minutes south of town. This posh resort hosts many of México’s uber rich and is starting to make news in the US market. They host a par 72 course designed by David Fleming. 

Call 011 52 315 35 1 50 32 or email to make reservations.

Every Saturday morning at 11 am during the high season, children of La Manzanilla are invited to participate in an art activity in the studio of Carol Lopez. The classes are held at the corner of Perula and Manglares, in her backyard studio. She can be reached by email

Two towns about 20 minutes south of La Manzanilla with restaurants, shops, and a bank. Barra has small tourist boardwalk if you are interested in shopping. You can take the bus to Melaque and then hop another to Barra.

Ok- this is better as a weekend trip. Colima is about 2.5 hours from La Manzanilla by car. The central part of Colima hosts many lovely plaza's where you can find live music and dancing on the weekends.

Comala is considered one of the region's most beautiful towns, is also known as "America's Town of White" because of its picturesque white houses with tile roofs standing out among orchards of exuberant vegetation. There is a wonder bed and breakfast in Comala, your hosts Júpiter Rivera y Mara Ballesteros are very knowledge about the area and can offer tours in English or Spanish. Casa Alvarada is highly recommended for an overnight or two.

This a lovely beach town 20 minutes north of La Manzanilla. There is a little coral-bottomed cove at the end of the beach. The cove is frequently home to camper vans, tents, and trailers mostly from Canada.

There is no bus service so you’ll have to take a taxi from La Manzanilla. The driver usually just drops you off and then waits for you.

There are some very highly recommended palapa restaurants on the beach just before you get to the cove.

It is recommended you bring your own snorkeling gear.

Just north of La Manzanilla, 10 minutes by car you'll find the turn-off for Los Angeles Locos. Head off the highway down a cobblestone road for another 10 minutes and you'll come to a gated entry, the "guard" will take your license plate number and your driver's license. Go though the gate and follow the road past the resort and then along a dirt road paralleling the beach, go to the end of the road and you’ll find a campground, day picnic area and the  restaurant,  La Vena. 

The beach here is gorgeous!  The water is crystal clear.  You’ll find lots of small shells on the beach and a small outcrop of rocks provides some interest if snorkeling is on your agenda.  

The only services are the restaurant La Vena, beer, sodas, seafood all the standard beachside restaurant fare.  Bring our own snorkel. On weekends and holidays you'll find lots of Mexican families enjoying the river and beach.

You can kayak up the river, go while the tide is coming in and you get a free ride. Not sure about crocodiles but I'm sure the further you venture up river and the more lush the mangrove you might find a crocodile or two.

La Catalina Foundation parent to the Natural Language school, can set you up with volunteer opportunities, mostly centered around teaching English to local students and adults.

Check with the staff about volunteer opportunities, working at the bookstore or teaching English.

In February sea turtle hatchlings emerge from the beach. Try Tierralegre for ongoing projects.

A local not-for-profit program headed up by La Manzanilla ex-pat, Julie Wagner-Schuetz (named after her cheery Border collie, Cisco) devoted to helping area residents to provide veterinary care for their dogs and cats. . Each March Cisco's Amigos offers a 4-5 day spay and neuter clinic. All volunteers welcome. For more information Email Julie here or call her at 011-52-315-351-5164 from the US or Canada.

If you are not going to be here in March you can still help by donating items need for the clinic. Contact Julie for the list.