Zihautanejo to Manzanillo

The drive between Zihautanejo and Manzanillo is mostly on a very winding small, but well maintained, road that runs along the coast.  We broke up the drive 7 1/2 hour drive (according to Google, which always means longer in reality) by stopping for the night at Caleto de Campos. We found a very nice hotel, Partour Caleta, on the outskirts of the town, just up hill (or cliff!) from the beach.

Palapa at the hotel reception area with great views to the beach and sunset.

Ridge soaring birds

A walk on the beach

Hotel reception

In research before the trip, Andrew had noted the Tortugario Ecologica just outside of Manzanillo. Since we had plenty of time, we stopped in to have a look. The baby turtles, as always, were the cutest and most humorous in their antics. There were also iguanas, crocodiles and a lagoon area with mangroves. Andrew was more keen on taking photos that day than I was so you can see more of the place and his great photos here.

Detailed pattern on turtle shell

We had full day in Manzanillo before diving so decided to check out the ridge soaring site. By most reports, it's often too windy to fly here so we went early. And waited . . . and waited . . . and waited . .  . in the hot sun for the winds to get stronger.

Putting out some flagging tape helped see what the wind was doing.

Patiently waiting

Checking wind speed

The wind never did pick up strong enough for soaring (at least while we were there) so Andrew had a smooth 30-second sled ride to the beach. 

Once again, we found a very nice hotel on the beach with great ocean views. Hotelito Escondido was also less than a block from the dive center and close to lots of restaurants. 

Colourful bougainvillea lined the sidewalk near the hotel

The Port of Manzanillo is one of the busiest (and apparently most secure) in Mexico. We would often see big cargo ships, like in the photos below, waiting for their turn to dock.