Crystal clear Caribbean waters, Playa Manzanillo.

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Playa Manzanillo

Mal País & Santa Teresa


About 8km north of the Playa El Carmen intersection (past Playa Hermosa), Playa Manzanillo is a combination of sand and rock that’s best surfed when the tide is rising and there’s an offshore wind.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Mal País & Santa Teresa attractions

1. Playa Hermosa

1.46 MILES

Somewhere north of town, Playa Santa Teresa ends and Playa Hermosa starts. This gorgeous beach deserves its hermosa (beautiful) moniker and then some. It…

2. Playa Santa Teresa

2.42 MILES

Playa Santa Teresa is a long, stunning beach that's famous for its fast and powerful beach break. The waves are pretty consistent and can be surfed at…

3. Playa El Carmen

3.67 MILES

Playa El Carmen, downhill from the main T-intersection coming into town, is a good beach break that can be surfed anytime. The beach is wide and sandy and…

4. Montezuma Gardens

8 MILES

About 1.5km south of town, alongside the waterfall trail, you can tour this lush mariposario (butterfly garden) and nursery where the mysterious…

5. Montezuma Waterfalls

8.13 MILES

A 40-minute river hike leads to a waterfall with a delicious swimming hole. Further along, a second set of falls offers a good 12m leap into deep water…

6. Montezuma Bay

8.43 MILES

This pretty little beach is the centerpiece of Montezuma, as fishers, ferries and tourists come and go. Unfortunately, it's not really recommended for…

7. Church

8.45 MILES

This local landmark is on the north side of the soccer field.

8. Playa Montezuma

8.57 MILES

The best beach close to town is just to the north, where the sand is powdery and sheltered from big swells. This is your glorious sun-soaked crash pad…

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