Playa Miramar

Playa Miramar is the main beach of Santiago Bay, the western of Manzanillo's two bays, about 16 km from the historic centre along the coastal Boulevard Miguel de la Madrid. The bay's shoreline runs for some 8 km of golden sand, and Miramar occupies the stretch between Playa Olas Altas to the east and La Boquita, at the mouth of the Juluapan lagoon, to the west. Behind the beach lies the small Laguna Las Peñitas, a patch of wetland among the houses and hotels of the Miramar and Club Santiago area.

Where Manzanillo Bay is the traditional centre of the port, Santiago Bay is the resort side of the city, known for its livelier surf and for water sports. Miramar's waves are usually gentle to moderate and break along the whole beach, which makes it a popular place to learn to surf and to bodysurf; boards can be rented from vendors on the sand, and windsurfing is also popular. The best waves are at the Olas Altas end, which hosts the Clásico de Manzanillo, the first stop of the Colima surf and bodyboard circuit, held on 17 to 19 July in 2026.

The beach has its own malecón, a seaside promenade popular for sunset walks, along with hotels, restaurants and a handicraft market. Umbrellas and tables set up on the sand serve fresh fish and seafood, and horse rides along the shore are a common sight. Santiago Bay can have rip currents, so it is worth checking the flags and watching the water for a while before swimming.