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Manzanillo, Mexico |
| An out of
the way place, this little resort is perched high atop an ocean side cliff
overlooking the Mexican Pacific Ocean, perfect for a quiet getaway. Although
this is NOT a nudist resort, sunbathing topless is permitted around the pool
and a clothing optional private beach is nearby but not located on the
property. Depending upon the guests, you may find nude sunbathing around the
pool, too. |
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U.S. Citizens: Passports are
required for international air travel to all destinations outside the
USA.
 Years ago, the resort now
called Punta Serena was a holistic retreat which has morphed lately into an
adults only boutique resort. Punta Serena is not far from Blue Bay Los Angeles
Resort located down the hill, both of which are about a hour north of the
Manzanillo International Airport. This is an adults only property, all
inclusive.
The small luxury resort offers choice of 12 beautifuly
decorated 2 story villas with 2 or 3 bedrooms with spacious shared living room
and large terrace or 12 spacious decorated rooms with king size or 2 double
beds.
If you're looking for an out of the way place to vege out, Punta
Serena could be the answer for you.
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The quickest was to travel there is by airplane to
Manzanillo, Mexico, a Pacific beachside resort area including Santiago and
other villages nearby. Punta Serena is not near any major city so you can't
just pick up and hail a taxi into town without considerable cost and time
invested. From Manzanillo, Punta Serena is less than an hour north of the
airport, which is in turn about 30-45 minutes by car north of the
Manzanillo/Santiago area.
Fly into Manzanillo via several international
airlines including Continental, Aero Mexico, Alaska Air and others. Or, arrive
in Puerto Vallarta and expect a long drive south of 3 hours hours or more.
Airport transfers are available but if you like mobility, consider renting a
car and driving from Manzanillo along the Pacific Coast highway north to the
resort. The hotel complex of Punta Serena and Blue Bay is about a15 minute
drive from the main highway, MX 280 that runs between Manzanillo and Puerto
Vallarta. MX 280 is an excellent highway and road signs are well placed.
U.S. Citizens: Passports are required for
international air travel to all destinations outside the
USA.
Another option is to fly into Guadalajara and take
the bus or drive the tollway to Manzanillo, both of which are time consuming
and not recommended if you can fly into Manzanillo first or Puerto Vallarta
second. We've done it both ways and definitely recommend simply flying into
Manzanillo.
NOTE: We've owned a condominium for years in Manzanillo at
Puerto Las Hadas near Santiago and have driven all over the area and are
familiar with driving options.
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 Punta Serena has limited
service due to its size. But all meals and drinks are included in your all
inclusive stay with facilities including a clothing-optional private beach,
topless-optional swimming pool, sun lounge and beach towels, two outdoor
clothing-optional hot tubs overlooking the bay, Spa with sauna, steam room and
indoor Jacuzzi. See detailed list below.
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Spa therapies include such treatments as body
massage, facials and wraps, many of which are given in the open air deck
overlooking the ocean |
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Welcome cocktail |
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Deluxe accommodations |
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Breakfast, lunch and dinners |
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Snacks |
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Room service (breakfast & dinner only) |
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Domestic and select premium drinks, beer and
non-alcoholic beverages |
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Wine served with lunch and dinner |
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Health spa with steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi |
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Fully equipped gym |
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Temazcal, Mexican sweat lodge including purification
ceremony (every Saturday, by previous reservation) |
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Tennis courts, horseback riding and non-motorized
water sports at adjacent BLUE BAY Resort |
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Clothing-optional settings (beach & pool area)
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Hotel taxes and gratuities |
Guests staying at Punta Serena can also use the
facilities of Blue Bay Club which include use of tennis courts, horseback
riding, non-motorized water sports, restaurants, bars and disco.
GAME ROOM: Overlooking the ocean, activities include pool table,
cards, dominos, self service alcohol beverages and soft drinks, CD player
SPA SERVICES - New SPA facility includes:
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Gym |
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Sauna |
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Steam room |
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Jacuzzi |
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Shower |
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Spa treatments available for extra cost |
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Facials |
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Body wraps and exfoliation treatments |
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Manicure and pedicure |
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Massages (outdoor terrace or indoor cabin) |
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Beauty salon services |
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All professional spa treatments and beauty salon
services are extra |
FACILITIES AND SERVICES
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Clothing-optional private beach and pool |
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Open-air restaurant |
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Bar |
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Sun lounge and beach towels |
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Two outdoor hot tubs overlooking the bay |
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Open-air massage area |
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Spa with sauna, steam room and indoor Jacuzzi |
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Fully equipped gym |
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Beauty Salon Services. |
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Wedding Facilities (extra charge) |
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Temazcal (native Mexican sweat lodge) |
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Meeting facilities are also available |
GOLF
Optional golf available
at "EL TAMARINDO" and " Isla Navidad" transportation is required (extra
charge). Isla Navidad 27-hole golf course is a 30-minute drive & El
Tamarindo 18-hole golf course is a 15-minute drive.
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 The resort is all
inclusive. Your room accommodations include breakfast, lunch and dinner plus
bar drinks, taxes & tips are included.
BELLAVISTA
Resaurant: A la carte restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and gourmet
dinner with a spectacular view of the ocean and lush surroundings.
PARADISE LOUNGE & BAR: Overlooking the ocean, Paradise Bar is
a great setting for day or evening to relax or enjoy your favorite drink with
terrific views.
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Choose from Deluxe Rooms or Villa Suites. Rates can range
from about $125-$200/night per person and vary seasonally. Special rates may
apply during high season and holidays.
NOTE: Prices are subject to
change without notice.
DELUXE ROOMS 12 Deluxe Rooms are
available and include:
• Beautiful decorated rooms with king size or
2 double beds
• Nightly turndown service
• Air-conditioning,
ceiling fan
• In room safe
• Color satellite television
• Direct dial telephone
VILLA SUITES - 12 Villa
Suites are available and include:
• Beautiful decorated 2 story
villas with 2 or 3 bedrooms with spacious shared living room and large terrace
and includes:
• Nightly turndown service
• Air-conditioning
& ceiling fan
• In room safe
• Color satellite
television
• Direct dial telephone
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Adults Only singles and couples are welcome at this
resort.
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We've owned a condominium in the Las Hadas Resort complex
in Santago near Manzanillo for years and have continued to enjoy the
spectacular views one gets perched atop a cliff side on the Mexican Pacific.
Such are the same views you will enjoy at Punta Serena looking west into the
Pacific. In addition, the lush tropical foliage on the east side of the resort
provides terrific views at sunup, too.
 Temps are hot during most
of the year. Average temperature is 85-95F or about 28C during the day and a
bit cooler in the evenings. The sun shines most every day. You're in the
tropics so expect an occasional shower, which can be rare unless a Pacific
storm visits the area.
Tennis courts, horseback riding and
non-motorized water sports at adjacent BLUE BAY Resort Clothing-optional
settings (beach & pool area) Hotel taxes and gratuities.
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 COSTA ALEGRE
(Also known as Costa Careyes.)
Most exploring outside of Manzanillo is done by heading north along highway MX
280, into the neighboring State of Jalisco. This scenic 246 km (About 160
miles) highway between Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta takes you past tropical
fruit plantations, deserted beaches, quiet fishing villages, and lagoons filled
with exotic waterfowl.
Though the two-lane highway is not actually
coastal, it offers occasional glimpses of the Pacific. Most villages and
resorts are accessed via dirt roads that cross highway MX 280.
Here
are a few worthwhile Stop-over points (listed as you head north from the Playa
de Oro Airport).
Isla Navidad
(35 minutes/30km north
of the airport.) this mega resort/marina/golf course is taking shape on a
finger of land that separates the Pacific from the Laguna de Navidad. When
completed, Isla Navidad will transform this region from a hinterland into one
of the Pacific´s major resorts. A fine 27-hole golf course designed by
Robert Von Hagge is ready for play, and hopes to lure prospective real estate
investors. In total over 1,200 acres of land are being transformed to include
two marinas (700 slip capacity), a golf course, shopping center, equestrian
center, tennis center, and the new Grand Bay Hotel.
San Patricio
Melaque & Barra de Navidad
(40 minutes/32 km north of airport)
this picturesque duo of villages rests on a sand bar between the open sea and
Laguna de Navidad, just a short boat ride across the channel from Isla Navidad.
They are most popular with Mexican visitors (mostly from Guadalajara) and
adventurous gringos wanting a break from more civilized settings.
This
is also the location of one of México´s premier surfing beaches.
Between Melaque and Barra is a lovely 6.5 km long curved bay with thatched hut
restaurants. A couple of dozen small and inexpensive hotels are available in
this very Bohemian setting, ideal for relaxation. Boat trips are available to
Laguna de Navidad.
SHOPPING
Manzanillo has its share
of shopping opportunities, thanks partly to its proximity to Guadalajara,
Mexico's arts and crafts capital. Don't expect a wide assortment of shops and
malls, as most shopping is centered around the area's few resorts. The new
Plaza Manzanillo mall is a popular new addition. There is also a traditional
¨tianguis¨ market in front of Vog disco with crafts from around Mexico
Shell lovers can visit the Palacio de las Conchas y Caracoles in Santiago.
Downtown
• El Dorado Bazar: excellent selection
of fine craft ítems, jewelry; in front the zócalo.
• El
Caracol: shell jewelry and clothing accessories; across from the zócalo.
• Pasaje Oscarana: small downtown mall carrying clothing, jewelry and
books.
Resort Shopping
• Boutique Maeva:
resortwear and T-shirts the entire family; Club Maeva.
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Galería de Arte: fine selection of Sergio Bustamante works plus others;
Hotel Sierra Manzanillo.
• Indígenos: silver jewelry.
• Maria de Guadalajara: women's resortwear in the latest fashions. Puerto
Las Hadas arcade and Plaza Manzanillo.
• Paco Silva: locally designed
fashions for women; Plaza Pacífico.
• The new Plaza
Pacífico mini-mall houses an assortment of clothing and handicraft
shops, a restaurant and bar.
SPORTS & OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES
GOLF
The region is now home to 72
holes of fine golf.
La Mantarraya: 18- hole course rated by Golf
Digest as one of the world's top100 courses. This Roy and pete Dye-desingned
course nexto to las Hadas Resort offers plenty of water and palm trees,and a
spectacular finishing hole. The are outstanding clubhouse facilities and an
excellent tennis center as well.
Club Santiago Resort: this Manzanillo
resort offers a well-maintained 9-hole course.
Isla Navidad: location
of a new 27 hole course, designed by Robert Von Hagge and already considered to
be oneof México`s best facilities; tel. in Guadalajara (3) 641-8283.
Tamarindo Country Club: a spectacular 18-hole course overlooking the
pacific (designed by David Fleming); tel. 35515031.
TENNIS
Facilities are excellent in manzanillo.
Club
Maeva ...............12 courts,6 lighted
Las Hadas Club Resort ...10
lighted courts
Club Santiago ...................6 lighted courts
Sierra
Resort .....................4 lighted courts
Grand Bay
.........................3 lighted courts
Playa de Oro
.....................2 lighted courts
WATER
SPORTS
The are boasts some of Mexico's best beaches. Miles of
untouched coastline spread out across the resort's two main bays (Santiago and
Manzanillo). Here's a rundown of the best beaches in and around manzanillo...
PLAYA MIRAMAR: at the north end of Bahia Santiago. This beach is
popular With body surfers,wind surfers and boogie boarders; calmer waters
toward juluapan peninsula at la Baquita beach.
PLAYA LA AUDIENCIA:
beautiful cove along the north side of Santiago peninsula; fine beach for
snorkeling and swimming.
PLAYA AZUL: long wide stretch of golden sand
between Las Hadas and downtown; relatively calm seas to the south with waves to
the north.
OLAS ALTAS: between Plaza Santiago and Playa Miramar;
area's best surfing.
PLAYA DE ORO: long golden sand beach with medium
waves. Near the airport.
FISHING
Manzanillo is
renowned for its excellent sailfish catch. An international tournament is held
each february. Charters are easily arranged upon arrival and normally depart
from the marina at Las Hadas. A full- day trip with and guides runs around $300
US per boat.
DIVING & SNORKELING
Water
conditions are favorable for snorkeling, especially near rock outcroppings that
surround Santiago Peninsula, although reef and undersea life are a bit limited.
COLIMA
Aside from the Costa Alegre (discussed
below), an interesting side is to the City of Colima. The city can be reached
in about one hour over a well-maintained four-lane highway. Capital of the
State of Colima, this quaint and very charming colonial city lies in a fertile
valley with two imposing volcanoes (one still active) towering above.
The still active Volcán de Fuego is 25 km to the north, beside the
taller (but extinct) Nevado de Colima. There are two newly opened
archaeological sites (El Chanal and La Campana) that are visited as part of a
popular day tour to Colima (contact local operators for excursion details).
Colima is an important regional center of commerce (population 145,
000), although seldom visited by vacations. It has been occupied since the 11th
century and was settled the Spaniards in 1523.
The city center has
well-preserved colonial buildings and three plazas that run from west east.
There are several interesting museums including the Museo de las Culturas del
Occidente, displaying one of México´s best collections of
Pre-Columbian pottery and artifacts. The modern and eclectic Casa de la Cultura
is a cultural institute offering free art, music and dance classes.
The city´s cathedral, originally built here in 1527, and subsequently
rebuilt several times due to frequent earthquakes, is on the east side of the
Plaza Principal. Next door is the Palacio de Gobierno. It dates to 1884-1904.
There is also an enormous collection of antique automobiles packed
into a warehouse near downtown. Over 300 vehicles, dating from 1912-1950 can be
seen.
The nearby village of Comala (population 8,000) is also worth a
visit. This white washed town is famous for its fine carved wood furniture,
handicrafts, and relaxed village ambiance. Attractive main square with arched
porticoes and cafes surrounds pretty main square gazebo and beautiful church.
On the way to the city is a mysterious "inversion hill" where objects appear to
defy gravity!
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No major town or village is around the corner. The
resort is located several miles off MX 280 |
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Spectacular views of the Mexican Pacific |
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If you're looking for table top dancing and partying
all hours of the day, you won't find it here. Punta Serena is more for relaxing
and romance than partying. |
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Any time of year is a perfect time to visit Punta Serena as
the weather is just about perfect most days throughout the year.
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• Wish the resort was located closer to
town.
• Wish the resort was fully clothing optional.
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View the photo
album - Click on the Photo Album lilnk to view photos of Punta
Serena provided by the resort. If you have recently visited Punta Serean we
invite you to send in your photos for us to display. To contribute... all you
have to do is go to our Contribute
Trip Report / Photographs page.
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View the trip
reports - If you have recently visited Punta Serena... we need your
trip reports. You can contribute to this section - all you have to do is go to
our Contribute Trip Report /
Photographs page.
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