This turtle sanctuary, located 4km east of Cuyutlán, has released more than two million green, black and leatherback turtle hatchlings into the wild here. The center also has small iguana and crocodile sanctuaries, swimming pools and a picnic area. Don’t miss the lagoon trips on the Palo Verde Estuary, a nature preserve that’s home to more than 100 bird species, including 257 migratory birds. Lanchas (skiffs) move through mangrove tunnels and past sunbathing crocodiles.
El Tortugario
Central Pacific Coast
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
27.8 MILES
Playa La Boquita is a beach with calm waters at the mouth of a lagoon where fishermen lay out their nets to dry by day, and shove off by night. The beach…
27.44 MILES
Boasting the best surfing and bodysurfing waves in the area, the long and beautiful Playa Miramar is an ideal place to take the plunge and rent a…
23.01 MILES
This 6km-long, curving strip of sand is rather steep and buffeted by Pacific surf, so it's better for sunbathing and walking than swimming. It stretches…
21.38 MILES
Just across the harbor from the old town, this long stretch of sand is backed by a fast-growing zone of hotels, restaurants and bars. Buses marked 'Las…
25.65 MILES
On the far side of the Península de Santiago from town, this is one of Manzanillo's cleaner beaches and part of the 8km-long Santiago Bay. Buses marked …
2.81 MILES
This museum, located in an old salt-storage barn a block behind the main plaza, traces the history of the region’s sea salt extraction and economy. All…
26.49 MILES
True to its name (Big Waves Beach), this attractive stretch of sand has lovely surfable breakers and is backed by a handful of simple beach restaurants.
25.1 MILES
Playa La Audiencia, lining a gorgeous cove on the west side of Península de Santiago, has tranquil water and is popular for waterskiing and other noisy…
Nearby Central Pacific Coast attractions
2.81 MILES
This museum, located in an old salt-storage barn a block behind the main plaza, traces the history of the region’s sea salt extraction and economy. All…
20.85 MILES
Around a kilometer from the main plaza, this is the closest beach to the old town, but also the dirtiest.
21.38 MILES
Just across the harbor from the old town, this long stretch of sand is backed by a fast-growing zone of hotels, restaurants and bars. Buses marked 'Las…
23.01 MILES
This 6km-long, curving strip of sand is rather steep and buffeted by Pacific surf, so it's better for sunbathing and walking than swimming. It stretches…
25.1 MILES
Playa La Audiencia, lining a gorgeous cove on the west side of Península de Santiago, has tranquil water and is popular for waterskiing and other noisy…
25.65 MILES
On the far side of the Península de Santiago from town, this is one of Manzanillo's cleaner beaches and part of the 8km-long Santiago Bay. Buses marked …
26.49 MILES
True to its name (Big Waves Beach), this attractive stretch of sand has lovely surfable breakers and is backed by a handful of simple beach restaurants.
27.44 MILES
Boasting the best surfing and bodysurfing waves in the area, the long and beautiful Playa Miramar is an ideal place to take the plunge and rent a…