Frequently Asked Questions

Are you right on the beach and how close is the water?
Yes, we are located right on the beach of Manzanillo Bay, Troncones. All of our rooms feature a beautiful beach / ocean view. The three ground floor rooms are just a few steps from the shore. 

Do all of your rooms have a private entrance/exit?
Yes, all of our rooms have their own entrance and private balcony or patio.

Where is Casa Manzanillo located in reference to other well known landmarks?
We are on the pacific coast of Mexico. We are 200 miles north of Acapulco, and about 7 hours drive south from the city of Manzanillo. We are a 7 hour drive west from Mexico City. We are a 35 minute drive from Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo.

Where can I get laundry done?
We do not offer laundry service for personal clothing at the house. There are a few laundry mats nearby where you can drop off your clothes to be washed and folded for around $1.50USD per kilo.

Are there places to buy gifts?
We recommend the Fruti Keiko Boutique at Hacienda Eden for local shopping. There are a number of shops in the local town and airport for last minute gifts. If you are headed into Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, be aware that prices for things are a lot cheaper in Zihuatanejo.

Can I send e-mail while I am there?
Most of our guests bring a laptop and use our wireless internet for emails and web browsing.

Do you have a restaurant on the premises?
No, but there is a kitchen that is available for a fee and personal chefs are also available to cook what you want, when you want it!

Do you have fridges in your rooms?
We do not have refrigerators in our rooms. Some guests bring coolers to keep drinks on ice in the rooms.  

Can we use the kitchen?
The kitchen is in use for breakfast, but is available for use for lunch & dinner for an extra charge. If you need to keep medications kept cool, that shouldn’t be a problem.

Do you have AC?
We have air conditioning in all of our rooms. 
 
Do you have beach towels?
Yes, large beach towels are available upon request with every room.

Can I bring my baby and kids?
Yes! Casa Manzanillo is a family oriented hotel! Children and babies are welcome.

What is there to do around Troncones?
There are a number of activities available in the vicinity. You can go hiking, bird watching, mountain biking, surfing, swimming, snorkeling, and horseback riding in Troncones. In Zihuatanejo you may go sport fishing, scuba diving, or shopping. See the activities section for more details or speak with Adrian when you arrive to coordinate activities.

Do I have to know how to speak Spanish?
No, we have several partially bi-lingual members on our staff and will be happy to assist in any translating that you need. A little Spanish-English might be of use off our premises though. Don’t worry about not knowing how to pronounce perfectly, the locals will really appreciate your efforts and you can make a deeper connection to your fellow man. If you have specific food requests, it would be best to know how to say these things before you arrive. See www.wordreference.com for specific words or phrases.

How old is Casa Manzanillo?
It was constructed in 1998.

Can you drink the water?
Although all of our tap water comes from a deep well, we do not drink it. There are no regulations for water quality in Mexico. We have bottled water in each room for your teeth brushing and drinking, etc. We use purified water to wash vegetables and for other kitchen uses and all of our ice is made with purified water.

In restaurants, you don’t have to worry about dirty water either. Mexico has come a long way in the past five years through educations programs and hygiene standards. We recommend washing your hands before and after eating, and not taking risks that don’t seem right to you.

How much do you think we will spend on food during our stay?
About $50USD per couple a day is the average for most guests. Lunch prices range from $5USD to $10USD for food at local joints, and dinner ranges from $7USD to $20USD depending on the place.

What temperature is the ocean water?
From January - May: 72-82 degrees F
June - December: 78-85 degrees F.

Are there good surfing spots nearby?
There are lots of good surfing spots in this area, not to mention the one right in front of the house!

A few of the waves are world-class: La Saladita, Playa Linda, The Ranch, Rio Nexpa, La Boca, & Manzanillo Point, just to name a few.

What is the surf like?
We have world class surf year round, but the surf definitely tends to be more consistent through the summer months. You can get up to date forecasts from several websites on the Internet.

Can you snorkel in front of Casa Manzanillo?
You can snorkel in front of our place when the surf is small; when it is big the water is too cloudy.

Do you have masks and snorkels that we can borrow?
I am sorry but we do not.

Where can I rent a surf board or bicycle?
We rent bicycles for $USD10 per day. Surfboards can easily be rented in town. Ask Adrian for assistance.

What types of activities are available?
Surfing, horseback riding, hikes, and shopping can all be arranged. Check out our activities page for a full list of Activities available from Casa Manzanillo.

How strong is the sun?
The sun is strong. Always bring sunscreen and a hat and most of all use them and re-apply every hour! Try not to be out during the hottest hours of the day and be sure to DRINK A LOT OF WATER!

Do I need a jacket or sweater?
Go ahead and bring a long sleeve shirt and paints, they might come in handy as protective wear after too much sun or on a hike. In December, January and February it gets surprisingly cool, especially at night, although probably not like where you are coming from.

Are there mosquitoes?
There are mosquitoes in the jungle and a few around the house, although the ocean breeze helps to keep them away. Also, in the cooler seasons there are far fewer mosquitoes than in the summer months. If you wear insect repellent or light coils they will not bother you. It also depends on how sweet you are!

How far should I book in advance?
It is always better to book as far in advance as possible. It is difficult for us to predict when we will be full. For reservations during the Christmas season you should book one year in advance!

Is there a place where I can watch TV?
Casa Manzanillo has a TV room for watching a few channels or movie in the comfort of A/C. Also, there is a bar in Troncones that has a TV and shows all of the major sporting events.

What if we need a doctor?
For a minor injury there is a clinic about a ten minute drive away. For something more major there is a private hospital in Zihuatanejo.

Are there any dangerous bug/animals?
Most likely, you will see some fire ants, scorpions and tarantulas, but they are not numerous and usually don’t harm you. None of these insects are deadly, but give a bad sting. There are a number of dangerous snakes in the area, but, again, they probably will not strike unless provoked.

We recommend that you shake your shoes and clothes out before putting them on to be careful. If you are allergic to bees please bring your adrenaline shot (epi-pen), just in case.

I am a vegetarian, what can I eat?
There are a number of vegetarian options on our breakfast menu. Additionally, Mexican cuisine offers a variety of vegetarian friendly foods, like guacamole or avocados, beans, tortillas, as well as sopes “sin carne”/ without meat.    

Which airport do I fly into?
You need to fly into the Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH).

How do I get out to your place from the airport, and how long does it take?
You can take a taxi from the airport (and back) or you can rent a car. Hertz, Alamo, Budget, and National have rentals at the airport. The trip takes about 45 minutes. The one way trip from the airport is about $780 pesos. The trip from Troncones back to the airport is $500 pesos. To know how to get here, please, see the direction page.

How do we get into Zihuatanejo or Ixtapa from Casa Manzanillo?
It is simple to take a taxi, which will cost you about $500 pesos or you can rent a car. Adrian can help you to arrange this if you need help. Taxi services is available from the house or in Troncones center, a twenty minute walk from the house. There is also a local bus system, or micros, which will take you into Troncones or the entrance of Troncones for $15 pesos.

Another way to get to Zihuatanejo, if you at least speak a little Spanish, is the local micros or vans/buses. For $15 pesos they will take you into Zihuatanejo. You can ride them all the way into the Center or get off as soon as you enter Zihuatanejo, cross the highway and take another micro into Ixtapa for $5 pesos. To get back to Troncones, wait for the micro to La Union and get off at the entrance to Troncones.

Is there a departure tax at the airport?
Yes, but it is included in your ticket. You will not need to pay extra. Also, you do not need to declare any gifts that you got (as long as they are not plants, animals, etc.).

Do I need to bring my passport?
Yes. All American and Canadian citizens are required to carry official Passports.

Do I need a visa?
If you are an American or Canadian when you are on the plane the attendants will give you a form to fill out. This is your tourist visa; they will stamp it at the airport. Don’t loose it. You will need to give it back when you leave the country.

Do I need to do anything special to travel with a minor child?
YES! Last year a number of guests were stopped at the airport in the United States with their minor children. They were traveling with only one parent and were not allowed to enter the country without the consent of the other parent. Ask your airline about this to be prepared. Customs officials will not let you or your child board or disembark without the proper documentation.

Do I need an international driver’s license to rent a car?
No, your driver’s license from the US or Canada is acceptable. We recommend that read up on local driving laws and customs.

How should I pay my bill?
We do accept credit cards, cash and travelers checks to settle bills. We require cash only for activities and spa services. You bill can be charged at the end of your stay. Tips for the staff should be paid separate in either US$ or Pesos.

Where can I get Pesos once I am there?
There are no ATM machines in Troncones, so you will need to get your pesos at a currency exchange at the airport or one of the many banks located in Zihuatanejo. The rate is better at the bank. Check the rate before leaving. Many places accept US$ at a slightly worse exchange rate.

Can I use my ATM card in Mexico?
There are quite a few ATM machines in Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa that take the Plus system and Cirrus. Notify your bank that you will be in Mexico before leaving, or they might close your account as a protection.

I don’t want to bring much cash what should I do?
You will only need cash to pay for activities, food, transportation & spa services. We can receive credit cards, but we can’t speak for other places. You can run a tab during your stay and pay at check out. However, most Mexican businesses only accept cash, so it is recommended to have some on-hand.

I fell in love with the area, how can I go about owning my own property?
We felt the same way! There are a wide range of properties for sale in our area. For more information, we recommend that you contact the Prudential Realty Website for available property in this area.

If you want to buy property in Mexico, no matter how you are doing it, get a lawyer. We highly recommended is Connell & Associates for your legal needs. Tel: 011-52-755-555-0400.

How safe is it for a single woman traveling in the area?
We have had quite a few single women (and men) guests at Casa Manzanillo, so far there has never been a problem. We don’t recommend, however, long solitary walks miles down secluded and empty beaches. There is enough beach traffic on our cove for security and not so much as to ruin the serenity. There are always other guests around to talk to and hang out with.