Manzanillo Airport

Manzanillo Airport. Source: Kupi.com AI

Manzanillo International Airport, officially known as Playa de Oro International Airport, is the main aerial gateway to the sunny state of Colima and the popular resorts of the Costalegre coast. Its name translates as "Golden Beach," which perfectly reflects the atmosphere of this region known for its picturesque landscapes. The airport serves both domestic and international flights, connecting Manzanillo with major cities in Mexico, the USA, and Canada.

Despite its modest size, ZLO Airport handles the flow of tourists excellently, especially during the winter season. Its compactness is an advantage: navigation through the terminal is simple and intuitive, and completing all formalities does not take much time. Basic services are available to travellers within the terminal building, including car rental counters, several shops, and cafes where one can have a snack while waiting for a flight. Its convenient location makes it an ideal starting point for exploring both Manzanillo itself and neighbouring resort towns, such as Barra de Navidad.

Below you will find the main contact information for Playa de Oro International Airport in Manzanillo (ZLO).

• Official Website: Current information on flights, services, and regulations can be found on the official website of the airport operator, Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP): www.aeropuertosgap.com.mx/es/manzanillo.html
• Information Desk Phone: For information regarding flights, airport services, and other general enquiries, you may call: +52 (314) 333-15-99.
• Airport Address: Carretera Manzanillo - Barra de Navidad km 42, C.P. 28219, Manzanillo, Colima State, Mexico.
• Email: The airport typically does not provide a general email address for passengers. It is recommended to use the contact forms on the official website for communication.
• Lost Luggage Information: If your luggage was lost during the flight, you must first contact your airline's representative at the airport. For items left behind in the terminal, please contact the Lost and Found service (Oficina de Objetos Olvidados) using the general information phone number.
• Social Media: You can follow news and updates from the management company on their official pages, for example, on Facebook (aeropuertosGAP) and X (formerly Twitter) (@aeropuertosGAP).

Playa de Oro International Airport (ZLO), serving the city of Manzanillo, is located approximately 40-45 kilometres northwest of the city centre. The journey usually takes about 45 minutes, but time may vary depending on traffic and your exact location. There are several ways to reach the airport.

Taxi and Transfer — the most popular and convenient option. You can order a taxi from the city or use transfer services offered by many hotels. The cost of a taxi ride will be higher compared to other modes of transport, but it guarantees comfort and quick delivery directly to the terminal. It is recommended to use official taxi services or agree on the price in advance. A pre-booked transfer often proves to be a more cost-effective and reliable solution.

Public Transport in the form of direct city buses to the airport is practically non-existent. The main budget-friendly method is collective minibuses, known as colectivos or shuttles. They operate between the airport and major tourist zones. This is a good compromise between price and convenience, although the journey may take longer as the shuttle stops at various hotels along the way. Attempting to travel on a regular intercity bus that stops on the main highway is not recommended for tourists with luggage due to inconvenience and lack of direct access to the terminal.

Car Rental — an excellent choice for those planning to explore not only Manzanillo but also the picturesque Costalegre coast in Mexico. Many major international and local rental companies have offices both in the city and at the airport. If you are driving to the airport in a rental car to return it, or in your own vehicle, parking is available for you. The airport offers both short-term and long-term parking spaces.

Playa de Oro International Airport, serving Manzanillo, consists of one compact and convenient terminal that handles both domestic and international flights. Thanks to its small size and thoughtful layout, navigating here is very easy, and you will not have to worry about transfers between terminals — they simply do not exist.

The airport layout is intuitive. Generally, the arrivals area is located on the ground floor. After disembarking from the plane, you will proceed to passport control, then to the baggage claim hall, and finally pass through customs inspection. The departures area is located in another part of the building. Here you will find airline check-in counters, the security screening point, and a small waiting lounge with boarding gates. All navigation is accompanied by signs in Spanish and English, so getting lost is practically impossible.

Despite its compactness, the terminal offers a basic set of services for a comfortable wait for your flight. Here you will find several souvenir shops, a small Duty-Free store, several cafes and dining outlets where you can have a snack, as well as car rental counters and currency exchange points. The selection, of course, does not compare to major hubs, but everything necessary for a traveller is available.

Completing all formalities at Manzanillo airport usually takes not much time. For international flights, it is recommended to arrive 2–2.5 hours before departure, and for domestic flights, 1.5 hours will be sufficient. During the peak tourist season (usually from December to March), passenger flow increases, so it is worth allowing a little extra time for possible queues at check-in and security screening.

Playa de Oro International Airport, better known as Manzanillo Airport (ZLO), was officially opened on 1 March 1972. Its creation was a key step in the development of tourism infrastructure on the Pacific coast of Mexico. From the very beginning, the airport was designed to serve not only the major port city of Manzanillo but also the picturesque Costalegre coast, which helped attract travellers to its secluded beaches and luxury resorts.

Over the decades, the airport grew along with the popularity of the region as a tourist destination. A key moment in its modern history was in 1998, when the management of the air harbour was transferred to the private operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP). This step marked the beginning of a new era of development focused on large-scale modernisation and improving passenger service quality. This allowed for attracting more international flights, mainly from the USA and Canada, strengthening the region's status on the global tourism map.

Since privatisation, Manzanillo Airport has undergone several stages of significant reconstruction. The passenger terminal was expanded and updated, and the runway and navigation equipment were modernised to meet international safety standards. One of the serious tests in the airport's history was Hurricane Patricia in 2015, one of the most powerful on record. The air harbour was temporarily closed as a precautionary measure, which demonstrated its important role in the regional safety system.

Today, Manzanillo Airport (ZLO) is an important aerial gateway for thousands of tourists arriving at the resorts of Colima and Jalisco states. Interesting fact: the airport is located practically on the border of these two states, making it a unique transport hub serving two popular tourist regions at once. Its official name, Playa de Oro, translates as "Golden Beach," which ideally reflects the character of this sunny Mexican destination.

Manzanillo Airport (ZLO), despite its compact dimensions, offers passengers all necessary amenities for a comfortable wait for their flight. Before departure, you can have a snack in one of the cafes or restaurants offering both local cuisine and more familiar international options. For those wishing to shop, there are Duty Free stores, as well as souvenir shops where you can purchase memorable gifts from Mexico, such as local handicrafts, textiles, or regional specialties.

For a more comfortable wait, the airport has a VIP Lounge where passengers can rest in quiet surroundings and enjoy complimentary snacks, beverages, and press. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal, allowing you to stay connected or attend to work matters online. If you need to charge electronic devices, special stands and power outlets are provided in the waiting areas.

For financial matters, currency exchange points (casas de cambio) and ATMs (cajeros automáticos) operate at the airport, where you can exchange money upon arrival or withdraw cash pesos before travelling into the city. In case of feeling unwell, there is a medical point in the terminal ready to provide first aid.

The airport is equipped to receive passengers with reduced mobility: there are ramps, elevators, and specially equipped restrooms. To receive assistance, such as a wheelchair and escort to the aircraft, it is recommended to notify your airline in advance. Families with small children can use changing tables in the restrooms.

Although there are no hotels directly within the terminal building, many accommodation options are located a few minutes' drive away. For business travellers, basic business services, such as workspace and high-speed internet, are usually provided in the VIP Lounge, but there are no dedicated conference rooms at the airport.

Manzanillo Airport (ZLO), being compact and oriented towards tourist flows, offers travellers several basic but convenient options for dining. Most establishments are concentrated in the single terminal, which simplifies navigation.

The main dining points are located in the departure zone (airside), after passing through passport and customs control. Here you will find several small restaurants and dining venues where you can have a full lunch or simply drink a refreshing beverage. The menu usually features both international dishes (burgers, sandwiches, salads) and popular Mexican cuisine. This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the taste of authentic tacos, quesadillas, or guacamole one last time before flying out of Mexico.

In the public zone (landside), prior to check-in and control, the selection is generally more modest and limited to a small cafe or vending machines with snacks and drinks. This is convenient for those meeting or seeing off passengers, as well as for arriving travellers.

Regarding special dietary requests, finding specialized vegan, Halal, or gluten-free dishes may be challenging. However, menus often feature simple salads, fruit platters, or vegetable snacks suitable for vegetarians. It is recommended to clarify the ingredients of dishes with the staff.

The price range in airport establishments is standard for tourist zones — higher than in city cafes. The opening hours of most restaurants and venues are linked to the schedule of international flights, so they are open during periods of peak airport activity.

Recommendations:

• For a quick snack, sandwiches or pastries from the cafe in the departure zone are best.
• For a full meal, it is worth taking a table in one of the dining venues and ordering a hot Mexican dish accompanied by a local beverage.

To ensure your journey through Manzanillo Airport is as comfortable and hassle-free as possible, make use of our tips. These recommendations will help you save time, money, and stress.

Arrival Time at the Airport. For international flights, it is recommended to arrive 2.5-3 hours before departure, and for domestic flights — 1.5-2 hours. This time will be enough to go through all pre-flight formalities without rushing, especially during the peak tourist season.

Check-in and Security Control. To save time, complete online check-in for your flight if your airline provides this option. At the security checkpoint, be prepared to remove laptops and other large electronics from your hand luggage, as well as your bag of liquids.

Choosing a Seat on the Plane. Want to enjoy stunning views of the Pacific coast of Mexico during takeoff or landing? Choose a window seat. If the ability to stand up freely and stretch your legs during the flight is more important to you, an aisle seat will suit you better.

Hand Luggage. Remember the general rules: liquids are allowed in containers of no more than 100 ml, packed in a transparent bag. It is forbidden to carry sharp objects, weapons, and flammable substances in the cabin. Always check the exact allowances and rules for hand luggage on your airline's website.

Connecting Passengers. If you have a connecting flight, clarify at check-in whether your luggage will be checked through to the final destination automatically. At the airport, follow the "Connections" signs to quickly find the boarding gate you need.

Customs Control. Upon arrival from abroad, you will have to pass through customs. In Mexico, a "traffic light" system is often used: you press a button, and if a green light turns on — you pass without inspection. If a red light turns on — be prepared for your luggage to be checked.

Saving Time and Money. Book a transfer from the airport in advance to avoid inflated prices from taxi drivers on the spot. Take an empty water bottle with you to fill it after passing security control, and light snacks so as not to spend money on food at the airport.

Flight Delay. In case of a flight delay or cancellation, first contact your airline's counter for information. Find out about your rights to the provision of food, drinks, or even a hotel in case of a long wait. It is useful to have your travel insurance contacts with you.