Manzanillo Reviews - Manzanillo, Mexico Travel Guide

Car Rental Horror

Written by iluvdravel on 20 Jan, 2008

For our family vacation, on 8/12/07 we arrived at Manzanillo airport in Mexico, at the Thrifty counter I was told that the Orbitz rate of $71.98, under which I have reserved the car through Orbitz was a mistake, it should have been $201. Left with…Read More

For our family vacation, on 8/12/07 we arrived at Manzanillo airport in Mexico, at the Thrifty counter I was told that the Orbitz rate of $71.98, under which I have reserved the car through Orbitz was a mistake, it should have been $201. Left with no real choice at that airport, I had to agree to the new higher rate and signed the rental contract - the difference had since been refunded to me
after my complaint to Thrifty upon my return home – but that was only the tip of the iceberg of my problems.

I picked up a Dodge Stratus with 54,000 Km (about 34,000 miles), it had a loud, clearly audible rumbling noise emanating from the front ends, and it felt excessively spongy and lethargic when bouncing over the numerous speed bumps on the streets of Manzanillo; a clear indication that the shocks and struts were not in normal operating condition. Also the back seats were broken and sunk in when sat on. Nevertheless, given that it was Mexico, I assumed that it was nothing out of the ordinary to have a rental car in poor condition and high mileage. Besides, the 45 minutes drive between the airport and my hotel made me decided to just stick with it.

During the 7 days, from time to time, the car's lower right front bumper panel would come unattached and just hanging off in front of the car, I would have to push it back to the mounting clips on the upper bumper panel, and I'd repeat that again and again..

At the end of my trip on 8/20/07, on the road while driving it back to the airport, the AC stopped working, and a black rubber/plastic flap about a foot by half foot came loose hanging out of the right front wheel well, flapping in the wind and rubbing against the right front tire. Praying that nothing else would go wrong, I managed to drive it back to the airport and returned the car.

After checking the car upon my report of the problems, the Thrifty manager told me that the oil pump was leaking oil and, she determined, that it was the cause of the AC not working. She told me that I will be responsible for the repair cost. I told her that since I was not offered to inspect the oil pump prior to renting, there was no way for me to know what was the condition of the oil pump, for all I know, the car could very well had an oil leak long before I picked up the car, therefore I would not pay for it.

She had since charged $1,425.23 on my credit card. I filed a dispute with my credit card company (Fidelity Investment Card), but the card company had since notified me that this is between me and Thrifty. On Thrifty's part, other than agreeing that the original Orbitz rate was correct and refunded to me the difference of $163, it told me that the alleged damage was between me and its franchise in Mexico.

So there you have it -- Thrifty at Manzanillo airport used deceptive, low rates at Orbitz to lure in foreign/US renters, then used a beat-up junk that had numerous pre-existing mechanical problems through years of traveling the bumpy streets of Manzanillo. And, as anticipated, once something goes wrong, charge the renter exorbitant costs.

I have repeatedly requested documented proof from Thrifty, and from my credit card company, for an itemized list of the $1425.23 charge (BTW, Chrysler/Dodge parts website lists a new oil pump for a 2001 - 2006 Dodge Stratus at $88 to $107, for 2.7L or 2.4L engine.), also for the maintenance and repair history of the car; and record of previous damages claims by this outfit against other customers. I could not get even an acknowledgement of my request from Thrifty or FIA Card Services.
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Shopping/City Tour

Written by mwc on 18 Jun, 2002

In the lobby of the Karmina Palace are a few different companies selling different tours. We booked a tour with the company that provided our airport transfers, "Contactours" since they had a relationship with Alaska Airlines. Tour was for half a day by…Read More

Watching hockey in Spanish

Written by ragansj on 24 Apr, 2003

When I booked I didn't realize the Winter Olympics were to be going when we attended. The coverage was quite good considering Mexico is not known for their bobsled team. We took a liking to one of the bartenders, who couldn't speak english well but…Read More

When I booked I didn't realize the Winter Olympics were to be going when we attended. The coverage was quite good considering Mexico is not known for their bobsled team. We took a liking to one of the bartenders, who couldn't speak english well but was super friendly and helpful (and he served us from the primo booze under the bar). One day he handed me a note saying his one wish in life was to receive a hockey shirt as he called it, knowing we were from Canada. Turned out that Canada was playing the US for the men's gold metal and we were stuck in Manzanillo. The Azteca network indicated they would broadcast the game however, and even in Spanish. We thought this was great.

There was a large room at the Sierra with a large screen TV but it didn't open until 6pm and the game was on at 1pm. We asked around and found many people staying were interested in the game, US and Canadians. On the Sunday we commandeered the room, and started watching. It meant numerous trips to the bar to stock up on beer (they let us sneak back in large bottles), but so what we thought. At the end of the first period, the manager came in the room (there were over 100 of us) and announced we could be served from the bar. And our bartender was the guy (Fernando). Spanish hockey, Mexican beer, and wow...Canada won gold, what a memorial holiday. My brother's son had brought down two Team Canada jerseys he had been given at a hockey school he taught at the previous year. We wore them, and at the end of the game, we called Fernando into the room and presented him with one. He could not believe he was given this until we had a compatriot translate for him. It brought tears to his eyes.

The next day (our last) was his day off (one in seven). About 2pm my son came up to the pool and said I had to come down to the beach. There was Fernando, in about 90 plus weather wearing the shirt with his whole family. He presented us with t-shirts from Manzanillo which he had purchased, a purchase I am sure that took most of his weekly salary. What a fantastic end to a wonderful week. I have attached pictures that I trust you will find of interest. And if anyone is going down, email me. I would love to send a message to my compadre.

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One week at an all-inclusive

Written by ragansj on 24 Apr, 2003

My brother took our two sons (aged 20 and 21) to Manzanillo for a week through an RCI trade. We opted for the all-inclusive after much soul searching. It was wonderful. The meals (even freshly made omletes in the morning) were great, as were the…Read More

Various other activities

Written by MaryJo on 06 Mar, 2001

The resort has a fitness center (reasonably well supplied) and spa. The spa was closed for remodeling when I was there, but services were available in one's room. Main swimming pool included a swim up bar, along with a gentle slide. Kids using it…Read More