Cuyutlán Salt - Documentary

"The documentary Cuyutlán salt is good work that reflects the socioeconomic tradition of the state" and explained how interesting it will be presenting this work part of the Traditions Colimotas series, produced by the Ministry of Culture of Colima.

"Salt of Cuyutlán" describes the process of extracting salt in Cuyutlán, Armeria, the most established tradition in the town, inherited from generation to generation. It also shows one of the oldest  form of this work, which starts by scratching the earth to subsequently make a pool where the water is filtered, then is distributed to the evaporation ponds called "eras", a place where grains of salt are formed, then small collection piles are made.

Some of the techniques used by Rodriguez Bogart in making this film are the micro video, showing how the brine (water with salt) is evaporated and how a grain is formed. He uses terrariums and aquariums micro video to record the settling of heavy metals and salt formation, which can be seen quickly with time laps. 

Robinson Crusoe classic filmed in Colima

Robinson Crusoe by Luis Bunuel was filmed in Mexico near Manzanillo, Colima in 1952, actually Cuyutlan. This movie was one of Bunuel's first English language films and was sort of a guinea-pig as the film was flown to Los Angeles every day to be processed into Eastmancolor. It's probably the best version that's been made of the character created by Daniel Defoe.

DVD cover from the movie

Bunuel filming on the beach

Dan O'Herlihy on the beach

Luis Bunuel DOT org

National Institute of Fisheries and Ventanas

Ventanas is the local name for the opening to the Cuyutlan lagoon and the jetty at the mouth of it on the ocean side. The name is as informal as the way surf locations are named. Also next to the jetty is National Institute of Fisheries building. The main reason for this canal opening is to feed water to the power plant which has an exit spillway on the open ocean side (also interesting to see).

To get to Ventanas go through downtown towards the power plant, through a lagoon side community to an area with beach palapa restaurants on the lagoon. Take a right just before the canal bridge and follow the dirt road along the canal out to the jetty. Just hope for no oncoming traffic as it is a one-laner.

The canal looking towards the ocean and Ventanas

Looking back through the canal towards the power plant

National Institute of Fisheries

The Salt Museum of Cuyutlán

Even though I've been to Cuyutlan 5 or 6 times, I've never run into the museum. I've only found the old salt sheds that are along the railroad tracks north of the station. If I'd read this article by Don Adams I would have had a better idea where to look. El Muséo de Sal by Don Adams

Cuyutlan is about 20 kilometers south of Manzanillo and probably best to either rent a car or go on a tour that may combine with a visit to the turtle sanctuary south of town. You can access Cuyutlan from either the toll highway (right at the toll booth) or from highway 200 that runs through the country aways from the coast. There are buses but it would be a slow trip.

Excerpt from Dons article

On the plaza, face the school building and walk toward it. When you reach the street, turn right, heading toward the railroad station, and walk to the end of the next block. The museum is on the corner to your left.

The museum is open from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. every day. Admission is by donation. Be as generous as you’re able. Clean restrooms are at the back of the main room.

Pride in Cuyutlán’s contribution to the history of Mexico is evident in the simple displays housed in this well-maintained recently re-modeled museum. It serves as a tribute to both the 16th Century salt harvesters and the modern salt producers, the salineros, who work from March to June in the salt flats of the 35 kilometer Laguna de Cuyutlán, the Cuyután Lagoon.

Trip report - Manzanillo Colima November 2002

Trip report from Manzanillo November 2002

I've been to the Melaque/Barra Navidad area before but have wanted to visit Manzanillo and the beaches in the area. The interesting information found on the Go Manzanillo web site and Rolly Brook's Rolly Brook - Manzanillo were my reason for seeing for myself.

Full Report of the 2002 Trip



Manzanillo Waterfront


I bused into the main bus station from Guadalajara and walked 20+ blocks to the central waterfront where most of the downtown hotels were. One block from the water is the Colonial Hotel, a classic from 1940's, very well kept, nice restaurant and only 200 pesos ($20us) a night for a single. The new waterfront development is mostly completed, is very well done and a stark contrast to the rest of downtown - but then contrast is what Mexico is all about. The multi-colored houses in the downtown area climb the steep hills that surround - with stairs and walkways winding between.


There is no beach in the downtown area so I grabbed a taxi to Santiago which is a complete little Mexican town on the northern edge of Manzanillo. My taxi driver pointed me to the perfect little motel in the center of town (off the main road) called Ma (Maria) Christina (210 pesos). Santiago is great for walking either back into town by the Plaza del Toros (Bull Ring), the walking bridge that crosses the river - or to the beach which is only two blocks from the Plaza. The beach there is called Olas Altas (big waves) but I found it to be a fun beach with fisherman, surfers, families and lots of walkers. (March 2006 - Just stayed at Ma Christina and prices are $250mx single and $390 for two people).



Santiago Sunset


After about three days in Santiago I wanted to see more of the area so I rented a car from National Rentals for two days and drove north to the Manzanillo airport and south to Tecoman and the beaches south. National Rentals is between Sorianna and Commerical Mexicana shopping centers and close to Susan Dearings dive shop on the Santiago Peninsula. The Internet Cafe in the Commerical Mexicana is also the best I found.


I took the highway 200 (libre-no tolls) to Tecoman to see the countryside, small towns, coconut and banana plantations and passed the "brick yard" where they make them. About 2/3 of the way to Tecoman is the turnoff to Cuyutlan, a little beach town that looks to be waiting for weekend and holiday tourists and was nearly deserted. Cuyutlan has a number of hotels from what I'd call 3 stars to very cheap, black sand beaches, large waves and the turtle sanctuary.



Cuyutlan Beach


The Cuyutlan turtle sanctuary is definitely worth a visit and is south of town along the beach road (look for the sign at edge of town). When you arrive go up to the restaurant and buy your admission ticket (15pesos). There are tiled and covered "pools" with turtles of all ages, salt water and fresh water turtles - and a Caiman or two. If an older guy comes up to you acting as a guide and then offers a boat ride into the Laguna - don't be put off, he's a great guy and is authorized by the sanctuary. The boat ride is 40 pesos for a single or 50 for a boat load and well worth it - but have your Autan (repellant) ready, mosquitoes can be fierce. You will see, red and white mangroves, huge termite nests that like the soft wood of the white mangrove, lots of birds, beautiful scenery and possibly a caiman mother on her nest.



Turtle Pools


Back to Highway 200 and on south to Tecoman, a clean and busy working class town. Trying to find the beach roads can be tricky so I just wandered through downtown streets until I found a busy one heading west. After 3-4 miles I came out in El Real Tecuanillo on the beach. "El Real" is mostly beach palapas and a number of them have mini-waterparks. If you continue north on the beach road (partially washed out by hurricane) you end up in Boca de Pasquales - the surfing beach. Boca is much smaller, again black sand and very quiet. I got my first and only surfing pictures here.



Boca de Pascuales Surf


On the return to Manzanillo I took the toll road (quota) after a full days trip, returned the car to the rental agency and spent 3 more days relaxing in Santiago before heading to Melaque. Next trip I will include tours (guided) into the Colima and Comala areas and a scuba/snorkeling trip. Manzanillo is a great area if you are traveling independently or staying at an all inclusive hotel.


Address of Hotel Maria Cristina

Hotel Maria Cristina
28 de agosto No.36 Colonia Santiago Manzanillo
Colima C.P. 28860
telefonos (314) 333-09-66
333-07-67
333-23-70