A tranquil town north of Puerto Vallarta settled in the 1930's by the Chavez family who built a working ranch north of Banderas Bay. This is where the beautiful and peaceful La Manzanilla beach is located. Here swimmers can safely play in the shallow surf that reaches 100 feet into the sea. Local legend has it that the town gained its name "Cruz de Huanacaxtle" after the body of a indigenous woman was buried at the base of a giant huanacaxtle tree. In tribute a large cross, 2 meters by 1 meter, was carved into the trunk of the tree. The name stuck when people began to say "lets meet at the cross (cruz) of huanacaxtle."
El Día de Hot Salsa and Merengue
If you don’t know the steps, the rhythm will guide you. The sounds of Latin music, Mariachi, and disco will fill your nights as the city comes alive after sundown.
