Barceló Karmina - All Inclusive
Barceló Karmina is the all-inclusive argument for Manzanillo: a 324-suite Barceló on the Santiago Peninsula above Playa La Audiencia, a sheltered cove whose calm water is rare on Mexico's Pacific coast. The hotel traded for years as Barceló Karmina Palace Deluxe, which is why older write-ups still talk about "the Palace"; that was the name, not an upgrade tier. The hillside of six pools stepping down through waterfalls to the beach is what guests photograph, and the city beyond the gates is a real port with taco stands and crab tostadas rather than a tourist strip.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Manzanillo is one of Mexico's least-visited Pacific resort towns, a working port city with its own character rather than a purpose-built tourist strip like Cancún or Los Cabos
- +The beach is Playa La Audiencia, a sheltered cove on the Santiago Peninsula about 15 meters from the hotel, and its calm water is unusual for Mexico's Pacific coast
- +Six lagoon-style pools linked by waterfalls step down the hillside toward the beach, and that layout is the signature of the property
- +Four restaurants with distinct kitchens: the Bugambilias buffet, Capri (Italian), Agave (Mexican) and Kyoto (Japanese), with the Carioca nightclub for after-dinner music
- +Premium Level is a real upgrade rather than a label: exclusive ocean-view floors, a private lounge with its own international bar, 24-hour room service (non-alcoholic), early check-in with breakfast and late checkout with lunch when available
- +Guests in August and September 2026 kept praising the same things: warm staff, the nightly shows, spacious suites and the grill restaurant
- +Wi-Fi is free throughout, snorkel gear is free for the first 30 minutes, and the Barcy Club kids program, U-Spa, gym and tennis court are all on site
- +Sportfishing is Manzanillo's calling card: the town hosts international sailfish and marlin tournaments, and charters leave from marinas a short drive from the resort
Cons
- −Getting there takes planning: Playa de Oro airport (ZLO) has limited direct service from the US and Canada, and most itineraries connect through Mexico City or Guadalajara
- −Room service costs extra unless you book Premium Level, where it is included around the clock with alcohol excluded
- −The buffet is the weak link; an August 2026 Premium Level guest found it inconsistent, disliked the Asian theme night and rated the grill well above it
- −The gym equipment reads as outdated in 2026 reviews, and some suites show wear even though the hotel describes them as contemporary-design
- −There is no water park: the official amenity list is six pools with waterfalls and no slides, so families expecting a Riviera Maya-style splash zone will be disappointed
- −Manzanillo has far fewer organized excursion operators than Puerto Vallarta or the Riviera Maya, so day trips take more arranging through the concierge
- −Hurricane Rachel's 4 to 6 meter swells led Colima to close Manzanillo's beaches from September 29, 2026; no damage was reported at the resort, but late-season storms can shut the beach for days
Dining runs through four named kitchens: the Bugambilias buffet, Capri for Italian, Agave for Mexican and Kyoto for Japanese, with the Carioca nightclub afterward. Guests through August and September 2026 praised the staff, the shows and the spacious suites; the honest complaints were an inconsistent buffet (the grill rated better), outdated gym equipment and room service that costs extra outside Premium Level. Premium Level buys exclusive ocean-view floors, a private lounge with its own international bar, 24-hour room service, and early check-in with breakfast and late checkout with lunch when available, but not a butler; the two suites with private pools, the 174 square meter Master Suite and the 288 square meter Presidential Suite, sit at the top of the inventory. Wi-Fi is free everywhere, the U-Spa, Barcy Club, gym and tennis court are on site, and snorkel gear is free for the first 30 minutes.
It fits travelers who have done Cancún and Puerto Vallarta and want a quieter Pacific bay with a real town attached, sportfishing enthusiasts (Manzanillo hosts international sailfish and marlin tournaments) and families who prefer lagoon pools to water slides, which the resort does not have. Manzanillo has no other all-inclusive on this scale, so the real price comparison is against flying to the Riviera Maya: the resort itself is mid-priced for a Barceló, and the extra flight connection through Mexico City or Guadalajara is the hidden cost. One seasonal caution: Hurricane Rachel's 4 to 6 meter swells closed Manzanillo's beaches from September 29, 2026 with no damage reported at the resort, so late-season bookings should expect the occasional beach closure.
Common Questions
Is the beach at Barceló Karmina actually swimmable?
What is the difference between Barceló Karmina and Karmina Palace?
Is Premium Level worth it?
How do I fly to Manzanillo?
Does the resort have water slides or a water park?
What is Manzanillo city like beyond the resort?
Restaurants (4)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Buffet | Bugambilias |
| Mexican | Agave |
| Italian | Capri |
| Japanese & sushi | Kyoto |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.
What's nearby
Playa Santiago4 min drive · 1.4 mi
Playa La Audiencia4 min drive · 1.2 mi
Manzanillo Centro (Jardín Obregón and Pez Vela)14 min drive · 7.9 mi
Cuyutlán30 min drive · 24 mi
Museo Comunitario de la Sal35 min drive · 24 mi
More things to do (24)
- Playa Miramar · beach8 min drive · 4.5 mi
- Playa Las Brisas · beach8 min drive · 4.0 mi
- Playa Azul · beach3 min drive · 1.5 mi
- Playa de Oro · beach45 min drive · 14 mi
- Barra de Navidad · town40 min drive · 31 mi
- Tortugario Manzanillo · wildlife2 min drive · 0.8 mi
- Playa Olas Altas · beach5 min drive · 2.3 mi
- Laguna Valle de las Garzas Reserve · nature5 min drive · 2.4 mi
- Mirador de la Cima · viewpoint5 min drive · 1.4 mi
- Boat and snorkel tour from Playa Santiago · excursion6 min drive · 3.2 mi
- Marina Las Hadas · marina7 min drive · 2.0 mi
- San Luciano Shipwreck Reef · nature12 min drive · 5.3 mi
- Playa La Boquita · beach12 min drive · 5.3 mi
- Museo Universitario de Arqueología · museum12 min drive · 7.0 mi
- Playa San Pedrito · beach14 min drive · 7.4 mi
- Mirador del Cerro de la Cruz · viewpoint20 min drive · 8.8 mi
- Playa Peña Blanca · beach30 min drive · 12 mi
- San Patricio Melaque · town40 min drive · 31 mi
- Cuastecomates Beach · beach45 min drive · 32 mi
- Playa del Coco · beach45 min drive · 29 mi
- Isla Navidad Country Club (golf) · golf50 min drive · 31 mi
- La Manzanilla Crocodile Sanctuary · wildlife55 min drive · 41 mi
- La Manzanilla · town55 min drive · 41 mi
- Isla Navidad Marina · marina55 min drive · 33 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Google Reviews★ 4.5 · 8,696 reviews
“Have been coming here for about 25 years every year with my family. I’m 32 years old now, with a kid of my own, have never really had complaints. My kid loves the kid pool and never wants to leave. Only thing was the food was getting too repetitive e...”
“Barcelo Karmina. Visited for two nights while in Manzanillo Mexico. Mayan themed resort. Lots of pools to choose. A private Beach that's well kept. 3 restaurants and a buffet. Rooms are a bit dated but very generous. We went premium level. Ha...”
