Colima Mexico: A Complete Travel Guide
Colima Mexico: A Complete Travel Guide
Although it is not very popular among travelers, Colima Mexico has it all: mountains, valleys, jungles, mangroves, beaches, lagoons, and estuaries.
In its landscape stand out the so-called twin volcanoes, the Volcán de Fuego de Colima and the Nevado de Colima. The former is active, while the latter is an inactive volcano with a snow-capped summit.
The tourist sites of Colima are a sample of the countless attractions of this small Mexican state on the Pacific coast. It combines its natural environment and its history, reflected in its colonial architecture and the archaeological zones of La Campana and El Chanal.
On the other hand, the capital city, Colima, houses the Minor Basilica Cathedral of 1525, several museums, and the Ecoparc Zoo. While the Magical Town of Comala, with its white houses, offers visitors an array of colonial attractions.
Ecotourism is the state’s most significant potential with its 36 beaches, 23 spas, and numerous parks and natural sites. Special mention should be made of the Revillagigedo archipelago, a paradise of marine fauna and a World Natural Heritage Site.
Best things to do and see in Colima Mexico
Colima Cathedral and main square – Source: Angela N Perryman / shutterstock.com
The state capital, Colima, is recognized as one of the cities with the best quality of life in Mexico and is located northeast of the state.
In its historic center is the Cathedral Basilica Menor dating from 1525. Also, the house where Father Hidalgo lived, the place where President Benito Juarez stayed, and the Government Palace and the Hidalgo Theater are both from the 19th century. La Campana ruins – Source: Angela N Perryman / shutterstock.com
On the city’s outskirts, you can visit the archeological zones of La Campana and El Chanal.
La Campana is an ancient settlement linked to the tradition of Tehuchitlán, with remains of administrative buildings, dwellings, temples, pyramids, tombs, and a ball game.
There are also several petroglyphs carved in plazas and courtyards. The complex is estimated to date from 300 B.C. to 1500 A.D. and is located on the outskirts of Colima city, to the northwest.
While in El Chanal, there are stone foundations, altars, plazas, pyramidal structures, and a ball game. On the steps of one of the foundations, there are engraved reliefs of the gods Tlaloc and Ehecatl, estimated to date from 1300 BC to 1400 AD.
Visit the Magical Town of Comala
Source: Rubi Rodriguez Martinez / shutterstock.com
Known as the “white town,” it possesses one of the most visited sites: a bronze statue of the writer Juan Rulfo in the town’s Central Garden, which depicts him sitting on a bench reading a story to a child.
There is also the Parish of San Miguel Arcangel and the former hacienda of Nogueras. From Comala’s central plaza, the coffee bus will take you to the Coffee Route, and nearby is the Suchitlán Ravine, a beautiful natural site.
The Colima Volcanoes
Amazing mountain peak at Nevado de Colima Mexico – Source: Divisual Jo / shutterstock.com
Colima, Mexico, is home to the Volcán de Fuego, which is active and reaches 3,960 meters above sea level. It is possible to climb to its summit through the town of Atentique and from Yerbabuena.
There is also the Nevado de Colima Volcano, inactive, 4,260 meters above sea level, in which temperate and cold forests of pine and oak develop. There are also pumas, white-tailed deer, peccaries, and other fauna.
El Real Beach
This gray sand beach overlooks the open sea, with deep waters and moderate waves.
Because it forms tube-like waves, making it an ideal beach for surfing. On the other hand, its beautiful natural environment allows you to observe seabirds and participate in summer by releasing sea turtles.
Manzanillo Colima, Mexico
Manzanillo Bay – Source: Andrew McCormick / shutterstock.com
Manzanillo is a beautiful and quiet coastal city of white buildings surrounded by palm trees, where you can stroll along the boardwalk.
You can also visit the Museum of Shells and Snails and the Archundia Iguanarium.
In addition to seeing the emblematic monument of the Sailfish by sculptor Sebastian and visiting the nearby Cerro del Toro Park. Miramar Beach is also nearby.
Manzanillo Bay
In this wide bay there are several beaches with calm waters, such as Ventana, El Viejo, Las Coloradas and San Pedrito. Also, Playa Azul, Salagua, Las Brisas, Las Hadas and La Escondida are super popular.
Santiago Bay
In this bay you can enjoy nice beaches, such as Miramar, La Boquita, La Audiencia and Olas Altas.
On the other hand, there is the Mirador de Playa Santiago and the viewpoints of La Reina and Del Faro on La Audiencia beach to relax with the sunset.
Visit Villa de Alvarez
Villa de Alvarez is located northeast of the state, and in it, you can appreciate the work of artist Octavio Gonzalez, a bronze sculpture of horseback riding. It shows six life-size horses, 5 of them with riders’ cowboys.
Likewise, its surroundings offer several alternatives, such as the Agua Fría and Agua Dulce spas, the Museum Casa de Los Volcanes, the Laguna de Los Pastores, and the archaeological zone La Campana.
Explore Christmas Island in Colima Mexico
This tourist complex includes a hotel with a golf course overlooking the sea, a marina, and a lagoon.
It is located on the border between the states of Colima and Jalisco, near the fishing village of Colimilla. Multiple activities are available such as sport fishing, scuba diving, kayaking, sailing, and water skiing.
Ixtlahuacan, Colima
In this municipality located in the southeast of the state, you can enjoy spas such as La Toma Aquatic Center, El Tanque de Laura, the Community Museum, and its water parks and gardens.
The Tombs of Tiro de Chamila, a fascinating archeological zone, is also located here.
Nevado de Colima Mexico National Park
Source: Rubi Rodriguez Martinez / shutterstock.com
As I mentioned earlier, this national park includes the two most important mountains in the state, the Nevado de Colima Volcano and the Volcano of Fire. Carrizalillos Lake near Colima, Mexico – Source: Angela N Perryman / shutterstock.com
In the state of Colima, there are several parks, lagoons, and estuaries where you can enjoy nature. Among them are Maria Lagoon Park, El Naranjal Lagoon, Amela Lagoon, Alcuzahue Lagoon, Cuyutlán Lagoon, and Palo Verde Estuary.
The Cuyutlán lagoon, near the sea, is the largest in the state, and the Estero de Palo Verde is part of its southern end. You can take boat rides and visit the mangroves in these places, admiring their flora and fauna.
El Palapo Ecological Park
It is located in the community of Agua Zarca, municipality of Coquimatlán, and has an area of 11 hectares.
Here you can observe various fauna since it includes an aviary, serpentarium, and crocodile farm. There is even a bat cave and exotic birds, monkeys, deer, and some wild cats.
Carrizalillo Lagoon Ecotourism Center
It is located at the foot of the Volcano of Fire of Colima, where you can camp and rent horses to ride around.
There are also kayaks and boats to navigate in the lagoon, and black bass fishing is practiced. Its natural environment allows you to appreciate flora and fauna, deer, and various birds, such as the Raja de Ocóte.
Cuauhtemoc Colima Mexico
This municipality is located northeast of the state and is home to the Sugar Cane Museum and the Rice Museum.
It also has historic buildings such as the Casa de la Cultura de Cuauhtemoc and the former Hacienda de Chiapa. On the other hand, you can enjoy nature by visiting the Wayak Camp or climbing the Colima Volcano from Montitlán.
La Cumbre Ecological Park
In this beautiful place, located northeast of the city of Colima, you can enjoy La Cumbre Ecological Park.
There is a take-off runway for paragliding and hang gliding, zip line towers, and other extreme sports. It is also ideal for hiking and visiting the Hermitage of the Immaculate Conception at the top, with the image of the virgin at its peak.
Laguna La Colorada Crocodile Farm
La Colorada Lagoon is located in the coastal municipality of Tecoman, south of Colima. There is a breeding and conservation center for crocodiles, which are kept in terrariums and free in the lagoon.
Source: JORGE MURGUIA / shutterstock.com
This coastal site, located in the municipality of Tecoman, combines a beach with calm waters, an estuary, a mangrove forest, and an excellent restaurant with fresh seafood dishes.
You can also enjoy boat rides through the mangrove or diving, admiring the abundant fauna of the area. There are several bird species and fish, deer, peccaries, caimans, and boas, among others.
El Paraíso Beach
It is an open sea beach located 100 meters from the town of El Paraíso and is ideal for water sports such as windsurfing and surfing.
Along the beach, several places offer typical food and drinks, the most famous being La Boquita.
In addition, awnings and chairs can be rented, and there are all kinds of services in the area.
Playa Oro
It is a quiet beach of fine sands and blue waters, with an extension of 12 km with scattered coconut trees.
The beach’s name is a consequence of the sinking in 1862 of the American ship Golden Gate, carrying a substantial cargo of gold.
On the other hand, it is possible to take a boat ride to the islet of Peña Blanca and observe aquatic birds.
The “Magic Zone”
About 5 km from the Comala-San Antonio highway is a stretch of road officially called the “Magic Zone.”
It is said that any vehicle placed in neutral gear will move in the opposite direction of the slope as if it were going uphill, attracted by a strange force.
This is, of course, an optical illusion due to the peculiar way the slopes change on this road.
Cuyutlán and the Ecological Center El Tortugario
This town is located between the lagoon of the same name and the beach, which has strong waves and fine sand. It is interesting to visit the Salt Museum, where the entire process of obtaining this vital product is shown.
In addition, a few kilometers away is the El Tortugario Ecological Center, which is also a recreational camp. In this center, three species of turtles that visit these beaches are studied and protected.
Iguanas and crocodiles can also be observed here and on the bird-watching trail.
Explore the San Gabriel Caves
These caves are located in the ejido of the same name and are accessed by stairs since the entrance is ground level.
It is a vertical descent to reach a cavern whose ceiling is 50 meters high and shows an infinity of stalactites and stalagmites.
I hope you enjoy Colima Mexico on your next visit. It is truly a wonderful place. Don’t forget to drink a refreshing tuba, Colima’s signature beverage.