Colima is tiny. Like, "blink and you’ll drive into the next state" tiny. It’s one of Mexico’s smallest states, tucked away between Jalisco and Michoacán, yet it packs more personality into its borders than some of the country’s massive desert states up north. Honestly, most people just use the highway to get to the beach and skip the rest. Big mistake.
If you're looking for the typical tourist trap vibe, you won't find it here. There's no "Señor Frogs" in the capital. Instead, you get a strange, beautiful mix of active volcanoes, white-washed colonial villages, and a port city that feels more like a working sailor’s hub than a curated resort.
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The Capital: Colima City and the Shadow of Fire
Most folks assume the capital is just a government hub. It’s not. Known as the "City of Palms," Colima City sits in a valley that feels suspiciously lush for how hot it gets. You’ve got the Volcán de Fuego (the Fire Volcano) looming over the horizon. It’s one of the most active volcanoes in North America. Living here means occasionally seeing a plume of ash while you’re eating your morning sopitos.
The heart of the city is Jardín Libertad. It’s classic. You have the Catedral Basílica Menor, which has been rebuilt more times than I can count because of earthquakes. That’s the thing about cities in Colima Mexico—the earth moves here. It’s part of the deal.
Right next door is the Palacio de Gobierno. If you go inside, look for the murals by Jorge Chávez Carrillo. They tell the state’s history without the sugar-coating you find in textbooks.
Why Villa de Álvarez is basically the same city (but different)
If you drive five minutes north of downtown Colima, you’re in Villa de Álvarez. To a visitor, it’s all one big metropolitan area. But don't tell the locals that. This is where you find La Campana, an massive archaeological site. It dates back to 1300 B.C. and has these cool rounded pyramidal platforms.
The "Villa" is also famous for La Petatera. It’s a bullring made entirely of wood, ropes, and palm mats. No nails. Every year they build it, then they tear it down. It’s a bizarre, precarious engineering marvel that usually goes up around February for the Fiestas Charrotaurinas.
Comala: The Town That Isn't Actually Dead
You can’t talk about cities in Colima Mexico without Comala. It’s a Pueblo Mágico, which usually means "expensive and crowded," but Comala manages to stay pretty chill.
Ever read Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo? It’s the book that basically invented magical realism. In the story, Comala is a ghost town, a literal purgatory. In reality, it’s the "White Village of America." Back in the 60s, they decided every building had to be painted white with red tile roofs. It stuck.
What to actually do in Comala
- The Botaneros: Sit under the portals (the arches) in the main square. Order a beer. They’ll start bringing you small plates of food—botanas—for free (or very cheap).
- Drink Ponche: Not the fruit punch you had at prom. This is made with local pomegranate or nuts and a healthy kick of tuxca (the local moonshine).
- Nogueras: Just outside town, this old sugar hacienda was the home of artist Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo. The gardens are world-class, and the chapel is eerie in the best way.
Manzanillo: The Sailfish Capital with a Gritty Soul
Manzanillo is the biggest city in the state, and it’s a bit of a contradiction. It has Mexico’s busiest port. You’ll see massive container ships moving like slow metal whales in the bay.
It’s not "pretty" in the way Cabo is. It’s real. The Centro Histórico has a giant blue sailfish statue because, well, Manzanillo is the "World Capital of the Sailfish."
The Beach Divide
Manzanillo is split into two bays by the Santiago Peninsula.
- Bahía de Manzanillo: Closer to the port. Darker sand, more locals, great seafood palapas at Playa San Pedrito.
- Bahía de Santiago: This is where the resorts are. Playa La Audiencia is the gem here—a small cove with calm water where the movie 10 was filmed.
If you want to escape the crowds, head to Playa Miramar. The surf is stronger, but the sunsets make you realize why people move here and never leave.
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Tecomán: Limes, Crocodiles, and Giant Waves
Tecomán is the "Lime Capital of the World." The smell of citrus is everywhere. It’s a heavy, agricultural city that doesn't care much for tourism, which makes it fascinating.
Just a few miles away is Boca de Pascuales. This isn't a swimming beach. It’s a legendary "beach break" for surfers. We’re talking massive, heavy tubes that will snap a board in half. If you aren't a pro, just stay on the sand and eat tatemado (pork slow-cooked in coconut vinegar and spices) while you watch the lunatics in the water.
The Laguna de Alcuzahue
Nearby, there’s a crocodile sanctuary. It’s low-tech. It’s just a bunch of very large, very prehistoric-looking reptiles chilling in a lagoon. You can walk along the boardwalk, but keep your hands inside the rails. Honestly, the lack of "safety" signs is how you know you're in the real Colima.
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The Logistics: Getting Around the State
Driving here is surprisingly easy. The toll road from Guadalajara is one of the most scenic drives in the country, especially when you cross the bridge over the deep canyons.
- Airports: You have two options. Manzanillo (ZLO) is bigger and has more international flights. Colima City (CLQ) is tiny and mostly gets flights from Mexico City.
- Safety: Colima has had its rough patches with security, mostly due to the port’s strategic value. However, the tourist areas like Comala and the Manzanillo hotel zone are generally very different from the headlines. Stick to daytime travel between cities and use the toll roads (cuotas).
Actionable Next Steps for Your Colima Trip
Don't try to see it all in two days. You’ll just end up sweaty and frustrated.
- Start in the mountains. Spend two nights in Comala. Use it as a base to visit the Suchitlán canyons and the coffee plantations.
- Move to the capital. Take a day to hit La Campana and the museums in Colima City.
- Finish at the coast. Drive the 90 minutes to Manzanillo. Spend at least three days there—one for the historic center and two for the beaches in Santiago.
- Try the local salt. On your way to the beach, stop in Cuyutlán. It’s a tiny salt-producing town with a "Black Wave" museum. Buy a bag of the local sea salt; it's some of the best in the world.
Colima isn't trying to impress you. It just exists, tucked between the fire and the sea, waiting for you to realize it’s been there the whole time.