In Mexico we find the state of Colima, one of the smallest in the entire Mexican territory, but one of the favorites at the tourist level. In the western region of the country, it has some of the most beautiful natural attractions in Mexico.
Although it seems that it does not have much to show us, today, in this article, you will see what the tourist places in Colima are.
1. La Campana Archaeological Zone
Appearing on the list of Mexican archaeological heritage for 1917, it is found in the areas surrounding the City of Colima, bordering Jalisco and Michoacán.
It was home to the Teotihuacan culture during pre-Hispanic times, so today it is an important cultural settlement, with shaft tombs, ceramic offerings, buildings that would be ritual centers, or places of power, as well as religious settlements.
It has an urban distribution, where the administrative-ceremonial interior stands out, where some of the most impressive drainage and water management structures in Mexican history are located.
You can visit the area and do the tour from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2. Walker Constitution
Diagonal to the Minor Basilica is one of the most important spaces for artistic and cultural life in Colima.
This colonial passage, with cobbled streets and decorated with swan-shaped stone fountains, is the place where most of the city’s artisans and informal artists meet, where they show and sell their creations.
It is also a passage to walk and rest. With different benches, many shops and cafes, it is the ideal place to sit and watch the evening fall, enjoy snacks, a drink and the most typical of Mexico.
On the second Saturday of each month you can take the opportunity to buy artisan jewelry, local beer or some products from the fields, which are established in the small informal stalls in the area.
3. Cathedral Basilica Minor
Located in the center of the city of Colima and consecrated by Pope John Paul II himself, it was erected on the spaces where the Spanish settled the royal houses, during the year 1525, it is the oldest cathedral in the country and in Latin America.
It is an obligatory stop in the city, thanks to its architecture, but above all for its religious tradition. The services take place at different times of the day and are all dedicated to the patron saint of Mexico, the Virgin of Guadalupe.
4. El Chanal Archaeological Zone
This area was given its name due to the various myths about creatures that have their habitat in the vicinity of small rivers or streams known as milkfish; These are reminders of the ancient cults of Tlaloc.
In the archaeological zone you can visit the ceremonial centers, squares, the ball game and some altars. Due to the extent of the place, it is presumed that it was the largest population in the current state of Colima.
5. Eat it
In the ancient Nahuatl language, Comala means “place where there are griddles”, but it is also known as the White Town of America, for its houses with simple white facades and red tiles on the roof.
In Comala, the writer Juan Rulfo located the plot of one of his most famous books, Pedro Páramo. While you walk through its alleys you have the possibility of visiting some monuments, such as the Parish of San Miguel Arcángel or the former Nogueras hacienda.
6. Alvaro Obregon Market
If you visit the city center, you will find the Álvaro Obregón Market, a wonderful place to walk through its corridors full of various stalls of fruits, vegetables, bread and the typical crafts of the area; you can buy or just walk and look.
It has an area of typical Mexican food or snacks, where you should not overlook its juices, cakes or delicious enchiladas, among many dishes that will calm your appetite.
7. The Coffee Route
If you take this option to do a tour you will be able to know the Coffee Route, starting from the Cathedral of Colima. The tour lasts approximately 8 hours, as it passes through different places, starting in Comala. This place is also known as Café Bus.
The tour continues through the Magic Zone, La Nogalera, Coffee Station, Brotherhood of Suchitlán, Los Colomos, El Remudadero, El Remate and La Caja.
The walk is accompanied by a delicious coffee, music and the best explanations of a guide.
The exits are in front of the Cathedral and tickets are purchased right there, which, for adults, cost 300 Mexican pesos, while children pay 270 Mexican pesos.
During the holiday season, the tours are daily and require a minimum of six people to carry them out.
8. Laguna Carrizalillo, Ecotourism Center
Located on the slopes of the Colima Volcano, is the lagoon, ideal for a relaxed picnic in contact with nature.
On the site there are places to rent kayaks or boats. If you like fishing, you can practice your hobby by fishing for black bass.
If you are not very fond of water, you can select walks to see the abundant fauna of the place, surrounded by a climate with spring temperatures. You can also watch multiple varieties of birds and camp.
When the area is clear of clouds, you can see the volcano’s fumaroles and perhaps some explosions, which occur occasionally.
Admission has a general cost of 15 Mexican pesos and there are other prices depending on the activity you choose to do.
9. Colima Volcano
The most striking thing about this volcano is that it is the only one in the country that is still active, as well as historically being the most active in Mexico. Also called Volcán de Fuego, it has a height of 3960 meters.
Between November and March is the best season to visit. In its nearby areas you can do camping, light hiking or rural photography.
If you want to climb the volcano, the first approach is in the town of Atentique and from there to the site known as El Playón.
The routes of approach to the volcano offer various options to enjoy a day with the family, roadside restaurants, rented cabins and shops to purchase various handicrafts and typical products.
10. Paradise Beach
It is located in the open sea. It is only 100 meters from El Paraíso and 7 kilometers from Armería.
Due to its location it is ideal for practicing water sports such as windsurfing and surfing . On its shores there are numerous shops and bowers that offer the typical dishes of the area. The most famous place is called La Boquita.
11. Regional History Museum
This museum is housed in an old colonial-style mansion built at the beginning of the 19th century, which would also have been a residence and casino hotel before being converted into the Regional Museum of History.
It has six rooms dedicated to archaeological issues and eight rooms for history. In all the rooms of this museum, outstanding pieces of regional history are exhibited, from pre-Hispanic times until after the Revolution.
The general cost is 60 Mexican pesos and children under 13 years old do not pay.
12. Ecopark
Very close to the historic center of the city, just four blocks away, is the Ecopar, formerly called the Metropolitan Regional Park, built on plantation land dating back to the 19th century.
It is divided into two sections; in one, aquatic activities are carried out in pools with waves and a slide.
The other section has an artificial lake, grills and dining rooms. There is also a zoo with crocodiles, birds of prey, deer, peacocks, among other animals.
The admission fee is 6.00 Mexican pesos for adults and 4.00 for children. Open from Tuesday to Sunday.
13. Magic Zone
It is a place located at kilometer 6 of the Comala road. There it is possible to perceive a strange phenomenon that occurs with automobiles. If the cars are put into neutral and the foot is taken off the brake, they are attracted by a force that pulls them “up” the incline.
Cars are attracted to this energy and appear to back up on their own, reversing “up” at normal speeds and defying the laws of gravity.
In the area there are restaurants with prices for all budgets, which are active mainly on weekends; The temazcal is also there, which invites you to charge yourself with spiritual energy.
14. The Chupadero
In El Chupadero beach, estuary and lost paradise converge, and it is also one of the most hidden places in Colima.
In the area there are four types of mangroves: white, red, button and knight. The best way to explore it is by boat to go through the wide canals and branches.
The fauna is typical of the region and there is a large number of it, as well as the vegetation that is also unique to the area.
15. Villa de Alvarez
It is located a few kilometers from the capital Colima. It is a site that all visitors should know.
It is a small town full of vegetation on all sides and is the headquarters of Ecoparc, a place where animals live freely.
16. Gold Beach
We do not know if Playa del Oro owes its name to the fact that thousands of gold coins and ingots were left at the bottom of the sea in 1862, during the sinking of the American ship Golden Gate.
Today the memory of this shipwreck and its history that has become a legend are part of this fabulous beach of fine sand. It is a unique place to swim, dive or sunbathe placidly lying on the sand.
17. City of Manzanillo
Manzanillo is a very picturesque and charming city that will win you over with its tranquility.
You can get to know the boardwalk and visit one of the most emblematic monuments of the city, the figure of the Pez Vela, created by the sculptor Sebastián. You can also go to Playa Miramar or visit the Museum of Shells and Snails.
You cannot miss the typical food of the area, such as Colima ceviche, grilled sailfish, breaded shrimp or prawns with garlic sauce. And for dessert, you can try a quince jelly.
18. Manzanillo Bay
The wonderful Bay of Manzanillo is full of dream beaches: Ventana, Las Coloradas, El Viejo, San Pedrito, Las Brisas, Playa Azul, Salagua, Las Hadas and La Escondida.
All the beaches are suitable for swimming, having fun and sunbathing. In its many restaurants you can taste the local cuisine.
Be sure to visit and get to know the downtown boardwalk, the inner port and the fiscal dock.
19. Bay of Santiago
The Bay of Santiago also has beaches that are nothing to envy to those of the Bay of Manzanillo, among them we have: La Audiencia, Olas Altas, La Boquita and Miramar.
This bay occupies 25 kilometers of the total size of the Bays of Manzanillo and its beaches are accessed by highway number 200, which runs along the coast from Nayarit to Chiapas.
In addition to enjoying the beaches with their sands and delicious waters, you can marvel at an unforgettable sunset. To do this, you must go to the Mirador de Playa Santiago, located 18 kilometers from Manzanillo, or go to Playa La Audiencia, which has two viewpoints called Del Faro and La Reina, from where you can have unrepeatable views.
20. Cerro del Toro Park
This natural park is located within the city of Manzanillo. Its abundance and variety of natural resources favor the realization of multiple sports and recreation activities. Extreme sports bring many fans to the area.
You can take an ATV and take a ride up the slope until you reach 780 meters above sea level, strolling along paths and paths full of vegetation and magical streams scattered throughout the journey.
If you go by mountain bike you will have a wonderful ascent contemplating the Bay of Manzanillo and the Bay of Santiago in all its splendor.
The abundance of exotic birds, as well as the great variety of fauna and flora, will leave you with very pleasant memories.
To end the walk, take the opportunity to swim on the virgin beach of Peña Blanca Island. The fabulous black corals invite you to dive to fully observe them. Do not forget to go to the Grutas de la Floreña, to enjoy the wonderful waterfalls of the place.
21. Archundia Iguanarium
Nestled in the middle of touristic Manzanillo is the Archundia Iguanarium, a unique place in the world, created more or less 20 years ago, with the aim of protecting and preserving the iguanas in the area.
Initially there were only about 30 iguanas that today have become about 500 animals.
When touring the Iguanarium you can learn about these particular reptiles, which remind us in some way of dinosaurs. There you will know about their eating habits, lifestyle and the care they require. There are different colors and sizes, the largest being approximately 2 meters.
22. Christmas Island
It is a dream place, located between the limits of Colima and Jalisco, surrounded by coves and the lagoon. Its reefs, cliffs and fine sand are reason enough to visit Isla Navidad.
The walks through the coconut plantations, the fruit fields and the orchards cannot be missed and you will have the opportunity to learn how to prepare traditional drinks such as the punch prepared with mezcal and fruits.
Arrive at López Legazpi Avenue and visit all the artisan shops with true works of art, both in wood and in embroidery. Take the opportunity to cool off with a piñada, a drink made with grenadine, lemon juice, chili, salt and pineapple slices.
Extreme sports are also present on Isla Navidad, jet skiing, surfing, water skiing or kayaking, diving in the deep sea or competing in sailfish fishing.
Isla Navidad offers you fabulous spas so you can relax with hot stone massages or baths with aromatic herbs.
23. Miramar Beach
A true coastal sanctuary is Playa Miramar. Considered one of the favorite beaches of the locals in Manzanillo, thanks to the variety of activities you can do.
Surfing is very common here, both for professionals and beginners, and you can sign up to receive training in this regard. You also have the option of enjoying kayaking or windsurfing , which are other favorites.
Throughout the beach you will find places that serve the traditional and typical dishes of the area such as ground meat of sailfish, grouper or sierra; Stews made with snails and clams are recommended.
Hidden places in Colima
Among the tourist places in Colima that you need to visit, although they are a bit remote, are: El Chupadero, Laguna El Carrizalillo, Villa de Álvarez, Playa del Oro and Nevado de Colima.
Natural attractions of Colima
Among its natural attractions we can mention the Cerro del Toro Park, Christmas Island, Colima Volcano, El Paraíso Beach and El Chupadero.
Things to do in Colima Manzanillo
In this city you can enjoy anything from a walk along the Malecón to a tour of the port’s Fiscal Dock, as well as taking a walk through the Sailfish Monument. If you go there, be sure to enjoy the flavors of the local restaurants, with the best seafood.
Magical places in Colima
Bays of Manzanillos, Cerro del Toro Park, Magic Zone and Colima Volcano.
Type of tourism in Colima
The quality of the tourist places in Colima is so varied that you can find different types of tourism in this state. Thus, thanks to its variety of natural parks, you can do ecological tourism or dedicate yourself to cultural tourism, including gastronomic tourism.
Without a doubt Colima, despite being one of the smallest states in Mexico, has a wide variety of attractions, natural charms and flavors that await you to delight you. So you can not the opportunity to know the tourist places of Colima, and go for the adventure.
See also:
- Read our definitive guide to the Magical Town of Comala, Colima
- Click on our guide on the 56 tourist places in Mexico that you have to visit
- Meet our guide with the 10 best natural monuments in Mexico
