Colima · Mexico

Manzanillo, Colima and Comala

The port and beaches of Manzanillo on the Pacific, the capital Colima with the La Campana archaeological zone, and the white village of Comala at the foot of the Fire Volcano.

Jalisco, Michoacán and Riviera Nayarit

In the photo: Manzanillo bay and coastline, in Colima.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Colima is a small state on the Pacific coast, between Jalisco and Michoacán, stretching from the sea up the slopes of the Colima Volcano, also called the Fire Volcano, one of Mexico’s most active, about 3,800 meters high, beside the higher, inactive Nevado de Colima.

Manzanillo, the largest Pacific port in Mexico, has two bays, Manzanillo Bay and Santiago Bay, with both dark and light sand beaches, and is known for sport fishing for sailfish, honored with a large sculpture on the malecón.

About 100 km from the sea, the capital, Colima, is a city of palm trees and gardens, with the cathedral, the Government Palace and the La Campana archaeological zone, from pit-tomb cultures. Just north, Comala is a Pueblo Mágico of white houses and red roofs, linked to the work of writer Juan Rulfo, with views of the volcanoes on clear days.

On the slopes, La María lagoon sits among woods, facing the volcano. Manzanillo and Colima follow UTC−6, Mexico City Time, year-round without daylight saving.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Manzanillo, Colima, Comala.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

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Where Manzanillo, Colima and Comala is

Boundaries: INEGI / geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Manzanillo, Colima and Comala

✈ Aeropuerto Internacional Playa de Oro (ZLO) · 40 km to Manzanillo

Playa de Oro International Airport (ZLO) is about 40 km from downtown Manzanillo, with flights from Mexico City and from cities in the United States and Canada, some seasonal. The capital, Colima, is about 100 km from Manzanillo and about 200 km from Guadalajara, which has the region’s largest airport.

Suggested arrival point: Manzanillo

Colima · Manzanillo, Colima and Comala Suggested arrival point

Manzanillo

Manzanillo is the largest Pacific port in Mexico and a beach city with two bays, Manzanillo Bay and Santiago Bay, separated by the Santiago peninsula. The downtown area, next to the port, has a malecón with a sailfish sculpture, and the coast includes beaches such as La Audiencia, Miramar and La Boquita. The city is known for sportfishing for sailfish.

Colima · Manzanillo, Colima and Comala Capital

Colima

Colima is the state capital, about 100 km from the sea, a city of gardens, palm trees and low houses, founded in 1523. The center has Jardín Libertad, the cathedral and the Government Palace with murals. In the surroundings are the La Campana archaeological zone and the Pueblo Mágico of Comala, with the volcanoes in the background.

Colima · Manzanillo, Colima and Comala

Comala

Comala is a village of white houses with red-tile roofs about 10 km from Colima, on the slopes that rise toward the volcanoes. Known as the white town of the Americas, it became famous from the novel Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo, which uses it as a setting. It is a Pueblo Mágico, with a plaza, the parish of San Miguel Arcángel, and restaurants serving small plates.

The local experience

Things to do in Manzanillo, Colima and Comala

Comala · Colima · Historic center

Center of Comala

Plaza with garden and bandstand, white houses with red roofs, and the parish of San Miguel Arcángel, with the volcanoes in the background.

Colima · Colima · Square and cathedral

Jardín Libertad and Cathedral of Colima

Colima’s central plaza, with a bandstand, palm trees, the neoclassical cathedral and the Government Palace with murals by Jorge Chávez Carrillo.

Manzanillo · Colima · Promenade

Malecón de Manzanillo

The downtown promenade of Manzanillo by the port, with Jardín Álvaro Obregón and the blue sailfish sculpture.

Comala · Colima · Lagoon

La María Lagoon

A volcanic-origin lagoon surrounded by woods on the slopes north of Comala, facing the Colima Volcano.

See 3 more places in Manzanillo, Colima and Comala

Manzanillo · Colima · Beach

La Audiencia Beach

A small cove with light sand on the Santiago peninsula, with generally calm water, protected by hills.

Colima · Colima · Archaeological sites

La Campana Archaeological Zone

Ancient ceremonial center north of the city of Colima, with platforms, plazas and shaft tombs, facing the volcanoes.

Manzanillo · Colima · Beach

Miramar Beach

A long beach in Santiago Bay, with waves for surfing and bodyboarding and a pier with sea views and sunsets.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From November to May the weather is usually dry, with warm days on the coast and cool mornings on the slopes; it’s the most popular season for the beach and for seeing the volcanoes under clear skies. From June to October it rains more and is hot and humid, and the hurricane season runs from June to November.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Four days: two in Manzanillo, for the beaches and Santiago Bay, and two between Colima, Comala and La María lagoon. With less time, Comala and Colima can be visited in one day from Manzanillo.

Which city to stay in

In Manzanillo, the Santiago peninsula and La Audiencia beach concentrate resorts and beachfront hotels; the center, near the malecón, has simpler lodgings. In Colima, stay in the center near Jardín Libertad. Comala has guesthouses in the village and surrounding area.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Manzanillo, Colima and Comala

How many days should I allow for Manzanillo and Colima?

Four days: two for Manzanillo’s beaches and two for Colima, Comala and La María lagoon.

What is the distance between Manzanillo and Colima?

About 100 km, roughly a 1h15 drive on the highway.

Can you see the Colima Volcano?

On clear days, more common from November to May, the volcano can be seen from Colima, Comala and La María lagoon. Access to the higher slopes is often restricted because of the volcano’s activity.

Is a car needed to explore the region?

It helps: Manzanillo’s beaches are spread along the bays, and Comala and La María lagoon are easier to reach by car. There are buses between Manzanillo, Colima and Comala. In Mexico you drive on the right.

Do you need a visa to travel to Mexico?

Mexico’s entry requirements depend on nationality and travel document: travelers from several countries enter visa-free for tourism, while others need a visa, which in some cases can be applied for online. Requirements can change: confirm before you travel.

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Manzanillo, Colima and Comala

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip