State · Jalisco, Michoacán e Riviera Nayarit

Colima

Colima, on the Pacific: the Volcán de Fuego, the white village of Comala, the palm‑lined capital and the beaches and port of Manzanillo.

In the photo: Volcán de Colima

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

The state

Get to know Colima

Colima is one of Mexico’s smaller states, between the mountains and the Pacific, south of Jalisco. The landscape is dominated by two volcanoes: the Nevado de Colima and the Colima volcano, called Volcán de Fuego, one of the most active in the country, located on the border with Jalisco and visible from much of the state.

The capital, also called Colima, is a quiet city of palm‑lined plazas and low houses, with the cathedral and the Government Palace in the center. A few kilometers away is Comala, a village of white houses and red roofs, known for its breads, its coffee and its fruit punch.

On the coast, Manzanillo is one of Mexico’s largest ports and a beach town, with bays of dark sand and warm water and sport fishing for sailfish, which gave the city the title of sailfish capital.

On the table and in the streets, tuba, a refreshing drink made from coconut sap sold from street carts, and dry pozole. Colima pairs well with Guadalajara, about 3 hours away, and with Puerto Vallarta, further north along the coast.

When to go

From November to May there is little rain and days are usually sunny — hot on the coast and mild in the capital. From June to October there is more rain, it is hotter, and it is hurricane season in the Pacific. Colima is 3 hours behind Brasília.

Getting there

Colima Airport (CLQ) and Manzanillo Airport (ZLO) receive flights from Mexico City and other cities. From Guadalajara, Colima is about 3 hours by bus or car, and Manzanillo about 4 hours. Between the capital and Manzanillo it’s roughly a 1.5‑hour drive.

Your questions

Frequently asked questions about Colima

Can you see the Colima volcano up close?

The volcano can be seen from several points in the state, such as Comala and the capital. Approaching the crater is often restricted due to volcanic activity; check before you go.

What is tuba?

A drink made from coconut sap, served cold, sometimes with fruit and peanuts, sold from street carts in Colima.

Is Manzanillo good for the beach?

Yes — it has bays with warm water and dark sand, and sport fishing for sailfish.

How do you get to Colima from Guadalajara?

By bus or car, in about 3 hours via the highway.

Tap a state to see its destinations. Limites: INEGI / geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.