Destinations > Colima
Colima Travel Guide
Everything you need to know about planning a trip to Colima, Mexico
COLIMA TRAVEL GUIDE CONTENTS
Quick Info | Colima Map | Places To Visit | Things To Do | Events & Festivals | Hotels | Fun Facts
Colima is a small state in the western part of Mexico. It has one of the highest standards of living among Mexican states despite having the lowest unemployment and being the fourth smallest state with a territory of 5,455 kilometers.
Colima’s main tourist destination is Manzanillo, where you will find beaches and the historical port where the Philippine Manila Galleon used to depart for maritime expeditions.
It also holds the annual Dorsey International Fishing Tournament. Another important destination in Colima is a small town called Colama, named “Pueblo Magico” in 2002 for its natural surroundings and traditional architecture.
✈️ Colima Travel Guide: Quick Info
- 🇲🇽 Capital: Colima
- ⏰ Timezone: Central Standard Time (GMT-6)
- ✈️ Airports: Colima Airport
- 🌆 Major Cities (population): Manzanillo (137,842) Villa de Álvarez (100,121) Colima (132,273) Tecomán (98,150) Cuauhtémoc (25,576)
- 🚩 Size/Area: 2,106 square miles
- 🧑🤝🧑 Population: 567,996 (2005 Census)
- 📅 Year of Statehood: 1857
🗺️ Colima Mexico Map
📍Places to visit in Colima Mexico
Colima City
Comala
Manzanillo
🏄♀️ Things to do in Colima Mexico
Salt Museum in Cuyutlan
Salt is the major economic driver of the state of Colima. You can see a great display of history of salt in the state in the Salt Museum in Cuyutlan.
Nevado de Colima
Standing at 4,280 meters high, the Nevado Colima is a dormant volcano but next to it is the Volcan del Fuego which is an active stratovolcano. This is the main attraction when visiting Colima, about 40 km from Colima City.
Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve
Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO-protected area. This biosphere is home to 40% of Mexico’s native plant species as well as animals like carey turtles, foxes, and wild hogs.
Volcan de Fuego (Fire Volcano)
Volcan del Fuego is an active stratovolcano next to the Nevado de Colima. When hiking Nevado de Colima, you can get a view of the Volcan de Fuego from the top.
Bahia de Manzanillo
Not many vacationers know this so they opt for resort cities like Los Cabos and Cancun. Manzanillo has resorts and it can be a great alternative if you don’t want a touristy resort vacation.
Iguanario Archundia
Archundia is an Iguana preservation center in Colima. The Pacific Coast (including the states of Nayarit and Jalisco) have the biggest iguana species in the country.
El Terrero
Do you love pine trees, cold weather, and mountain vacations? El Terrero is a park of natural wonders where there are vacation cabins to rent in the middle of a forest.
Revillagigedo Island
Located on the Pacific Ocean, Revillagigedo Island is a part of the state of Colima. t is made up of three islands: Isla Socorro, Clarion and San Benedicto islands.
🛏️ Hotels in Colima Mexico
🪅 Colima State Events and Festivals
Manzanillo Carnaval
February
Fiesta Taurina
February
Todos Los Santos Fiesta
October and November
💡 Colima Fun Facts
- Colima has been exporting lemons to California and Florida since the 19th century. The lemons come from a city near the Pacific coast of Tecoman, also known as the world’s lemon capital.
- The Nevado Colima is a dormant volcano but next to it is the Volcan del Fuego which is an active stratovolcano. This is the main attraction when visiting Colima (about 40 kilometres [25 miles] from Colima City).
- Colima’s coat of arms is the Mayan hieroglyph of a human arm. It symbolizes power of the elders who ruled the people of Colima. The shield is also surrounded by images of jaguars, marine snails, palm trees, and volcanoes: all of which represent the ecosystem of Colima.
- Colima received a federal grant for the Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve in 2003. This protected biosphere is home to 40% of Mexico’s native plant species with over 2,700 varieties. You will also find other animals here such as carey turtles, coyotes, wild hogs, and foxes.
- The state of Colima has a long coastal line so this region is seafood-forward when it comes to their cuisine. Ceviche, callo de hacha, and scallops are some of the original cuisines of Colima (with a twist).
- Mazanillo is a popular fishing destination and fishermen from all over the world love to travel here for the abundance of sailfish as well as blue/black marlin.
- The Perros Cebados (round dogs) is a ceramic artifact that is abundant in Colima. These dog artifacts have been found in tombs although the purpose of it is not certain. It is believed that the perros cebados were placed in the tomb to guide the departed soul to the next world. Famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo used the perro cebado in her paintings.
- Manzanillo is Mexico’s main Pacific coast port where cargo is unloaded from ships and then sent by rail to Mexico City, Guadalajara and Aguascalientes; local goods flow out of the port to consumers around the world.
SOURCES: HISTORY.COM | BRITANNICA.COM