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City in Colima, Mexico
Photo: Arturosanchez, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Colima is the capital of Colima state in Mexico. This city is not very touristy but richly rewards the intrepid traveler who comes looking to experience a small state capitol with colonial architecture, an excellent state museum and a portrait gallery, fun quirky attractions like a slide down a volcanic rock, and nearby natural attractions including Pacific coast beaches and two towering twin volcanoes. It has a respected university that conducts a lot of international exchange.
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Liberty Garden
The historic center of the city revolves around life in this square which fills with the sounds of music and is surrounded by bars and restaurants. It has a kiosk in the center, brought from Belgium in 1891, surrounded by palms and leafy trees and bushes. It is a pleasant place to sit and people-watch. It often hosts live music on weekends.
Parque Hidalgo
Dedicated to Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. This square contains an equatorial sundial which is exact. It was designed by Julio Mendoza and contains explanations in several languages.
Large and lively park with manicured gardens, wide paved walking paths, fountains and monuments. Lots of benches to sit and people watch. Many food and drink vendors, particularly on weekends when families come out.
Popular park known for a huge slab of volcanic rock that people can slide down. Playgrounds with slides and other equipment, but much of it is in poor repair so exercise parental supervision and inspect it before letting kids loose to play on their own. The park has a rather grim monument and memorial to "disappeared" people and is bedecked with posters seeking information about lost loved ones.
Museo Regional de Historia de Colima
The ground floor has a number of archeological pieces along with a replica of a shaft tomb, which is characteristic of the region. It recreates the burial of several peoples along with their belongings and Mexican hairless dogs (Xolos), which were thought to be guides to the next world. The upper floor contains documents and other objects which narrates the history of the state from the Conquest to the Mexican Revolution.
State Capitol
It is a two-story buildings in French Neoclassical design. It was built between 1877 and 1906 and designed by Lucio Urbe. It features three facades on three sides of a block. One façade contains a bell, which is a replica of the one Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang in Dolores Hidalgo and a clock brought over from Germany. Inside, the building has two courtyards and wide corridors. The main staircase showcases three fresco murals painted in 1953 by muralist Jorge Chávez Carrillo that features events from Mexican history with a strong tribute to Miguel Hidalgo, the father of Mexican independence.
Portrait Gallery
A museum dedicated to the history of art in Colima. It is dedicated to Colima artist Alfonso Michel who is considered the best of the state from the 20th century, and who focused on cubist and impressionist painting. The building is traditional for the city with its corridors lined by arches. Along with its permanent collection, the museum hosts exhibitions by local artists. A small outdoor cafe operates in the courtyard.
This museum is not only dedicated to the region's handicrafts and folk art, it also has exhibitions related to the area's popular festivals and traditions. The collection includes festival costumes, toys, masks, cooking utensils, metal miniatures, wood objects, pottery and fiber crafts.
The Palacio Legislativa y de Justicia (Legislative and Justice Palace) is the work of architects Xavier Yarto and Alberto Yarza. It is a modern design. Its interior contains a mural entitled "La Universialidad de la Justicia" by Gabriel Portillo del Toro.
Catedral Basílica de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
This is the oldest cathedral in North America, established in 1525 and completed in 1540, but since then it has been renovated various times, often due to earthquake damage. The style is Neoclassical with two towers at the front and a dome. The interior is sparse. The church was consecrated as a basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1998.
El Beaterio or El Sagrario
Beautiful colonial-era church where Father Miguel Hdalgo was once a parish priest. The church is small with a long single nave and a high bell tower, surrounded by iron gates. The main altar of this church contains six niches, with a crucifix at the top. The Del Carmen Chapel is next to it, which is a simple building that contains the image of Our Lady of Mount Carmel with the Infant Jesus in her arms. The church contains numerous small oil paintings and Sculptures of saints.
It is an archeological site about fifteen minutes outside of the city and is distinguished by a mound in the shape of a bell, which gives it the name. The site covers an area of about fifty hectares with only one percent explored. The site is also known for a construction style which uses rounded river stones and numerous burials.
tThe ruined city reached its height between 1000 and 1400 AD over an area of 120 hectares. The archeological has evidence of the extensive use of obsidian and metals such as copper and gold. Constructions at the site include a Mesoamerican ballcourt, the Plaza of the Altars, the Plaza of Day and Night and the Plaza of Time. Stairwells on pyramid bases often have glyphs similar to those found in central Mexico which may have a calendar function.
Recreational park with zoo, lake with pedal boats, zipline, picnic areas, walking trails. Needs better maintenance.
Bullring
A unique, handcrafted bullring, unique in the world with non-standard dimensions, constructed entirely of rustic materials including poles, logs, wood, rope, and woven mats, it is taken down each year and re-constructed the next in time for the Feria de Villa de Alvarez in early February. Events include bullfights, charreria, and nightly banda music concerts.
Relaxing small grab-and-go type place that specializes in breakfast. Several egg dishes, chilaquiles, hot cakes, and fresh fruit.
Popular brunch spot serving American-Mexican dishes including chilaquiles, huevos con machacado, french toast, excellent coffee and fresh fruit smoothies.
Buffet breakfast available in the mornings. The pan dulce is made in house. Mexican cuisine, but few options for vegetarians. Live jazz Wednesday evening.
Known for their artwork collection consisting of wood carvings and pottery, the food is really the reason to stay. Traditional Mexican cuisine with a few regional dishes. If you want a taste of Colima flavor, order the plato colimot.
Offers about 6 artisanal beers on tap with a couple unremarkable light beers and IPAs and a couple much more balanced and flavorful darker beers. They also have some fruity flavored waters and hard seltzer. Interesting cocktails with a peculiar local twist including mezcalindo and tubazcal. Rooftop terrace offers great views with tasty food and beer.
Rooftop terrace bar featuring beers from the Cerveceria de Colima and innovative food and mixed drinks. Above the Best Western Hotel.
The 18th century house of the governor, Gildardo Gómez, is now restored and transformed into this boutique hotel with rustic period decor and just 6 rooms. Rooms are spacious and have modern amenities, including cold air conditioning. It has an excellent restaurant, a tranquil courtyard garden, and a large, varied wine cellar.
Basic budget hotel with no amenities. Rooms are clean but have dated furniture.
Downtown hotel with spacious, clean rooms, on-site restaurant with full bar, off-street parking available in a lot behind the hotel. Very walkable area with plaza across the street and next to government offices with shops and restaurants within a block.
Modern hotel with an extensive swimming pool complex centered on three pools with slides, fountains and play areas for the kids. Rooms are spacious but could use an update. On-site restaurant serves a full buffet breakfast. Basic toiletries.
Traditional Mexican hotel with a plain exterior and rooms clustered around an attractive central courtyard. Rooms are spacious with only basic furnishings. Service is friendly but some guests report problems with reservations not being honored. Basic breakfast service is available, but if you want a full breakfast, there is a restaurant on the corner with more options.
Traditional colonial style hotel with rooms situated around a central courtyard with seating areas and mature shade trees. Rooms are spacious, very clean, but furnishings are a bit dated and toiletries rather basic. Beds were comfortable and room had cold air conditioning. Service is very friendly. WiFi internet has good signal. On-site cafe serves a good breakfast. Quiet location next to Jardin Núñez.
By bus
There are two main bus terminals. Better, safer buses go to Central de Autobuses Colima (see Bus travel in Mexico).
By plane
You could also fly to Guadalajara (GDL), which is Mexico's second largest city, and where there are more flight options.
By taxi
Taxis are common in the city. Prices tend to go up at the sight of a foreigner.
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Colima · Regional · CLQ
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