Colima, Colima

Colima, the state capital of Colima, is located inland on Hwy 110, 61 miles/98 km from Manzanillo at an elevation of 1650' (500 meters). The name Colima comes from the Nahuatl word collimaitl, colli means ancestors or gods and maitl means domain of. The colonial city was founded in 1527 and contains many historic buildings despite major earthquakes in 1900, 1932, 1941, 1995, 2003. The main zócalo is the Jardín de Libertad at the intersection of Constitución and Madero. Many visitors come to see the two nearby volcanoes, the snowcapped 4323-meter (14,220') Nevado de Colima, and the more active 3980-meter (13,087') Volcán de Fuego. They are often referred to as simply the Volcán de Colima.

The Volcán de Colima, also known as the Volcán de Fuego, near Colima is considered Mexico's most dangerous active volcano and could be poised for eruption. Several explosive events took place in 1999 and there were two small eruptions in November 2000. Periodic explosions and lava flows have continued to May 2005. Since 2005, there has been little activity. For updates and live images, try Universidad de Colima. The Volcán de Fuego is located near the northern border of the state of Colima, 60 miles northeast of Manzanillo. Here are some photos by Sergio Velasco.

Hotels • Hoteles

Budget • Económico
• Hotel Flamingos (312) 312 2525. Located across the street from the Hospedajes Del Rey, a few blocks from the zócalo. Unattractive rooms, poor housekeeping. (3/02)
• Hospedajes Del Rey Av. Rey Coliman No. 125. A few blocks from the zócalo. (312) 313-3683. Large clean rooms, hot water, ceiling fans, TV. US$33 (3/02)
• Hotel La Merced Juarez 82. (312) 312-6969. Some acceptable rooms. (3/02)

Moderate • Módico
• Hotel America Morelos 162, downtown. (312) 312-9596, 312-0366, fax: 314-4425. hamerica@prodigy.net.mx. Large rooms, restaurant, AC, TV, phones, parking, no pool. US$60.
• Hotel Los Candiles Blvd. Camino Real 399. (312) 312-3212. hcandiles@prodigy.net.mx. Pool, restaurant, some rooms with AC. US$50-70.
• Hotel Ceballos Portal Medillin 12, on the central plaza, Jardine de Libertad. (312) 312-4444. principal@hotelceballos.com. Colonial style hotel. Parking, restaurant with tables on the street, all rooms with AC. US$64. Recommended. Web: www.hotelceballos.com (10/02)
• Hotel Costeño Blvd. Carlos de Madrid Bejar No. 1001. (312) 312-1900
• Hotel Maria Isabel Blvd. Camino Real & Av. Felipe Sevilla del Río, about a mile from the center of town. (312) 312-6262, 312-6464, 312-6588, 01-800-221-8478. reservaciones@hotelmariaisabel.com.mx. Parking, AC, Guaymacas restaurant with entertainment. Clean, good location. US$40-60.
• Hotel Maria Victoria Blvd. Camino Real No. 999. ( 312 ) 313-8106, 313-8102, 313-8103, 313-8104, 01-800-713-5283. Nicest in town.

Restaurants • Restaurantes

• La Arabica Gabino Barreda No. 4, Centro Colima. (312) 313-7707. (4/05)
• Café de la Plaza at the Hotel Ceballos at the plaza Jardín de Libertad. Sidewalk café.
• El Charco de la Higuera on Madero, 6 blocks west of the Jardín de Libertad. (312) 313-1092. Attractive setting.
• Cisnes Closed at the end of Andando Constitución (pedestrian part of Constitución). Sidewalk café.
• Crotos Grill Closed Calzado Pedro A. Galvan 207. (312) 314-9494. Popular, moderate to expensive.
• Deli Fresh salads and pastas.
• Fonda San Miguel 129 Av. 27 de Septiembre. (312) 314-4840. Regional food, popular.
• La Pasta Genoveva Sanchez 1265, Jardines de Vista Hermosa. Salads, pastas, pizzas. Reasonable prices. (4/05)
• Livorno's downtown on Andando Constitución near the Jardín de Libertad. (312) 334-5030. Italian.
• Naranas near Jardín Libertad. Live music nights. Good food, reasonable prices.

Celebrations • Fiestas

• Feria de Todos los Santos Colima 2 weeks in late October and early November (10/28 to 11/12 in 2006). This is the principal celebration of the state of Colima dating back to 1826. It draws people from neighboring Jalisco and Michoacan. The event takes place next to the Niños Heroes Park, also known as "El Rodeo", at km4 of the Colima-La Estancia highway. Program for the 2006 event, provided by Jupiter Rivera of Casa Alvarada.
• Fiesta de la Virgen de la Salud January 23 to February 2. Centered in the northern part of town around Av. Gallardo and Av. Corregidora. Procession, crafts, food, fireworks, music, folk dancing.
• Fiesta Charrotaurina Two weeks in mid-February. In Villa de Alvarez, a few miles northwest. Processions daily from Jardín Nuñez in the center of Colima out to Villa de Alvarez, rodeo, bullfights, carnival. Large wooden bullring is assembled annually with no nails or metal parts.
• Fiesta de San José March 9-19. Centered on the west side near Quintero and Suárez. Religious processions, food, folk dancing.
• The Casa de Cultura (312) 312-9228 sponsors an annual fine arts festival in late November and early December. Ballet, music, theater, opera, sculpture, painting.

Museums • Museos

• Museo de Culturas Populares (312) 312-6869. On Aldama at 27 de Septiembre. Folk art for sale. Open Mon-Sat, 9-2 & 4-7pm.
• Museo de Culturas del Occidente E. Carranza and Ejercito Nacional. Open Tues-Sun, 9-6pm.
• Museo Regional De Historia located on the Jardine de Libertad (zócalo). It has an outstanding collection of artifacts from pre-Colombian times thru the Mexican Revolution. There is also a display of professional quality photographs - mostly nature photos.
• Museo Universitario De Artes Populares M. Gallardo and Gabino Barreda (not at Aves. Aldama and 27 de Septiembre as listed elsewhere). Very impressive collection.
• Palacio de Gobierno located on the Jardine de Libertad (zócalo).
• Pinacoteca Universitaria Photos and art displays.

Transportation • Transportación

By Air:
• Miguel de la Madrid Airport (CLQ) Regional airport located 12 kilometers from town.
• Manzanillo airport is located off Hwy 200 several miles northwest of Manzanillo, Colima, is served by several international carriers.

By Car: From Barra de Navidad, Melaque, or La Manzanilla, head south on Hwy 200 towards Manzanillo. Get on the cuota road just before you get into Manzanillo, heading to Colima. Take the first Colima city exit off the cuota road into town. (2 couta's to pay one way- 35 pesos and 70 pesos). Well worth the investment since the road is nice, safe, and fast! After exiting just drive straight into downtown Colima and the road will pass right by the downtown zócalo (jardin). (12/00)

By Bus: These bus lines operate from the Nueva Central Camionera on the Hwy 110 bypass east of town.

• Tres Estrellas de Oro (312) 312-8448, 312-8499.
• Ómnibus de Mexico (312) 312-9050, 314-7190.
• Autobuses de Occidente (312) 312-0508, 314-8179.

By Train: There is no longer train service to Colima.

Tour Operators, Outfitters • Operadores Turísticos, Proveedores

• Admire Mexico Tours (312) 314-5454, (312) 315-5229, Cellular: 045 (312) 111-6198. Alvaro Obregón No. 105. Volcano tours, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, birdwatching, coffee tour, turtle sanctuary and mangrove boat ride, history tour, art tour, and custom tours. Email: AdmireMexicoTours@hotmail.com
• The Only Tours Costalegre (315) 355-6777 (voice/fax). Ray and Eva, located next to La Paloma in Melaque, Jalisco. Snorkeling trips, tours to Colima City, Volcano Tours via surburban. Snorkeling gear, boogie boards, and Mountain bikes for rent. Email: raystoursmelaque@yahoo.com. (11/05)

Help keep this information current. Email tom@tomzap.com with updates.

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Nearby Points of Interest • Puntos Interesantes Cercanos

Comala   Comala is a wonderful little town on the way to the Colima volcano. Comala has a great jardin with an amazing church on one side and on another side is a series of outdoor cafes. The Los Portales brings out free food if you have drinks, and then the mariachis come out. Comala is a definite visit if you go to Colima.

La Campana Archeological Zone   This is a small archaeological site on the outside of Colima that is slowly being restored.

Miscellaneous • Misceláneo

• Caberca Policia Av. 20 de Noviembre on the south side of town. (312) 313-1434 or dial 06.
• Centro Médico private hospital. Maclovio Herrera 140, north of the Jardín de Libertad. (312) 312-4044, 312-4045, 312-4046.
• Colima Magic Web site put together by students at Tec de Monterrey in Colima, Mexico.
• Oficina de Turismo 20 Portal Hidalgo. (312) 312-4360, 312-8360. Open Mon-Fri 8:30-3pm and 6-9pm, Sat 9-1pm.
• Post Office (Correo) Madero and Nuñez, in the Palacio Federal, 6 blocks east of the Jardín de Libertad.
• Project Amigo 312 395 4485. Colima. Helping poor children in Mexico, offering international volunteer opportunities, and fostering fellowship among Rotarians. Email: inquiry@projectamigo.org. Web: www.projectamigo.org
• Volcán de Colima, also known as the Volcán de Fuego, near Colima is considered Mexico's most dangerous active volcano and could be poised for eruption. Several explosive events took place in 1999 and there were two small eruptions in November 2000. Periodic explosions and lava flows have continued to May 2005. For updates and live images, try Universidad de Colima. The Volcán de Fuego is located near the northern border of the state of Colima, 60 miles northeast of Manzanillo. Here are some photos by Sergio Velasco.

Help keep this information current. Email tom@tomzap.com with updates.

Ayúdenme a mantener ésta información al día. Envía tus actualizaciones por e-mail a tom@tomzap.com.

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The Pacific Coast of Mexico www.tomzap.com Tom Penick:  tom@tomzap.com