Colima

OpenRoom put together a mini guide of things you might want to know before your trip to Colima! Nevertheless, don't forget to scroll down to the comments to see tips & tricks from travelers who've been there!

MANZANILLO

📍 Where to find activities

→ Bahía de Santiago and Bahía de Manzanillo — Two twin bays separated by a peninsula. The main beaches are along Santiago Bay: Playa La Audiencia (calm water, snorkeling), Playa Miramar (surfing, kiteboarding, and a flea market), and Playa La Boquita (popular with families).

→ Centro Histórico — A small downtown area with the zócalo, the Sailfish Monument (Manzanillo is known as the sailfish capital of the world), the malecón, and colonial buildings. Smaller and less touristic than most Mexican centros.

→ Deep-sea fishing — Manzanillo is one of Mexico's most important sport fishing destinations. Sailfish, marlin, dorado, and tuna.

→ Whale watching — Humpback whales from December to April in Manzanillo Bay.

→ El Tortugario (Centro Ecológico de Cuyutlán) — Mexico's largest sea turtle sanctuary, about 30 minutes from Manzanillo. Conservation programs and baby turtle releases.

→ Volcán de Fuego and Nevado de Colima — Two volcanoes visible from the coast. The Volcán de Fuego is active. Day trips to the base are possible from Colima City.

📍 Where to eat

→ Santiago Bay beachfront — Palapa restaurants on the sand serving fresh seafood. Ceviche, pescado zarandeado, and shrimp tacos.

→ Centro — Local food, pozole seco (a Colima specialty), tuba (a drink made from palm tree sap).

📍 Where to go out

→ Manzanillo has limited nightlife. Some bars and restaurants along Santiago Bay and in the Las Hadas resort area. This is not a party destination.

📍 Where to find culture

→ The Sailfish Monument — Manzanillo's symbol on the waterfront.

→ La Campana archaeological site — A pre-Hispanic settlement north of Colima city, with pyramidal structures and ball courts. One of the most important sites in western Mexico.

📍 Nearby destinations

→ Comala (1.5 hrs inland), Colima City (1.5 hrs), Barra de Navidad (1 hr north along the coast)

📍 Nearby destinations (secondary)

Comala

→ A pueblo mágico about 1.5 hours inland from Manzanillo, at the foot of the Volcán de Fuego. It's known for its white buildings and colonial portales (covered arcades) where you can sit and drink ponche (fruit punch) and eat traditional food while musicians play. The novelist Juan Rulfo set his novel "Pedro Páramo" in a fictional town inspired by Comala. Quiet, atmospheric, and a stark contrast to the coast.

📍 Climate by season

Manzanillo has a hot tropical coastal climate.

Dry season (November–May) — Highs around 28–33°C (82–91°F). Lows around 18–23°C (64–73°F). Sunny and dry. December through March are the most comfortable months.

Rainy season (June–October) — Highs around 30–33°C (86–91°F). Lows around 23–26°C (73–79°F). Hot, humid, and rainy. Afternoon storms. Hurricane season runs June to November.

Comala (inland, ~1,400m altitude) — Cooler than the coast. Highs around 24–30°C (75–86°F). Pleasant year-round.

📍 Areas that may not be safe

Based on news reports and online sources, these are the areas that may not be safe:

Areas outside the main tourist beaches and resort zones in Manzanillo.

Rural areas and highways in Colima state, particularly toward the Jalisco and Michoacán borders.

(Picture credit: Kien Virak)