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Boutique hotels in Colima

Holidays in Colima, Mexico

Colima Overview

Mexico

Countryside
Ranches and rivers
Country life
Pastoral pueblos

Small and volcanically formed, Colima is the legendary domain of Mexico’s gods, who gaze down from the skies at the sweeping valleys, vast, open ranches, and dense subtropical jungle.

Perched on the south-western Pacific coast of Mexico, little-known Colima is the third smallest state in the union, hemmed in by touristy Jalisco to the north and cultural Michoacán to the south. The southern tip of the Sierra Madre mountains cascades down into the state, creating dramatic gorges and rivers, and the skyline is dominated by two huge volcanoes, one dormant and one the most active in country, the volcán de fuego, which looms over the state capital Colima, sporadically puffing out spires of smoke into the deep blue Mexican sky. Apart from a few urban pockets, such as the state capital, Colima, and resort town Manzanillo, this is ranchers’ territory, where cowboys-turned-businessmen top sharp suits with ten-gallon hats, and vast ranches dominate the terrain – making horse riding one of the best ways to explore. Colima’s also one of Mexico’s most fertile regions, producing coffee, coconuts and a cornucopian collection of tropical fruit. Plus, with a landscape rich with rainforest and wildlife, it’s a haven for naturalists, eco-adventurers, and anyone who knows a modern day Eden when they see one.

Completely Colima

Some of the most instantly recognisable symbols of Colima are the perros cebados, ceramic sculptures of small, fat, hairless dogs that were once a prehispanic tradition, and today fill the craft shops and street stalls of the state. The dogs themselves, known as Techichi or Escuincle, were relatives of the Chihuahua and Xoloitzcuintle (Mexican hairless) and were bred for their healing properties, talents as guard dogs, and the fact they made for a tasty barbecue.

Local knowledge

Taxis
In Colima town, cabs are plentiful at the airport and around the bus station. In more far-flung places in the state, you’re best hiring a car, or arranging a driver through your hotel. To book a taxi in advance, call Radio Taxis de Colima y Villa de Álvarez on +52 312 311 4949.

Tipping culture
Bar and restaurant staff expect 10–15 per cent for service. Be prepared to give cab drivers some change if they help with luggage, but there’s no need to tip for the sake of it.

Siesta and Fiesta
Colima’s not big on nightlife, so don’t expect much in the way of early-hours cavorting – or to eat after 10.30pm. Shops, however, open relatively late, usually until 8–10pm.

Packing tips
Make like a cowboy and bring riding-friendly threads – don’t worry about a hat most stables have proper John Wayne-esque ones you can borrow. Leave space in your bag to take home some locally grown coffee and remember to pack warm clothing as nights can be chillier than you might expect.

Recommended reads
The magic realist novel Pedro Paramo by Juan Rulfo charts a man’s attempts to uncover the truth about his murderous stepfather, and the ghost town to which he finds comes to find him.

Cuisine
Sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the states of Jalisco and Michoacan, Colima enjoys the best of both culinary worlds: a bounty of fresh seafood and the typical ranch dishes of Western Mexico. As well as sugar cane and coffee, the state grows fruits such as mango, mamey, tamarind and coconut, which are often used in local drinks and sweets. Look out for Cocada, a sugary coconut concoction made with eggs and spices, and dulce de tamarindo, a very popular sweet snack. You’ll see Colimans chugging back tuba, a boozy beverage made from palm sap, tejuino, a fermented corn drink, and ponches, made from fermented maguey and flavoured with fruits. Ponche de grenada (pomegranate punch), is the most well-known, but tamarind, pistachio and guava are also among many flavours available. In terms of savoury dishes, you can look forward to sinking your fork into tatemado (pork marinated in coconut vinegar), pozole (a pork and hominy stew), and menudo (a spicy tripe soup). Comala is famous for its delicious sopitos, small tortillas covered with shredded meat, and sprinkled with cheese.

Currency
Mexican Pesos (MXN).

Time zone
GMT -6hrs.

Dialing codes
Mexico: +52; 312 if calling Colima from a landline in another city, 01 312 if calling from a mobile phone.

Do go/don't go
The climate’s at its optimum (hot but not scorching or humid) and the festivals season’s in full flow between November and June, but September brings the rainy season and is best avoided.

Don't go home without

…stopping at a roadside coconut stall for a refreshing, machete-prepared snack.