Colima Attractions
How to get there
From Mexico City by rail via Guadalajara in about 17 hours (4 hours from Guadalajara); by bus via Guadalajara in about 13 hours (3.5 hours from Guadalajara); by car on the MEX 54 from Guadalajara (265km/165mi) via Ciudad Guzmán.
Colima, capital of Colima State, extends across the slopes of a fertile valley watered by two rivers. With views of two magnificent mountain peaks, its simple colonial architecture, luxuriant gardens and air of tranquillity, the city is a most delightful place.
History
The area around Colima almost certainly has a long pre-Columbian history, although next to nothing is known about the early inhabitants. Arriving in 1522 the Spanish under Gonzalo de Sandoval found an Indian settlement already in place, and established a town called San Sebastián de Caballeros next to it. Over the years, mainly in the 18th c. but again in recent decades, it has grown into a flourishing centre where the livestock, timber and agricultural produce of the ranches and haciendas in the countryside around is processed and marketed.
From Mexico City by rail via Guadalajara in about 17 hours (4 hours from Guadalajara); by bus via Guadalajara in about 13 hours (3.5 hours from Guadalajara); by car on the MEX 54 from Guadalajara (265km/165mi) via Ciudad Guzmán.
Colima, capital of Colima State, extends across the slopes of a fertile valley watered by two rivers. With views of two magnificent mountain peaks, its simple colonial architecture, luxuriant gardens and air of tranquillity, the city is a most delightful place.
History
The area around Colima almost certainly has a long pre-Columbian history, although next to nothing is known about the early inhabitants. Arriving in 1522 the Spanish under Gonzalo de Sandoval found an Indian settlement already in place, and established a town called San Sebastián de Caballeros next to it. Over the years, mainly in the 18th c. but again in recent decades, it has grown into a flourishing centre where the livestock, timber and agricultural produce of the ranches and haciendas in the countryside around is processed and marketed.
Government Palace
Buildings In addition to the Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno) and the cathedral, the churches of San José, Fátima and El Sagrado Corazón all deserve mention.
Museo de Arte y Cultura Popular
The Museo de Arte y Cultura Popular (or Museo Maria Teresa Pomar; corner of Calle 27 Septiembre/Manuel Gallardo Zamora) has a collection of regional costumes and musical instruments from all over Mexico, also a complete bakehouse for making the very typical "pan dulce".
Museo Universitario de Artes Populares "Ma. Teresa Pomar"
Gabino Barreda esquina Manuel Gallardo Zamora
Colima, Colima 28000
Mexico
Gabino Barreda esquina Manuel Gallardo Zamora
Colima, Colima 28000
Mexico
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 13:00 | |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | |
| Close | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 | 20:00 |
Museo de Historia de Colima
Pre-Hispanic ceramicware, baskets, furniture and dancers' masks can be seen at the Museo de Historia de Colima (Portal Morelos 1).
Museum of Western Cultures
The city of Colima is well worth visiting just to see the Museum of Western Cultures (Museo de las Culturas de Occidente; Calz. Galván y Ejército Nacional). It is principally devoted to archaeological finds from the Colima culture burial sites.
Colima Surroundings
Comala, Mexico
Situated about 10km/6mi north of Colima, the attractive small town of Comalá is the centre of the local crafts industry (furniture, paintings and wrought ironwork). About 6km/4mi outside the town is the site of an unusual magnetic phenomenon. Take a taxi from the main square; the driver will turn off his engine and the vehicle will be drawn uphill as if by magic.
Tampuchamay, Mexico
The hotel at Tampuchamay (turn off for Los Azmoles 12km/7.5mi south of Colima; after 5km/3mi take the Los Ortices road) has an open-air museum with numerous sculptures; at the burial sites themselves, bones and fragments of pottery can sometimes still be seen in situ. Various species of bat and other coelenterates inhabit the Gruta de Tampuchamay.
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