Colima is Mexico's second-smallest state, a compact Pacific coast territory dominated by the twin volcanic peaks of Volcán de Fuego and Nevado de Colima. It pairs the whitewashed Pueblo Mágico of Comala with the resort and cargo port city of Manzanillo, self-styled the Sailfish Capital of the World, plus black-sand beaches, lime orchards around Tecomán, and a low-key colonial capital in Colima City.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Colima.
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Manzanillo Bay Beaches
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Black-Sand and Surf Coast
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- Beachfront restaurants and palapa bars
- Sun lounger and umbrella rental
- Gentle swimming conditions suited to families
- Surf lessons available for beginners on smaller swell days
- Public beach access along the coastal boulevard
Playa Miramar
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- Calm, sheltered bay waters
- Beachfront seafood restaurants
- Fishing boat launches nearby
- Simple public access points along the malecón
- Limited shade - bring sun protection
Playa Azul
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- Sheltered cove with calm, clear water
- Snorkeling among nearby rock outcrops
- Beachfront restaurant and palapa service near the Las Hadas resort area
- Small parking area at the cove entrance
- Shaded palm-lined sand
Playa Audiencia
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- Long open beach popular with surfers on bigger swell days
- Beachfront restaurants and casual bars
- Fishing boat access
- Basic public parking along the boulevard
- Moderate to strong waves depending on swell
Playa Santiago
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- Calm bay waters within the Bahía de Santiago
- Nearby hotel and condo beach clubs
- Casual beachfront eateries
- Moderate foot traffic compared to Miramar
- Shallow entry suited to wading and light swimming
Playa Salagua
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- Long stretch of sand backed by hotels and residential areas
- Moderate surf suited to bodyboarding
- Handful of beachfront restaurants
- Public access points along the peninsula road
- Limited natural shade
Playa Las Brisas
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- Wide open beach with moderate surf
- A handful of simple palapa restaurants
- Quieter, less developed than the main Manzanillo bay beaches
- Informal parking near the access road
- Limited facilities - bring water and sun protection
Playa La Boquita
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- Consistent surf break popular with local and visiting surfers
- Board rental and lessons through local surf shops
- Simple beachfront food stalls
- Strong currents - caution advised for swimmers
- Informal roadside parking
Playa Olas Altas (San Pedrito)
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- One of Mexico's most powerful and respected surf breaks
- Surf camps and board rental in the small village
- A few simple seafood restaurants near the river mouth
- Strong, fast-breaking waves - experienced surfers only
- Basic lodging options in the village for surf trips
Boca de Pascuales
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- Distinctive black volcanic sand
- Site of the seasonal ola verde (green wave) phenomenon each spring
- Beachfront seafood restaurants along the malecón
- Basic guesthouses and small hotels in the village
- Moderate to strong surf and undertow - caution advised
Playa Cuyutlán
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- Quiet, largely undeveloped stretch of dark sand
- Minimal facilities - a handful of informal food stands
- Sea turtle nesting activity in season
- Strong currents typical of the open southern coast
- Informal parking areas along the access road
Playa El Real
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- Long, quiet stretch of dark sand with few visitors
- Minimal to no facilities - bring supplies
- Fishing spots popular with local anglers
- Moderate surf and occasional strong currents
- Informal access via local roads rather than a developed entrance
Playa Tecuanillo
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Family Friendly
Family Friendly
Playa Miramar and Playa Audiencia offer the calmest water and easiest access, making them the best choices for families and less confident swimmers
Surf Scene
Surf Scene
Boca de Pascuales and Playa Olas Altas draw a dedicated surfing crowd, with board rental, lessons, and simple surf-camp lodging available
Quiet And Local
Quiet And Local
Playa El Real and Playa Tecuanillo see mostly local visitors and offer an unpolished, low-key alternative to the busier Manzanillo bay beaches
Scenic
Scenic
Playa Cuyutlán's black volcanic sand and the seasonal ola verde green wave make it the most visually distinctive beach experience in the state
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Colima memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
What To Bring
Sun protection, water shoes for the volcanic sand beaches around Cuyutlán, and plenty of drinking water, since facilities thin out quickly south of Manzanillo
Safety
Currents strengthen noticeably south of Manzanillo's sheltered bays; swimmers should stay close to shore and heed any posted flags or local guidance at Cuyutlán, Boca de Pascuales, and Playa Olas Altas
Best Visiting Hours
Morning through early afternoon is best for calmer winds and cooler temperatures; Manzanillo's beach clubs get busiest in the late afternoon as the heat eases
Combining Sites
Playa Miramar, Azul, Audiencia, and Santiago can all be combined in a single day around Manzanillo, while Cuyutlán and Boca de Pascuales pair naturally with a Tecomán day trip further south
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.