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.
Colima state carries a US State Department Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory (as of 2026), the advisory's highest risk category, due to crime, kidnapping, and violence from criminal groups contesting the state's commercial port and drug-trafficking routes. This makes Colima, on paper, a higher-risk destination than most of Mexico's Pacific coast, though the risk is concentrated around the Manzanillo port and rural areas rather than spread evenly. The State Department grants a narrow exception allowing travel to Manzanillo's central tourist and port zones (hotel zone, Malecon, historic center, Las Hadas/Santiago Peninsula) via specific approved highways, and Manzanillo's beach resorts continue to receive regular tourist traffic. This is not a low-risk destination and requires real precaution: travelers should stay within the designated tourist zones and approved routes, avoid rural areas and night driving, and register with STEP before departure.
Current safety advisory
High_caution
Last updated: 2026 update of the US State Department Mexico Travel Advisory (Level 4: Do Not Travel for Colima state); UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to most of Colima with an exception for Manzanillo's tourist areas and the Manzanillo-Costalegre International Airport corridor
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
The US State Department rates Colima state at Level 4: Do Not Travel (as of the 2026 Mexico Travel Advisory), citing crime, kidnapping, and violence tied to criminal groups contesting the state's commercial port and drug-trafficking routes; this is the advisory's highest risk category, applied to only a handful of Mexican states
Risk is heavily concentrated around the port of Manzanillo's cargo operations and rural areas rather than evenly spread across the state; the State Department carves out a narrow exception allowing government personnel into Manzanillo's central tourist and port areas (historic center, Malecon, hotel zone, Peninsula de Santiago/Las Hadas area, Club Santiago), reached only via specific highways
US government employees may not travel to any other area of Colima state outside that designated Manzanillo tourist corridor and the approved highway connections to Guadalajara (via 54D/110/200D) and to Jalisco/the airport (via Highway 200); travelers should treat this restricted-zone map as a strong proxy for areas to avoid
Stick to Manzanillo's established tourist zones (hotel zone, Malecon, Las Hadas/Santiago Peninsula) and organized day tours to Comala, Colima City, or the coast rather than independent driving into rural Colima or unfamiliar coastal roads
Avoid driving after dark on rural highways outside the Manzanillo-Colima City-Comala tourist corridor; armed robbery and cartel activity linked to port and trafficking routes have been reported on isolated stretches
Register with the US Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before visiting so the embassy/consulate can reach travelers in an emergency or evacuation scenario
Kidnapping and violent crime tied to criminal group turf conflicts over the Manzanillo port are the advisory's specific named risks; avoid displaying wealth, use hotel safes, and take only official taxis or app-based rides booked from inside a business
Colima City and the pueblo magico of Comala, while inland and away from the port conflict zone, still fall within a Level 4 state; check current local conditions and avoid areas with recent reported incidents before visiting
The Colima Volcano (Volcán de Fuego) is an active stratovolcano with a closed exclusion zone; do not attempt to approach or climb it independently, and check current activity status before any planned viewpoint visit
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Fake or unofficial beach and boat tour operators
Unlicensed operators along Manzanillo's Malecon and Playa Miramar offer whale-watching, catamaran, or fishing tours at attractive prices but deliver unsafe boats, no life jackets, or no service at all
How to avoid: Book tours through an established hotel front desk or a marina-based operator with a verifiable office and visible safety equipment
Overpriced or unofficial taxis at the Manzanillo airport and bus terminal
Unregistered drivers approach arriving travelers with inflated flat fares or unmarked vehicles
How to avoid: Use the airport's official taxi counter (sitio autorizado), pre-book through a hotel, or use a reputable app-based ride service where available
Currency exchange shortchanging
Informal money changers near bus stations and tourist areas sometimes shortchange travelers or use rigged calculations
How to avoid: Exchange money at a licensed casa de cambio or bank in Colima City or Manzanillo's hotel zone, and count change before walking away
Timeshare and resort presentation pressure
Aggressive timeshare touts near Manzanillo's hotel zone and Las Hadas offer free excursions or meals in exchange for attending a high-pressure sales presentation
How to avoid: Decline unsolicited offers of free tours or meals from street vendors near resort areas, regardless of how the offer is framed
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- No special vaccinations are required; routine vaccines should be current, and hepatitis A/typhoid are sometimes recommended for travelers eating widely from markets and street stalls; dengue risk rises in the rainy season (June-October), so mosquito precautions matter more here than in drier Mexican states
- Water
- Tap water is not recommended for drinking; use bottled or purified water, including for brushing teeth, and avoid ice from unknown sources outside established hotels and restaurants
- Food
- Street food in Colima City and Manzanillo is generally safe from busy, high-turnover stalls; choose vendors with visible crowds and hot, freshly cooked food, and be more cautious with raw produce and unpasteurized dairy in rural areas
- Facilities
- Manzanillo and Colima City have private hospitals with reasonable emergency capabilities (Hospital Manzanillo, Star Médica Colima); medical care in smaller coastal towns and highland villages is limited, so serious injuries there may require transfer to Colima City or Manzanillo
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 911 (national emergency number)
- Medical
- 911
- Fire
- 911
- Tourist Assistance
- 800-006-8839 (SECTUR national tourist assistance hotline, some English support)
- General Emergency
- 911 (works nationwide from any phone, including Colima)
- Roadside Assistance
- 078 (Ángeles Verdes/Green Angels roadside assistance for highway breakdowns)
- Main Hospital
- Hospital General de Manzanillo or Star Médica Colima, Colima City
- Embassy Us
- US Consular Agency Puerto Vallarta (covers the Colima/Jalisco Pacific coast region): +52 322 222-0069; US Citizen Services emergency line: 1-844-528-6611 from the US or +52 55 8526-2561 from Mexico
- Embassy Us Capital
- US Embassy Mexico City (main): +52 55 5080-2000
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