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.
- Public
- Colima is Mexico's second-smallest state, so there is no metro or formal commuter rail - public transport means city buses and colectivos in Colima City and Manzanillo plus first-class intercity buses linking the two urban centers and smaller towns
- Taxi
- Taxis are plentiful and affordable in both Colima City and Manzanillo; sitio (radio-dispatched) taxis at stands are the standard choice since street hailing is less common outside the historic centers
- Rental
- A rental car is the most efficient way to combine Colima City's sights with Comala, the Nevado de Colima foothills, and the Manzanillo-area beaches in a single trip, since bus schedules between smaller towns are infrequent
- Walking
- Colima City's compact colonial center around the Jardín Libertad and Comala's plaza are both easily walkable, but the beach towns around Manzanillo and Cuyutlán are spread along the coast and require a vehicle or bus between stops
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Overview
- All commercial air arrivals to Colima state land at ZLO near Manzanillo, so every airport transfer starts on the coast, whether the final destination is a beach hotel nearby or Colima City further inland.
- Options
- {'type': 'Prepaid airport taxi', 'detail': 'Ticket booths inside the ZLO terminal sell fixed-zone fares to Manzanillo hotels or, for a higher fare, direct to Colima City', 'cost': 'MXN 400-650 (about USD 24-38) within Manzanillo; MXN 1,400-1,900 (about USD 83-112) to Colima City'}, {'type': 'Shared shuttle/colectivo', 'detail': 'Shared vans wait outside arrivals and depart once several passengers heading the same direction are aboard, cheaper per person than a private taxi', 'cost': 'MXN 150-300 (about USD 9-18) per person to Manzanillo'}, {'type': 'Rental car', 'detail': 'Counters for major agencies operate directly in the ZLO terminal, the most practical option for travelers planning to explore beyond Manzanillo', 'cost': 'From MXN 650/day (about USD 38/day) for an economy vehicle'}, {'type': 'First-class bus connection', 'detail': 'Travelers headed to Colima City without a rental car can take a taxi or shuttle into central Manzanillo and connect with an ETN or Primera Plus bus onward', 'cost': 'Bus fare from Manzanillo to Colima City runs MXN 180-260 (about USD 11-15) on top of the local transfer'}
- Tips
- Book a hotel shuttle in advance for late-night arrivals, since taxi ticket booths and rideshare availability can thin out after the last flights land, Travelers continuing straight to Colima City should compare a direct taxi fare against taking a shuttle into Manzanillo and catching a first-class bus, which is usually cheaper for a solo traveler, Confirm whether a resort's shuttle transfer is included in a package booking before also paying for a taxi
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Colima City
- Buses
- City buses and colectivos cover Colima City's neighborhoods for a low flat fare, though routes and schedules are informal and posted signage is limited
- Taxis
- Sitio taxis at stands throughout downtown are the standard way to get around; agree on the fare before riding since meters are uncommon
- Rideshare
- DiDi operates reliably in Colima City with typical in-city fares of MXN 40-90 (about USD 2-5)
- Walking
- The historic center around the Jardín Libertad, Palacio de Gobierno, and Universidad de Colima is compact, shaded by portales, and easy to explore on foot
Manzanillo
- Buses
- Local buses and colectivos run along the coastal boulevard connecting downtown Manzanillo, Las Brisas, Salagua, and Santiago beach neighborhoods
- Taxis
- Taxis are widely available near the malecón, hotel zones, and bus terminal; fares should be agreed upon in advance, particularly for trips beyond the main tourist strip
- Rideshare
- DiDi covers Manzanillo's main urban and hotel zones, though coverage can be inconsistent in outlying beach communities
- Walking
- Downtown Manzanillo's malecón and central plaza are walkable, but the city's beaches and neighborhoods stretch along many kilometers of coastline, making a vehicle or bus necessary to cover more than one area
Comala And Small Towns
- Detail
- Comala, Cuyutlán, and other small towns are compact enough to walk around entirely once there; reaching them from Colima City or Manzanillo requires a colectivo, bus, or car
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Overview
- Taxis in Colima City and Manzanillo are inexpensive by international standards and widely used for short hops, airport connections, and beach-hopping around Manzanillo where public transit coverage thins out.
- Typical Fares
- MXN 40-90 (about USD 2-5) for a short in-town ride in Colima City or Manzanillo; longer beach-to-beach runs around Manzanillo cost more depending on distance
- Tips
- Use sitio (stand-based) taxis rather than flagging down random cars, especially at night, Agree on the fare before getting in, since most taxis outside the airport and major hotels do not run meters, Hotel front desks can call a trusted taxi or arrange a fixed-rate transfer for airport runs or day trips
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Overview
First-class bus lines are the backbone of intercity travel around Colima, connecting Colima City, Manzanillo, Comala, and Tecomán along well-maintained highways, with onward service to Guadalajara and other regional hubs.
Operators
- Name
- ETN Turistar
- Area
- Colima City to Manzanillo, Guadalajara, and other regional destinations
- Website
- https://www.etn.com.mx
- Name
- Primera Plus
- Area
- Colima City to Manzanillo, Guadalajara, and central-western Mexico routes
- Website
- https://www.primeraplus.com.mx
- Name
- Autobuses de Occidente
- Area
- Colima City to Manzanillo, Tecomán, Comala, and other in-state towns, plus regional connections
- Website
- https://www.autobusesdeoccidente.com.mx
Key Routes
- Route
- Colima City to Manzanillo
- Duration
- About 1.5 hours via Highway 110/54D
- Cost
- MXN 180-260 (about USD 11-15)
- Route
- Colima City to Guadalajara
- Duration
- About 3 hours
- Cost
- MXN 350-500 (about USD 21-30)
- Route
- Colima City to Comala
- Duration
- About 20 minutes
- Cost
- MXN 20-30 (about USD 1-2)
- Route
- Colima City to Tecomán
- Duration
- About 45 minutes
- Cost
- MXN 60-90 (about USD 4-5)
Tips
- Buy first-class bus tickets at Colima City's Central Camionera or online through the operator's website, especially for weekend departures to Manzanillo
- ETN offers the most comfortable seating for the Colima City-Manzanillo run, while Autobuses de Occidente and second-class carriers cover shorter local hops like Comala and Coquimatlán more frequently
- The Colima City-Manzanillo highway (110/54D) is a fast, well-maintained toll road, making the bus a comfortable and time-competitive option compared with driving
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Colima is one of Mexico's smallest and most compact states, so most destinations sit within a one- to two-hour drive of the capital, Colima City. Manzanillo-Costalegre International Airport (ZLO), also known as Playa de Oro International Airport, is the state's only commercial gateway and sits directly on the coast near Manzanillo, making it the natural entry point for beach-focused visits. Colima City has a small regional airfield but no scheduled commercial passenger service, so travelers heading inland to the capital, Comala, or the Nevado de Colima foothills typically fly into ZLO or Guadalajara and continue by road. Within both Colima City and Manzanillo, colectivos, city buses, and taxis cover daily needs, while first-class intercity buses link the two urban centers and connect onward to Tecomán, Guadalajara, and beyond.
Airports
Manzanillo-Costalegre International Airport (Playa de Oro International Airport)
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Use first-class ETN or Primera Plus buses for the Colima City-Manzanillo run - they are air-conditioned, comfortable, and run frequently throughout the day
Fly into Manzanillo's Playa de Oro International Airport (ZLO) for direct beach access, or into Guadalajara and continue by bus for a lower airfare with about a 3-hour ride
Rent a car at ZLO airport or in Colima City for flexibility reaching Comala, the Nevado de Colima foothills, and the string of beaches south of Manzanillo
Carry pesos in Comala, Cuyutlán, and other small towns since card acceptance is inconsistent outside Colima City and Manzanillo's hotel zones
Agree on a taxi fare before riding in Colima City and Manzanillo, since many taxis outside hotel zones do not run meters
DiDi operates in Colima City and Manzanillo and is generally cheaper than street taxis, though coverage thins out in smaller towns like Comala or Cuyutlán
Colectivos (shared vans) connect Colima City with Comala, Coquimatlán, and Tecomán frequently and cheaply, departing when full rather than on a fixed schedule