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“Take an Off-the-Beaten-Path Vacation”--Colima, MexicoBy Mike KermaniYou will be amazed how much there is to see in the state of Colima, Mexico! Located on the Pacific coast, Colima is the third smallest state in the country. Tourists have the advantage to be able to reach ALMOST ALL of their attractions, in from only 1 to 1-½ hours.
DETAILSGetting There The international airport is located in Manzanillo with a national airport in Colima. We enjoyed many surprises and interesting stops during our
tour: Tourist Information Colima Convention and Tourist Bureau |
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TM
Colima is the perfect destination for Eco-tours. At El
Estero Palo Verde, we boarded a panga (long fishing boat seating 12 passengers)
and traveled into the thick red and white Mango Tree swamp. These trees formed an arch over the swamp, just wide
enough for our boat. Their roots reach up from under the water with thick
greenery and branches above. It looked like a wall of trees. We suddenly saw
crocodiles glaring at us! They were so close, we could almost reach out and
touch them. As the panga reached an open part of the swamp, we saw hundreds of
exotic birds, iguanas, and other wildlife. Our boat moved deeper and deeper
into the swamp until we entered a small opening of thick brush, trees seemingly
intertwined and bound together. Everyone had to watch out for low vines and
branches. 
El Tortugario Turtle and Iguana Sanctuary Ecological
Center. Turtles come ashore by moonlight to lay their eggs in nests deep in the
sand. These eggs hatch into newborn turtles in 45 days. When the babies are 2
days old (measuring around 1”), we are allowed to hold them during a ritual on
the beach. Everyone places the
squirming little newborns on the sand at the same time, pointing them to the
ocean. 
Colima is one of the few places where you can visit an
active volcano as it spurts its sulphurous vapors, fumaroles, and red-hot rock
lava flows into the air. Take an exciting trip to the National park’s Fuego or
Fire Volcano, 12,992 feet above sea level. Los
Portales del Volcan Restaurant’s terrace is a vantage point to watch for signs
of the eruption. 
Comala is known as Pueblo Magico, or the Magical Town, a town that looks as it
did in early times. One of the highlights of our tour was dining at the famous
Portales de Comala Don Comalon Restaurant. We have never seen so many Mariachi bands of all
sizes! After one Mariachi band finished, the next one came over to serenade
us. Don Comalon is a botanero type of restaurant in which the restaurant gives
free appetizers and everyone just pays for their drinks. The waiter keeps
bringing more and more appetizers and we have a meal! Comala is only 15 minutes
from Colima City. 
The capital of the state of Colima, Colima
Cities’ charm is it’s colonial section- the Neo Classical-style Best Western Hotel Ceballos (1861), Government
Palace, Regional History Museum, and many other historic buildings. 
Colima offers beautiful beaches. We strolled along the
black sand beach and around the quaint little town of Cuyutlan. Their black sand beach is not dirty, it is
composed of volcanic sand.
Some of Colima’s
resorts are as unique as the state. Las Hadas Resort is a
setting so romantic, so luxurious, and with such beauty that it will take your
breadth away! Their unique Arabian architecture has a mixture of fanciful
curves, exotic minarets, 10 towers, and courtyards.
Even the inside of the
suites have arched doorways, curved ceilings, and Arabic touches. Las Hadas was build along a
mountainside, with each suite looking into the bay, and their doors separated by
shrubbery to allow more privacy. They pick guests up in a golf cart, or they
can walk along the flattened cobblestone streets. Choose the “All-Inclusive”
dining and liquor package or the European pay as you dine plan. All-Inclusive
Guests are allowed to dine at ANY of the resort’s restaurants, and order
ANYTHING on the menu- liquor, beer, and wine are included.
The Karmina
Palace Resort takes a page out of history. When you enter the Karmina Palace’s lobby, it’s massive walls and exotic design immediately
transports you back to the world of the ancient Mayans. Modeled after the Mayan
Temple of Palenque, now part of the ruins of Chiapas, the Karmina Palace has an
awesome look of grandeur. Imagine an immense lobby 6 stories high with a golden
arched ceiling and sparkling marble floors. Each of the lobby’s 8 columns are
around 6 feet wide with stone carvings of life in ancient times. Waterfalls
frame the lobby’s Royal Staircase which leads to the cocktail lounge and out to
their tropical gardens, pools, private beach, restaurants, and Bay. You should
stop at the Temple of the Snake pyramid, named for the sacred snake worshipped
by the ancient civilization. Surrounded by coconut and banana trees, the 8
lagoon-style connecting heated pools are different- they each have their own
shape and dimensions. Karmina’s ALL-INCLUSIVE policy allows you to dine at ALL
of the restaurants or have a romantic meal served in your suite.