Tecomán

Tecomán is a a little town of some 90,000 residents just in from the fantastic coast of Colima. The little city is not nearly as famous as the area beaches, and the breathtaking volcanic landscape. Tecomán is actually more visited by international visitors than the state capital, although it is a frequent stopover for people on their way between the capital and Manzanillo. Inland you will find a big agricultural and livestock area, but people come for the sun, sea, and the natural setting. 

The coast is a wonderland of crystal-clear Pacific Ocean, with many black volcanic sand beaches. The most important are the Playa El Real and Playa Boca de Pascuales with areas for swimming, and for surfing too. The area is famous for the food, especially seafood from ceviche to stuffed fish fillets. And for that, a trip into town, to the big Mercado Cuauhtemoc or the just slightly smaller Mercadito de Tecomán is well worth it. The food is prepared not just for visitors, but for demanding locals too. The Tecomán Fair takes places every year in February, and always a variety of concerts, traditional dance and a fantastic array of local artisan works. And that's all before we get back to the food.

The El Chupadero estuary is a unique fresh and saltwater ecosystem that provides a popular respite for visitors. Migratory birds, aquatic species, and plant life make it one of the most popular areas for tours. The surrounding mangrove forest provides refuge for herons, pichichis, jacas, coots, seagulls, pelicans, and other birds. But there are also white-tailed deer, chachalacas, wild boars, opossums, armadillos, iguanas, snakes, alligators, and more fish than can be counted.

The rich cultural heritage and a vibrant local community have developed the town into a thriving vacation spot. There are smaller boutique hotels in town, but lots of people will head for the coast. On up to the next town in Cuyutlán, the coast is entirely enchanted with inns, guests houses and some small resorts. 

Guests are generally arriving from either Manzanillo (about an hour westward up the coast) or from the capital. Colima itself is a bit closer than an hour away, but the airport is on the other side of town, so you should plan on the trip taking a little more an hour.