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Mexico🇲🇽 | townsComalaWhitewashed lanes, Colima sweets, Pedro Páramo house, volcano views | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Comala
👀 For curious travelerstown ranked #14
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 20, 2026

The decision most travelers face in Comala is whether to sleep here or treat it as a day trip from Colima city, and a slow evening in the plaza tips it toward staying. The town sits in the state of Colima, Mexico, at the foot of the Volcán de Fuego. The surprise for me was how few sights there are, and how little that matters once the portales fill with tables. Buses run from Colima often, so skip the taxi. Order ponche de granada or the botana lunches the restaurants serve with drinks. Nightlife is mellow, hostels are scarce. Slow travelers and food lovers will like it; anyone chasing nightlife won’t.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #14 town in MexicoWhat sets this place apart

Comala works for backpackers who want a pause between Colima city and the coast, and most people linger a night or two rather than rush through. The all-white buildings earned it the nickname Pueblo Blanco de América, and the arcaded plaza is the social center, with locals and travelers sharing tables at the portales well into the evening. Food is the other draw: the botana restaurants bring small plates with each round of drinks, a habit that suits solo travelers who end up chatting with neighbors. Hikers and coffee fans also have easy access to the volcano slopes and nearby plantations. Expect a quiet, small-scale atmosphere with few hostels, so it fits slow travelers and couples better than party seekers.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Comala

  1. Plaza Principal and the portales: The white arcaded square is the town’s living room, with restaurants serving botanas as you drink. Come late afternoon into evening. Free to wander, 1 to 2 hours, plus meal costs of about US$8 to 15.
  2. Templo de San Miguel Arcángel: The parish church on the plaza has a simple white facade and a calm interior. Go in the morning. Free, 20 to 30 minutes.
  3. Museo de Artes Populares and Casa de la Cultura area: Small local displays of regional crafts and culture. Visit before midday. Entry is free or a small donation, about 30 to 45 minutes.
  4. Hacienda Nogueras: A former sugar estate just outside the center, with gardens, a chapel and the Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo collection of art and design. Go in the morning. Entry about US$2 to 4, 1 to 2 hours.
  5. Mercado de Comala: A modest
… read more 👉
  1. Plaza Principal and the portales: The white arcaded square is the town’s living room, with restaurants serving botanas as you drink. Come late afternoon into evening. Free to wander, 1 to 2 hours, plus meal costs of about US$8 to 15.
  2. Templo de San Miguel Arcángel: The parish church on the plaza has a simple white facade and a calm interior. Go in the morning. Free, 20 to 30 minutes.
  3. Museo de Artes Populares and Casa de la Cultura area: Small local displays of regional crafts and culture. Visit before midday. Entry is free or a small donation, about 30 to 45 minutes.
  4. Hacienda Nogueras: A former sugar estate just outside the center, with gardens, a chapel and the Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo collection of art and design. Go in the morning. Entry about US$2 to 4, 1 to 2 hours.
  5. Mercado de Comala: A modest market where you can try ponche de granada, tamales and local coffee. Go in the morning. Snacks cost US$1 to 4, 30 to 45 minutes.
For day trips, Comala pairs well with Laguna La María, the Volcán de Fuego viewpoints near La Yerbabuena, and the city of Colima.

Hacienda Nogueras and the plaza combine well in one day, with the hacienda in the morning and the portales for a long late lunch.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Comala

Private Chichen Itza & Yaxunah Ruins with Cenote

Private Chichen Itza & Yaxunah Ruins with Cenote

4.8(111) 12h
From €470
per personViator
Chichen Itza Early Access Private Tour

Chichen Itza Early Access Private Tour

4.5(50) 10h 30m
From €431
per personViator
Colima Volcano Cultural Tour: Coffee Plantation, Hacienda and Comala Magic Town

Colima Volcano Cultural Tour: Coffee Plantation, Hacienda and Comala Magic Town

4.9(32) 6h
From €54
per personViator
Colima Volcano Trekking Plus Kayaking in a Crater Lake

Colima Volcano Trekking Plus Kayaking in a Crater Lake

5.0(28) 6h
From €59
per personViator
Chichen Itza, Valladolid & Cenote Private Tour with Buffet Lunch

Chichen Itza, Valladolid & Cenote Private Tour with Buffet Lunch

4.5(38) 11h
From €439
per personViator
Manzanillo Tour with Transportation and Face-to-face Guide

Manzanillo Tour with Transportation and Face-to-face Guide

4.6(29) 3h 30m
From €44
per personViator
Water Fall Tour 5 Hours Rural Areas

Water Fall Tour 5 Hours Rural Areas

4.3(26) 5h
From €73
per personViator
Horse back riding with Danitours by Montainand real nice view

Horse back riding with Danitours by Montainand real nice view

4.3(16) 2h
From €86
per personViator
Manzanillo Airport (ZLO) Private Transfer to Manzanillo City

Manzanillo Airport (ZLO) Private Transfer to Manzanillo City

3.5(8) 15m
From €79
per personViator
Colima Volcano Birdwatching Tour

Colima Volcano Birdwatching Tour

5.0(2) 5h
From €59
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsKey areas and districts to know

Comala is small enough that “neighborhood” is a generous word, but the town does split into distinct pockets, and each works differently from what you might assume.
  • Plaza Principal and Portales: The white-washed arcades around the main square exist because Comala’s famous botanas culture lives under them. Restaurants here bring free small plates with each round of drinks, so an experienced traveler orders a drink or two and lets the table fill up rather than ordering a full menu. Also try the ponche de granada. Walk everything on foot.
  • Streets off the square: Cobbled white lanes with red-trimmed walls are meant for strolling, not driving, which is why parking is a sport. Leave any rental car at the edge of town and wander. Craft shops, bakeries and cafes selling the local coffee cluster here,
… read more 👉
Comala is small enough that “neighborhood” is a generous word, but the town does split into distinct pockets, and each works differently from what you might assume.
  • Plaza Principal and Portales: The white-washed arcades around the main square exist because Comala’s famous botanas culture lives under them. Restaurants here bring free small plates with each round of drinks, so an experienced traveler orders a drink or two and lets the table fill up rather than ordering a full menu. Also try the ponche de granada. Walk everything on foot.
  • Streets off the square: Cobbled white lanes with red-trimmed walls are meant for strolling, not driving, which is why parking is a sport. Leave any rental car at the edge of town and wander. Craft shops, bakeries and cafes selling the local coffee cluster here, and weekdays are calm.
  • Outer lanes and the edges: Quiet, residential and cheaper, with little to see. Come for the views toward the Colima volcanoes and Suchitlán lookout, and skip them after dark since lighting is thin.

⌛️ 1 dayHow to make the most of one day

9:00 AM: Hacienda Nogueras Start with the hacienda grounds before the day warms up, then take the art collection and the old chapel slowly. A short ride or walk brings you back toward the center.
11:00 AM: Mercado de Comala Try coffee, tamales and a small cup of ponche de granada among the stalls. Stroll to the plaza afterward.
12:30 PM: Templo de San Miguel Arcángel Step into the cool church, then look at the white arcades from the square.
2:00 PM: Portales lunch Pick a botana restaurant and settle in for the long, social lunch. Plates arrive with each round, so pace yourself.
4:30 PM: Casa de la Cultura and the side streets Wander the residential lanes behind the plaza, where white walls, flowerpots and local workshops are far quieter than the main square.
6:30 PM: Plaza at dusk Return as families … read more 👉
9:00 AM: Hacienda Nogueras Start with the hacienda grounds before the day warms up, then take the art collection and the old chapel slowly. A short ride or walk brings you back toward the center.
11:00 AM: Mercado de Comala Try coffee, tamales and a small cup of ponche de granada among the stalls. Stroll to the plaza afterward.
12:30 PM: Templo de San Miguel Arcángel Step into the cool church, then look at the white arcades from the square.
2:00 PM: Portales lunch Pick a botana restaurant and settle in for the long, social lunch. Plates arrive with each round, so pace yourself.
4:30 PM: Casa de la Cultura and the side streets Wander the residential lanes behind the plaza, where white walls, flowerpots and local workshops are far quieter than the main square.
6:30 PM: Plaza at dusk Return as families gather and the lights come on, with the volcano on the horizon on clear evenings.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Dry Season (November to April): Days run roughly 25 to 31°C (77 to 88°F), nights cooler near 12 to 16°C (54 to 61°F), with clear volcano views and about 11 to 12 hours of daylight. Weekends and holidays fill the portales.
  • Rainy Season (June to October): Afternoon storms are routine, with highs of 27 to 31°C (81 to 88°F). Everything turns green, crowds thin and rooms are easier to find.
  • Hot Spell (April to May): Humid, dusty and at the top of the temperature range, with little rain relief.
Aim for a weekday in November or February to get clear skies without weekend crowds.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: highly recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: good for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: good for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: highly recommended for traveling
when-to-go

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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Most backpackers sleep in Colima, about 20 minutes away, because Comala has mainly guesthouses and boutique stays with few dorm beds. Colima’s center around the Jardín Libertad has the best choice of budget hostels and cheap hotels, with beds from around US$10 to 20, and it is walkable and well lit at night. Frequent buses link it to Comala until roughly 9 or 10 pm, so you can spend the day in Comala and return for dinner. If you want to stay in Comala itself, look for simple guesthouses within a few blocks of the main plaza, where private rooms start near US$30 to 45. Weekends are pricier and … read more 👉
Most backpackers sleep in Colima, about 20 minutes away, because Comala has mainly guesthouses and boutique stays with few dorm beds. Colima’s center around the Jardín Libertad has the best choice of budget hostels and cheap hotels, with beds from around US$10 to 20, and it is walkable and well lit at night. Frequent buses link it to Comala until roughly 9 or 10 pm, so you can spend the day in Comala and return for dinner. If you want to stay in Comala itself, look for simple guesthouses within a few blocks of the main plaza, where private rooms start near US$30 to 45. Weekends are pricier and book up, so reserve ahead. Nights are very quiet, with weekend music ending early.
Best hostels in Mexico


Best quality hotels in Mexico

🚌 Getting aroundMoving around without the hassle

A local combi or bus ride between Comala and Colima costs about US$0.50 to 1, and you pay the driver in pesos in cash, so carry coins and small bills. Comala itself is compact enough to cover on foot, and the colonial center has few cars. Public transport is frequent but informal, which means there is no printed schedule to trust.
  • Walking: Free, and the only sensible way to see the center. Cobbles are uneven, so leave the fancy sandals in the bag.
  • Local bus or combi to Colima: About 15 to 25 minutes, roughly every 10 to 20 minutes from early morning until around 9 or 10 pm. Ask the driver to stop near the plaza, because the route is flexible and nobody announces stops.
  • Taxi: Short rides cost about US$2 to 4, and Colima runs about US$6 to 10. Agree on the fare before getting in, since taxis here
… read more 👉
A local combi or bus ride between Comala and Colima costs about US$0.50 to 1, and you pay the driver in pesos in cash, so carry coins and small bills. Comala itself is compact enough to cover on foot, and the colonial center has few cars. Public transport is frequent but informal, which means there is no printed schedule to trust.
  • Walking: Free, and the only sensible way to see the center. Cobbles are uneven, so leave the fancy sandals in the bag.
  • Local bus or combi to Colima: About 15 to 25 minutes, roughly every 10 to 20 minutes from early morning until around 9 or 10 pm. Ask the driver to stop near the plaza, because the route is flexible and nobody announces stops.
  • Taxi: Short rides cost about US$2 to 4, and Colima runs about US$6 to 10. Agree on the fare before getting in, since taxis here rarely use meters. Experienced travelers ask the restaurant to call one at night rather than hailing on the street.
  • Tour or shared transfer to Suchitlán and Nogueras: Villages nearby are reachable by local transport or a taxi for about US$3 to 8 each way. Combine stops into one taxi hire for a better rate.

👛 Costs (as of 20 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

Comala costs about US$45 to 70 a day for a backpacker, with US$60 as a solid middle figure when sleeping in Colima. The numbers add up as follows:
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$10 to 20Beds are mostly in nearby Colima, with high-season at about US$18
MealsUS$12 to 22Botanas lunches with drinks are the best value, at roughly US$15
Local transportUS$1 to 6Combis cost under US$1 each way, and taxis to nearby spots cost more, around US$3
Basic activities/entry feesUS$2 to 8Museums and Laguna La María are cheap, around US$4
Miscellaneous expensesUS$4 to 10Coffee, snacks, crafts and tips, around US$5
Total Daily BudgetUS$45 to 70About US$45 using the high-season dorm figure
Eat your main meal at a portales restaurant at lunchtime, when the free botanas arrive with your drinks and dinner can be light.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsExploring the surroundings

Comala sits close to some of the area’s best low-cost excursions, and all of these work as day returns by bus or taxi.
Laguna La María: A crater lake in the forest with a 20 to 30 minute loop trail, kayaking and picnic spots. Reach it by taxi in about 25 minutes (US$8 to 12 each way), or combine with a shared ride. Go in the morning when mist is low, and bring cash since there is no ATM. Entry is roughly US$1 to 3.

Suchitlán: A small village with Indigenous-influenced masks and ceramics, and a short ride from Comala for about US$1 to 2 by local transport. The mask museum is tiny but good. Visit in dry season and avoid Sunday afternoons when shops close early.

Colima City: The state capital, with markets, the Jardín Libertad and good cheap eats. About 25 minutes by bus for under US$1. A common … read more 👉
Comala sits close to some of the area’s best low-cost excursions, and all of these work as day returns by bus or taxi.
Laguna La María: A crater lake in the forest with a 20 to 30 minute loop trail, kayaking and picnic spots. Reach it by taxi in about 25 minutes (US$8 to 12 each way), or combine with a shared ride. Go in the morning when mist is low, and bring cash since there is no ATM. Entry is roughly US$1 to 3.

Suchitlán: A small village with Indigenous-influenced masks and ceramics, and a short ride from Comala for about US$1 to 2 by local transport. The mask museum is tiny but good. Visit in dry season and avoid Sunday afternoons when shops close early.

Colima City: The state capital, with markets, the Jardín Libertad and good cheap eats. About 25 minutes by bus for under US$1. A common mistake is arriving in the siesta lull, when many museums close, so go early.

Nogueras Hacienda: An old sugar hacienda with a museum and gardens about 10 minutes from Comala by taxi (US$3 to 5). Plan for an hour or two.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Comala is calm and safe for walking, day or night, around the plaza and the arcades. Crowds on weekends call for normal vigilance with phones and wallets. Solo travelers should skip the unlit outer lanes late at night and use a radio taxi after dark. Taxi fares are not metered, so agree on a price first. Hikers heading to Laguna La María or the volcano areas should check local conditions, since Volcán de Colima is active and closure zones are enforced. Drink water from bottles and sip botanas drinks slowly, since the ponche is stronger than it tastes.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Comala

Comala rewards a visit of more than a quick stopover, especially if you like unhurried plazas and regional food. The whitewashed main square with its portales is where you eat botana lunches (free snacks arriving with each round of drinks) and try ponche, a local coconut-based drink. Colima city is only about 10 to 15 minutes away by local bus or shared van, so Comala is an easy, low-cost add-on at roughly US$0.50 to 1 each way.
One full day covers Comala itself, and two days let you add the nearby villages and countryside. A day is enough for the plaza, a long botana lunch, the craft shops and a walk through the whitewashed streets. A second day suits a visit to Suchitlán or the Nogueras hacienda, both reachable by short bus or taxi rides of 10 to 20 minutes for US$1 to 6.
Yes, Comala is a very easy day trip from Colima city, about 9 kilometers (6 miles) to the north. Local buses and shared vans run frequently from the Colima center and take 15 to 25 minutes for around US$0.50 to 1. Plan to arrive by early afternoon so you can eat a long botana lunch, then return to Colima before the last services in the evening.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Mexican towns near Comala

Explore more nearby:

  • Tequila—Agave fields, La Rojeña, tequila museum, old train station| 174 km away
  • Pátzcuaro—Purépecha lake, Once Patios, cemetery customs, Calvario viewpoint| 226 km away
  • Ixtapa—Palmar beach, marina docks, Isla Ixtapa, seaside bike path| 293 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Comala is best late afternoon into evening, when the plaza fills and the portales hum. I would arrive after lunch, stay overnight, and keep a clear morning for coffee and the hacienda. It is small, so skip it if you need big-city energy.

✈️ When did I visit Mexico?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Mexico in February and March 2016. Had to hurry a bit as I didn’t want to miss the free performance of the Rolling Stones in Cuba.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Mexico, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

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