Getting around Colima
Colima is a compact state on Mexico's central Pacific coast, and its capital city of the same name sits inland in the Valley of Colima, just south of the foothills of the Colima Volcano. The capital is the state's economic, political and cultural center, and it forms a metropolitan area together with neighbouring Villa de Álvarez. For a visitor, that means most of what you'll want to see is concentrated in and around a single urban core, and getting between the two cities is straightforward.
Practical transport advice for the area is limited, so it pays to plan ahead and confirm details locally when you arrive. What follows is what's reliably known about the options.
Is there a rail, metro or tram network?
No. Colima has no rail, metro or tram system for visitors to use. Getting around the city and the surrounding area is done by road, whether that's by bus, taxi, ride-hailing app, or on foot.
Buses and public transport
A complete network of buses will allow you to circulate in the city. The catch is that there is no map of the lines, so you can't simply look up a route in advance. Instead, you stop the first bus that passes by with a wave of your hand and ask the driver how to get to your destination. This is the standard local way of navigating the system, and drivers are used to being asked.
For travel beyond the city, a separate terminal handles the small towns around Colima:
- Terminal Nuevo Horizonte — the bus station for local and regional routes within the state of Colima, letting you reach the small towns around the city. These are mostly second-class buses that stop frequently and everywhere. They are used by locals but are not generally recommended for tourists. The main bus line here is Nuevo Horizonte, and the terminal is also used by regional routes run by Autovías y La Línea, Sur de Jalisco, and Viva Bus Sur.
If you're arriving in Colima from elsewhere in Mexico, note that long-distance buses use a different station from the local ones:
- Central de Autobuses Colima — the main bus station, open 24 hours, where all first-class and executive-class buses arrive and depart. It serves buses to and from major cities throughout Mexico, but does not handle local or regional buses. Better, safer buses go here. From the station, a cab into the downtown will charge you a few dollars.
- Central de los Rojos (El Manchón) — a third terminal serving local peseros only, including those going to Comala. It is described as dirty and rundown, used by local buses on routes mostly within a few miles of Colima. Tourists will be safer using taxis or Uber for the short ride instead.
Taxis and ride-hailing
Taxis are common in the city. One thing to be aware of is that prices tend to go up at the sight of a foreigner, so it's worth agreeing on a fare or confirming the price before you set off. Ride-hailing is also an option: Uber is specifically mentioned as a safer alternative for short trips such as the run out to the Central de los Rojos terminal or to Comala.
Walking
The source material doesn't describe Colima's walkability in detail, so it's best not to overstate it. What is clear is that the capital city is the state's compact urban and cultural center, and Villa de Álvarez is part of its metropolitan area, which suggests the central districts are close enough to cover on foot for day-to-day sightseeing. For anything beyond the immediate center, buses and taxis are the practical fallbacks.
Getting from the airport into the city
Colima Airport (CLQ) sits north of the city, outside the urban area. As of the available guidance, the only option for getting to the downtown from the airport is a taxi, which costs around US$20. There is no mention of public bus service from the airport, so plan on a taxi rather than expecting to catch a local bus.
An alternative worth considering is flying into Guadalajara (GDL) instead. Guadalajara is Mexico's second largest city and has more flight options than Colima. From there you can take a bus, which takes about three hours to reach the Colima bus station; from the station, a cab into the downtown will charge you a few dollars.
Arriving by car
If you're driving yourself, Colima is linked to Guadalajara by a four-lane toll highway (Highway 54D).
Quick practical summary
- No rail, metro or tram — all movement is by road or on foot.
- City buses exist and cover the city, but there's no route map: flag one down and ask the driver.
- Use Central de Autobuses Colima for first-class and executive long-distance buses; use Terminal Nuevo Horizonte for local and regional routes to nearby towns.
- Avoid Central de los Rojos (El Manchón) — take a taxi or Uber instead, especially for the short trip to Comala.
- Taxis are plentiful but may quote higher prices to foreigners; Uber is a safer bet for short hops.
- From Colima Airport, a taxi is the only way into town, at roughly US$20. Flying into Guadalajara and taking a bus is a viable alternative with more flight choices.