Getting there & around

Getting there

By air

Playa de Oro International (ZLO) sits about 30 to 40 minutes northwest of the beach zones, near Barra de Navidad. It handles seasonal flights from a handful of US and Canadian cities plus domestic connections through Mexico City and Guadalajara. Outside winter the schedule thins out considerably. Arrange a hotel transfer or take an authorized airport taxi; expect roughly 30 to 45 minutes to the peninsula.

By bus

Manzanillo is well connected by first-class bus. From Guadalajara it is about a 4.5 to 5 hour ride through the mountains, and the coaches (ETN, Primera Plus and similar) are comfortable and air-conditioned. Colima city is around 1.5 hours. The bus station is downtown, so you will need a taxi onward to the beaches.

By car

Driving from Guadalajara takes roughly 4 to 4.5 hours on a decent toll highway. It is a scenic run but watch for heavy truck traffic near the port, and avoid the final legs after dark.

Getting around

The city is spread out along the coast, so you will rely on taxis or a rental car. Taxis are metered loosely by zone rather than by meter, so agree the fare before you get in; peninsula-to-downtown runs are cheap and quick. Local buses connect downtown, Santiago and Miramar for a few pesos but are slow and confusing for a short visit. For a two-day trip, taxis plus your charter or tour transport cover everything without the hassle of a car.