Colonial architecture blends with quaint time-honored traditions in the state capital of Colima. Known for its tall palm trees which stretch their leafy arms towards the sky, Colima is a picturesque town which introduces visitors to flavors of Mexico’s Pacific coast in music, regional dishes and neoclassical bui
ldings. 
Giant statues of traditional Colimense dancing dogs -- modeled after ancient clay pottery Xoloescuintle dogs that were placed in tombs to lead the dead in the afterlife -- appear along the highway to Comala.
Several pre-Hispanic archeological zones including La Campana, with sunken tombs, stone-paved canal drainage systems and a 
religious center, and El Chanal are open for discovery. Well-restored architectural sites such as Minor Basilica Cathedral, San Felipe de Jesús Temple, municipal government buildings and Park of the Smooth Rock offer guests a glimpse into Colima’s cultural heritage.
Villa de Alvarez is a tiny town located 10 minutes from Colima. Renowned for its local cuisine and lively bullfight festival, which is considered the oldest in southwestern Mexico, the village was just named a city in 1991.
Visitors can feast on such delicasies as the sopitos, enchiladas, pozole, and tamales, which are all homemade in the traditional style and flavor of "La Villa."
