Comala, a Magical Town

Comala, the “White Town of the Americas,” is very different from the Comala that Juan Rulfo made famous in his novel Pedro Páramo.

The true Comala, in Colima, is a happy place, characterized by the clean, exact lines of its houses whose white facades contrast with the red tile roofs and the ironwork. Surrounded by lush vegetation, they create an unequaled ambiance.

Declared a Zone of Historic Monuments in 1977 by the State Government, in 2002 was chosen to form part of the National Program known as “Mexico’s Magical Towns.”

 

Nevado de Colima and Volcán de Fuego National Park

There is no doubt that one of the most beautiful Natural Protected Areas is this National Park. Its majestic Nevado and Fuego volcanoes, whose slopes are blanketed in helm oaks and oyameles, are perfect subjects for photographers.

Decreed a park in 1936, it is located on the border of the states of Colima and Jalisco. It encompasses 22,200 hectares and its climate is somewhat cold and humid, with average annual temperatures of from 5 to 12 °C, although temperatures drop during the months of January and February.

 

 

The main attractions of this zone is Volcán de Fuego, 3,860 meters (12,664 feet) above sea level, that in the past 500 years has erupted frequently, more than 30 times a year, so that there is ample opportunity to see eruptions of smoke, sulfurous vapors and rock slides in living Technicolor that attract thousands of visitors year after year.

In contrast, the Nevado de Colima, which is 4,335 meters (14,222 feet) above sea level, is a peaceful, inactive volcano whose peak is covered with snow during the winter.

The park is ideal for camping, mountain climbing, excursions and picnics, which is why the Nevado de Colima is frequently visited by European hikers and mountain climbers who have compared it tooth-like shape with Mount Cervino in the Alps.

Another interesting activity is climbing up to the La Joya refuge (easy to get to and safe) where you can camp and enjoy the surroundings.  

 

Text: Araceli Cano ± Photo: W.