Magic Comala

Mexico is a prime tourism ground, its riches extending far beyond the stunning Pacific and Atlantic coasts.

The last couple of days we took a bus inland for a taste of it.

We visited Comala, one of Mexico’s “Pueblos Magicos”, and came back truly enchanted. Read on.

Pueblos Mágicos is a cultural program in Mexico which bestows its name to towns that are rich in historical features and committed to maintaining certain criteria of eligibility. Over the course of the last 10 years, since we first came to this beautiful country, we have visited a few of them and the experience has always been very gratifying.

It was no different with Comala. Located just a 3-hr bus ride from Barra de Navidad, and a hundred kilometers or so inland in the state of Colima, this is a gem of a little town. Its rough cobblestone streets are lined with rustic white-painted houses, and adorned by the lush trees that relish on the rich volcanic soil. Strolling along them, one eventually arrives to the omnipresent zocalo – which in the case of Comala is built around the parish of San Miguel Arcángel del Espíritu Santo Venustiano Carranza. In front of the church there is an expansive square, lined on its two sides by typical arched constructions, under which a number of restaurants compete in providing the most delicious food, alluring scents and loud mariachi music.

We arrived at this delightful chaos on a comfortable Sunday afternoon, and quickly blended in with the local crowd, enjoying an assortment of tapas, lubricated by the right amount of Mexican beer and tequila. Bliss.

The experience was made all the more special by our host – Jupiter – the entrepreneurial operator of Admire Mexico Tours and owner of the quaint little hotel Casa Alvarada.

And that’s how the crews of s/v Pesto and s/v Enough had a wonderful experience, in preparation of a true adventure the next day – of which we will talk on the next post. Stay tuned.