Villa de Álvarez

Feria de la Villa and horse parades

Villa de Álvarez, adjacent to the capital, forms part of the state’s most important metropolitan area. It is a modern municipality deeply connected to its traditions, such as the famous Feria de la Villa and horse parades, which attract thousands of visitors. Its urban life combined with a strong cultural and festive spirit makes it a place where Colima’s identity and joy are felt in every corner.

Attractions10

Rivers

Agua Fria

El Balneario Agua Fría es un lugar natural en Villa de Álvarez, Colima, con pozas de agua fresca y cristalina, ideal para nadar y disfrutar en un entorno tranquilo.

Rivers

Cascada El Mixcuate

System of seven waterfalls on the Juluapan river in the mountains of Villa de Álvarez. It is reached by a hike of about 2 km from the community of El Mixcuate (1.5 to 2.5 hours) that crosses the river several times and has sections with fixed ropes; moderate to hard difficulty. Best in the rainy season, when the flow is higher. Hiking, rappelling and swimming in some pools are popular.

Rivers

Río Incluyente de Picachos (río San Palmar)

Stretch of the San Palmar river in the community of Los Picachos, Villa de Álvarez, with clear water among hills and trees. It is known as the only free-access swimming spot in the state, with restrooms, food stalls and camping space. Every holiday season the municipality sets up the Inclusive River, with a ramp and platforms so people with disabilities can enter the water.

Mountains

Piedra de Juluapan

A gigantic rock monolith, about 1,466 meters above sea level, visible from much of the Colima valley and surrounded by legends, among them that of King Colimán's tomb. A mountain trail leads up from the spot known as La Herradura, in Juluapan. It is a long, steep walk, hard but not especially dangerous, rewarded with one of the best views of the valley.

Archaeology

Zona Arqueológica La Campana

With the Colima Volcano as a backdrop, La Campana (ancient Almoloyan, "place among running water") is, according to INAH, one of Mesoamerica's earliest urban settlements. Its ceremonial center keeps platforms and chambers built of river stones, planned streets and many petroglyphs in plazas and courtyards. There is an information module and guided tours.

Parks

Jardín Principal de Villa de Álvarez

Main garden of Villa de Álvarez, about 10 minutes from downtown Colima, with century-old trees, fountains and wrought-iron benches in front of the Parish of San Francisco de Asís. Here stands 'La Cabalgata', six bronze riders recalling the charro and bullfighting festivals of February. The arcades sell traditional sweets and the famous 'Paletas de la Villa' ice pops.

Parks

Parque Ecológico La Campana

Protected natural area of about 94 hectares inside the Colima–Villa de Álvarez metropolitan zone. It has trails through tropical dry forest and gallery forest, picnic areas, open lawns and outdoor event spaces. It includes the Ethnobiological Garden, with collections of useful plants, and is a good spot for walking, birdwatching and stargazing.

Heritage

Museo Charro Taurino

Museum dedicated to the charro-bullfighting festivities of Villa de Álvarez, housed in the municipality's Casa de la Cultura. Three video screens explain the celebration from its religious side, the charro-bullfighting side and the history of La Petatera. On display are bullfighters' costumes, a scale model of the bullring, an oil mural by Víctor Ayala and other items of the tradition.

Heritage

Parroquia de San Francisco de Asís (Villa de Álvarez)

Parish church on the main garden of Villa de Álvarez, next to the Miguel Hidalgo monument. Its first stone was laid in 1903 as the Almoloyán parish, and since 1953 it has been the church of San Francisco de Asís. Its feast is celebrated every October 4, with the traditional sale of milk empanadas in the garden. INAH lists it as a historic monument.

Heritage

Plaza de Toros La Petatera

A unique bullring built every year with wood, woven palm mats and ixtle fiber using craft techniques with over 160 years of tradition. It goes up in February for the Villa de Álvarez Charro-Bullfighting Fair and is taken down afterwards; it has a 60-meter ring and seats about 5,000 people. It has been intangible cultural heritage of the state of Colima since 2013.