December 8 – 10, 2023
3 days – 2 nights

Landscapes, tradition, Culture,
and the Spectacular Fire Volcano

Colima is a tranquil city and capital of the small Mexican state of the same name. Colima is located in western Mexico not far from the Pacific coast. It is situated in a valley between two volcanoes, the active Volcan de Fuego and the dormant snow-capped Volcan Nevado de Colima. Called the “City of Palms,” Colima is dotted with banana and coconut palms and the weather in Colima is pleasant year-round.

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The Fire Volcano of Colima is the most active volcano in Mexico, having
erupted more than 40 separate times since records were first kept in 1576. The volcano stands at an elevation of 4,330 meters. Geologists believe that Colima has been active for about 5 million years.

Comala is a small, picturesque town. Called the “Pueblito Blanco” (White Village), Comala’s buildings are painted white with red tile rooftops and adorned in vibrant bougainvillea. Comala is referenced in Juan Rulfo’s famous novel Pedro Paramo and the town was designated a Pueblo Magico (Magic Town) by the Mexican Tourism Board in 2002.

La Campana Archaeological Site stands as a testament to the profound roots of Colima, where pre-Hispanic cultures meticulously selected fertile land near the sea to construct their cities and religious sanctuaries. Among these remarkable sites, La Campana shines as Colima’s most renowned archaeological gem.

Inhabited from 1100 to 1400 B.C., Colima flourished with a complex network of commerce, social interactions, and religious practices. Similar to contemporary cities, the landscape featured both public structures fostering the exchange between individuals, governmental bodies, and religious authorities, as well as exclusive edifices reserved solely for governors and priests. Additionally, remnants of the pre-Hispanic ball game, which intertwined physical activity and religious devotion, can be discovered. Within this game, Xolotl, a revered deity, symbolized the companion of the sun during its nocturnal journey through the underworld. Every day, the morning star, Venus, proudly announced the triumph of Tonatiuh, the sun god.

Centro Cultural Nogueras.  The Nogueras Hacienda holds historical significance as the former residence of renowned Mexican artist Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo. Rangel’s artistic talent spanned various mediums, notably painting, furniture design, and graphic design. His notable contributions include a captivating series of Christmas cards designed for UNICEF. Throughout his adult life, Rangel dedicated himself to supporting local artisans in his hometown of Colima, making a profound impact on the community. As his journey drew to a close, he played a pivotal role in the establishment of several educational institutions, such as the School of Artisans in Comala and the School of Architecture at the University of Colima.
The Rangel family acquired the Nogueras Hacienda in the late 19th century. Alejandro Rangel took charge of renovating the hacienda and transformed it by incorporating a museum space to exhibit his own artwork along with his extensive collections of antiques, furniture, and pre-Hispanic artifacts. Following Alejandro Rangel’s passing, the property was generously donated to the University of Colima. To this day, the university operates the hacienda as a museum and a vibrant hub for archaeological, historical, and anthropological studies.