Comala - Colima

The town of Comala, a 15 minute drive from Colima, known as the White Town for its whitewashed buildings, is a good place to watch how Mexicans relax, and to join them at it. The restaurants on the south side of the plaza will feed you botanas (snacks) as you enjoy your beer. Food included with your drinks is not free but very reasonable.

Waiters hustle around with endless trays of quesadillas, tacos, salsa and other Mexican munchies. Mariachis in traditional uniforms sing and strum, competing for space on the cobblestones or around your table. It's a party that lasts all afternoon, every day, but with special gusto on the weekends.

Famous Portales restaurants on the Plaza

Attractive church on the Plaza

Mariachis will want to play for you while you eat your Botanas. Here waiters bring out endless plates of the food of the day for a set price.

The historic town of Comala, is the center of the botanero custom. Especially on Sundays, families can be seen along the colonnade of restaurants around the town square, enjoying ponche de granada (pomegranate punch) and drinks made from tamarind, dried plums and other fruit, as well as tuba, a mildly alcoholic drink made from palm sap. Botanas include fried tacos, enchiladas, ceviche-topped tostadas and a number of cheeses and salads.