Spend the day in the beautiful region of Colima. You’ll have some free time in the capital city of Colima, visit the ruins at La Campana and enjoy a delicious lunch in the charming village of Comala.

After a drive along the scenic coast, you’ll make a short stop at a colorful roadside coconut stand and then travel inland to Colima. Upon arrival, you’ll see the beautiful 19th-century cathedral and the Museum of Colima. Enjoy some free time to shop and take photos here.

Board your transportation for the drive to the ruins at La Campana. The low, pyramid-like structures feature shaft tombs, ceramics, storm drain systems, streets, and an administrative and religious center with numerous monuments. Enjoy a delicious lunch of local favorites in the charming village of Comala.

OVERVIEW

Discover some of the ways that locals earn a living by visiting their work places, beginning with the salt flats at Cuyutlán lagoon. Salt has long been extracted from the lagoon and it is still produced through traditional techniques and with tools such as a gata – a triangular wooden harrow with large nails that break up the salty surface crust. You will be welcome to use a gata while learning how the salt is processed. Clay bricks are another product that are made through an age-old process, which you will watch at a factory in Armería. The clay is mixed with other ingredients, molded, baked and then slowly cooled to prevent cracking. At a nearby farm, you will see how the land is cultivated to grow a variety of fruits. A tasting of freshly picked fruits will reveal their attributes. These experiences will give you plenty to reflect upon over lunch at a beachfront restaurant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit a lagoon to see how salt is extracted from the water using ancient tools and methods.
• Drop by a clay brick factory to watch how these building materials are made from scratch.
• Sample a selection of succulent fruits at a farm that grows them.
• Enjoy a light snack 2 Guacamole tostadas and 3 crispy potatoes tacos at a restaurant overlooking the beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy enlightening tours and tastings at a family-owned rum factory and at a chocolate factory located by an 18th-century hacienda. A maestro ronero or rum master will show you how the premium rums are produced with sugar cane, one of the main ingredients. It is a fascinating process especially when explained by the maestro, who is truly an artist in every aspect of the distillation. A sampling of premium rums will add another dimension to your understanding of how the production methods affect the taste. Similarly, you will learn about chocolate-making at a factory that uses a rare species of indigenous cocoa that is prized for its flavor. As you will discover through a tasting, the resulting chocolate is aromatic and not the least bit bitter like lower-quality chocolates. A tour of historical Hacienda de Chiapa – the former home of Mexico’s first female state governor – will enhance your understanding of rural life.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Follow a rum master through a distillery and see the process of making premium rums.
• Sample a selection of rums whose tastes reflect the sugar cane used to make them.
• See how chocolate is produced from a rare species of cocoa known for its distinct flavor.
• Tour an 18th-century hacienda, followed by a delightful restaurant light snack 2 Guacamole tostadas and 3 crispy potato tacos.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover the magical charms of Nogueras and Comala, noted for their natural beauty, cultural riches, and historical relevance. You’ll first visit the small, picturesque 16th century town of Nogueras with its narrow streets and charming buildings. To learn its history, stroll to La Hacienda de Nogueras, a museum filled with impressive archaeological, historical and architectural displays.

A brief stop will be made at the optical illusion called the Magic Zone en route to the enchanting town of Comala. After strolling the cobblestone streets and admiring the white buildings that symbolize this colonial town, enjoy a lovely lunch at a sidewalk café in the central plaza followed by a tour and a tasting at a local coffee factory.

OVERVIEW

Discover the charms of Barra de Navidad, a mellow fishing village built on a sandbar between a crescent-shaped bay and an inland lagoon. To reach the village, you will travel through the Selva de Melaque nature preserve, a protected woodlands that eventually transitions into an agricultural area with abundant banana plantations. In the mid-16th century, the Spaniards built and repaired their galleons along the coast of Barra de Navidad or Sandbar of Christmas, the name they gave it to honor the day they arrived. While strolling the village’s winding cobblestone streets, you will pass a number of inviting shops and pause at a Catholic church where a miracle supposedly occurred that re-routed a potentially devastating hurricane. A boat ride in a covered but open-air water taxi will present another view of Barra de Navidad and the adjoining lagoon. Light snack light snack 2 Guacamole tostadas and 3 crispy potatoes tacos at a resort restaurant will round out this laid-back coastal experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy the carefree ambiance of the coastal village Barra de Navidad.
• Gain a historical perspective of the village on an enlightening guided tour.
• Admire the natural beauty as you ride along the coast in a water taxi.
• Dine on a light lunch prepared with locally sourced ingredients.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Traveling through the countryside on your way to Cuyutlan, you'll pass coconut and banana plantations, as well as lush and colorful bougainvillea and hibiscus plants. Upon arrival, chances are the first thing you will notice is the fine, black sand beach.

You’ll visit the Salt Museum, housed in a century-old salt storage barn made from hand-hewn boards from palm trees, the museum is a testament to the town's history. Among the displays, is an exhibit that illustrates how salt is mined.

Continue on to the Tortugario Ecological Center, where you'll learn how Mexico's largest turtle sanctuary is helping these endangered species thrive. After your tour, relax with a drink and a delicious local snack before returning to your ship.

Escape to one of the area’s most beautiful resorts, the all-inclusive Karmina Palace is just a 30 minute drive from the pier. Upon arrival at the resort, your guide will give you a tour of the amenities and you’ll be free to select a spot to settle in, either poolside or on the beach. The resort boasts 4 pools and plenty of lounge chairs for everyone.

Beverage service is offered in all areas of the property and when you´re feeling hungry, there are two restaurants to choose from. One with full buffet meal service and another for American style snacks and treats. Your guide will be on hand at all times to assist with anything that you may require. After 4 hours of fun and relaxation, your guide will meet you in the lobby for your return to the ship.