REVIEW · COLIMA
Colima Volcano Trekking Plus Kayaking in a Crater Lake
Book on Viator →Operated by Admire Mexico Tours DMC · Bookable on Viator
Colima pairs a volcano trek with a kayak ride. I like crater-view access and I also like having trekking and kayaking gear handled. The one catch: you might not get as close to the volcano as you’re picturing, and conditions can affect how much you see up close.
You’ll start in Comala with a small group (max 6) and an 8:00 am departure. The day runs about 6 hours, in English, and it’s built around a serious walk followed by an hour of calm crater-lake paddling.
Because this is an active outdoors combo, you’ll want to dress for real hiking and real water time. If you’re up for that, this is one of the better-value ways to experience Colima without turning the day into a logistics headache.
In This Review
- Key Points You’ll Actually Care About
- Comala Departure: Meeting Point, Small Group, and a Real Start Time
- Trekking the Volcano of Colima From About 1,500 Meters Up
- Volcano Trek Reality Check: River Bottoms, Bridges, and Big-Plant Scents
- Crater Lake Kayaking: Birds, Reptiles, and That One Calm Hour
- Timing, Effort Level, and What to Wear for a 6-Hour Outdoors Day
- Included Gear vs. What You’ll Need to Plan for
- Price and Value at $65: Why This One Feels Fair
- Guide Jupiter: The Explanations That Make the Hike Click
- Should You Book This Colima Trek + Kayak Tour?
- FAQ
- What is the duration of the Colima Volcano trekking plus kayaking tour?
- What time does the tour start, and where does it meet?
- How big is the group?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- Does the price include transport and a guide?
- What equipment is provided?
- Are food and drinks included?
- Does the tour run in bad weather?
- Do I need passport details to book?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key Points You’ll Actually Care About

- Small group size (up to 6) keeps the hike and boat time feeling personal, not crowded.
- Volcano trekking + crater-lake kayaking means you get two very different ways to enjoy Colima in one morning.
- Trekking poles and kayaking gear included so you’re not hunting for equipment on the fly.
- A 1-hour kayak on the crater lake with chances to spot birds like trogons, coots, and herons.
- Guide Jupiter is repeatedly highlighted for confident, clear explanations on what you’re seeing.
Comala Departure: Meeting Point, Small Group, and a Real Start Time
This tour starts right in Comala, meeting at Casa Volcán Barra de Café y Galería, Venustiano Carranza 56 -A, Centro, 28450 Comala. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not stuck figuring out a later pickup.
With a max of 6 people, you’re more likely to get attention on the hike and quicker support during the kayaking part. It’s also offered in English, and it may be run by a multi-lingual guide, so you’ll be able to ask questions even if your Spanish is still on the way.
I like that you’re not meeting at some distant roadside. You’re in town, you get transported from that central point, and the day stays simple.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Colima.
Trekking the Volcano of Colima From About 1,500 Meters Up

The day’s rhythm is: you head toward the foothills, then you start trekking about 1.5 hours after you get underway, at roughly 1,500 meters above sea level. This matters because you’re not just doing a casual stroll; the elevation and changing terrain are part of the experience.
The goal is big: a hike toward the volcano’s higher viewpoints and a chance to take in scenery tied to Mexico’s most active volcano. The key word here is chance. You can plan for views, but you should also plan for the reality of weather and access rules around active volcanic areas.
One review-style takeaway that fits what you’ll want to know: even when the volcano is right there, you may not get close enough for a dramatic “stand next to the crater” moment. You’ll still get the best approach the day allows, and the guided explanations help you understand what you’re seeing.
Volcano Trek Reality Check: River Bottoms, Bridges, and Big-Plant Scents
On the walk, expect the trail to mix more than one kind of terrain. You can find yourself crossing river bottoms, stepping over swinging bridges, and moving through agricultural areas around the volcano region.
What makes this feel more authentic is that it doesn’t read like a straight-up volcano path. Coffee plantations can appear along the route, and some days include fig trees and sugar cane fields too. Even when the volcano is the star, these in-between moments give you a sense of how people live with the terrain.
And yes, the volcano can be quiet during much of the day and then do something dramatic near the end. When that happens, it tends to turn the whole afternoon into a “watch the sky” kind of moment. That’s not something you can schedule, but it’s part of why this area feels alive.
Crater Lake Kayaking: Birds, Reptiles, and That One Calm Hour
After the hike, you switch gears at the crater lake. Kayaking time is about 1 hour, which is just long enough to feel like you actually got out there—without turning the day into an all-day paddle-fest.
This is where the tour earns its keep. You’ll glide across the crater lake and have a chance to spot tropical birds like elegant trogons, coots, Muscovy ducks, blue herons, and night herons. You’re also in the habitat where iguanas and turtles show up, so your paddle rhythm often turns into a scanning routine.
The calm is the point. After climbs and uneven footing, this part feels like a breath. You’ll hear the guide’s observations, then you get to enjoy the scenery at human speed—paddling, watching ripples, and catching birds as they move.
Practical thought: bring your attention. If you’re staring only at the water, you’ll miss the birds; if you’re staring only at the sky, you’ll drift. The best experience comes when you do both, with the guide helping you notice what matters.
Timing, Effort Level, and What to Wear for a 6-Hour Outdoors Day
The total duration is about 6 hours. That’s long enough to need real stamina, but not so long that you’re hiking all day without a break.
You should plan for a morning hike plus a kayaking session afterward. This means you’ll likely finish with damp gear and sun exposure even if you start in cooler air at elevation.
The tour runs in all weather conditions. That line is not a suggestion. If it’s raining, assume you’ll still go out. Wear grippy shoes you’re okay getting dirty or wet, and dress in layers so you don’t cook on the climb and freeze near the water.
Also, you’ll want to be comfortable managing yourself on uneven ground during the trek. The itinerary is designed for most people to participate, but it’s still a volcano trek plus kayaking, so “active” is the right expectation.
Included Gear vs. What You’ll Need to Plan for
You’re not going to show up and rent half the world. Equipment is provided, including trekking poles and kayaking gear. That alone saves time and helps prevent the classic vacation mistake of buying gear you’ll never use again.
You’ll also have a local guide and round-trip transport from the central meeting point. For a $65 price, this is how you want the day structured: less shopping, more moving.
Now the only confusing part to flag: the highlights talk about snacks and drinks, but the stated notes say food and drinks are not included. My advice: don’t rely on a full meal being covered. Bring water (at least) and have a simple snack plan so your energy doesn’t crash right when you’re reaching the most scenic parts of the day.
Price and Value at $65: Why This One Feels Fair
$65 for a 6-hour nature day in an active-volcano region can feel either like a steal or like a gamble—depending on what you get. Here, you get a lot of what matters.
You’re paying for:
- a local guide for navigation and interpretation,
- round-trip transportation from a central meeting point,
- and the equipment that lets you trek and paddle without extra rentals.
The “value” isn’t just math. It’s that the day is built as a smooth switch from hiking to kayaking. You don’t waste your vacation time bouncing between separate vendors or coordinating two different half-days on your own.
For the kind of person who wants a packed day but still wants it to feel guided and organized, this price tends to make sense. If you hate active days, or you know you won’t enjoy kayaking, then you’ll feel the cost more sharply.
Guide Jupiter: The Explanations That Make the Hike Click
A standout from the experience write-ups is the guide named Jupiter. The big theme is confidence and clear explanations—especially around what you’re seeing as you move through the area.
This matters because volcano regions can feel like they’re all “wow, fire” from a distance. But up close, you want context: what the guide is pointing out, why the terrain looks the way it does, and how the crater-lake environment connects to the broader area.
Even if the day is quiet for the volcano, the guiding keeps you engaged. And when the volcano gets active at the end of the day (it has happened dramatically), you’ll be primed to understand what you’re looking at rather than just staring.
Should You Book This Colima Trek + Kayak Tour?
Book it if you want a single morning in Colima that combines hiking to viewpoints with an actual hour on the water. It’s a strong fit for active people who like nature, enjoy wildlife spotting, and want equipment handled for them.
Skip it if you’re looking for a mostly flat stroll, or you’re not comfortable with active outdoors time. Also skip if you don’t want to handle the possibility of limited crater closeness, since conditions can affect how close access feels.
If you’re on the fence, use this rule: if you’d be happy even with a “view-based” volcano day plus a calm wildlife kayak, you’ll likely enjoy this format. That balance—climb and glide—is the real reason this one works.
FAQ
What is the duration of the Colima Volcano trekking plus kayaking tour?
It runs for about 6 hours (approx.).
What time does the tour start, and where does it meet?
The start time is 8:00 am. The meeting point is Casa Volcán Barra de Café y Galería, Venustiano Carranza 56 -A, Centro, 28450 Comala, Col., Mexico. The tour ends back at the meeting point.
How big is the group?
The maximum group size is 6 travelers.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, it’s offered in English.
Does the price include transport and a guide?
Yes. It includes a local guide and round-trip transport from the central meeting point.
What equipment is provided?
All necessary equipment is provided, including trekking poles and kayaking gear.
Are food and drinks included?
Food and drinks are listed as not included.
Does the tour run in bad weather?
Yes. It operates in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately.
Do I need passport details to book?
Yes. Passport name, number, expiry, and country are required at the time of booking for all participants.
What is the cancellation policy?
This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason.






