La Cumbre – Colima

La Cumbre sits above the city of Colima in western Mexico, offering a mix of thermal and soaring flying almost year-round — locals reckon about 85% of the year is workable in good conditions. Take-off is at 750 m at the top of La Cumbre, 350 m above the plain, facing south-south-west, and the ideal launch window runs 10:00–14:00 depending on season. A range of hills in a shallow horseshoe south-east of takeoff drives the convection, and the valleys of Piscila and Colima below produce strong thermals — in December, competition month, ceilings often push past 2,500 m ASL. Optimal conditions include a sea breeze from the SSE that runs about 40 km inland from the Pacific.

Launch & conditions

Take-off oriented SSW at the top of La Cumbre, 750 m ASL / 350 m above the plain. Best window is 10:00–14:00, seasonally adjusted. A printed map at launch (next to the chapel door) shows the restricted zone and other details.

Getting there & local rules

In Colima, meet at Hotel Costeño (1001 Carlos de la Madrid Bejar Boulevard), then take the highway towards Jiquilpan. About 1 km in there's a concrete police shack on the right; after another 3 km a small bridge over El Salado; one more km and there is a right turn to the village of Piscila, the landing zone in front of takeoff. To go directly to launch, don't turn there — continue two more km past the Jiquilpan/Piscila crossroads until an easy-to-miss cobblestone road on the right (concrete shack on the left, white metal cattle gate usually open). That cobblestone road leads directly to takeoff.

Local rules & hazards

The Colima airport lies about 10 miles / 16 km north of the site inside a restricted-flight zone — do not fly directly north of takeoff. The map at launch marks the restricted zone.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to La Cumbre – Colima, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open La Cumbre – Colima with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.