Exploring Michoacan: From Enchanting Lakes to Majestic Volcanoes and Coastal Beauty
Michoacan is one of the most compelling tourist destinations in Mexico, with a blend of pre-Hispanic culture and colonial architecture that is both pleasing and harmonious. This state is home to three cities that are definitely worth a visit: Patzcuaro, an adobe village on the shores of the same-named lake; Uruapan, the jumping-off point for tours to the Paricutin volcano; and most importantly, Morelia, the capital of Michoacan, which was recognized as a World Heritage Site in 1991 by UNESCO. Michoacan has its origins inland, yet it has a breathtaking 250 kilometers of coastline along the Pacific Ocean, complete with tiny settlements and beautiful beaches.
Michoacan history
The Purépecha people, who had lived in what is now Michoacan for almost 10,000 years, left remarkable architectural artifacts as they spread out over vast swaths of Mexico’s central and western highlands before the arrival of the Spaniards. Spanish colonization brought about the subjugation, murder, or enslavement of the indigenous peoples, and the foundations of the state’s most significant towns were laid. Since José Maria Morelos y Pavon, a prominent participant in the independence struggle, was born in Morelia, the capital of Michoacan, the state was in the news a lot during the civil war because of her trial by the Inquisition and subsequent execution by the army.
Morelia: Michoacan’s Capital
Morelia, the capital of the state, is a city rich in cultural and architectural history, where shady plazas and majestic colonial structures blend with the local traditions that date back centuries. In 1828, the city was renamed Morelia in honor of José Maria Morelos. It had been founded in 1541 as Valladolid. Plaza de Armas and Plaza Melchor Ocampo, two magnificent plazas flanking the cathedral, are notable features. The cathedral, finished in 1744 in a solemn Baroque style, has a lovely façade and two towers that are supposedly the tallest of all the churches in Mexico. The Santuario de Guadalupe, the most ornate church in the city, stands to the east, while the Palacio de Gobierno, across from the cathedral, is decorated with murals depicting important events in Mexican history. The Colegio de San Nicolàs de Hidalgo, the Museo del Estado, the Palacio Clavijero, and the adjacent Mercado de Dulces y Artesanias are other must-sees.
The Charming Lake Town of Patzcuaro
Located 55 kilometers southwest of Morelia, the town of Patzcuaro is home to 50,000 people and is situated on the banks of the eponymous lake, which is considered one of Mexico’s most gorgeous tourist spots. Plaza Gertrudis Bocanegra (Plaza Chica), named after a local hero who was executed in 1818 for supporting the independence movement, is the most important and prestigious plaza in the center, which is filled with cobblestone streets and houses with overhanging eaves. Plaza Vasco de Quiroga (Plaza Grande) is a lovely and relaxing gathering place. The Basilica de Nuestra Senora de la Salud, an ambitious unfinished architectural project commissioned by Bishop Vasco de Quiroga, lies to the east along Calle La Paz, while the Museo de Artes Populares, a museum of crafts housed in the sixteenth-century Colegio de San Nicolas, is a little further south.
The Towns Around the Lake and Beyond
Lake Patzcuaro, whose water is so intensely blue that it blends in with the sky, is located about 3 kilometers north of the city of Patzcuaro. It winds its way through rolling hills, past colonial and pre-Columbian gems, and historic towns like Ihuatzio, which is close to extensive Tarascan ruins; Tzintzuntzan, which is home to the multi-level temple bases known as yacatas, which attest to the town’s former status as Tarascan capital; Quiroga, a great place to buy handcrafted goods made by local artisans; Santa Fé de la Laguna, known for its black pottery; Erongaricuaro, a former refuge of the French surrealist poet André Breton; and Tocuaro, known for its folkloric wooden masks. The marshy regions and western shore are less visited, yet they are home to dozens of species of marsh birds that live in an unspoiled environment.
Uruapan: The Paricutin Volcano Gateway
Uruapan, protector of the Parque Nacional Barranca del Cupatitzio, is the third must-visit destination in Michoacan. It is surrounded by the turbulent Río Cupatitzio and is not far from the Paricutin volcano, which is located 35 kilometers west of the city center. The city’s crown jewel is its magnificent urban park, National Park, which stretches for about a kilometer west of the central plaza and is home to untamed tropical flora and migratory birds. This is where the Cupatitzio’s rapid course gurgles; it empties into the so-called Rodilla del Diablo close to the park’s northern boundary.
The Fabrica San Pedro is an old textile factory from the 19th century that still makes and sells pure cotton bedspreads, tablecloths, and curtains. Another place to visit is the Museo de Los Cuatro Pueblos Indios, which showcases regional artesanias like ceramics from Capula and lacquerware from Quiroga.
Angahuan and Volcano Paricutin
Angahuan, the nearest town to Volcan Paricutin, is tiny and difficult to reach, although it is situated at over 2,700 meters above sea level, has wooden buildings, and is accessible via dusty roads ridden by horses. The hikes to the peak of the volcano begin right here. The massive black cone juts out almost 2,800 meters into the sky, and the only sign of lava activity in a long time is the puffs of steam it releases. The bell tower of the Templo San Juan Parangaricutiro stands out in the sea of solidified black lava, offering one of the most intriguing panoramas.
Coastline of Michoacan
When we talk about the countryside, we need not forget that Highway 200 laps the whole 250 km coastline of Michoacan, leaving much of the coastline unexplored. As you go along the route, you’ll see a plethora of beautiful, pristine beaches—some low and sandy, others tucked into small rocky coves—as well as river estuaries home to hundreds of birds and tiny, deserted communities. Boca de Apiza, situated at the mouth of the Río Coahuayana, boasts a black sand beach encircled by forest. San Juan de Alima is well-known among surfers. Las Brisas is situated on a panoramic cliff and is another top destination. Faro de Bucerias is renowned for its crescent-shaped golden sand beach. Playa Maruata is widely regarded as the most beautiful beach in Michoacan. Barra de Nexpa is a small village of approximately a hundred inhabitants, but its enchanting and timeless atmosphere makes it one of the top spots to visit.
Lazaro Cardenas, the lone major seaside city, is mostly ugly yet necessary for transportation networks.
What is the best time of the year to visit Michoacan?
The structural complexity of Michoacan’s terrain means that coastal areas and mountainous interior regions experience vastly diverse climates. The towns surrounding Uruapan experience an average yearly temperature of 13°C, while Lazaro Cardenas, cooled by lovely sea breezes, experiences 29°C. Hot summers with highs of 40°C are typical in the hinterland valley floors, where the heat is often more oppressive. June through October is the rainiest month, though the intensity varies from region to region.
How to Get to Michoacan
On the route that links Zinapécuaro to Michoacan, 27 kilometers north of Morelia, is Francisco J. Mujica Airport, the city’s primary terminal. There are a number of daily flights leaving from this airport for various locations in Mexico, as well as connections to North America.
The vast network of long-distance buses controls land traffic and connects all the major cities as well as some smaller, less accessible places. Instead, hundreds of taxis, combis, and city buses make up the traffic of Uruapan and Morelia’s metropolises.
