Hi,
We're flying into and out of Morelia in late June. So far, we're thinking of spending a few days each in Morelia, Patzcuaro and Uruapan, together with the small villages/ruins nearby. I'd love to get peoples' sense of how much time to budget for each of these cities and how you would reccommend spending a few more days in Michoacan. We're planning on getting around by bus and I was thinking of also trying to make it to Zihuatanejo. We're looking for interesting towns, beautiful scenery etc.
I was also wondering if anyone has stayed in the Centro Turistico Anagahuan near Uruapan and/or had taken horses into the Paricutin volcanic zone.
Thanks so much in advance.
Seth

My wife and I spent six days in Michoacan in May 2004. We had three days each in Morelia and Patzcuaro and traveled around by bus. I would highly recommend the Hotel de la Soledad in Morelia. It's just a block off the main plaza, is very atmospheric and was around $75 for a double. Patzcuaro was quite charming--we would have liked to have had more time there to explore some of the surrounding villages. Uruapan is nothing special. The Eduardo Ruiz National Park is in the city and worth seeing but you can combine that with your day trip to Paricutin as you need to change buses in Uruapan to get there. If you're in reasonable shape you can just hike down to the lava flow and ruins rather than rent a horse and guide. We walked down to the ruins with a couple who had a horse and guide and weren't pleased with the price they had negociated--seeing that we were walking there on our own... If you have any other questions, I'll try to answer them.

Hi Seth,

A couple of years ago, my traveling friend and I went to Morelia and Patzcuaro to see the monarch butterflies . . . only we went too early and didn't get to see them!

So . . . we had to go to Plan B which ended up being staying in Patzcuaro and hanging out . . . ended up being a terrific trip.

I've typed up my journal . . . it's very long and detailed but I'd be happy to send it to you if you want . . . just email me at [email protected].

Hope you have as much fun as we did! Buen viaje,
Sandy (in Denton)

Don't miss Paricutin! My husband and I visted about two years ago. We only went as far as the ruins/church, which took about an hour each way on horseback.....on slow horses that knew the way and really weren't a lot faster than walking, which is the way I like my horses.

There are other trips that will take you to the cones of the volcano but I believe they are in the range of 8-10 hours or more round trip.

The ruins are fascinating and you can climb up on the lava to get close to the church - we have some great photos. There are no handrails or stairs, etc. so you do need to be careful.

We drove to the Centro Turistico Anagahuan and hired a guide, he hired horses from the guys across the street. The Centro Turistico also has bathrooms for before and after. There is not much in the way of food service in the immediate area (although there were drink vendors near the ruins) so bring snacks or lunch. We did not stay in the cabins, they might be okay but would definitely be too rustic for me.

Thanks for all the replies and info. I guess I was talking about the full volcano trail, up to the cones/fumaroles etc. If that really takes 8-10 hours, is it neccessary to stay overnight in the local cabins, or can one still get an early bus from Uruapan to do the trip. Has anyone out there actually done the full trail? Thanks again.

I did both the volcano and church ruins in the same day last January. The horse ride to the base of the volcano is around 4 hours and the hike up is at least another 30 minutes. Overall it took probably 10 hours, but it can definitely be done in one day.

I was in Morelia two years ago (to see the butterflies) and Patzcuaro for New Year's 2005 (went to La Paz this Feb). I really want to get back to Morelia - a great colonial gem. I spent 3 days in Morelia before heading to Huatulco for 5 - would have liked to spent a couple more days in Morelia after visiting Huatulco. Patzcuaro is like walking into a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel. I spent 6 days there which was a bit too much but there are plenty of little towns around the lake to visit. I understand the coast of Michoacan is a nice (not fantastic) destination - not sure if beaching is your thing. As for Morelia - I stayed at the Hotel Soledad - and agree, great location, great breakfast, charming courtyard. Be sure to have a drink (and dinner) on the terrace at Hotel Juaninos. Be sure to visit the Templo de San Diego - from the outside it doesn't look like much but the inside is a riot of color and decoration.

Spent 4 days over Thanksgiving at Mision Iturbe in Patzcuaro: great hotel and breakfasts on the park.
Rest. Cha Cha Cha around the corner next to Templo Salud has recently been called the best in Michoacan. Had a car so did all the local pueblos: we especially liked the mask carvers in Tocauro, but thought the copper in Sta. Clara (del Cobre) a bit pricy for the range we were seeking.
Spent Christmas on Isla de Navidad X the inlet from Barra de Navidad, Michoacan at CocoCabanas, an ecolodge with great food. Travelled to the pueblos along the Cosalegre to the N: Melanque, Las Manzanillas, Tenacatita.
The fresh grilled red snapper a la Mosca's on the beach in Tenacatita was really special and really inexpensive.
M

In Morelia, be sure to go to the Casa De Arte. They have a coffee/lunch shop, exhibits and a room full of the best collection of carved Mexican folklore masks I have ever seen. Fantastic! Also the zoo is fairly big and not bad.
Near the bus station is a used book store with all sorts of printed junk--amazing. Every kind of old magazines and thousands of books. There is also a store for herbs-cures nearby. About two thousand herbs I never even heard of--and I have been traveling in Mexico a long time. Morelia has been for until recently one of Mexico's great hidden treasures. Still not as many tourists as, say Guanajuato.
Norm

I married my husband 15 years ago and had no clue what Michoacan was all about (he is originally from Morelia) ... WOWWWW ... it is beautiful.
Places I have been and would definitely recommend: Morelia (of course), Mariposas Monarcas, San Miguel de Allende, Paricutin (amazing), Guanajuato, Los Azufres, the island of Janixio (sp?)and Tzintzuntzan (there is a song by Café Tecuba that mentions this town ... funny. These are the ones that comes most to mind. I have the privelage to have my mother in law who lives in Morelia and travels throughout Mexico extensively so she is definitely a great guide. In December of 2005, we went to the coast to the Playas de Michoacan and stayed at EL TUNEL (we camped) and although it felt like we were on survivor, it was a great experience for my 9 and 12 year old. I love how they extensively experience the culture. I am going back next week for three weeks so if any new places come up, I'll post! Adios!

Great replies. I find Uruapan more interesting than some who posted did. Excellent but very expensive (By Mexican standards) at around 130 a night overlooking the park. I prefer Hotel Uruapan on the plaza. Nicer rooms (Much Larger) with spacious bathrooms & 32' TV's overlooking the unique plaza which bit maybe 100' feet wide but 3 blocks long. Get off the main plaza to the west for fabulous shoe stores at reasonable prices. Not touristy but a real Mexican city. Do not miss the archaeological site at Tingambato (SP?) a few minutes toward Patzcuaro. Small pyramid & other ruins set in a most gorgeous valley of Avocado groves. Stay as long as possible in Patzcuaro my most favorite Mountain City in all of Mexico. Hurry before we muck it up. Great sights & bargains. Enjoy!