morelia and patzcuaro
 

I have 7 nights to spend between Morelia and Patzcuaro-I am leaning towards 4 nights in Morelia but maybe I am wrong and there is more to do in Patzcuaro. Appreciate any feedback on how you would divide it up.

Thanks
Debbie

Hi Debbie, I was about to post exactly the same question when I saw your post. We will be there in mid December en route from San Miguel to Guadalajara. I am looking forward to your replies.

As we are going on to Guadalajara I am also looking at Uruapan or, if it's not too far, maybe a day or two on the coast.

Hi, SMA is great. I am sure you will love it. Guadalajara is about 4 hours from the coast so probably not worth the trip for just a day or two-unless you can fly out of Puerto Vallarta

Hi Debbie, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, how much time to spend in either place kinda depends on your interests. I'll put out some suggestions that might (or might not?) be helpful.
Near Patzcuaro are the towns of Santa Clara Del Cobre and Quiroga. The former is known for amazing, hand-hammered copper goods. There are a couple shops where they demonstrate how they hammer out a lump of copper into beautiful bowls and vases. Fascinating work. The latter is know for their carnitas, you can sample several vendors. Also a few leather stores. There are a couple of ruin sites nearby, Tzintzunzan & Tinganio, the latter is likened to a mini-Teotihuacan. Of course, Uruapan is known for the Cupatitzio park, macadamia nuts candies & liquors, fresh trout, avocados and avocado products. Some of Mexico's best coffee is grown there too, and La Lucha has it fresh roasted and ground every day. They also have a shop in Morelia. There are some falls, Tzaráracua, just outside of town that are impressive.
Morelia is a beautiful city too. Not quite as pedestrian friendly for example as Oaxaca, but still nice. A number of good restaurant options but not like San Miguel. We were there a couple months back. Beautiful acueducto. If you're into old convents, there's a couple about an hour out of town in Yuriria and Cuitzeo, 2 Pueblo Magicos on the 'Ruta De Conventos' which also include Salvatierra and Salamanca in Guanajuato state.
As far as beaches near Uruapan, the typical touristed ones are Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa and Troncones in Guerrero. Not visited hardly at all by gringos in Michoacan are Playa Azul near Lazaro Cardenas, and a number of beaches further along the coast where you'll see nary a soul during the week. We often go to Nexpa, about an hour from Lazaro C. It's known for surfing, so the beach isn't great. But it's a tiny village of maybe 200 people and 3 restaurants/enramadas.there are a few hard core gringo surfers that winter there and a few stoners too. Sometimes you'll catch a whiff of the chronic floating on the breeze

Thanks so much. Appreciate your input and it sounds like there is more to do in patzcuaro.

I did the same trip two years ago...Morelia and Patzcuaro. Certainly stay longer in Patzcuaro.even 5 nights is not too long due to the interesting towns within easy reach.

how best to visit the towns? Rent a car for flexibility, hire a driver or bus?