sparklegem

I have come across Patzcuaro in my planning of a different trip. Is this town and area safe at this time? I would love to go there but thought that I should check before planning further.

Thank You,
Gem

Stewbear

My favorite Inland city in all of Mexico. Lovely handsome people, unique architecture, Incredible bargains in Hand Carved Masks,Serapes, Sweaters, other cloths, Liniens, Furniture,guitars Etc. The lake is ringed by small villages each with a special craft. The Islands in the lake are home to indigenous people & home of the Dia de los Muertos Fête. The whole of Michoacan is a travelers delight. Uruapan with is unique 1/2 block wide but 3 block long Plaza is also home to A national Park filled with waterfalls, cataracts, water sculptures flora & fauna. It takes about 3 hours to hike it. Paracho is world renown for it's guitars. Whole cities buried under Lava with only the Church steeple sticking out. Great archaeological Ruins including Pyramids, Death Chambers & playing fields set in a incredibly beautiful valley of Avocado groves at Tingambato, Then there is the Capitol of Morelia a wonderful colonial city filled with museum's, old churches & a Ancient aqueduct,The nicest Zoo in Mexico & gateway to the butterfly preserves. I spend portion of each year there with absolutely No Problems & I have barely scratched the surface. Feel free to E-mail me with any questions & go to www.zihuatanejo.net to see my pictures & lots of Info.
PS Stews Rules for being safe
1. Never Flash money
2. I am polite to everybody
3. I do not drink but if you imbibe do not get wasted & wander the streets.
4. I do not go where I do not belong!

Thats it! In 25 years traveling the highways & Byways via bus often alone, visiting places where I am the only gringo in sight I have never felt I was in danger.

mikemo

Gem,
I agree with sb.
The Hot Mansion Iturbe is super and the Rest. Cha Cha Cha is perhaps the very best in all of Michoacan (and very inexpensive).
We like the pueblos: Tocuaro (masks); Erongaricuaro (painted furniture); Capula (catrinas and Punticusmo pottery); Sta. Clara del Cobre (copper). None inexpensive as many are museum quality.
And, from now until early March, scoot East to Zitacuaro area to see the Mariposas Monarcas.
M

sparklegem

Thank you. I think that we will stay with San Miguel this trip. Maybe another time we will make down to Patzcauro.
Very Best,
Gem

globalgourmand

Anything on Zitacuaro? Thinking about staying in Zitacuaro on our way to Zihuatanejo from DF.

So... I'm looking to stop and stay in a convenient, small town near Angangueo that will have bus access to/from Zihua and DF. I thought Zitacuaro might be the one but am having trouble finding bus information. If not, it doesn't seem I'd be "settling" for Patzcuaro!

Stewbear

While I have not been there from what I have read & heard from others is while a nice city of 250,000 people nothing that special about it other than being a early City of Independence with Benito Juarez leading them resulting in the city being destroyed three times (1812, 1855 & 1865). It's barely within the borders of Michoacan at only just over 100 miles from the DF. If you prefer a larger city than Patzcuaro than I would opt for Morelia (600,000) capitol city of Michoacan with lots of diversions.

mikemo

I would agree: Angangueo o Ocampo for the Mariposas Monarcas.
M

hlsam

Where are the cities under lava and other highlights mentioned in Stewbear's post? I'm in Patzcuero right now and looking for some interesting side trips.

Thanks!

Stewbear

09/17/2007, 09:14 am
Where are the cities under lava and other highlights mentioned in Stewbear's post? I'm in Patzcuaro right now and looking for some interesting side trips.

It's just West of Uruapan it's self a remarkable city with a lovely National park filled with waterfalls, cataracts, Flora & Fauna to delight the senses. The Buried town is/was San Juan that was buried except from the church spiel from Volcano Paricutin in 1943 continuing to spit lava until 1952. You cab view from afar or rent horses/guide in Angahuan a short.
distance away.
Also between Patzcuaro & Uruapan is Tingambato with a nice archaeological site including a 8 meter pyramid, death chamber & ball field (very unusual in western Mexico)with all signage in Spanish, the native tongue & English. Cabs are very reasonable at about $9 per hour for a all day trip. Check it out about doing the circuit in a long day.