10 Unique Tourist Options for Our Patzcuaro Visitors

Patzcuaro is one of tourist destinations of Mexico which, for its location, allows us to enjoy a wide variety of options close by.  These include lovely landscapes, archaeological sites, architectural jewels of the colonial epoch, and typical villages of singular beauty, where the traveler can enjoy authentic Michoacan cuisine and also buy folkartisan ware directly from the artists.


Pátzcuaro is one of the beautiful colonial towns of Mexico
Patzcuaro is one of the beautiful colonial towns of Mexico
At Hotel Mansion Iturbe, we invite you to live the experience of visiting these places near Patzcuaro – places that are just waiting to be discovered!


Pátzcuaro main square seen from Hotel Mansión Iturbe
Patzcuaro main square seen from Hotel Mansion Iturbe

With these ten options, we want to give you a general idea of the different places to visit on your next trip to Patzcuaro.

1.  Lake Patzcuaro and Its Islands
Take a boat trip on our famous Lake Patzcuaro.  In addition to the famous Island of Janitzio, we encourage you to visit other islands, such as Yunuen and La Pacanda, where the communities have worked hard to offer you an interesting and unforgettable experience.


The Island of Janitzio at Lake Patzcuaro
The Island of Janitzio at Lake Patzcuaro

2.  Archaeological Sites of Tzintzuntzan and Ihuatzio

 
Around Lake Patzcuaro, you will find two major archaeological sites:  Tzintzuntzan and Ihuatzio.
Ihuatzio archeological site
Ihuatzio archeological site

Tzintzuntzan’s temples were the ceremonial center of the Purépecha people.  With a spectacular panorama of Lake Patzcuaro, it was the perfect place to worship the gods.
Tzintzuntzan archeological site
 
3.  Paricutin Volcano
Paricutin – the youngest volcano in Mexico – is a favorite among our guests.  The visit can be completed in one day.  It is considered a Natural Wonder of the World.


Paricutin Volcano (Picture property of SECTUR MICHOACAN)
Paricutin Volcano (Picture property of SECTUR MICHOACAN)

4.  Morelia:  World Heritage City

Many of our guests at Hotel Mansion Iturbe arrive from the Pacific coast.  On many a to-do list, you will find “Visit Morelia.”  Morelia happens to be the capital of the State of Michoacán – just 40 minutes from Patzcuaro – but it is also the home of exemplary colonial architecture.  If you take the tour Ruta del Sol al Corazon, which goes from San Miguel de Allende to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, it will take you through Morelia and Patzcuaro.


Calzada Fray Antonio de San Miguel in Morelia
Calzada Fray Antonio de San Miguel in Morelia
The Aqueduct in Morelia
The Aqueduct in Morelia

5.  Uruapan

La Perla del Cupatitzio (Pearl of Cupatitzio) is the spring at the top of the Uruapan National Park – a place to observe and enjoy exuberant flora, and spectacular waterfalls.

National Park in Uruapan
National Park in Uruapan

In Uruapan you will also find 16th-century colonial architecture, such as the Huatápera, with incorporates gothic elements.


The Huatapera in Uruapan, enjoy the colonial achitecture
The Huatapera in Uruapan, enjoy the colonial achitecture
Among other things, Uruapan is known as the World Capital of Avocado. But you shouldn’t miss the delicious rainbow trout available there, or the macadamia nuts (sometimes the two are combined into one ultra-delicious dish), or charanda (the traditional drink of Michoacán, derived from sugar cane).  Like carnitas?  Uruapan has its own twist on this scrumptious favorite.
 
6.  Santa Fe de la Laguna y Quiroga
Santa Fe de la Laguna is a community on Lake Patzcuaro that was founded as the first “hospice village” by Don Vasco de Quiroga in 1533.  Experience the gastronomic traditions of traditional cooks of Michoacán in the original settings.  Visit their award-winning artisan shops.

Santa Fe de la Laguna at Lake Pátzcuaro Region
Santa Fe de la Laguna at Lake Pátzcuaro Region

“Just around the corner” is the town of Quiroga.  People come from far and wide for a portion of their famous carnitas, after walking through the many shops of wooden articles and fun toys and ceramic figures.


Carnitas one of the most popular dishes in Michoacán
Carnitas one of the most popular dishes in Michoacán

7.  Santa Clara del Cobre and Zirahuén

These two are close, our guests at Hotel Mansión Iturbe often make them two trips in one.  Santa Clara del Cobre is another picturesque Magical Town, famous for its copper artisans.  The workshops are often behind the sales shops, and there you can watch first-hand the workmanship that goes into the creation of the copper, hammer blow by hammer blow, forming gorgeous pieces of folk art.  And don’t miss the National Museum of Copper, right off the Main Square.


The National Museum of Copper in Santa Clara del Cobre
The National Museum of Copper in Santa Clara del Cobre
Just a few miles down the carved-brick road is the town of Zirahuén, situated on one of the most beautiful lakes in all of Mexico; it has been compared to Lake Tahoe.


Lake Zirahuen one of the nicest in México
Lake Zirahuen one of the nicest in México
8.  Tacámbaro

Another magical town of our region is Tacámbaro, known as the “Balcony of the Warm Land,” which is the home of the Ecological Park of Cerro Hueco, the Laguna de la Magdalena, and a landscape of pine trees and avocado orchards.


The beautiful landscape in Tacambaro
The beautiful landscape in Tacambaro
In Tacámbaro visit the Sanctuary of Fatima
In Tacámbaro visit the Sanctuary of Fatima
9.  Tzintzuntzan

The magical town of Tzintzuntzan is down the hill from the ruins of Tzintzuntzan.  You must experience the recently renovated Ex Convent of the Franciscans of Santa Ana, the open chapels, the main temple, and centuries-old olive trees in the courtyard in front.

Tzintzuntzan at Lake Pátzcuaro Region
Tzintzuntzan at Lake Pátzcuaro Region

And yet another venue for the palate!  They specialize in charales (small, white lake fish), churipo de pescado, and corundas.

10.  Tupátaro and Cuanajo
The lovely Temple of Santiago Apóstol (16th century), with artisan work dating from the 18th, overlooks the central square of Tupátaro.  With its remarkable painted ceiling, it is known as the Sistine Chapel of Michoacán.


The Chapel of Santiago Apostol in Tupataro (Property of SECTUR MICHOACAN)
The Chapel of Santiago Aposto in Tupataro (Picture property of SECTUR MICHOACAN)

A little further down the road is the town of Cuanajo, maker of wooden furniture and artisan textiles.  If you don’t find something you like amidst the wide variety of original designs and styles, talk with store owners about creating your own furniture, based on your own tastes and needs.

 To boot, the beautiful drive between Tupátaro and Cuanajo is really hard to beat!


*Text and pictures property of Hotel Mansión Iturbe.


We invite you to visit our blog and check more post that we hope will be helpful for your next visit to Pátzcuaro.

Here are some post that we suggest you:

Those Crazy Masks of Tocuaro

Artisan Textiles of Pátzcuaro

Juan O’Gorman’s Mural in Pátzcuaro


Hotel Mansión Iturbe
Portal Morelos 59
Plaza Vasco de Quiroga
61600 Pátzcuaro, Mich.
México

For more information about our Hotel in Patzcuaro

Reservations online at Hotel Mansion Iturbe

Tels: +52 (434) 342 0368 / 342 3628

Fax: +52 (434) 342 3627

Toll Free fax number from USA & CANADA: 1 866 678 6102

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Amadeus: ON MLMMAN
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