Michoacan...

Located in Mexico’s southwestern region in an area with abundant natural beauty, thanks to the volcanic rock formations of the Sierra Madre del Sur.
In this territory you’ll discover vast natural areas and national parks such as Cupatitzio Canyon and the Jose Maria Morelos park. At these places you can go camping, do ecotourism outings and extreme sports, including mountain bike riding and paragliding. Also of interest is the protected Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, where the fir forest serves as nesting grounds for the monarch butterfly. In the state of Michoacan you’ll also find a wide variety of cultural events, some of which have many years of tradition, such as the Day of the Dead celebration at Lake Patzcuaro and on its nearby islands. There you’ll see some of the most visited churches in the state, try the excellent local cuisine and find all kinds of regional crafts at the stores and markets. Later, you can check out the nearby archaeological zones of Tzintzuntzan and Ihuatzio. In the city of Morelia, the state capital, you’ll see magnificent buildings in the Historic Center, which was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. The notable edifices include the Cathedral and the Palacio de Clavijero, both of which remind visitors of the city’s fascinating history. Other interesting sites are the Hospital de la Huatapera de Uruapan and the Zamora Cathedral. On Michoacan’s coast you’ll find gorgeous beaches like Playa Azul and Lazaro Cardenas, which offer lodging and restaurants, and Maruata, Michoacan’s most famous beach and the nesting grounds for the black sea turtle.

MORELIA
Morelia, the state capital of Michoacan, is a beautiful city built during Mexico’s Viceregal era. It is located in the state’s northern region, 303 km (187 mi) west of Mexico City. It has a warm, semi-humid climate with rain during the summer and an average temperature of 20º C (68º F).

The city offers a pleasant and hospitable atmosphere, as well as many architectural treasures in its Historic Center, which was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. There you’ll find numerous colonial-style constructions, such as the Palacio Nacional and La Catedral (The Cathedral), a Baroque-style structure built with pink ashlars. Morelia also hosts important cultural events, such as international film and music festivals.

Thanks to its strategic location, many tourists use the city as a base before heading out to nature reserves, such as the monarch butterfly sanctuary and the Parque Nacional Jose Maria Morelos (The Jose Maria Morelos National Park).

Morelia also is a place where the traditions of the Tarascan Indians persist, as seen in the traditional attire they wear, the handicrafts they make and the historical importance of the archaeological ruins at Ihuatzio and Tzintzuntzan. While in Morelia, don’t forget to try the traditional Purepecha dishes, such as corundas and uchepos (regional tamales). You can also indulge in such local fare as enchiladas placeras and ates (candied fruit). So don’t wait any longer: Come and experience the joy, traditions and colorful atmosphere of Morelia.

SURROUNDING AREAS, TOURING AND NOTABLE PLACES
Tranvia de la Calle Real (The Calle Real Trolley) – The trolley’s route passes along various streets in Morelia’s Historic Center and then heads south toward the Benito Juarez Zoo. It continues along Avenida Camelinas until it reaches Avenida Acueducto. This avenue leads to Bosque Cuauhtemoc (Cuauhtemoc Forest). Further ahead, you’ll arrive at Las Rosas Conservatory and the Candy Museum, where you can see how Morelia’s mouth-watering candy is made. At 1740 Avenida Acueducto, in the Chapultepec Norte neighborhood, the trolley departs Tuesday through Sunday at 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30. The tour runs about 45 minutes.

Tranvia Kuanari (The Kuanari Trolley) – This trolley’s departure point is 132 Jose Cruz Rodriguez Loaiza Street in the Dr. Miguel Silva neighborhood. The tour lasts 45 minutes to two hours. The trolley buses depart every hour between 9:00 and 7:00 from Tuesday through Sunday.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
For those who like to admire beautiful natural scenery, in the surrounding areas of Morelia you can go horseback riding along the shores of lakes or rivers. If you’re looking for something more adventurous, you can descend down a steep cliff, climb a high mountain or explore an amazing cave. In short, you’ll always find the ideal spot to enjoy your favorite recreational activity.

Cerro Hueco – Located in Quiroga, 48 km (30 mi) northeast of Morelia off Highway 15. This protected area is known as an ideal location to go cave diving. Nearby, you’ll find adventures in marvelous caves just waiting to be explored.

Parque Nacional Jose Maria Morelos – Located 26 km (16 mi) east of Morelia off Highway 15. The rich ecosystem in this park’s 4,324-hectare (10,680-acre) pine and Encino oak forest invites you to take a long horseback ride and take in the unforgettable scenery of this natural area.

Peña Blanca – Located in Charo, 24 km (15 mi) northeast of Morelia off Highway 126. On the outskirts of the town you’ll find Peña Blanca, an ideal spot for rock climbing and rappelling. The large rock formations that you’ll see here present quite an exciting and entertaining challenge for climbers.

Cuto de la Esperanza – Take the Tacicuaro turnoff, which is 18 km (11 mi) northeast of Morelia off Highway 15. This is the ideal destination for cave diving. Here you’ll find the Grutas de la Escalera, a spectacular rock formation that provides a true challenge for thrill-seekers.

HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE
Due to the notable Baroque- and Plateresque-style architectural treasures built during the 16th and 17th centuries, Morelia’s Historic Center was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. Often referred to as the soul of Mexico, the architecture of Morelia stands as a testament to the city’s religious influences and its unique blending of styles that have come together over centuries.

Catedral (The Cathedral) – Located on Avenida Francisco I. Madero in the Historic Center. Neoclassical ornamentation predominates this impressive Baroque-style structure built with pink ashlars. Constructed between 1660 and 1774, it houses one of the city most venerated images, a dried maize sculpture of the Señor de la Sacristia. You’ll also see several precious paintings in the vestry and the chapter house.

Acueducto (Aqueduct) – Located on Avenida Acueducto and Calzada Madero in Morelia. One of the city’s most emblematic structures, this aqueduct has 253 Baroque-style arcs. Bishop Friar Antonio de San Miguel ordered its construction in 1785 as a means to bring potable water to the city and to create jobs for indigenous people.

Antigua Alhondiga – Located on Abasolo Street, at Corregidora in the Historic Center. This Baroque building, which was once the city’s wheat depository during the Colonial era, was rebuilt into a tribunal in 1847.

Antigua Casa de Don Manuel Garcia Obeso – Located on Avenida Madero Oriente and Morelos Norte in the Historic Center. The neoclassical façade and Baroque interior will draw your attention to this building, which was constructed during the second half of the 18th century. Some of the first meetings to plot Mexico’s independence were held in this house.

Antigua Casa del Diezmo – Located on Avenida Madero Poniente and Benito Juarez in the Historic Center. In this Baroque-style building, they used to collect tithes contributed by parishioners. Currently, it is a bank.

Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco – Located at 129 Fray San Juan de San Miguel Street, at Humboldt, in the Historic Center. The Franciscans began the construction of this Plateresque-style building in 1531. Since 1973, it has operated as the Michoacan Crafts House. Open daily from 9:00 to 3:00 and 5:30 to 8:00.

Palacio Clavijero – Located on Avenida Francisco I. Madero and Nigromante in the Historic Center. This grand Baroque-style building was constructed in the middle of the 17th century and it is considered one of the city’s most important architectural achievements.

ARTS AND CRAFTS
In Morelia you’ll be fortunate enough to find a wide variety of crafts, such as ceramics, basketwork, tableware, glazed pottery, jewelry and lacquered boxes, shallow bowls, iron products and table linen. One of the most interesting techniques used is maque, designs made on wood surfaces. This ancient craft brings together the use of pre-Hispanic tools and techniques brought over from the Old World. Currently, they are among the most sought-after handicrafts due to their fine finish. To buy these and other popular art from Morelia, you can visit the Mercado de Dulces y Artesanias, where you’ll also find a wide offering of some of Michoacan’s famous regional sweets, such as the traditional and tasty morelianas and charamuscas.

PATZCUARO...
A place of culture and tradition. Here we offer two different tours: the first one (Traditional Patzcuaro) consists of strolling around the most important attractions of the city and the second (The Magic of Patzcuaro) visits the small and charming towns in the surrounding areas. We recommend both tours for an authentic Patzcuaro experience.

The first tour begins at the House of Eleven Patios, where you can find regional crafts for sale and you can watch the artisans work. Then, we’ll visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Health, where you can admire the beautiful image of the Virgen de la Salud (Virgin of Health), Patzcuaro’s patron saint. You can also stop by the Museum of Popular Arts and Industries, which for some years hosted the Colegio de San Nicolas, the oldest college in America. We’ll later visit a seventeenth century ex-Jesuit convent.

Continue with the Temple of San Francisco, one of the oldest in the city and then admire the Juan O’Gorman murals at the Gertrudis Bocanegra Library. Visit the Plaza Vasco de Quiroga, one of the most beautiful squares in the Americas. We’ll go to Janitzio, a famous island in Lake Patzcuaro, Tzintzuntzan, an archaeological site and craft market, and finally to Quiroga, famous for its handicraft shops.

The second tour starts with Tupataro and its beautiful sixteenth century temple. On to Cuanajo, which is famous for its colorful wooden furniture as well as Santa Clara del Cobre, with its many copper workshops. Then, admire the architectural beauty of downtown Patzcuaro. We’ll visit Tocuaro where you can find the famous wooden masks that this town is known for and we’ll continue to Erongaricuaro, a picturesque village. We’ll visit the mescal distillery in Oponguio, Santa Fe de la Laguna, a real Purepecha village and Tzintzuntzan, the place of hummingbirds as well as the first capital of Michoacan.

I know it's difficult for you to learn the "purepechas" name, but i assure you are magical places...

Check the magic of Pátzcuaro Tour