Mexico

Michoacán

Region

Michoacán lies in the west of the central Mexican highlands and is the heartland of the Purépecha.

Michoacán lies in the west of the central Mexican highlands and is the heartland of the Purépecha. Its capital, Morelia, possesses one of the most intact colonial centers in the country, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991.Around Lake Pátzcuaro, coppersmiths, lacquer art, and wood carving characterize the villages. To the east, from November to March, millions of Monarch butterflies overwinter in the mountain forests of the Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve.

Michoacán extends from the central highlands to the Pacific coast and is the heartland of the Purépecha, whose empire was ruled from Tzintzuntzan upon the arrival of the Spanish in 1522. The capital Morelia has a colonial center of pink stone, protected since 1991. Around Lake Pátzcuaro are the colonial town of Pátzcuaro, Janitzio Island, and the Yácatas of Tzintzuntzan. To the west, the church ruins of San Juan Parangaricutiro and the Paricutín volcano bear witness to the 1943 eruption. To the east, from November to March, monarch butterflies overwinter in the mountain forests.

More places in Michoacán

Morelia

Morelia, the capital of Michoacán, is located at approximately 1,920 meters in the western highlands, a three to four-hour drive west of Mexico City. Its historic city center, featuring over 200 buildings of pink cantera stone, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991, characterized by its cathedral, the arcades surrounding the Plaza de Armas, and the aqueduct with 253 arches.The city is an excellent base for exploring Lake Pátzcuaro, the surrounding Purépecha villages, and from November to March, the monarch butterfly overwintering grounds.

Sights in Michoacán

Discover the most important sights and attractions

Attraction

Isla de Janitzio

The largest island in Lake Pátzcuaro can be reached in about 25 minutes by boat from the Pátzcuaro pier. At the summit stands a 40-meter-tall Morelos statue, housing a spiral staircase that leads past murals up to the raised fist. Janitzio is known for the nightly vigil for Día de Muertos.

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Attraction

Archaeological Zone of Tzintzuntzan

Tzintzuntzan, on the northeast shore of Lake Pátzcuaro, was the capital of the Purépecha Empire upon the arrival of the Spanish in 1522. On a large platform on the hillside stand five Yácatas, the characteristically rounded Purépecha pyramids, overlooking the lake.

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Attraction

Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary El Rosario

El Rosario in the municipality of Ocampo is one of two visitor-accessible protected areas of the Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve, since 2008 a UNESCO World Heritage site. From November to March, monarch butterflies hang in dense clusters on the fir trees; the path to the colonies leads uphill through the forest.

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Attraction

Plaza Vasco de Quiroga (Pátzcuaro)

Pátzcuaro's vast main square is lined with old ash trees and colonial houses; in its center, since 1964, stands a fountain featuring the bronze statue of Bishop Vasco de Quiroga by Francisco Zúñiga. A few minutes' walk away are the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Salud and the Casa de los Once Patios, which houses artisan shops.

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Attraction

Church Ruin of San Juan Parangaricutiro (Paricutín)

The Paricutín volcano emerged in 1943 in a cornfield and by 1952 had buried two villages under lava and ash. From the solidified lava field, only parts of the church of San Juan Parangaricutiro still protrude. The starting point is Angahuan village, about 30 kilometers west of Uruapan, where guides and horses are ready.

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Food & Beverages

The traditional Mexican cuisine was added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage in 2010, with Michoacán as an exemplary region. Typical dishes include corn, beans, and pork, as well as fish from Lake Pátzcuaro.

Carnitas

Slow-cooked pork in lard, sold as tacos or by weight; a weekend tradition in many places across the region.

Corundas and Uchepos

Corundas are triangular tamales in corn husks; Uchepos are made from young corn and often eaten sweet.

Sopa tarasca

Bean soup with tomato and Pasilla chili, served with tortilla strips, cheese, and cream.

Gaspacho moreliano

Cup with diced fruit and jicama, citrus juice, cheese, and chili powder, a specialty from Morelia.

Best Time to Visit

When is the best time for your trip?

November

December

January

February

March

15–18°C·6–19 mm(little rain)

From November to March, it's dry and sunny, and Monarch butterflies overwinter in the eastern reserves. Early November also marks the Día de Muertos at Lake Pátzcuaro. Winter nights in the highlands are cool.

These values are for Morelia, around 1,920 meters. The Pátzcuaro highlands are similarly mild, but the Pacific coast and hot Tierra Caliente lowlands are noticeably warmer. The rainy season from June to September usually brings afternoon showers.

Seasons

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Dry season

Wet period

Passage

Best Time to Visit

▶Show detailed monthly data

Month	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)	Sun (h)
January	14.5	19	7.6
February	15.8	9	8.7
March	18.1	10	9.1
April	20.3	14	8.8
May	21.5	46	8.4
June	20.9	142	6.9
July	19.4	183	6.3
August	19.4	167	6.5
September	19.1	141	6.1
October	18.0	55	7.1
November	16.5	12	7.8
December	15.0	6	7.5

Culture and Traditions

Purépecha and CraftsThe Purépecha people continue to shape Michoacán to this day; their language is spoken in many villages around Lake Pátzcuaro and on the Meseta. After the conquest, Bishop Vasco de Quiroga organized the villages by craft in the 16th century; to this day, many places are known for a specific trade, for example Santa Clara del Cobre for copper work.Día de MuertosIn late October and early November, families around Lake Pátzcuaro hold nocturnal vigils in the cemeteries, with the celebration on Janitzio Island being particularly renowned.ExcursionsPátzcuaro and Janitzio: Colonial town and boat trip to the island with the Morelos statue.Tzintzuntzan: five Yácatas of the ancient Purépecha capital on the lakeshore.Monarch Butterflies: El Rosario and Sierra Chincua sanctuaries in the east, open from November to March.Paricutín: Horseback ride or hike from Angahuan to the church ruin in the lava field.

On the Road in Michoacán

Morelia is the hub, with General Francisco J. Mujica Airport about 27 kilometers northeast of the city, and a bus terminal connecting to the entire region. Frequent buses run to Pátzcuaro, taking a good hour. From there, reach Tzintzuntzan and the Janitzio boat dock by combi or taxi. For the Monarch Butterfly Reserves and Angahuan, guided tours or a rental car are most practical.Plan overland journeys during daylight hours and check the current UK FCDO Travel Advice for Mexico before you go; it also covers individual states.