From Mexico City by rail about 13 hours; by bus about 7.5 hours; by car on the MEX 15 via Toluca, Morelia and Pátzcuaro.
Uruapan is a town relatively untouched by tourism. It lies on the Río Cupatitzio in the middle of a wooded area and its chief assets are its mild climate, lush vegetation and its beautiful parks.
History
The town of Uruapan (Tarascan: "where the flowers bloom") was founded in 1532 by the Franciscan Pater Juan de San Miguel and given the name San Francisco de Uruapan. It was laid out in a chessboard pattern and divided up into nine districts (barrios) which even to this day have retained their own individual character.
The market, which is held daily, is well worth seeing. As well as lacquerwork, handwoven cloths and traditional garments are sold. Behind the Hospital Chapel is the Mercado de Antojitos, a "snack market", where it is possible to sample Mexican cooking.
Among the fine parks, pride of place must go to the Jardín de los Mártires ("Garden of the Martyrs") and the national park of Eduardo Ruiz at the gorge of the Río Cupatitzio (Purépecha: "where the waters meet"). Here there are beautiful walks leading through lush vegetation past waterfalls, rock formations and springs.
This museum displays crafts from the region. The building itself was constructed in 1533.
Address: La Huatapera / Museo de Los Cuatro Pueblo Indios, Uruapan de Progreso, Michoacan , Mexico
Hours:
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Mexican Constitution Day (Día de la Constititución) (February 5), Mexico - Benito Juárez Birthday (March 21), Mexico - Battle of Pueblo Day (May 5), Mexico National Day (September 1), Mexican Independence Day (September 16), Mexican Revolution Day (November 20), Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe (December 12), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
The Paricutín volcano erupted in 1943 and continued for three years. Settlements in the area were buried, and today visitors can see the lava field. A single church top can be seen poking through.
The waterfall of La Tzaráracua (Tarascan: "the sieve") is situated on the MEX 37 roughly 12km/7.5mi to the south. One of the most beautiful waterfalls in the whole of Mexico, it is surrounded by attractive woodland near the Laguna Cupatitzio.
18km/11mi to the north of Uruapan a road turns left off the MEX 37 and leads to the town of Angahuan (population 35,000) 21km/13mi away. The parish church of Santiago has a particularly impressive "mudéjar-plateresque" doorway which dates back to 1562. It is executed in "tequitqui", the Indian art of stonemasonry, lavishly decorated and resembles the doorway of the Guatápara chapel in Uruapan.
Address: Parish Church of Santiago, Angahuan, Michoacan , Mexico
About 70km/43mi after La Tzaráracua along the MEX 37 lies the reservoir El Infiernillo ("Little Hell"). This artificial lake over 100km/62mi long with a dam 175 m (574 ft) high is fed by the rivers Tepalcatepec and Balsas.
The MEX 37 continues past for another 20km/12.4mi after the turning to Angahuan and leads to Paracho de Verduzco (1567 m (5141 ft); population 40,000; fiestas: August 8th, village festival; November 16th to 26th, arts and crafts fair). The town is famous for its woodcraft, in particular guitars, violins, toys and furniture.
About 30km/19mi west of Uruapan in the direction of Pátzcuaro on the MEX 14 is the little town of Tingambato (Purépacha: "place of the warm water"). There is a noteworthy excavation site which has been established as dating back to between AD 500 and 1000. Large pyramid platforms in the tablud-tablero style, which suggest the influence of Teotihuacán, were found next to a ball court.
Read More
Read Less
Read More
Paricutín
