Michoacan tourist sites
Michoacán is located in west central Mexico on the Pacific Ocean coast and is a land rich in water. Its spas and thermal waters are highly appreciated, among them are Los Azufres, Huandacareo and Zinapécuaro. On the other hand, it has more than 200 kilometers of coastline on the Pacific Ocean, with a coastline of beaches and high cliffs.
There are more than 16 beaches with blue waters and white and yellow sands, some suitable for surfing and others with calm waters. Many of these beaches are the nesting grounds for sea turtles and centers for their conservation.
In addition, in this state is the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. In this reserve, each year after traveling 4,000 km from Canada and the US, more than 60 million butterflies arrive in mid-November.
In Michoacán you will find 5 Magical Towns, a category granted by the National Secretary of Tourism and 5 World Heritage titles granted by UNESCO. Among the latter, its capital city, Morelia, whose historic center has hundreds of well-preserved colonial buildings.
Similarly, as Michoacán is the center of the Purépecha culture, there are relevant archaeological sites such as Ihuatzio, Otero, Tzintzuntzan and Tres Cerritos.
Tourist places in Michoacan
The tourist places of Michoacán open the door for us to this state of Mexico rich in natural beauty and historical values. Below we explain the most popular.
Morelia
The capital of the state of Michoacán was named by the Committee of the World Board of Trustees of UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It has a beautiful historic center where the Cathedral built in the 18th century stands out, and in front of it Los Portales. As well as the Fuente de Las Tarascas, a meeting point between the baroque-style colonial aqueduct of 1785 and Calle Real.
You can also visit the Clavijero Palace, the Morelos Birthplace Museum, the Michoacan Regional Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art, as well as the Benito Juárez Zoological Park, the Cuauhtémoc Forest and the Rose Garden.
Patzcuaro
This is one of the Magical Towns of Mexico and among its attractions is the Basilica of Our Lady of Health from the 16th century. Likewise, the House of the Eleven Patios, the Plaza Vasco de Quiroga and the Plaza Gertrudis Bocanegra or Plaza Chica.
In addition to the Huitzimengari Palace, the Church of the Company, the Museum of Popular Arts and Industries and the Don Vasco Route Interpretation Center. While among its natural attractions, Lake Pátzcuaro and its islands stand out, especially Janitzio, Jarácuaro and La Pacanda.
Tlalpujahua de Rayon
Another of the Magical Towns of Mexico, birthplace of the hero of independence Ignacio López Rayón. Here you can visit the Rayón House Museum, and it is part of the Michoacán Mining Route. It is also one of the places where you can buy the famous Christmas spheres, since there are several factories in the town.
Cuitzeo of the Future
This Magical Town is located north of Morelia on the shores of Lake Cuitzeo, the second largest lake in Mexico. It also has the Old Augustinian Convent of Santa María Magdalena, with Plateresque architecture from the 16th century.
In the same way with the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Temple of the Franciscan Hospital. As well as the Huandacareo Spa, and the Tres Cerritos archaeological zone.
Santa Clara del Cobre
In this Magical Town, the central square lives up to its name, with a copper-roofed kiosk and an old saucepan made of the same material. Here you can buy all kinds of copper utensils made according to a long craft tradition.
On the other hand, in its surroundings various activities are practiced, such as zip-lining or visiting the suspension bridges in the forest.
Tacambaro de Codallos
Here is the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Fátima, where the paintings of the refugee virgins can be seen. As well as the Cathedral of San Jerónimo from the 16th century, and a replica of the Holy Sepulchre.
In addition, in its ecotourism area there is the Laguna de la Magdalena and the Cerro Hueco Nature Reserve, with 80-meter-high waterfalls. There is also the Alberca, one of the three volcanic craters filled with water that exist in Michoacán.
Jiquilpan de Juarez
This town is located in the Ciénaga of Lake Chapala and on the hill of Cerro de San Francisco. It was declared a Magical Town, with the old Franciscan Convent from the 16th century and the Historic Temple of the Sacred Heart.
In addition, there is the Museum of the Life and Work of Lázaro Cárdenas del Río and the Otero archaeological zone, with pyramidal remains from 2,900 years ago.
Its natural environment offers the Juárez Forest and the Cuauhtémoc Forest, being in the latter the Casita de Piedra. This house is a sericulture center, that is, the production of natural silk.
Tzintzuntzan
Tzintzuntzan means “place of hummingbirds” and is the most important archaeological zone in the state located next to Lake Pátzcuaro. This was the most important city of the Purépecha Empire and there is a ceremonial center of 400 m2.
It includes 5 yácatas or pyramidal stone bases and pre-Hispanic stately burials as well as the former San Francisco convent from the 16th century.
Ihuatzio
In this town of the Purépecha indigenous community, there is an archaeological zone of great relevance. It is an ancient ceremonial and astronomical observation center. It has a wall-roadway and two truncated pyramids dedicated to the god of fire, Curicaueri, and the goddess of the new Moon, Xaratanga.
Paricutin Volcano
It is an active volcano that is considered the youngest in the world, since its birth is documented in 1943. At this time it buried the towns of Paricutin and San Juan de Parangaricutiro. Currently, it is possible to observe the remains of the Temple of the Lord of Miracles covered in lava.
Camecuaro Lake
It is a national park located near the city of Tangancícuaro de Arista. In this beautiful natural area you can camp, swim, trout fish and go boating. It is a magnificent place to photograph nature and admire its vegetation, with ahuehuetes, ocotes, oyamel, junipers, ash trees, strawberry trees and oaks.
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
It is considered a World Heritage Site and serves to protect 8 of the 12 colonies of this butterfly that exist in Mexico. Four of these neighborhoods are open to the public and two are located in Michoacán, Sierra Chincua and El Rosario. These butterflies migrate north through the US and Canada and in the reserve it is possible to be surrounded by thousands of them in an impressive spectacle.
Zirahuen Lake
This small lake is located in the Salvador Escalante municipality and on its shores is the town that gives it its name. It is surrounded by a lush pine and oak forest, which presents an ideal environment for ecotourism.
There is a wide range of rental cabins in its surroundings and you can rent ATVs and bicycles. On the other hand, on its banks there is the Zirahuen Adventure Park, where there are zip lines and suspension bridges.
Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park
It is located in Uruapan and is the birthplace of the Cupatitzio River, so the park is home to numerous waterfalls and water holes. There are nature interpretation trails, zip lining, a rainbow trout farm, and walking and running tracks. In addition to the possibility of enjoying the typical food of the place and acquiring crafts.
The Varal Jets
This protected natural area is located in the municipality of Los Reyes de Salgado and shows an impressive group of waterfalls. These come from an underground river and reach up to 70 m high.
Ixtlan Geyser
It is located near the town of Ixtlán de los Hervores, in the geothermal zone of Ixtlán and it expels water to a height of about 30 meters. The water reaches an average temperature in the subsoil of 246 °C and on the surface of 90 to 100 °C.
Los Azufres Natural Park
It is a spa with hot springs due to volcanic activity, surrounded by a forest of pine and oyamel trees. Its waters are highly appreciated for its mineral composition, attributing medicinal properties to it.
It is located to the east of the city of Morelia and there you can practice camping, as well as visit the Verde and Larga lagoons. Craters of boiling mud can also be admired.
Ticla Beach
This is a magnificent beach for surfing, due to its intense waves and you can admire the dense surrounding vegetation. In fact, during Holy Week international competitions of this sport are held.
In addition, in certain periods of the year you can observe the spawning of sea turtles. On the other hand, not far from this beach is the Ostula River, where there are areas for paragliding.
Blue Beach
It is located 26 km from the Lázaro Cárdenas port and is a strategic site for the conservation of sea turtles. There, the collection of turtle eggs is carried out to be incubated and later to release the turtles.
On the other hand, in Playa Azul you can practice surfing and enjoy good restaurants. It is also possible to visit the wetlands and see El Betula, a stranded ship that became an artificial reef.
Saint John of Alima
It is the largest beach in Michoacán and the one that offers the greatest variety of services. It has calm, shallow waters and a very attractive natural environment, a spawning site for sea turtles. In it you can see the release of the small turtles after their incubation.
