Michoacan - Travel Agent Planner

The hospitable state of Michoacan is a cultural
jewel that stands up as a challenge ready to welcome all travelers who dare know it. With a big
pre-Hispanic inheritance, the state offers an important number of archeological sites that visitors can
admire. Moreover, it has a rich colonial heritage, in
the beautiful buildings developed in pink quarry.
Michoacan, a state of great cultural legacy and
outstanding natural treasures.
Michoacan
Michoacan
Michoacan
Michoacan
Regions
The state of Michoacan, located in central Mexico, has six regions that are especially enjoyable for tourists, featuring both
natural attractions and sites of enormous cultural richness.
These regions are: Morelia, the state capital, where one
can appreciate a colonial legacy both in civil and religious
architecture.
The region of Uruapan, with hundreds of acres of forests and tremendous natural and cultural diversity.
The region of Pátzcuaro, with interesting towns set
around a picturesque lake. These include Tzintzuntzan,
Santa Clara del Cobre, Cuanajo, Tupátaro, Erongarícuaro
and Quiroga, all with pre-Columbian history, and home to
an important craftwork tradition. The Region of Zitácuaro,
better known as the Land of the Monarch Butterfly, with
its dense conifer forest and unique flora and fauna. This
is the site of a yearly migration of Monarch butterflies
from Canada and the northern United States, offering an
unmatched spectacle.
The region, spotted with small mining towns, features a
number of important archaeological sites in addition to its
extensive natural park areas.
For lovers of extreme sports, the beaches of the Coast región
offer great surfing, and virtually untouched natural beauty.
Zamora, another of the regions of this beautiful state, is
a center of Purépecha culture, where visitors can visit traditional towns, and shop for extraordinary crafts including
embroidery, pottery, clay figures, hats, and more.
The Apatzingán region features a rich colonial legacy,
many cultural attractions and a strong craft-making tradition. It is a natural wonder besides, surrounded by mountains and natural springs.
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History
Morelia was founded on May 18, 1541 under the name of
Valladolid, by mandate of Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza.
Valladolid officially became a New World city in 1545 by
decree of Spanish monarch Charles I. During the War of
Independence, Morelia played a central role, with the
Trigarante army entering the city triumphant under the
command of Vicente Guerrero, marking the end of the
long and bloody conflict.
The city’s name was changed to Morelia in 1828 in honor
of José María Morelos y Pavón, a hero of Mexican Independence, born here on September 30, 1765. The downtown area was declared a Historic Monument in 1991.
Where is it?
Morelia is the capital city of the west-central Mexican state
of Michoacan, set in the Valley of Guayangareo, meaning
“long, flat hill.” The city is 303 km (188 mi) from Mexico
City and 295 km (164 mi) from the city of Guadalajara.
Tourist Institutions
Michoacan State Tourism Office
Phone: (443) 317-8032 www.turismomichoacan.gob.mx
Municipal Tourism Department
Morelia
Morelia is a colonial city boasting over 1,300 pink cantera
stone buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries, such as
the majestic baroque cathedral and the churches of Las
Monjas, La Merced and San José. The Historic City Center
has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and
is considered an essential stop for any visitor interested
incolonial Mexico.
Regional culture and tradition are display in museums
like the Regional Museum of Michoacan, featuringpreHispanic and colonial art, and the Contemporary Art
Museum, with fine modern painting and sculpture.
Morelia’s tourist attractions are framed against a
backdrop of a modern city, with aesthetic housing developments, shopping malls, fine hotels and restaurants,
nightclubs and golf courses. Colonial Morelia welcomes
you with open arms.
Phone: (443) 313-0335
www.visitmorelia.com
DMC´s
Corporate Travel Services
Phone: (443) 232-0116 /17/18 Fax: (443) 232-0119
mcmoctezuma@ctsmex.com.mx
Viajes Maruata
Phone: (443) 324-2120 maruata@prodigy.net.mx
Historic Center
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Michoacan
Arriving by land
Arriving by plane
Morelia Central Bus Terminal
Periférico República No. 5555, Sector República
Distance to downtown: 5 minutos
Bus lines that offer direct connections (first class, plus, executive or luxury) to Morelia from the following locations:
From
Bus Lines
Travel
Time
Number of
Departures
“General Francisco J. Mújica” Morelia International Airport
Morelia - Zinapécuaro Highway, km 7
Code: MLM
Distance to downtown Morelia or hotel zone: 25 km (15 mi).
Airlines with direct flights to Morelia
From
Code
Flight
Time
Airlines
Guadalajara
ETN, Primera Plus,
Elite, Futura
3:30
11
Los Angeles, U.S.A
LAX
Volaris
Guanajuato
Primera Plus
4:15
3
Houston, U.S.A
HOU
Continental
Mexico City
ETN, Primera Plus
4:30
31
Mexico City, Mex.
MEX
Aeromar, Aeroméxico
Pátzcuaro
Primera Plus
1:10
2
Dallas, U.S.A
DFW
American Airlines
1:45
Tijuana, Mex.
TIJ
Aeroméxico,Volaris
5:00
Queretaro
ETN, Primera Plus,
Futura,
Chihuahuense
Viva Aerobus
1:20
3:25
8 to 12
Distance and price chart
Distance
Average Fare pesos *
From
Km
Guadalajara
239
177
306
148
110
190
275 to 335
165
336
817
53
187
507
33
116
480
55
185
Guanajuato
Mexico City
Monterrey
Pátzcuaro
Queretaro
Mi
Monterrey, Mex.
MTY
2:15 to 3:25
4:30
1:15 to 0:50
International Airport of Uruapan
“General Ignacio López Rayón”
Airlines with direct flights to Uruapan
Tijuana, Mex.
TIJ
Volaris
5:00
Aeropuerto Nacional Lázaro Cárdenas
Mexico City, Mex.
MEX
Aeromar
1:20
*First class, executive and luxury service. Prices are subject to change.
The peso/dollar, peso/euro exchange rate is variable. At press time, the
exchange rate was 1 USD = 13.40 pesos, 1 € = 18.90 pesos.
Attractions
Cathedral
Characteristics: Considered the most important religious
building in Morelia, this baroque pink cantera Stone structure built from 1660 to 1774 is graced with two 70 m (229
ft) towers, 126 bells, and a triple façade featuring elaborate relief carvings.
Location: Avenida Francisco I. Madero, no street number
(next to the main square).
Aqueduct
Characteristics: Baroque cantera stone construction with
253 majestic arches. The aqueduct was built in 1785 under
orders of Bishop Antonio de San Miguel to provide drinking water to the city. The construction is 2,010 m (2,190
www.michoacan-travel.com
(52) 443 Morelia (52) 434 Pátzcuaro (52) 351 Zamora
(52) 452 Uruapan (52) 453 Apatzingán (52) 753 La Costa
Weather
Precipitation
Rainy Days
Winter
(Jan-Mar)
Spring
Summer
(Apr-Jun)
(Jul-Sep)
Autumn
(Oct-Dec)
17 ºC - 63 ºF
21 ºC - 70 ºF
21 º C - 70 ºF
19 ºC - 66 ºF
16 mm - 0.6 in
5 out of 90
104 mm - 5.7 in
24 out of 91
189 mm - 7.4 in
54 out of 92
142 mm - 5.6 in
11 out of 92
yds) long, from the source to the termination at Plaza
Villalongín. Lighted at night, it is a splendid display.
Location: Avenida Acueducto in the Historic Center.
Michoacan Regional Museum
This museum, founded in 1886, is housed in a handsome
baroque building that once was the place of lodging for
Emperor Maximilian during his visit to the city.
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Tram tour
Conventions
The Morelia Convention Center is built on a 15 hectare (37
acre) lot and surrounded by natural beauty on all sides. Its
aesthetically pleasing facilities include a 4,831 km2 (51,981
sq. ft.) exhibition area, and 9 halls for events with up to
1,600 participants in an auditorium style set-up. The facilities also include a theater, planetarium and a prestigious
hotel. The Convention Center is well-situated in the modern section of the city, 10 minutes south of downtown.
The zero VAT rate is applied.* See page 48.
www.ceconexpo.com
* The 0% VAT rate for conferences and conventions, exhibitions and fairs is applied as established by the Law of the Ministry of Treasury and Public Credit for
the entire country. For more information: www.shcp.gob.mx
Location: Guillermo Prieto s/n. Centro Histórico, Morelia
Michoacan.
Candy Museum
This museum and shop has 300 kinds of traditional regional candies for visitors to sample. Its history can be traced
to the period when Franciscan friars brought European
fruits such as apples, pears, quinces and peaches to the
former Valladolid. A sweet paste called “ate” was made
with these fruits and named membrillate, perate, guayabate, adding the ending “ate” to the Spanish name of the
fruit.
Location: Av. Madero Oriente 440. Historic City Center.
Activities
Golf
Tres Marías Residencial Golf Club
www.tresmarias.com.mx
Hacienda Cantalagua Country Club
www.haciendacantalagua.com
Campestre Morelia Golf Club
www.campestremorelia.com
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Morelia Convention Center
Gastronomy
Morelia features an important culinary tradition, and no
visitor should miss the regional specialties of corundas,
tamales wrapped in cornhusks; churipo, a soup prepared
with red chiles, beef and vegetables, or the famous chongos zamoranos, a delectable sweet cheese pudding. And
no toast would be complete without the local charanda, a
liquor made from sugar cane.
Restaurant
La Fonda Santa
María*
La Mansión
(Uruapan)*
Specialty
Phone/web page
Regional/International
(443) 315 1738
Regional/International
(452) 523 2100
Las Trojes*
International
(443) 324 3283
Los Mirasoles*
Regional/International
(443) 317 5777
San Miguelito*
International
(443) 324 2300
Tekare
(Pátzcuaro)*
Regional
(434) 342 1108
* Belong to the Quality Club “Tesoros de Michoacan”.
Michoacan
Pátzcuaro
Pátzcuaro, Michoacán
Characteristics: Officially named a “Magical Town” thanks
to its rich cultural heritage, Pátzcuaro, meaning “Place
of Temples,” was capital of the Purépecha empire and
place of recreation for nobility. So highly-considered was
the area by the Purépechas that, in the 14th century, they
referred to it as “a door to Paradise.”
Pátzcuaro was home to the first state school, which was
founded in 1541 and where Spanish, indigenous and mestizo residents received instruction. Pátzcuaro showcases
some of the finest examples of colonial architectural, and
the lake bordering the city is graced with nine picturesque
islands, including the major islands of Janitzio, Tecuena and
Yunuen. The city also has a reputation for fine crafts (fine
gold work, furniture and embroidery).
Loction: 50 km (31 mi) southwest of Morelia.
Yunuen Island
Characteristics: Yunuen, meaning “half moon,” is a heron
sanctuary and a place for visitors to get away from it all.
There are six cabins available, as well as a restaurant and
craft shops. Boat rides are also available, and tourists can
visit the heron sanctuary or simply watch the centuries-old
tradition of fishermen casting their nets.
Location: 60 km (37 mi) from Morelia.
Archaeological Ruins of Tzintzuntzan
Characteristics: Meaning “Place of the Hummingbirds,”
Tzintzuntzan flourished between 1200 and 1521 A.D. Along
with Pátzcuaro and Ihuatzio, this city was capital of the
Purépecha empire, in addition to being an economic and
political center of the region. It is home to a unique architecture, with rectangular and circular buildings built on
platforms (yacata). These constructions are so large they
can be seen from a considerable distance.
Location: 100 km (62 mi) from Morelia and 15 km (9 mi)
from Pátzcuaro. Road 15 in direction to Guadalajara.
Pátzcuaro Lake
Santa Clara del Cobre
Characteristics: At this world-famous center of craftwork,
founded in 1553, indigenous artisans have perfected their
techniques of copper casting and hammering. Visitors can
browse a fantastic selection of hammered copper objects,
including vases, pots and plates. The Copper Museum is
also a worthwhile stop for visitors.
Location: 24 km (14 mi) from Pátzcuaro and 80 km
southwest of Morelia.
Lake and Village of Zirahuén
Characteristics: Zirahuén means “mirror of the gods.” The
lake, part of Michoacan’s extensive lake system, stretches
4 km (2 mi) on each side and has a máximum depth of 40
m (131 ft) at its center. Tourists can enjoy water sports in
its blue-green waters.
Location: 15 minutes from Pátzcuaro.
Zamora
Archaeological Ruins of Tzintzuntzan
Characteristics: Founded in 1574, this is one of the most
important cities in Michoacan thanks to its commercial
and agro-industrial activity. Visitors can enjoy cultural
tours of the city’s neoclassical and baroque edifices, such
as the Cathedral and the Sanctuary of the Virgin of Guadalupe, among other religious buildings, or skip the city
entirely and head straight for the picturesque hills of La
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Beata and La Beatilla, where the hiking is easy and the
scenery unbeaten.
Location: 144 mm (89 mi) from the city of Morelia.
Lake of Camécuaro
Characteristics: The name Camécuaro, of Tarascan origin,
means “the place of the bath.” This is a protected natural
area with crystalline lakes lined by dense forests. It is also
an ideal spot for diving and swimming.
Location: 14 km (8.6 mi) east of Zamora and 155 km (96
mi) from Morelia, toward Morelia.
Guadalupan Shrine
Characteristics: An unfinished Byzantine gothic cathedral.
Its construction began at the end of the 19th century.
Location: 5 minutes from downtown.
Valley of the Eleven Villages
(Cañada de los Once Pueblos)
Characteristics: This is a valley on the Purépecha Plateau,
sprinkled with traditional towns where tourists will find
local crafts and cuisine. The region offers a termal geyser
and, in the Los Reyes area, the Chorros del Varal waterfall.
Location: 23 km (14 mi) from Zamora.
Patamban and Ocumicho
Characteristics: These are the most important craft
communities in the region, particularly known for the clay
pots of Patamban. The traditional celebration of Christ
the King, famous internationally, is held on the last Sunday in October. Location: A 30 Km (18 mi) from Zamora.
Guadalupan Shrine
Zamora town
La Costa
Characteristics: For vacations with sun, sand, adventure,
nature, culture and tradition, there is no better place than
the Michoacan coast. The state features beaches for all
tastes, from calm waters for a relaxing swim to stormy
waves for world-class surfing.
This región also has the privilege of being the breeding
grounds for three species of turtle: Laud, Golfina and
Black, and visitors can experience this natural wonder
first-hand, observing the spawning and release of baby
turtles into the sea.
And, for the best nightlife on the coast of Michoacan,
look no further than Lázaro Cardenas, featuring bohemian
bars, clubs with live rock and ranchera music, and some
great discos. Location: A 310 Km (192.62 mi) de Morelia.
Ecotourism
Playa Azul
Characteristics: Visitors can enjoy this long beach with
unusually fine sand, warm water and perfect weather, lined by rows of slender palm trees and livened by the constant comings and goings of gulls and other seabirds. One
of the main attractions here is the annual event known as
“October: Month of the Sea Turtle”, the aim of which is
to promote environmental awareness, with the release of
more than 5,000 turtle offspring.
La Costa Beaches
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Michoacan
Caleta de Campos
Characteristics: Just 50 km (31.06 mi) from Playa Azul,
this is an ideal place for water sports, as well as camping
under great weather conditions. Visitors can enjoy the
exuberant scenery in the shade of a palapa or take a
relaxing walk along the beach. This is the second most
popular beach of the region.
Monarch Country
Characteristics: In the municipality of Zitácuaro we find
a protected natural area consisting of five sanctuaries
(Cerro Altamirano, Sierra el Campanario, Cerros ChivatíHuacal, Cerro Pelón and Sierra Chincua, the latter in the
village of Agangueo). In mid-November, about 20 million
monarch butterflies from Canada arrive to this region, not
departing until the end of February.
This area is also known for the Otomí indigenous
community of San Felipe Alzati, where we can find the
sixteenth century Church of San Felipe. Very nearby is
the archeological site of the same name, considered an
important ceremonial center of Matlazinca origin.
Location: 146 km (90.72 mi) from the city of Morelia. For
more information visit: www.taplanner.com
Adventure Tourism
Paragliding
Feeling the wind caress your face, with incredible views
far below, and feeling total freedom, if for only a few moments: that is the adventure of paragliding. This extreme
sport can be experienced in the Sierra Chincua (Monarch
butterfly sanctuary), in the towns of Angangueo and
Ocampo, at 34 km (21 mi) from Zitácuaro.
Apatzingán
Characteristics: Traditional city of the Michoacan
lowlands, and a place of great historical significance.
Here, in a home now converted into a museum, José
Monarch Butterfly
María Morelos, known as the “Servant of the Nation,”
proclaimed the first Constitution of free Mexico on October 22, 1814, during the war against the Spanish Crown.
Location: A 199 Km (123.65 mi) from Morelia.
Uruapan
Characteristics: Considered the second most important city
in Michoacan, Uruapan was founded in 1533 by Fray Juan de
San Miguel. The name “Uruapan” comes from the Purépecha word “Uruapani,” meaning “place where everything
flourishes.” The city and surrounding area has been described as the “Avocado Capital of the World,” and perhaps its
most fitting title is that of “The True Birthplace of Maque”
a lacquering technique for making masks, bowls, boxes and
many other wood objects and instruments.
Don’t miss the Jícara Museum, the Huatápera (first hospital in the Americas) and the Chapel of San Pedro.
Location: 108 km (67.10 mi) from the city of Morelia (via
the toll highway). 117 km (72.70 mi) from the city of Morelia (via the free highway).
Los Reyes
Characteristics: A few kilometers from the city of Zamora
is the famous Chorros de Varal, a spectacular waterfall
measuring 40 m high (131.23 ft) by 40 m wide. To experience the full power of the falls, some choose to test their
skill and mettle by walking through them.
Location: A 60 Km (37.28 mi) from Zamora.
Paracho
Characteristics: Located in the heart of the Purépecha
plateau, the municipality of Paracho is made up of eight
communities that have managed to conserve their centuries-old traditions,
and which are known
for their natural and
architectural beauty.
Workshops here are
known for their fine
woodwork, and we
also recommend a visit
to the Cultural Center
(Casa de la Cultura),
the Center for Guitar
Research and Development (CIDEG) and
the Guitar Museum.
Location: 38 Km (23.61
mi) from Uruapan.
Uruapan
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Morelia
La Costa
Morelia
Hotel
Category
Phone-Fax +52-443
Reservations (e-mail or web)
Location
Hotel el Carmen
Economic
317-7166 / 317-2172
www.hotelelcarmenmorelia.com.mx
hotel_elcarmen@hotmail.com
Historical Center
Hotel Estefanía
Tourist
312-5206 / 312-8252
www.hotelestefania.com.mx
hotelestefania@yahoo.com.mx
Historical Center
Hotel La Casita
Economic
326-5525 / 176-0303
www.hotellacasita.com.mx
contacto@hotellacasita.com.mx
Hideway, Historical Center,
near bus terminal
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