Introduction – Michoacán

I am reposting this article from 2008 because someone asked or information on the state.  I’ll check everything out but this is a good beginning.

Traveling in Michoacán
The first time I went to Michoacán I was fifteen years old and on my first family trip to the interior of Mexico. It was always difficult traveling with my father because he demanded absolute silence during the long car trips and used the time to give us a history lesson on the place we would visit next. I knew that I’d love Michoacán when I learned that it has always been a place of rebels (just like me! ) The renowned revolutionary leader, José María Morelos was born here as was the great president Lázaro Cárdenas, who led Mexico into the modern age.
It was also here that his son, Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas, founded the PRD or Partido Revolucionario Democrático (the Democratic Revolutionary Party) that’s given the long-established PRI and PAN (President Fox’s party) a run for their money, and taken over the politics of many disgruntled states.

This revolutionary spirit cost the state dearly in the 80’s when many US ex-patrriots abruptly left and tourists stopped going there for fear of getting caught up in this or that demonstration. But Michoacán is peaceful and serene right now and visitors, like me, are flocking back to this recently rediscovered jewel of a place. More beautiful than I remembered it, it has a benign climate and plentiful rainfall that keep the vegetation lush and green all year round, with flowers bursting on the hillsides and city gardens, and fertile fields planted with the bounty of the soil. The countless rivers and lakes are respectably full. (Though I was sad to see that majestic Lake Pátzcuaro, once the capital of the Tarascan Indians who settled the region thousands of years ago, has lost a lot of ground to the water lilies.)

..Because it was one of richest and most important areas in pre-Conquest
..Mexico and one of the first states to be colonized there are many
..destinations in Michoacán. This is the place where the monarch butterflies
..winter and if you happen to be there during November 15 — February
..a trip to Aranqueo y Ocampo is well worth your while. Be sure and stop in
..Tlapuhajua and visit the rococo Templo of San Pedro y San Pablo.
..It’s quite a sight! You can then go on to Zitácuaro and get pampered at
..the modest spas with their healing thermal waters. It’s a beautiful area
..and maybe you’ll catch sight of Mexican food expert, Diana Kennedy, at the
..market.

You should definitely plan to stay in Pátzcuaro for a few days. The market is fabulous and do try some tamales de ceniza if you can find the vendor by the entrance near the park. These are some of the best things I’ve ever tasted! What makes them special is that the corn kernels are treated with ashes (instead of calcium hydroxide) to remove their tough outer skins and the dough is ethereal. They’re served with lusciously thick Mexican crema and a spicy tomatillo salsa. A car trip around the lake Riviera is a must. There are beautiful little towns with exquisite arts and crafts lining the lake.

If you like to shop, you’ll be in major trouble in Michoacán! These are amongst the most creative and talented arts and-craftsmen and women. (See shopping below) You’ll find everything at every price and quality level. I always take a large suitcase, bubble wrap, and tape to bring all my goodies back (see packing list.)

And eating is this state can be a wonderful experience. Menus are often written in both English and Spanish and everyone is most tourist-friendly. Stop by the tourism office in Morelia for brochures and suggestions.

The Universidad Autonoma de Mexico has a very good guide to different ways of etting to Morelia

How to get to Morelia:

Enjoy! Buen viaje.

Cathedral photo courtesy of Mexico Tourism Board
All other photos ©Manu Bastien www.manuphotos.com

Tourism Office:

Palaco Clavijero
El Nigromante # 79
Morelia, Michoacán
011-52-443-312-3287, 312-8081, Fax 312-9816

Excellent English-speaking guide:

DEBORAH LOPEZ GARCIA
GUIA FEDERAL DE TURISMO
TEL. 011+52 (443) 3146026

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