11 Tourist Attractions in Michoacán You Should Visit
Here is a list of 11 of Michoacán’s tourist destinations that you should know about and visit at least once in your lifetime. Tell us, which ones are still on your list to see?
11 tourist destinations in Michoacán that should be on your itinerary
Without question, the state of Michoacán boasts many tourist destinations and little-known corners that are worth discovering. Among the state’s top draws are gorgeous churches (such as the Santuario de Guadalupe in Morelia or the Cathedral of Zamora), exquisite cuisine, unique traditions, and natural wonders that will fascinate any traveler.
For this reason, we have created a list of 11 places to go and things to do during your next getaway to this magical state!
1. Explore Morelia, the heart of the state and the setting for legends, stories, and alleyways bursting with hundreds of flowers. Just a few of the must-see spots in this destination are the stunning Santuario de Guadalupe church, the famous fountain called Fuente de las Tarascas, the romantic Callejón del Beso passageway, and Calzada Fray Antonio road (where the Legend of the Hand in the Grate was born).
2. Visit the state’s three Monarch Butterfly Sanctuaries. Every year, monarch butterflies fly to these sanctuaries in the forests in the center-west of Mexico, creating a natural spectacle unlike any other. To see it, head to El Rosario Sanctuary in the municipality of Ocampo, Sierra Chincua in Angangueo, or Sierra Chincua in Sénguio.
3. Discover Zamora, a town where berries and one-of-a-kind flavors are plentiful. In addition to sampling its scrumptious, sweet chongos zamoranos made with milk and cinnamon, you really must visit the town’s churches, Catedral del Calvario or the Santuario Guadalupano.
4. Dare to discover Paricutín volcano, the youngest one in the Americas. It emerged in 1943 and measures almost 2 miles. While the volcano is still active (it was especially active in its first years, when it even buried the town of Paricutín completely), it has only produced small amounts of steam in recent years.
This natural formation is located between Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro and Angahuan. Moreover, the national park that is home to Paricutín also allows a number of other activities, such as hiking, mountain climbing, backpacking, and more.
5. Discover the Magical Town of Pátzcuaro. This destination dazzles with its beautiful natural scenery, architecture, and lovely lake. Among the things that you should do while visiting is see the Plaza Vasco de Quiroga square, the Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Salud church, the lake, and experience Day of the Dead (the celebration starts on October 31st and is one of the most famous in the country).
6. In December, make sure to shop for exquisite Christmas ornaments in the Magical Town of Tlalpujahua. However, if you visit another time of the year, don’t worry, this destination features many attractions. Among them are handicraft workshops, Mina Dos Estrellas gold mine, and the Santuario de Nuestra Señora del Carmen church.
7. Visit the surprising Camécuaro lake, declared a national park in 1940 by then President Lázaro Cárdenas. This spectacular lagoon is made up of stunning, spring-fed pools that will take your breath away. It is found in the municipality of Tangancícuaro, five hours from Mexico City.
8. Another great option overflowing with natural charm is Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park. Right in the middle of Uruapan, this is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing outing. There are streams and fountains, and you can enjoy the soft, cool breezes drifting off its waterfalls.
Exploring the park takes about two hours, so we recommend dressing comfortably and taking plenty of water. It is also worth mentioning that you can also do yoga and meditate here.
9. Discover Nexpa, an almost unexplored paradise on Michoacán’s coast. Without a doubt, one of Michoacán’s lesser known tourist attractions worth a visit is its coast. The municipality of Aquila is here on the coast, and it is home to Nexpa beach, which has everything to make a visit an unforgettable experience.
You can dine on exquisite fresh seafood, stay in a cabin, kayak, and fish. Plus, it is worth adding that Nexpa has slowly won a reputation among surfers for its impressive waves. If you don’t know how to surf, no problem, you can learn here.
10. Get out and discover a nature park that is one of Michoacán’s best-kept secrets: Chorros de Varal. This spectacular park is only 20 minutes from the municipality of Los Reyes. It holds a marvelous waterfall (to reach it you must take a path with hundreds of steps), a hanging bridge, and a lookout point.
11. Plan your route through all the state’s Magical Towns and learn more about the charms of each. Here are all nine: Angangueo, Cuitzeo del Porvenir, Jiquilpan, Paracho de Verduzco, Pátzcuaro, Santa Clara del Cobre, Tacámbaro, Tlalpujahua, and Tzintzuntzan.