Pátzcuaro is located approximately 385 km. from the capital of the Mexican republic, and more or less the same distance from Guadalajara, Jalisco. It lies on route 120, which splits from highway #15 (México-Guadalajara ) and passes through Quiroga, 20 minutes from Pátzcuaro, and then through Tzintzuntzan, the legendary capital of the old Purhépecha empire.
The pyramid or “yácatas”, constructed centuries ago in Tzintzuntzan, can be seen easily from the road and can be visited by anyone who wants to take an interesting walk from the parking lot. The pyramid is being restored, and it is possible to learn a little more about the culture in the museum at the site. If you travel from Morelia, you can take the new highway that goes through Tiripetío and takes only about 40 minutes. Rail service is suspended due to a major re-organizations of mexican trains. By bus, it is possible to arrive daily from México or Guadalajara on several different lines (ETN, Autovías, Primera Plus) whose schedules will easily fit into your travel plans and budget. Prices are available from economy class through luxury class. It is also possible to fly from México city to the Morelia international airport “Francisco J. Múgica”, which is served by national and international flights of several airlines.
TIME & DISTANCE |
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from | approximate time | distance |
Morelia Uruapan Lázaro Cárdenas Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo Ciudad de México Guadalajara León Querétaro |
30 min. 40 min. 3:00 hrs. 4:00 grs. 3:30 hrs. 3:30 hrs. 3:00 hrs 3.00 hs. |
52 km. 60 km. 260 km. 330 km. 390 km. 335 km. 230 km. 240 km. |
PLAN YOUR TRP BY ROAD
Clicking over this text you can use as well a useful tool to help you find about the rout
you have to follow in order to arrive to Pátzcuaro from wherever you are located in México (in spanish).
Main national airlines with connections to Morelia and/or Uruapan | Main bus lines with routes to Morelia & Pátzcuaro |
Aeroméxico | ETN |
CLIMATE
Pátzcuaro lies at 2,137 meters above sea level, and is surrounded by beautiful mountains forested principally by Mexican fir, live oak and pine: vegetation that characterizes one of the most beautiful regions of the country. Its population is approximately 80, 000. Climate is semi-temperate and the rainy season is from June through October. During this season, it usually rains in the afternoons, leaving the mornings free for enjoying the fresh air, visiting and photographing the isle of Janitzio, the scenic overlooks “El Estribo” (the stirrup), “El Estribito” (the small stirrup), and any of the small towns that encircle the famous lake of Pátzcuaro.
The rainy afternoons are ideal for visiting the colonial churches, historic edifices, the excellent Museo de Artes Populares (folk art museum), the ex-colegio Jesuita, the “Casa de los Once Patios” (house of the eleven courts), the public library “Gertrudis Bocanegra”, among many other attractions.