The state of Michoacan, Mexico is vast and full of abundant beauty. We recently completed a six day journey to the region (January 2020). This article provides you with links to the photo albums and VIDEO I created on this trip, as well as recommendations that may assist you in exploring the area.
Our 6 day journey from Queretaro included stops and stays in Aporo, Angangueo, Los Azufres, Morelia, Izla de Janitzio, and Patzcuaro. Round trip was 484 miles. Gas cost was approximately US $160.00 (Ford Expedition EL V-8 with 6 passengers). Toll road fees, guides, horses, hotels, entrance fees, food and tips (for two) totaled another US $300. Total cost for 6 days is less than US $500 for two.
The imagery in the photo albums linked in this post were captured with a Canon 7D DSLR – equipped with a Canon 24-105mm F4 L Series lens. These images are NOT intended to be viewed on a cell phone. These are high quality – high resolution images. PLEASE use a monitor, HDTV, or a high resolution tablet to enjoy this imagery.
Safety FIRST: DO NOT drive at night in Michoacan. Stay on well traveled highways and use the Federal toll roads whenever possible. Yes, we encountered students demonstrating who blocked a highway during this journey. They were not a threat to our safety.
Where to stay: Hotels ranged from US $35 to $60 per night. I have included the links below.
DAY ONE – Queretaro to Angangueo
Hotel La Margarita – Angangueo – About $40 US per night. Wonderful staff. Very good food. You can arrange a guide to see the Monarch Butterfly Reserve in El Rosario here as well. Fantastic guides and we highly recommend you arrange one with the hotel staff. Depending on the season (we went in January to see the Monarchs) it can get VERY cold in Angangueo at night. Bring warm clothes and dress in layers for outings.
For THE PHOTO ALBUM for Angangueo CLICK HERE.
DAY TWO – Angangueo to El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. Again, get a guide. About MX $100 per person. Ride the horses up the hill when you get to the Monarch Sanctuary ($MX 200 round trip for the horses). Enjoy the food at the base of the sanctuary at a number of restaurants. Ask your guide for a recommendation for a restaurant. The food is fabulous. Tip your guide and your horse walker. Overnight again in Angangueo. Make sure you visit the cemetery and drive up to the white crucifix on the hill above Angangueo. NOTE: The butterflies are active in sunshine. If you have a cloudy day – they are clustered in the trees.
HERE is a VIDEO of the El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary. CLICK HERE.
For THE PHOTO ALBUM for El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve CLICK HERE
Day 3 – Angangueo – Los Azufres – Morelia
We drove through Los Azufres on the way to Morelia to see the geothermic wonders of the area. NOTE: This journey is through the mountains on very narrow and winding roads – be careful. However, the natural beauty is splendid.
Where to STAY in Morelia: We stayed at Hoteles Concepto Morelia. This is a FANTASTIC Hotel – Wonderful accommodations, fantastic staff, great food, secure parking, English language television. GREAT comfortable beds. They are also working to open a rooftop terraza with a view of the central cathedral. It’s a three block walk to centro.
(Telephone for the hotel is 443-317-2717 – Henrique Ortiz Perez is the Director of the hotel), This place is both gorgeous, centrally located and reasonably priced (Approximately US $60 per night).
We hired a guide for a 3 hour tour of central Morelia (MX $100 per person). We highly recommend you do the same.
The history, food, culture and dimensions of the beauty of the central city are incomprehensible. It is nirvana for professional photographers. Evenings are particularly gorgeous in CENTRO.
For THE PHOTO ALBUM for the ARCHITECTURE of Morelia CLICK HERE.
For THE PHOTO ALBUM of Morelia at Large – CLICK HERE
Day 4, 5, and 6 – Morelia – Patzcuaro – Izla de Janitzio – Queretaro
Traveled from Morelia to Patzcuaro in the afternoon arriving in Patzcuaro in the early evening. We stayed at Hotel Refugio Del Angel in Centro.
We got a promotional deal for about $40 per night. Wonderful large rooms on the second floor. Great staff, restaurant, food etc. Perfect location. The place is gorgeous.
For THE PHOTO ALBUM of Patzcuaro CLICK HERE.
Our second day in Patzcuaro we took the boat ride to Izla de Janitzio. This place is a MUST EXPERIENCE. Be prepared to walk uphill to the Morelos Monument – and walk the stairs inside the monument to the viewing area at the summit (45 seconds per person at the top of the INSIDE of the monument for viewing).
There is a Zip Line from the top of Izla de Janitzio to an adjacent island – Tecuena on Lake Patzcuaro (1,200 meters in length at a speed of over 80 MPH.). I highly recommend this experience! I did it and am very glad I did. Simply amazing!!! You can view a video of my ride on the zip line HERE and HERE
For THE PHOTO ALBUM of Izla de Janitzio CLICK HERE
THE PHOTO ALBUM of The ARTISTRY OF MICHOACAN CLICK HERE.
THE PHOTO ALBUM of The PORTRAITS OF MICHOACAN CLICK HERE
We hope you enjoy the imagery and recommendations. VISIT Michoacan – You’ll be delighted you did! We are!
Feel free to share the LINK to this post with your network. Imagery is the property of Bill Dahl – ALL Rights Reserved and Copyright (C) 2020.
Any questions – Just email me.
Have fun!
Bill Dahl is an award-winning photographer, investigative journalist, columnist, writer/reader, published author, freelance writer, and reviewer of literature. His imagery on FLICKR has over 4 million views.
