Uruapan and Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park

Uruapan sits 120km southwest of Morelia and 62km from Pátzcuaro, reached from Morelia in about 2 hours by car or 2 hours 15 minutes on the Parhikuni executive coach departing Sala A of Morelia's Central de Autobuses. From Pátzcuaro, a bus or combi covers the shorter route in about an hour, and travellers arriving from Mexico City or Tijuana can fly directly into Uruapan airport (UPN). The city sits at the edge of the tierra caliente and centres on the Barranca del Cupatitzio, the second most-visited national park in Mexico, where springs, canals and small waterfalls run through a ravine of centuries-old trees on the western edge of the urban area. A morning walk through the park, entering near the Rodilla del Diablo spring and following the paths downstream past the smaller cascades, covers the main sights in two to three hours. Afternoons suit the historic centre, with its arcaded plaza, La Huatápera museum of Purépecha maque lacquerware, and the covered market, since Uruapan is also home to Michoacán's distinctive lacquered maque woodwork tradition. The surrounding countryside is the world's leading avocado-growing region, and roadside stands sell the fruit alongside other local produce. Comedores around the plaza and market serve Michoacán specialties including corundas and churipo stew. The city can be visited year-round, though Palm Sunday brings the Tianguis Artesanal, the largest craft fair in Michoacán, filling the plaza with vendors from across the state.