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City and municipality in Michoacán, Mexico
Photo: AlejandroLinaresGarcia, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Uruapan (officially Uruapan del Progreso) is a city of 357,000 people (2020) in Michoacan. It is the center of Mexico's avocado growing region, with most of the crop distributed from here nationally and internationally.
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Cupatitzio Canyon National Park, Parque Eduardo Ruiz, Uruapan National Park
A 452-hectare urban national park with a stream going down the middle of the park with various style fountains and natural waterfalls. The river is fed by several springs and is very clear. The most interesting spring is called "Devils Knee", in the northern section of the park. Legend has it that a priest named Juan de San Miguel exorcised the devil during the 16th century, and that as the devil ran, he tripped and hit his knee on the ground, splitting open the canyon with water gushing from the spot. The springs feed a trout farm in the park where natural resources authorities grow fish to stock streams in the region. The trout farm is open for tours and you can even buy a fresh trout for your dinner table if you like.
Cascada de Tzararcua
After hiking 3 km from the road (including a 500-m descent by stairs or by horse) you'll come to a spectacular 60-meter high falls. If you don't want to walk, you can ride a horse to the falls. Ziplines carry you across the chasm. The water is pretty contaminated so you want to swim. Restrooms are available and food vendors are on site.
Upscale restaurant in a colonial-style hotel at the entrance to the national park. Modern Mexican cuisine (nuevo mexicano) with salmon, pasta dishes and a smattering of international dishes. Sunday brunch is accompanied by live music.
Traditional Mexican and regional cuisine. The Sopa Tarasca is a winner. Family friendly with a children's menu available.
Popular restaurant serving traditional Mexican dishes and grilled meats. Off-street parking available.
Rustic country-style restaurant serving a buffet breakfast and table service at lunch and dinner. Monday is 2x1 tacos al pastor.
Best coffee in Uruapan with free refills and fresh in-house baked breads.
Good choice for the budget traveler. The hotel has somewhat seen better days, but it possesses a charismatic central atrium filled with plants and sunlight. An easy and central choice because it is located in the center of town.
Another good option to stay when visiting this city. It is 10 minutes away (walking distance) from Uruapan's main attraction "El Parque Nacional". Economical rates. It is a safe and family friendly hotel.
Traditional, family-friendly hotel with spacious clean rooms set around a central courtyard. On-site restaurant. On-site bar. Friendly service.
Comfortable traditional hotel. On-site restaurant. Secure off-street parking (about a 1-block walk).
Traditional hotel with spacious rooms and somewhat dated furnishings. Off-street parking.
Traditional town marketplace with vendors crammed into narrow aisles selling every imaginable type of produce and fresh food, from dairy products to seafood. Lots of common household items for sale. Various stands offer traditional regional dishes with the most authentic recipes available. Great spot for a cheap breakfast or lunch.
By plane
By bus
Uruapan is served by frequent bus service to major cities in the region. From Morelia, it is 1 hour 45 minutes on the Parhikuni bus line (M$220 as of November 2022).
By car
Uruapan is connected with Morelia by the motorway 14D, with the city of Zamora de Hidalgo, and Lazaro Cardenas by motorway 37D.
Taxis are plentiful in Uruapan and there are several sitios where they can be found waiting for passengers.
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Uruapan · Regional · UPN
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