Things to do in Uruapan
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Parque Nacional Barranca del Cupatitzio
This incomparable urban park is just 1km west of the main plaza, but it’s another world. Nature is big here. Tropical and subtropical foliage (including burly banana palms) is thick and alive with colorful birds and butterflies. The river boils over boulders, cascades down waterfalls and spreads into wide, crystalline pools. Cobbled paths follow the riverbanks from its source at the Rodilla del Diablo pool, near the park’s north end. There are a few fruit stands and taquerias to choose from and water from hidden springs peels off the surrounding hillsides, before flowing into the great river. There’s even a trout farm where you can net your own catch.
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BarRio
Located in the basement of an old, abandoned waterworks, this club is the perfect blend of sleek and comfortable and offers the best night out in Uruapan. There’s a large dance floor packed with an exuberant, sexy crowd of 20-somethings, old stone walls that drip with river water, huge exposed pumps, wheels, belts and pipes overhead and a global progressive soundtrack (although musical style and DJs rotate nightly). Service is brilliant. It’ll keep you drinking.
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Museo de los Cuatro Pueblos Indios
In the Huatápera, an old colonial courtyard building near the northeast corner of the central plaza, is this three-room museum. Built in the 1530s by Vasco de Quiroga, this relic once housed the first hospital in the Americas. The decorations around the doors and windows were carved by Purépecha artisans in a Mudejar style. The museum showcases regional artesanías, like ceramics from Capula and lacquerware from Quiroga.
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Textile Factory
This great old textile factory from the 19th century is essentially a living museum. Hand-loomed and hand-dyed bedspreads, tablecloths and curtains are made here from pure cotton and wool and are available for sale. The original machines are more than 100 years old and are still used. Call ahead for a tour and see the entire weaving process from cotton bale to finished tablecloth.
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Cocina Económica Mary
This busy family joint smells delicious. The cafeteria-style open kitchen serves filling meals with your choice of main (eg, chicken mole, pulled pork with squash or chiles rellenos – stuffed chilies with cheese or meat), along with soup, rice, beans and freshly made tortillas.
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Mole Orapondiro
This sunny café specializes in one thing: a rich, thick and chocolatey mole sauce. Local ladies smuggle home bottles of it, so they can pass it off as their own. You can have it ladled over chicken, rice and beans and on tortas. Get here early because chicken always sells out.
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Café La Pérgola
Ambience is old-school at this arched, cavernous café that serves everything from enchiladas to sandwiches to salads to cappuccinos. The clientele, mostly old men with backstory etched into their bones, is good fodder for sketch artists and photographers and it has a nice breakfast menu.
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La Terraza de la Trucha
Irresistibly nestled at the north entrance of the national park, you’ll find a cozy table with shady cascade views and order the trout, of course. Get it grilled, crusted in macadamias or a la tampiqueña (with guacamole and beans). It comes with fresh chips and a searing salsa.
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Mercado de Antojitos
The best place for down-home local cooking is the buzzing food court at the center of this labyrinthine market. The carnitas are renowned across Michoacán, and the tacos, pozole and cocadas (haystacks of caramelized coconut) ain’t half bad either.
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La Casa
An arty young crowd nibbles crepes, wood oven–fired pizzas and baguette sandwiches at this cozy courtyard café. The garden bar is a great place to sit with a cappuccino or a cerveza and groove to the sounds of Mexican indie rock in the background.
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Taquería Carlitos
Locals line up around the block for Carlitos’ crunchy, savory rolled tacos filled with beef, potatoes, beans and cheese. An order includes six tacos served in a plastic bag and splashed with red or green salsa. Beef sells out early.
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Cocina Vegetariana
Vegans, it’s your lucky day. This hole-in-the-wall serves veggie burgers, meat-free pasta and other nonanimal delicacies. Decor is less than inviting, but where else in town are you going to get soy chorizo?
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Boca Del Río
Boca Del Río Ceviche tostadas and fresh shrimp and octopus cocktails are the exclusive domain of this café tucked just behind Parroquia San Francisco. It's been here since 1974.
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Hinde Kumanchikua
After a drunken evening at Bar Rio you'll be eternally grateful for Uruapan's best late night taqueria. Munch beef chorizo or tacos al pastor, served with three fiery salsas.
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Casa de la Cultura
This old megalith just north of the plaza, has a quiet courtyard, ample public chill space, rotating contemporary art exhibits and it has the word on upcoming concerts and events.
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Café Tradicional de Uruapan
It’s got burgers, salads, massive platters of huevos a la mexicana and all manner of coffees, shakes and cakes. The charming, beamed dining room is almost always packed.
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Mercado de Artesanías
Opposite the entrance to the Parque Nacional Barranca de Cupatitzio, the Mercado de Artesanías has local crafts, though mostly of a poor quality.
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La Macadamia
La Macadamia sells – you guessed it – products made from local macadamia nuts, from delicious macadamia marzipan to macadamia moisturizer.
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La Lucha
The dark, arched interior and the black-and-white photos on the wall give the place gravitas and will entice you to sit down with some good coffee.
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Libros Paraíso
This overstuffed little bookstore in the southwest corner of the plaza has a small collection of used English novels.
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Furor
If you want low prices on Italian designer jeans head to Furor two blocks south of the plaza.
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