Must-see attractions in Western Central Highlands

  • Templo Santa Eduviges

    The sanctuary at the Templo Santa Eduviges, built in 1726, is usually packed with worshippers and, during Mass, perfumed with clouds of sandalwood smoke…

  • Templo de San Francisco de Asís

    Across the road from the Templo de Aranzazú, the larger but less impressive Templo de San Francisco de Asís was begun in the 1660s by the Franciscans. It…

  • Templo de Nuestra Señora del Carmen

    Facing a small leafy plaza, Templo de Nuestra Señora del Carmen is a 17th-century chapel that was remodeled in the 1860s, with lots of gold leaf, old…

  • Templo de la Merced

    Close to the city center is the ornate Templo de la Merced, which was built between 1650 and 1721; inside are several large paintings, crystal chandeliers…

  • Perseverancia Distillery

    Basic tours of Casa Sauza's Perseverancia Distillery last one hour. Longer tours of the estate, lasting two hours, take in the agave fields and include…

  • El Salto del Nogal

    El Salto del Nogal is a jaw-dropping, 105m-high waterfall about 18km south of town, off a dirt road. A taxi costs around M$250 one way.

  • Cathedral Crypt

    The cathedral in Guadalajara includes a Gothic crypt, where three archbishops are buried.

  • Plaza de la Liberación

    This huge plaza due east of the cathedral was a 1980s urban planner’s dream project – two whole blocks of colonial buildings to be knocked down and…

  • Ihuatzio Archaeological Site

    The Ihuatzio site contains a partially restored set of pre-Purépecha ruins, some of which date back as far as AD 900. The site lies about 1.5km up a…

  • Plaza Morelos

    This irregular, conspicuously vacant plaza southeast of the center surrounds the Estatua Ecuestre al Patriota Morelos, a majestic statue of Morelos on…

  • Volcán del Estribo

    This hilltop lookout on an extinct volcano 3.5km west of the city center is a quintessential morning run for Pátzcuaro's more robust residents; but don't…

  • Templo de la Soledad

    At the northwest corner of Tzintzuntzan's monastic complex stands the church built for the Purépecha masses. Inside is El Cristo del Santo Entierro, a…

  • Bosque Cuauhtémoc

    Morelia’s largest park, named after the last Aztec emperor (r 1520–21), is an attractive affair frequented by families for its shady trees, outdoor…

  • Antiguo Palacio de Justicia

    Facing the leafy expanse of Plaza de Armas, the Antiguo Palacio de Justicia is in fact two buildings rebuilt in 1884. Its intricate facade blends French…

  • Mundo Cuervo

    Just opposite Tequila's main plaza and immediately recognisable by the enormous statue of a crow (cuervo in Spanish), Mundo Cuervo, which is owned by the…

  • Museo Casa Natal de Morelos

    Independence leader José María Morelos y Pavón is king in Morelia – after all, the city is named after him. He was born at the site of this one-time casa…

  • Casa-Taller Orozco

    Orozco’s former home and studio, used briefly by the celebrated muralist in the early 1940s, today hosts temporary exhibitions. On permanent display in…

  • Parque Agua Azul

    This large, leafy park about 2km south of the city center is a nice place to rehab from too much urbanity. There are benches and lawns to lounge upon and…

  • Museo del Dulce

    This mildly interesting museum is staffed by guides in period costume. Visitors are walked through the history of candy-making in Michoacán, from the…