Travel Guide URUAPAN Contents
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Travel Guide URUAPAN Contents DISCOVER URUAPAN 01 URUAPAN PROFILE 03 URUAPAN ATTRACTIONS 04 URUAPAN DINING 07 URUAPAN SHOPPING 09 URUAPAN NIGHTLIFE 12 THINGS TO DO IN URUAPAN 13 DISCOVER URUAPAN Uruapan is located in the Mexican state of Michoacan and stands out for its lush vegetation. The central and northern parts of the municipality are covered by forest, and the temperate climate makes the area surrounding the city ideal for ecotourism. It is the state’s second city, after Morelia, the capital. Strategically located in the geographic heart of Michoacan, Uruapan is an ideal base for travelers to use to explore the state. There are lots of attractions that make Uruapan well-worth a visit, with beautiful landscapes that make it perfect for adventure tourism, and an ancestral culture that can be seen throughout the region. AVOCADO CAPITAL OF THE WORLD Uruapan has fertile land and lots of water, which has allowed it to earn the title of “avocado capital of the world” thanks to its impressive annual production and the fantastic taste of the fruit cultivated here. Known as “the green gold of Michoacan”, the Uruapan avocado is an export product and a cause of local pride. It has had a strong influence on the local cuisine, which is one of the most rich and varied in Mexico. 1 A BRIEF HISTORY Uruapan is a long-standing city that has survived the ups and downs of Mexico’s history. It was established back in the golden era of the Purepecha Empire, a Mesoamerican power. This civilization had a well-structured society, with their own language, religion, and customs, as well as a significant military presence. It was one of the few civilizations capable of resisting the attacks of the Aztec empire, thanks in part to the capacity to work with metals like copper and bronze. When the Spaniards arrived in the Americas, Uruapan was a major estate and the place of refuge for the last Purepecha governor. After the invasion and Spanish conquest, the city was founded in its present form by Friar Juan de San Miguel, in 1533. To this day, you can still see how the atriums of the chapels in the oldest part of the city form a huge cross. 2 URUAPAN PROFILE The state’s second city, only behind the capital Morelia Lush vegetation, fertile land, and a temperate climate Known as the “avocado capital of the world” due to the amount of avocados grown here Ideally located to explore all the attractions of the Purepecha Plateau Lots of small colonial hotels, indigenous architectural influences, and Plateresque design features. Delicious regional cuisine based on natural, fresh ingredients Variety of handicrafts from nearby regions in the state 3 URUAPAN ATTRACTIONS BARRANCA DEL CUPATITZIO NATIONAL PARK Located very close to the center of the city, this park is also known as Uruapan National Park or Eduardo Ruiz National Park, in honor of the Michoacan author who was once the owner of the land. The source of the Cupatitzio River is located in its 1,200 acres in an area known as the Devil’s Knee. The river is divided into numerous different streams, and pathways have been made so you can explore them. Along the route you can admire fountains and lush vegetation. The park has a lovely children’s playground, as well as a trout pond where you can watch and feed them, or catch them for dinner. The excellent climate and frequent rainfall keeps the national park green and radiant. A hotel located at the park is the ideal place for a memorable vacation surrounded by natural beauty. LA HUATAPERA Uruapan has lots of buildings that date back to the colonial era, the standout among which is “La Huatapera”, an old hospital founded by Friar Juan de San Miguel. It was one of the first hospitals in New Spain and it was where they attended to the indigenous people from the area. The property features a Plateresque architectural style, made from materials that include “tejamanil” (shingle), wood, volcanic stone, and quarry stone. Inside, you’ll find a major regional popular art museum. 4 EL PARICUTIN Paricutin is located about 20 miles from Uruapan and at 10 years old, it’s the youngest volcano in the world. In February of 1943, a peasant working nearby realized that the earth started to tremble, and saw that it then opened, let off steam, and shot out rocks. The man managed to tell the nearby townsfolk, who were able to evacuate without a single loss of life. Paricutin buried two towns in lava: Paricutin, which disappeared completely, and San Juan Parangaricutiro, whose church still sticks out among the ruins and petrified lava, a beautiful yet disturbing image. LA TZARÁRACUA About five miles south of the city there is a beautiful natural landscape whose main attraction is the 160 feet tall waterfall known as “La Tzararacua”, an abrupt drop in the flow of the Cupatitzio River. To see it you have to travel about two miles downhill, a journey that can be undertaken on horseback using side roads or on foot down more than 500 steps. Visitors can admire lush vegetation from the viewpoints located along the way. Other activities you can enjoy here include rappelling, mountain cycling, and paintballing, while you’ll also find games for children. 5 OLD SAN PEDRO FACTORY The Old San Pedro Factory is a textile factory that dates back to the 19th century and is home to a number of attractions. The construction of the property began in 1886 and it later became one of the most important of its kind in the state. Nowadays the factory still has a number of buildings operational and forms part of the architectural heritage of Uruapan. It’s also a great place to hold a private banquet, convention, or special event, as it has over 27,000 square feet of gardens. TEMPLE OF SAN FRANCISCO Uruapan was of great religious significance during the colonial era and the early years of Mexican independence, serving as a major bastion for the evangelization of the region. The Temple of San Francisco and Casa de la Cultura remain as icons of the colonial period, restored Plateresque buildings that date back to the founding of the city. SAN JUAN NUEVO San Juan Nuevo (New San Juan) is an attractive, picturesque town about 8 miles from Uruapan. It was founded in 1944 by the inhabitants of the town San Juan Parangaricutiro, which was buried under the lava left by the eruption of the Paricutin Volcano. The people from the first settlement took an image of Christ with them, which is still worshipped with jubilation in the church of San Juan Nuevo. In the center of the town you’ll find handicrafts, typical candies, and of course, the world famous avocados grown in the region. San Juan Nuevo also has a small zoo which is located on high ground in the town. 6 URUAPAN DINING When you think about the regional cuisine in Uruapan, delicious carnitas, avocado, charanda (a regional liquor), and the mouthwatering fruit ates come instantly to mind. We must also mention the extraordinary use the region makes of corn to prepare all kinds of food and drinks, such as the “corundas” and “uchepos” (snacks similar to tamales), “atole” (a corn-based beverage), and a thickened regional take on pozole. Uruapan offers visitors all the culinary riches that characterize the great state of Michoacan, while also serving typical specialties from the Purepecha Plateau, and we can’t forget to mention avocado that has made this city renowned worldwide. Purepecha traditions are still ever-present in the kitchens of the homes and restaurants in Uruapan. There’s not a family, cantina, or restaurant in the region that doesn’t still prepare old pre-Colombian recipes to excite the taste buds of diners. Don’t pass up the chance to enjoy “churipo con corundas” (beef and vegetable stew accompanied by typical regional tamales), and the famous Uruapan-style carnitas. Other not-to-be-missed local treats include the “uchepos” (sweet corn tamales) and a warm cocoa or tamarind flavor “atole” to wash it all down. The dessert in the region normally consists of an “ate de frutas”, which is a sweet jelly-like preserve made from fruits like guava, quince or peach. It comes in different forms, such as jellies, sheets, or cubes. The majority of the top dining establishments in Uruapan are located in the heart of the city, on the main streets of the historic district and by Eduardo Ruiz National Park. A highly recommended place to visit is the popular Mercado de Antojitos (Snacks Market) located behind the old hospital “La Huatapera”, where you can try different kinds of regional dishes at very affordable prices. 7 AVOCADO The star ingredient of traditional Uruapan cuisine, and the real icon of this fertile region, is the avocado. This nutrient-rich fruit has made Uruapan world famous for its outstanding quality and impressive production levels. Taking advantage of its health benefits and the abundance of the fruit in the region, avocado is used throughout the city to make all kinds of specialty dishes. Enjoy it in guacamole, exquisite hot soups, refreshing salads, and purees, as well as sliced as a garnish and even as a flavor of ice cream. The avocado product that stands out though is a unique beverage called “guacamaya”, which is made from avocado mixed with different fruit concentrates, such as pineapple, grapefruit, or apple; sometimes a liquor is also added. 8 URUAPAN SHOPPING Colorful local textiles, the famous Paracho guitars, and the magnificent lacquer-ware known as “maque” are some of the typical handicrafts made on the Purepecha Plateau.