Mexico Guide
Northern Jalisco and Michoacán
Separated from the country's colonial heartland by the craggy peaks of the Sierra Madre, the stretch of land from Guadalajara to Mexico City through the semitropical states of Jalisco and Michoacán has an unhurried ease that marks it out from the rest of the country. Containing a complex landscape of lofty plains and rugged sierras, the area is blessed with supremely fertile farms, fresh pine woods, cool pastures and lush tropical forest.
Something of a backwater until well into the eighteenth century, the high valleys of Michoacán and Jalisco were left to develop their own strong regional traditions and solid farming economy. Wherever you go, you'll find a wealth of local commercial goods, both agricultural and traditionally manufactured items, from avocados to tequila, glassware to guitars.
Highlights
1 Guadalajara Experience the drama of mariachi music in Mexico's most "Mexican" city, the capital of Jalisco.
2 Tequila Visit a tequila distillery and, more importantly, sample the legendary spirit in a café on the town's plaza.
3 Uruapan Take in the cascading waterfalls and lush surroundings of the Parque Nacional Eduardo Ruíz.
4 Paricutín Climb up this still-active volcano through an unearthly landscape.
5 Pátzcuaro One of the best places in Mexico for seeing the spectacular and moving Day of the Dead celebrations.
6 Morelia Enjoy dulces, wine and classical music in one of the cafés overlooking historic Morelia's central plaza.
7 Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary See millions of the brightly coloured creatures blanket the fir trees around El Rosario.