Town 9 km northwest of Pátzcuaro
A former island of hat weavers, often called the birthplace of the Danza de los Viejitos, with a lively Day of the Dead night.
Jarácuaro was an island in Lake Pátzcuaro until the water level dropped and the lake's edge crept up to it; today a causeway links it to the western shore, so you can drive in. Its name is usually explained as the place where a Purépecha deity was worshipped, and the village keeps a strong Purépecha identity, with the language spoken in the streets.
Two things made Jarácuaro known. One is the Danza de los Viejitos, the comic dance of stooped, masked old men that many people believe was born here, and that local groups still perform. The other is hat-making: families weave palm and straw into fine hats, and some workshops will show you the whole process, from braiding to shaping and pressing.
The best time to come is the night of November 1, when the village gathers for mass and then stays up for a long program of music, dance and theater in Spanish and Purépecha in the plaza, with food stalls around it. The rest of the year it is a quiet place to walk narrow lanes and buy a well-made hat.
What to see and do
Visit a hat workshop and watch palm being braided and shaped.
Ask about local Danza de los Viejitos groups and when they perform.
Come on the night of November 1 for the Day of the Dead cultural program in the plaza.
Park at the entrance and explore on foot; the lanes are narrow.
Getting there
Jarácuaro is about 20 to 25 minutes from Pátzcuaro by car: take the road toward Erongarícuaro and turn off onto the causeway to the village. Combis heading around the lake pass the turnoff.
9 km northwest of Pátzcuaro
Directions from Pátzcuaro on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Weather cool
Jarácuaro shares the climate of Pátzcuaro, 9 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Make Pátzcuaro your base
Jarácuaro is an easy trip from Pátzcuaro, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Pátzcuaro
-
Cerro del Estribo
· Viewpoint · 3 km away
An extinct volcano just west of town, with a cypress-lined road, 400-plus steps and the best view over Lake Pátzcuaro. -
Zona Arqueológica de Ihuatzio
· Archaeological site · 7 km away
One of the three Purépecha capitals: rectangular pyramids and raised stone causeways on a hill above the lake. -
Isla de Janitzio
· Town · 8 km away
The lake's best-known island, crowned by a giant Morelos statue you can climb inside, a short boat ride from Pátzcuaro's pier. -
Tócuaro
· Town · 9 km away
Village of mask carvers: workshops make the wooden masks used in dances like Los Viejitos. -
Isla Yunuén
· Town · 10 km away
A small, green and quiet island in the north of the lake, a calmer alternative to Janitzio by boat from Pátzcuaro. -
Cuanajo
· Town · 11 km away
Purépecha woodworking town where families carve and hand-paint colorful furniture, sold straight from home workshops. -
Tupátaro
· Landmark · 12 km away
Its church of Santiago Apóstol has a painted wooden coffered ceiling nicknamed the "Sistine Chapel of America." -
Erongarícuaro
· Town · 14 km away
A quiet lakeshore town with cobbled streets, an arcaded plaza and a 16th-century Franciscan church and convent. -
Lago de Zirahuén
· Lake · 16 km away
A deep, clear mountain lake ringed by pine forest, with lakeside restaurants and cabins in Zirahuén village. -
Zona Arqueológica de Tingambato
· Archaeological site · 26 km away
An older, Teotihuacan-influenced ceremonial center with a ball court and a rich tomb, on the old road to Uruapan.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.