Archaeological site 7 km north of Pátzcuaro
One of the three Purépecha capitals: rectangular pyramids and raised stone causeways on a hill above the lake.
Ihuatzio, "place of the coyote" in Purépecha, sits on a low, artificially leveled plateau on the southeastern shore of Lake Pátzcuaro. It was settled first by Nahuatl-speaking groups between about 900 and 1200 AD, and later became one of the great centers of the Purépecha. According to tradition, the ruler Tariácuri split his realm among his heirs, with seats in Pátzcuaro, Tzintzuntzan and Ihuatzio, and INAH describes Ihuatzio as the first seat of the Purépecha state.
The ancient city covered roughly 150 hectares, and archaeologists have identified 84 structures, of which only a handful are open to visitors. The highlights are two large pyramids, traditionally linked to the gods Curicaueri and Xaratanga, and the huatziri, raised walkways that also worked as walls, dividing the ceremonial spaces. A chac mool sculpture, a type usually associated with central Mexico, was found here, and the site is thought to have also served as an astronomical observatory.
It is much quieter than the Yácatas of Tzintzuntzan, and walking the causeways with the lake below is one of the best ways to picture the Purépecha world before the Spanish arrived.
What to see and do
Walk along the top of the raised causeways that enclose the ceremonial area.
Climb the main platform for views over the lake and the islands.
Compare its rectangular pyramids with the round-backed yácatas of Tzintzuntzan.
Pair it with lunch in Pátzcuaro or Tzintzuntzan, since there are few services at the site.
Getting there
About 20 minutes by car from Pátzcuaro: take the road toward Quiroga, turn west at the Ihuatzio turnoff, and the entrance is about 800 meters north of the village. Colectivos run to Ihuatzio from Pátzcuaro. INAH lists it as open daily from 9 am to 6 pm (last entry 5 pm), with an admission fee.
7 km north 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
Zona Arqueológica de Ihuatzio shares the climate of Pátzcuaro, 7 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr.
Make Pátzcuaro your base
Zona Arqueológica de Ihuatzio is an easy trip from Pátzcuaro, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
Also close to
- Tzintzuntzan · 7 km away
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Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.