Michoacán is a large state in western Mexico, running from the Pacific coast up into the highlands of the central plateau. It is one of the most culturally rich states in the country, with a strong indigenous Purépecha heritage, colonial towns, and some of Mexico's most dramatic natural spectacles.
The most famous attraction is the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, centred on the El Rosario sanctuary in the eastern highlands. From November to March, millions of monarch butterflies arrive here after migrating from Canada and the northern United States. The sanctuary is at the top of a forested hill — you can hike up or pay for a ride on one of the local trucks. The experience of standing among millions of butterflies clustering on the oyamel fir trees is extraordinary.
Pátzcuaro, a colonial town on the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro, is the cultural heart of the Purépecha region and one of the best places in Mexico to experience the Day of the Dead celebrations in late October and early November. The state capital, Morelia, has a well-preserved colonial centre and a UNESCO-listed cathedral.
The Paricutín Volcano — born from a cornfield in 1943 and still standing — is one of the geological wonders of the Americas, accessible on horseback from the town of Angahuan. The Pacific coast in the south offers a wilder alternative to the better-known resort towns further north.
