SLP? Morelia?

[TravellingAvi613]

We're an older couple. Adventurous, like nature, history, photography, good food. We've been to CDMX (great city!) and Guanajuato (loved it) and we have two weeks in January to see new stuff. Not interested in SMdA. We speak Spanish (mas o menos).​

We're flying into Zacatecas. The vague plan is to spend 3 nights there, bus to San Luis Potosí for 3 or 4 more, through Morelia to Patzcuaro for 3, then back to Morelia for about 4 more, and bus to MEX for the flight home.

Not enough time in SLP to get to the waterfalls and such in Huascteca Potosina (sigh) but wondering if Real de Catorce is worth it. Or what else around SLP do you suggest? And, given what else we want to squeeze in, how many nights should we spend here?

Patzcuaro is 3 nights so that we would have 2 full daytimes - one just to explore the town and one for the surrounding villages. Any recommendations? Would you book a driver for the villages or use bus?

Are there pueblos mágicos or other sites easily reached from Morelia? Are we giving ourselves enough time there? If we do the butterfly sanctuary as a day trip, do you have any recommendations or warnings?

Any other bits of wisdom you can share?
Gracias

 

[PortToPort]

Sounds like a great trip you’ve got lined up. That part of Mexico is perfect for the mix of history, food and photography you’re after.

Zacatecas for 3 nights is solid. It’s really walkable, and the teleférico plus Cerro de la Bufa is a nice half-day. If you’re into mining history, Mina El Edén is surprisingly good.

For San Luis Potosí: the city itself is underrated, with lots of museums, plazas and great colonial architecture, so 3 nights is usually enough to get a feel for it. Real de Catorce is worth it if the weather cooperates. It’s atmospheric and photogenic, but it is still a decent time commitment with the long ride and the tunnel. If you’re already tight on days, I’d only add it if you really love old ghost-town vibes and landscapes.

Around SLP, if you don’t have time for the full Huasteca, you could consider a quick visit to Cerro de San Pedro. It’s close, pretty and easy to fit in.

Your Patzcuaro plan is spot on. The lake villages are fantastic. For transport, a driver makes it easier if you want flexibility and the option to hit several villages in one day, but the bus and colectivo system works fine if you’re comfortable keeping things loose. Santa Clara del Cobre and Tzintzuntzan are usually the highlights.

Morelia is a great base. Four nights is a good amount if you’re doing the Monarch butterfly sanctuary. If you go, just be ready for altitude and a bit of climbing. The butterflies are absolutely worth it. El Rosario is the most popular sanctuary, but Sierra Chincua tends to be a little less crowded. Go early in the day if you can.

There are several pueblos mágicos near Morelia such as Tlalpujahua, Santa Clara del Cobre if you don’t hit it from Patzcuaro, and Uruapan if you’re into nature. Parque Nacional Barranca del Cupatitzio in Uruapan is great for photography.

Overall your timing seems balanced. You’ll be busy but not rushed to the point of stress. Biggest tip: January can be chilly in the highlands, so pack layers. And try the corundas and uchepos in Michoacán. They’re fantastic.

Que tengan un gran viaje!

 

[TravellingAvi613]

Sounds like a great trip you’ve got lined up. That part of Mexico is perfect for the mix of history, food and photography you’re after.

Zacatecas for 3 nights is solid. It’s really walkable, and the teleférico plus Cerro de la Bufa is a nice half-day. If you’re into mining history, Mina El Edén is surprisingly good.

For San Luis Potosí: the city itself is underrated, with lots of museums, plazas and great colonial architecture, so 3 nights is usually enough to get a feel for it. Real de Catorce is worth it if the weather cooperates. It’s atmospheric and photogenic, but it is still a decent time commitment with the long ride and the tunnel. If you’re already tight on days, I’d only add it if you really love old ghost-town vibes and landscapes.

Around SLP, if you don’t have time for the full Huasteca, you could consider a quick visit to Cerro de San Pedro. It’s close, pretty and easy to fit in.

Your Patzcuaro plan is spot on. The lake villages are fantastic. For transport, a driver makes it easier if you want flexibility and the option to hit several villages in one day, but the bus and colectivo system works fine if you’re comfortable keeping things loose. Santa Clara del Cobre and Tzintzuntzan are usually the highlights.

Morelia is a great base. Four nights is a good amount if you’re doing the Monarch butterfly sanctuary. If you go, just be ready for altitude and a bit of climbing. The butterflies are absolutely worth it. El Rosario is the most popular sanctuary, but Sierra Chincua tends to be a little less crowded. Go early in the day if you can.

There are several pueblos mágicos near Morelia such as Tlalpujahua, Santa Clara del Cobre if you don’t hit it from Patzcuaro, and Uruapan if you’re into nature. Parque Nacional Barranca del Cupatitzio in Uruapan is great for photography.

Overall your timing seems balanced. You’ll be busy but not rushed to the point of stress. Biggest tip: January can be chilly in the highlands, so pack layers. And try the corundas and uchepos in Michoacán. They’re fantastic.

Que tengan un gran viaje!

Thanks so much. I love it when people tell me I'm on the right track - and then throw in a few suggestions to make the planning even better. I'm going to look into all those sites you mentioned.