Uruapan, Michoacán
On our way home from Zihuatanejo we spent 2 nights and a day in Uruapan. We again had visited here in 2006 and the Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park is such a beautiful place we wanted to visit again. The park contains trees hundreds of years old, springs, streams, canals and walking paths.The park focuses on the conservation of the ravine which forms the headwaters of the Cupatitzio River, which is fed by various springs and streams starting with the “Rodilla del Diablo” (Devil's Knee) . There are many water displays that are all naturally fed by the streams with no mechanical pumps.
The city is surrounded by avocado and macadamia orchards. It is located in the most productive regions in Mexico for avocado. It is called the world capital of avocado not because of the production in the municipality but because it is home of six packing companies to which the region sends its avocados for distribution. From here, avocados are shipped all over Mexico and exported to the United States, Central America, Europe and Japan. In 2000, the city made the Guinness Book of World Records creating the largest batch of guacamole, making 1,288 kilograms of the dip, from one ton of fresh avocados.
Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Barranca del Cupatitzio) on the edge of Uruapan, centered around the headwaters of the Cupatitzio River. The river emerges from an underground spring, carving a small ravine as the water begins to flow. The park is known for its abundant streams and springs, many of which cascade down the sides of the ravine to form small waterfalls.
This diver spent a few minutes attracting a crowd and then dove into the river below.
Following are a couple of videos of some of the water displays in the park.
Unfortunately the city is also well known for cartel violence. But while there we were very impressed by the vibrant community, many good restaurants, and very promising young people. What we saw just doesn't "jive" with the media reputation that they have.
