Tzintzuntzan Pyramids & Pueblo Magico: How to Visit, What to Expect

Today, Lori and I embark on a day trip from Patzcuaro to poke around yet another Pueblo Magico by the endlessly enjoyable name of Tzintzuntzan (pronounced: Seen-Soon-Sahn).

We hear there are some ruins of pre-Columbian pyramids there, as well as a former monastery worth seeing—not to mention some unique regional food offerings.

What the Michoacan highlands lack in sand and surf they make up for in historic and cultural attractions (and oftentimes scenic attractions as well). And the Lake Patzcuaro area is full of them.

We’ve explored the Pueblo Magico of Patzcuaro in all its red-and-white Spanish-colonial grandeur, hiked to a church encased in lava, and taken a boat to Isla de Janitzio to scale its iconic 13-story statue.

But there’s still much more to explore within a two-hour radius here—more than we could possibly hope to do in the span of a few weeks—and Tzintzuntzan is next up on our list.

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Exploring Tzintzuntzan

Ex-Franciscan Monastery of Santa Ana

You wouldn’t know it today just walking around town, but Tzintzuntzan was once the capital of the Purépecha Empire for about a hundred years until the Spanish took the city in the mid-16th century. Under the Spanish, it was the first capital of the State of Michoacan until it was relocated to Patzcuaro a decade later.

There’s little left from the Purépecha period with the exception of the pyramids (which we’ll get to later). In contrast, quite a bit has survived from the Spanish era—most notably, the former Franciscan monastery of Santa Ana.

From the main road, it’s almost impossible to see the sprawling grounds of the ex-monastery. Just behind the Artisan Market, there’s a gate that leads into the vast wooded olive grove of Don Vasco de Quiroga, framed by two churches—the Temple of Solitude and the Temple of San Francisco.

Construction of the monastery (some literature refers to it as a convent, but I think it’s a translation error) began with the Templo de San Francisco in the 16th century, and continued through much of the 17th century.

The grounds and artwork are remarkably well-preserved, having benefited from extensive restoration about 20 years ago.

The restrooms are some of the nicest I’ve seen in any museum.

The entire monastery is so well preserved and restored, you really can get a sense of what daily life might have been like for the Franciscan monks residing here some 400 years ago.

Tzintzuntzan Pueblo Magico

Tzintzuntzan has been designated a Pueblo Magico by the Mexican government, owing to its significance during the Purépecha period, pyramid-strewn archeological site, and well-preserved ex-monastery.

As for the rest of town, well, small portions are charming enough for a short stroll, but it’s a far cry from the likes of Patzcuaro.

Tzintzuntzan doesn’t feel like a destination in itself, but rather a place to be enjoyed on a day trip from Patzcuaro. Heck, you can practically walk the entire town in 30 minutes.

With regards to the town, itself, Avenida Las Yácatas with its diminutive mirador are worth a stroll. If you choose to walk directly from the monastery to the pyramids, you’ll likely find yourself here, anyway.

The town of Tzintzuntzan is also known for its unique cuisine, but we’ll also get to that a bit later.

Tzintzuntzan Archeological Zone

The Tzintzuntzan yácatas (semi-circular pyramids) are not inherently impressive on the surface. You can try and imagine what the site might have looked like in its heyday, but this certainly isn’t touring Teotihuacan.

With that said, the grounds are still worth a visit for the excellent museum, impressive views, and structures that do remain. If you visit, be sure to ask for a self-guided tour placard in English (they hide them).

It’s my understanding that the yácata structures we see today aren’t that old, likely dating to the time when Tzintzuntzan was the Purépecha capital. However, they are constructed over much older, more traditional pyramids.

What perhaps makes the town of Tzintzuntzan so fascinating is that it’s possible to experience the remnants of several hundred years of history—from the Purépecha Empire and Spanish colonial period to the present day—in just under a mile.

Today, Tzintzuntzan is known for its artisan woodworking shops and its delicious cuisine. There are several places in town to sample the region’s specialties.

We had lunch at Cocina Tradicional La Casa de Blanca and highly recommend it. The menu is simple and very reasonable. The Uchepos, Churipos, and Corundas were fantastic.

How to Get to Tzintzuntzan

If you’re putting together this trip on your own utilizing public transport, the easy method involves first getting yourself to the city of Patzcuaro.

Buses leave several times per day from the capital, Morelia, and Uruapan and take between 1 and 2 hours depending on traffic, road work, and number of times the bus stops.

You can also take a couple of minibuses from Morelia to Tzintzuntzan via Quiroga, but this takes a bit more effort.

If you’re making the trip to Tzintzuntzan on your own from Patzcuaro via public transport, you’ll want to hop on a Quiroga-bound Combi (colectivo mini bus). We had luck picking up one of these Combis at this five-way intersection.

More Reading for Your Mexico Trip

More Central Highlands

• Isla de Janitzio (Patzcuaro): What to See & How to Visit
• 6 Best Ways to Tour Teotihuacan from Mexico City
• Monte Albán (Oaxaca): Complete Guide to Visiting

Pacific Coast

• Mazatlan Aquarium (Gran Acuario): Is it Worth It?
• Yelapa, Mexico: Why Visit & What to Expect

The Yucatan & Caribbean

• Guide to Chichen Itza: DIY, Guided Tours, When to Go
• 8 Reasons to Visit the Yellow City of Izamal

Baja Peninsula

• Arch of Cabo San Lucas: 5 Fun Ways to Visit
• Cabo Pulmo: Visitor Guide to the World’s Aquarium