Where to stay

Where to base yourself

Patzcuaro is small, and where you sleep mostly comes down to how close you want to be to the two plazas.

The historic center

Base here. The blocks around Plaza Vasco de Quiroga and Plaza Gertrudis Bocanegra put you within walking distance of the market, the craft workshops and the restaurants, and let you skip taxis entirely. This is the right choice for first-timers and for anyone here two nights or less. You will find restored colonial houses turned into small hotels and posadas, many built around courtyards, plus a good range of guesthouses. Rooms can be cool at night at this altitude, so ask about heating or extra blankets.

• First-timers and short stays: anywhere within a few blocks of Plaza Vasco de Quiroga.
• Quiet: the streets uphill from the main plaza are calmer, but you trade a walk up cobblestones to get home.
• Budget: simple posadas near the market and Plaza Bocanegra are the cheapest, at the cost of some daytime noise.

By the lake and the pier

The muelle (pier) area sits a couple of kilometers below town. A few lodgings cluster near the water, which suits you if you want early boat access to Janitzio, but it is removed from the town’s evening life and you will rely on taxis. Most people are better off in the center.

Day of the Dead note

For November 1 and 2, book months ahead and expect prices to jump sharply. If the town is full, nearby villages and even Morelia are fallback bases, with a longer commute in.