San Miguelito
Capella is particularly involved with the live and livelihood of the Mexican natives in a neighbor village called San Miguelito, just a few miles away. Because of this relationship, we have the opportunity to show you, be part of, support and touch the heart of people who still represent Mexico as it is found only in a rural community.
It’s only 20 minutes to San Miguelito, but on the way we will make a brief detour, driving through a suburban area of Zihuatanejo, called Coacoyul, with its unpretentious antique homes and simple, but neat and tranquil streets.
At the entrance of San Miguelito we stop at a mango grove and then visit the plantation of one of the founding families of this little village. Don Pedro grows sweet potatoes, coconuts, banana, mango, sugar cane, squash, noni – a fruit with highly praised medicinal qualities, imported from the South Pacific – and a variety of herbs.
After a brief walk through the plantation we visit the school. Capella Ixtapa provides funding and assists the local school and other projects in order to improve the quality of live and the educational opportunities of the children of San Miguelito. We greet the teacher and children, hand over some teaching materials and then continue to visit the museum, where Don José Pineda has collected an array of archeological artifacts from the area, pieces he has found himself or bought from farmers, friends and neighbors. His hobby is carving “nahuatl-style” figures from very solid river stones, which are also displayed in his museum.
The home of Doña Lupe – a “sobandera” (a person who heals by rubbing pressure points and nerve perimeters) is our last stop before we return to the Capella Ixtapa.
Please be aware that we might not be able to fit all the activities into the 3 hour tour, or that one or the other person mentioned in this itinerary may not be available. But being in Mexico, you will quickly endorse our claim that improvising is one of our major talents. So please enjoy and trust that we will make this a time well spent.
Duration: 3 hours
The Stuff Movies Are Made Of
It takes about 25 minutes driving time to get to Troncones, north of Ixtapa. On the way we pass by an array of settlings in the process of forming villages, with coconut plantations, mangoes, papaya groves, ancient tropical trees and wildlife. Troncones itself is a quite different kind of settling. In spite of the modest municipal infrastructure, a good number of upscale beach front residences line up, as we travel a dirt road of about 3 miles length to get to the Bahía Manzanillo (Bay of Manzanillo), a secluded beach cove with soft sand and warm, transparent waters; perfect for swimming, snorkeling and surfing all year around. Gather shells, observe the small creatures on the sea shore and relax under the shade in your beach chair with a cool drink and snacks while relishing the unparalleled view and peaceful environment under the blue skies. There is also have plenty of time and opportunity to swim or snorkel, try out the boogie board or take a walk along the beautiful beach.
Duration: 4 hours
Tarascan Empire
Tarasco & Purepecha Cultures – Archeology – Colonial towns – Arts & Crafts of Michoacán
Our neighbor state, Michoacán, is famous as one of the most beautiful areas of Mexico. It’s only about 50 miles to the state border, but in order to get to the capital of the state and the famous colonial towns of Morelia, Pátzcuaro, Quiroga, etc. we have to cross the Sierra Madre mountain ranges that extend along the Pacific coast.
During the months of November as well as during and prior to Christmas and Eastern, a series of festivities take place in this area: The most famous ones are the celebrations around the Day of the Dead. Best known – and attracting a good number of sightseers from all over Mexico and the world – is the area of the Pátzcuaro Lake. Events, including crafts markets, dancing, exhibitions and concerts are held year round in the town of Pátzcuaro and nearby villages.
We have planned an exciting excursion that will take us to the heart of the Tarascan empire, the colonial towns around Patzcuaro and archeological sites of Tzintzuntzan and Tingambato. You are invited to live the experience during one full day, depart after breakfast and be back in time for dinner at Capella Ixtapa.
Itinerary:
Board a private plane for a beautiful sightseeing flight across the Sierra Madre mountain ranges to the avocado capital of the world - Uruapan. Continue along the scenic road towards the sister lakes Pátzcuaro and Ziharuen, with a stop at an archeological site that was built by the Aztecs as a ceremonial center, as well as residence (or embassy) in order to foment trade and diplomatic relations with the Tarascan/Purepecha empire. Our itinerary includes a town known for it’s arts and crafts, Santa Clara del Cobre, as well as a visit to another famous archeological site on the Riviera of lake Pátzcuaro, Tzintzuntzan.
There will be time for lunch and a stroll through town to enjoy the outstanding variety of arts & crafts shops, as well as a visit of some of the following sites:
- VASCO DE QUIROGA SQUARE
One of the largest in the country, this picturesque square covers 130 x 160 meters. Once the city market, this plaza is unique, as it does not have a church as other main squares do throughout Mexico. - CASA DE LOS ONCE PATIOS
Originally the Santa Martha Hospital, Vasco de Quiroga built this “House of the Eleven Patios” in the 16th century. In the 18th century it became a Dominican convent. Today it is the “Casa de las Artesanías” (art & crafts home). - LA COMPAÑÍA
This church was built in the 16th century by Vasco de Quiroga as a cathedral and given to the Jesuits. Today it is the “Casa de la Cultura” (culture home). - EX-COLEGIO DE SAN NICOLAS
Vasco de Quiroga built this school in the 16th century as a preparatory for priests devoted to the evangelization of "New Spain". The school was later moved to Valladolid (Morelia) and today the structure belongs to the University of San Nicolas de Hidalgo. - BASILICA
Built as the third structure in the State in order to be the Cathedral and designed to have five aisles, this church, however, saw the completion of only one aisle. The church venerates the Virgin de La Salud (Virgin of Health) whose annual celebration is held on December 8th. - SAN AGUSTIN
A mural by renowned artist Juan O’ Gorman depicting the history of the Tarascans can be seen in this structure, originally built as “Teatro Emperador”. Today it is a public library. - HUITZIMENGARI HOME
Don Antonio de Huitzimengari, a descendant of the last Purepecha Emperor, owned this home. Today it belongs to the Indian community and is used to sell their wooden handicrafts. - REAL ADUANA
Since its foundation, Pátzcuaro has been dedicated to trade. In colonial times it was so important that an Aduana (customs house) was established to collect payment of taxes on business transactions.
At 17:00 hours we return on the new highway to Uruapan, where we board our plane for the flight back, most likely into a spectacular sunset over the mountains and the Pacific Coast.