Ihuatzio or Jiuatzio in Purepecha language means "the house of the coyote." Originally the place was known as Yacatécharo. It is located north of the state to 65 km., it is part of the municipality of Tzintzuntzán, which bordered on the north Quiroga, with Huiramba northwest, to the south and west Patzcuaro Erongarícuaro. In their natural environment dominates the mixed forest with pine, oak and cedar. Its fauna is represented by coyotes, squirrels, armadillos, rabbits and weasels.

The first occupation of the site corresponded to Nahuatl-speaking groups and Toltec influence. These groups inhabited the islands and shores of Lake Patzcuaro until the arrival of the Purépecha. From the massive arrival of the Purépecha groups to the Lake Patzcuaro, they gradually gained power and ruled the region to build a strong state. Ihuatzio, Patzcuaro and Tzintzuntzan with would be the three main settlements and seats of power of a vast empire that covered much of the state of Michoacan and parts of Jalisco, Guanajuato and Guerrero (longitudinally between the limits of the rivers Rafts and Lerma ).

Ihuatzio was the first seat of the Purépecha Empire, where he catapulted to become a powerful dominion by conquest or subjugation of smaller communities. At the time of the Spanish conquest, this was an antagonistic group to the Mexicans. The site is distinguished by the presence of unique architecture such as huatziri, elevated roads to delimit spaces and served as paths within the site. Another feature is the vastness of its nuclear area, compared to other settlements located on the banks of Lake Patzcuaro, plus it is the only one of the three headwaters of purhépecha empire, where they found monumental sculpture. During his heyday nuclear Ihuatzio area covered by approximately 150 hectares where archaeological explorations have identified 84 structures, all of which are in the visiting area.

The ruins are essentially divided into two sections, one older than the other: the first (900–1200 AD) is thought to have been constructed by the Náhuatl, and the second dates from 1200–1530 AD, during the Tarascan occupation. Two fifteenmetre- high squared-off pyramids, once considered a sort of Plaza de Armas, are the main features of the site open to the public.

Hours: Monday to Sunday 9:00 to 18:00 pm

Services available in the area: It has parking and service unit.

Contact: Michoacan INAH Center 01 (443) 3 12 88 38.

Recommendations: It is recommended to visit the nearby archaeological site of Tzintzuntzan, located in the municipality of Tzintzuntzan, another important Tarascan capital, as well as a tour of the islands and Lake Patzcuaro.

Located around 12km north of Pátzcuaro, 4km off the Pátzcuaro–Quiroga road on a remote track that traverses a cow pasture, Ihuatzio was strategically placed near the shores of Lago de Pátzcuaro and used for water defence and enemy lookout.

To reach the site from the city of Morelia is necessary to take Federal Highway no. 14 to Patzcuaro direction, to reach the Federal Highway No. 120 Tzurumútaro in the direction of Quiroga. On this road, at kilometer 14 there is a junction, there west direction that leads to the village of Ihuatzio. Arriving at the center of this town, take the road located to the north and move on it for a distance of approximately 800 m., until you reach the entrance of the archaeological zone. Visitors can also reach the site by public transport taking collective (combis) extending from Patzcuaro and Quiroga towards the town of Ihuatzio.

Buses to Ihuatzio leave from the Plaza Bocanegra in Pátzcuaro every few minutes. You’ll be dropped at the end of a cobblestone road and will have to walk 1500m to the site’s entrance. On the walk, look for three vegetated hummocks which are the unexcavated ruins of yácatas (see below). To continue to Tzintzuntzán, hop on one of the frequent Quiroga-bound colectivos from the road where you were dropped off.