Cuanajo Voyage Tips and guide

Cuanajo is a town in the Lake Patzcuaro region of the southwestern Mexican state of Michoacan. The town calls itself "the cradle of artisinal furniture" and is, indeed, one of Mexico's most well-regarded producers of furniture, particularly rustic pine furniture and brightly painted traditional tables and chairs.

Cuanajo is in the heart of traditional P'urhepecha territory and the earliest settlements date from the 14th century, but structures from that time differ in design from the yacatas near Tzintzuntzán so the area may have been settled by indigenous groups other than P'urhepecha.

Spanish conquistadors arrived in 1530, and the P'urhepecha king, Tangaxoán', quickly surrendered to the Spanish. Franciscan missionaries were sent to Cuanajo and proceeded to convert the indigenous population to Christianity and build the Templo de la Natividad.

When Bishop Don Vasco de Quiroga was teaching the P'urhepecha communities how to achieve economic sustainability by specializing in different trades, he taught the people in Cuanajo to follow in the footsteps of Jesus as carpenters, and to build furniture for export. Centuries later, local craftsmen still specialize in wood furniture, producing pieces with elaborately carved designs and painted in bright colors with designs and motifs reflecting P'urhepecha traditions. Visitors to Cuanajo can visit the workshops.

Map of Cuanajo

The closest airport with commercial flights is in Morelia (MLM ^IATA). In Morelia's main bus station (Central de Autobuses) you can catch a bus on the Purepehca line to Cuanajo. The trip will take about 1 hour and cost about M$80. If you can't find a convenient bus directly to Cuanajo, take a bus to Patscuaro and then a taxi for the short 15-minute ride to Cuanajo.

• 19.485283-101.5083461 Parroquia de la Virgen de la Natividad (Church of the Nativity of Mary), Av. Lazaro Cardenas. Historic church dating from 1695, built by Franciscan missionaries. The formidable stone structure has a single high bell tower, is decorated with symbols of the Franciscan order, and has a large open atrium centered around a sculpture of a cross.  (updated Mar 2026)

• Festivity of the Virgin of the Nativity: The town honors its patron saint in early September with food, drink, games and traditional dances and music.

• Day of the Dead: All P'urhepecha communities in the Patzcuaro region celebrate Day of the Dead, but in Cuanajo, the local spin on tradition is to place small wooden horses (Caballitos Animeros) on the altars (ofrendas) so that the horses can help the departed souls to help guide the departed souls and to help carry their flowers, pan de Muertos, and gifts from the family back to the netherworld when the festivities are over.

You might be able to find some low-end snack vendors around town, but there are no good restaurants. The best place to get food is the nearby town of Patzcuaro.

There are no good hotels in Cuanajo. The best place to get a room for the night is the nearby town of Patzcuaro.

• Janitzio
• Santa Clara De Cobre
• Erongarícuaro