Paricutin Volcano

A Volcano That Rose From A Farmer'S Cornfield On 20 February 1943 And Grew To Over 400 M In A Year, One Of The Few Volcanoes Whose Birth Was Watched From Start To Finish, And Often Listed Among The Natural Wonders Of The World. It Buried Two Villages, Leaving The Bell Tower And Altar Of The Church Of San Juan Parangaricutiro Standing Out Of The Black Lava Field. Reached By A Long Hike Or Horseback Ride From Angahuan · Angahuan, Michoacán

Paricutin is one of the few volcanoes in the world whose birth was watched from start to finish. On 20 February 1943 a farmer named Dionisio Pulido saw the ground crack open in his cornfield near the Purepecha village of Paricutin, and within a year a cinder cone more than 300 m tall stood there. The eruption lasted until 1952 and buried two villages under black lava and ash. The most striking sight is the church of San Juan Parangaricutiro, whose altar and bell tower rise out of the lava field like a ship in a sea of rock. Visitors start from the village of Angahuan, about 35 km from Uruapan, and walk or ride a horse for roughly 10 km round trip to the church ruins and the cone, led by Purepecha guides with set rates. A scramble up the black ash of the cone is possible with a guide. The trip suits walkers of moderate fitness, families with older children and anyone interested in geology and local history. Check current Michoacan travel advice and go with local guides. Dust, wind and changeable weather are the main discomforts.

Paricutin, a cinder cone about 35 km west of Uruapan, reached from the Purepecha village of Angahuan on foot, horse or by 4x4; coordinates approximate, Angahuan, Michoacán, Mexico

Angahuan village and the viewpoint at the edge of the lava field are open in daylight and are FREE to look at, while guide and horse services run from about 8 am until mid-afternoon, so most trips start early in the day. The site is not a staffed park with fixed hours, and the ruined church can be reached at any time of day, though paths are hard to follow after dusk. Some visitor access or ejido fees may be charged at the village entrance. The lava field and cone may be CLOSED to visitors during heavy rain, community events or if local authorities restrict travel. Cabins and food stalls keep informal hours, and some stalls close on weekdays in the low season, so confirm in advance.

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