Paricutin

Paricutin is a notorious volcano in the state of Michoacan in Mexico. It is the youngest volcano on earth. Two small villages nearby were destroyed in the volcano's first (and only) eruption. There are still a few services in the area for visitors, especially in the two new villages that were built by the displaced villagers. Paricutín has been named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Understand
In 1943, a farmer named Dionisio Pulido was plowing his field when he noticed a rumbling nearby and the ground opened up and started spewing lava. Over the next years, the new volcano continued erupting until it had achieved a height of 424 m above the surrounding land. In the process, it engulfed a nearby town, whose church can still be seen partly standing amid the boulders of the lava field.

This was the first time scientists would get to witness a volcano go through its entire lifecycle from a new volcano through its 9-year growth period to its eventual decline into dormancy. Paricutin is the youngest volcano in Mexico and is described as a cinder cone (or a scoria cone).

Paricutin is part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, an area of high geologic activity with more than 1,400 volcanic vents and frequent earthquakes. It encompasses a wide swath of territory through Central Mexico, including the Valley of Mexico, with Mexico City as the country's largest population center.

Get in
It's possible to access the mountain and/or the destroyed villages from several points to the northeast, southeast, and south of the mountain, but the best access point is the village of Angahuan. The town is easiest to reach by taxi or car from Uruapan.

By car
Angahuan is 37 km from Uruapan via federal highway MEX 37. The drive will take about 45 minutes via a modern, well maintained road.

Get around
The volcano has become popular with tourists who are curious to see a marvel of natural forces, but tourist infrastructure has not yet been developed. As a result, you should expect to walk long distances to reach the mountain and the buried town. Good hiking boots are a necessity on the rough volcanic rocks. Horses can be hired in town and are a preferred option for those with more cash than ambition.

Do
Guided tours can be taken by inquiring with the people in town. There are two routes to the top of the volcano: one goes the long way around and is the route used by those riding horse. If you get up at dawn, you should be back by mid-afternoon. There is also a direct route that goes straight from the lodge to the volcano. Be careful, the routes are only moderately marked and it is easy to get lost in the lava fields.

Eat
Food can be obtained at the lodge in Paricutin in a small restaurant. There are also several small restaurants and stores selling water and snacks in Paricutin and in Angahuan.

Sleep
There is a lodge where visitors to the volcano can stay overnight for a small fee. Some of the tour guides may also offer a room in their house overnight for a reasonable fee. If you want more lodging choices, another option is to stay in Uruapan and drive to Angahuan for a day-trip visit.

Stay safe
You will be hiking through lava fields with rocks and cinders. Good hiking boots with comfortable socks are essential. Long pants are recommended as you are likely to be covered in ash by the end of the day. Sunblock and a hat are recommended. Be sure to carry plenty of drinking water as there are no water sources once you leave the nearby towns or base camps.

Go next

 * Uruapan
 * Patzcuaro