Palm Sunday Artisan Market in Uruapan, Mexico March 16-23, 2027

Every spring, the city of Uruapan, Michoacán comes alive for one of the most extraordinary cultural events in Latin America. The Tianguis del Día de Ramos — the Palm Sunday Artisan Market — draws 1,500 to 1,600 artisans from across Michoacán and neighboring states to fill the central plaza with handmade ceramics, textiles, lacquerware, copper, and more. This is not a tourist market. It is where Mexico's finest craft traditions are on full display, bought and sold by the people who make them. But this journey is more than a market. We begin in Mexico City — one of the world's great cultural capitals — with a gallery day in San Miguel Chapultepec and Polanco and a dinner at a Michelin-starred zero-waste restaurant. We travel south through the colonial splendor of Morelia before arriving in Uruapan. And we close the trip in Pátzcuaro, a breathtaking lakeside colonial town and the ideal base for visiting the remarkable artisan communities that surround Lake Pátzcuaro. Heritage by Hand invites you to experience it all with us.

Itinerary

Tuesday, March 16 — Arrival in Mexico City
Arrive in Mexico City and settle in. That evening, we gather for our first dinner together at a Michelin-starred, zero-waste restaurant whose vegetable-forward menu is sourced directly from the ancient chinampas — the floating gardens of Mexico City's southern lakes. Meat and fish are on the menu as well, but the philosophy is chinampas to table: seasonal, local, and deeply rooted in the landscape. A fitting introduction to a journey rooted in intentional, conscious experience.

Wednesday, March 17 — A Day in Mexico City
A full day to immerse ourselves in one of the world's great cultural capitals. We will have a gallery day in San Miguel Chapultepec and Polanco. Mexico City rewards the curious at every turn, and this day is designed to do exactly that before we head west.

Thursday, March 18 — Mexico City to Uruapan via Morelia
We depart for Uruapan with a midday stop in Morelia for lunch at the historic Hotel de la Soledad — a beautiful introduction to one of Mexico's finest colonial cities, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of pink stone cathedrals and elegant plazas. We arrive in Uruapan in the afternoon, check in to our ecolodge on the river, and spend the evening exploring the city and wandering the market as artisans set up their stalls for the days ahead.

Friday, March 19 — Private Viewing & Opening Night
The day begins with a private viewing of the contest winners at Casa de Artes — an intimate look at the finest artisan work in Michoacán before the public arrives. We then spend the afternoon exploring the market in full, meeting makers and discovering extraordinary pieces. In the evening, we attend the opening celebration at Fábrica San Pedro, one of Uruapan's newest and hippest cultural venues founded by artist Javier Marín.

Saturday, March 20 — Parade of Artisans & Market Day
We join the parade of artisans through the city — a joyful, colorful procession that marks the heart of the festival. Afterward we return to Fábrica San Pedro and take a break before dinner in town.

Sunday, March 21 — Morning in the Park & Departure for Pátzcuaro
We begin the morning with a walk through Uruapan's famous national park — a lush, spring-fed landscape where the Cupatitzio River emerges from the earth in a series of cascades and pools unlike anywhere else in Mexico. After a leisurely farewell to the city, we make our way to Pátzcuaro, arriving in time to walk through this extraordinary lakeside town in the evening.

Monday, March 22 — Pátzcuaro, Santa Clara del Cobre & Lake Pátzcuaro
Pátzcuaro is one of Mexico's most beloved colonial towns — a place of cobblestone streets, whitewashed walls, and a deep indigenous Purépecha heritage that permeates everything from its architecture to its markets. Known internationally as one of the most atmospheric places in Mexico to experience Día de los Muertos, it is equally beautiful in the quiet of early spring. It is also the ideal base for exploring the remarkable artisan communities that surround the lake — each village specializing in a distinct craft tradition, from lacquerware and woodcarving to textiles and pottery. We visit the copper-smithing community of Santa Clara del Cobre, where we are welcomed by the family of master coppersmith José Luis Carrillo Cruz — one of Heritage by Hand's most treasured artisan partners. We tour the studio, witness the ancient hammering process firsthand, and have the opportunity to acquire pieces directly from the makers. In the afternoon, we stop by the shores of Lake Pátzcuaro — a sacred lake dotted with islands and surrounded by indigenous communities — before returning to town for our final evening together.

Tuesday, March 23 — Tzintzuntzan & Return to Mexico City
Before heading back to the city, we visit Tzintzuntzan — the ancient Purépecha capital and home to a remarkable community of potters whose work carries centuries of tradition. We browse the studios and market stalls before departing for Mexico City, arriving by early evening for our final night together.

Wednesday, March 24 — Departure or Continue
Depart from Mexico City, or stay on for our Spring in Mexico City: Art, Architecture, History trip, March 24–28, exploring the city's world-class museums, architecture, and design scene.

Accommodations

Three nights in Mexico City (March 16–18) at a carefully selected boutique property in the heart of the city. Three nights in Uruapan (March 18–21) at a charming ecolodge on the river. Two nights in Pátzcuaro (March 21–23) at a historic hacienda villa dating to 1560, with a lush courtyard and thoughtfully curated rooms — the perfect base for exploring the artisan villages of the lake region. The first four rooms at the villa are reserved for our group; additional guests will stay at a carefully selected nearby property of comparable charm.

General Information

What the program fee covers: All ground transportation throughout the trip, entrance fees to museums and events, the private viewing at Casa de Artes, the opening at Fábrica San Pedro, speaking fees for artisan visits, and Heidi's expertise and curation throughout.

What participants cover independently: All lodging (recommendations provided so the group stays together), all meals, airport transfers to and from Mexico City, and personal purchases. Lodging costs vary by room type and occupancy; detailed recommendations and booking guidance will be provided upon registration.

We will have some flexibility in our routine to take advantage of opportunities that arise.

Cancellation Policy

Program fee cancellations:

• Cancel before September 16, 2026: full refund minus a $150 administrative fee
• Cancel between September 16 and December 16, 2026: 50% refund
• Cancel after December 16, 2026: no refund

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Accommodation cancellations are managed directly between participants and the properties. Cancellation windows by destination:
Mexico City: Cancellations accepted until March 1, 2027.
Uruapan (ecolodge): Standard Airbnb cancellation policy applies.
Pátzcuaro (hacienda villa): Cancellations accepted until March 1, 2027.
We will connect you directly with each property to manage your reservation.

Pricing

$1,400 per person
Deposit: $700
Final payment: $700
Deposits due by July 15, 2026. Final payments due by December 1, 2026.

Health and Activity Levels

There will be a decent but not overly taxing amount of daily walking (10,000+ steps), and participants should be aware of that. Michoacán in March is warm and pleasant, but we recommend comfortable walking shoes and layers for evenings. We will share a full packing list and preparation guide before the trip.

Details

Maximum 8 guests. No single supplement — solo travelers are warmly welcome at the same per-person rate as those sharing a room.
Deposits due by July 15, 2026. Final payments due December 1, 2026.