Last week, I spent 4 days in Patzcuaro and stayed at Posada Mandala. I cannot recommend this place more highly for someone traveling on a budget. It’s a small (5 or 6 room) inn, a block away from the main square and just a couple of blocks from the Basilica where the market is THE place to have your morning corundas or tamales.
The owner, Enrique, speaks some English, and is a lovely, warm man- I was traveling alone, and it was a great help to be able to go to him for direction and recommendations.
If you can deal with a narrow iron spiral staircase, ask for Room 5. That was the room I had, with the most spectacular view and a lovely large space, private bath (1 double and 1 single bed). It is unfortunately the most awkward to get to, but no problem for me! Rooms 4& 6 adjoin each other and share a bath. One has 2 singles, the other a double. These are also on the second floor and enjoy the same fantastic view (and balcony) of room 5 but are accessed by a regular staircase on other side of building. I suppose if these rooms weren’t occupied you could ask Enrique if you could get your luggage into room 5 through these rooms…
Also, if you enjoy comida as I do, go to Fonda Mama Lupe’s. I ate there twice and it was great value. The Tarascan soup is a local specialty and if there really is a Mama Lupe, she does a good one. It was fifty pesos for 4 courses which included fruit or flan for dessert and the Agua Fresca of the day.
Posada Mandala’s website is:
http://www.paginasprodigy.com/posadamandala
Margaret Hefner
Personal Chef
http://tasteyourfreedom.blogspot.com
