Santa Clara del Cobre
Santa Clara del Cobre
4.5
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Town known for its copper craftsmanship.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
354 reviews
Excellent
210
Very good
113
Average
26
Poor
3
Terrible
2
ektarama
pacific northwest64 contributions
Nov 2013 • Couples
As the name suggests, Santa Clara del Cobre is all about copper, in just about every crafted and hammered form imaginable. They've been making things out of copper here long before the Spanish showed up, so they know what they're doing. Most of the families have been doing this for many generations. It's unique in Mexico, and maybe in the world.
Nearly all of the shops surrounding the plaza sell copper items, from touristy things like key chains and so forth, to very serious cooking pots, to sinks and bathtubs. It's worth spending an afternoon here and also having a meal at "El Portal", right on the plaza.
I'm revealing another of my little secrets by mentioning El Portal, but I doubt there's any danger of them being overwhelmed with gringo tourists since nearly the entire state of Michoacan is under a US State Dept travel security alert, as in....don't go anywhere except Morelia and fly directly there if you can.
However, Danger is my middle name. I almost always drive in Mexico, many thousands of kms over the past 15 years, including all around Michoacan, with no problems ever. I will take the bus if I'm just going to a specific place and returning to D.F. but otherwise having a car is worth it for the ability to stop and check out anything and everything.
The word from my Mexican friends in Patzcuaro, who are maybe in the best position to know since they have lived all their lives there, is not to go down into the Tierra Caliente, but as they say..... 'why would you want to go there anyway?'. So, if you're contemplating a day trip to Nueva Italia, thinking perhaps the town is a reconstruction of Venice in the middle of nowhere in Mexico, I'll save you the trouble. I've been there and can tell you that there are no canals with gondolas gliding quietly by, but I didn't get shot at there, either. I've been way more afraid in South Central LA.
Anyway, back to Santa Clara... if you want a copper comal, this is about the only place in the world you will find one, and they are fantastic for cooking tortillas. And further, if you want anything of copper that is made in Santa Clara, it will be at least 25% less expensive than in Patzcuaro, which is only 30 minutes away. Figure double if you buy the same items in Mexico City. And most of the really amazing things aren't sold in other cities. So, for example, if a person was going to buy something pretty expensive, like a bathtub or a 500 lb. 6 foot tall urn or a set of the most beautiful heavy gauge copper cookware this side of France, it would be worth the trip here just to save a serious chunk of money. And it's a really nice quiet little colonial town.
We came back twice in two days, just to make sure we went in every shop. There's also a nice little municipal copper museum with a demonstration forge, closed on Mondays.
It may be best to stay in Patzcuaro and make a day trip. I did see one hotel sign but didn't check it out.
I'm not sure why another reviewer only gave it one dot, because it is worth 4. Maybe if she/he went in the evening it would be a 1 because there wouldn't be anything at all to do, or maybe if the reviewer doesn't like copper stuff, but during the day it's definitely worth the visit for anyone with a curious streak and a free day to go there. And one of the days we went was tianguis day, so we got a little bonus.
Venga y disfruta
Nearly all of the shops surrounding the plaza sell copper items, from touristy things like key chains and so forth, to very serious cooking pots, to sinks and bathtubs. It's worth spending an afternoon here and also having a meal at "El Portal", right on the plaza.
I'm revealing another of my little secrets by mentioning El Portal, but I doubt there's any danger of them being overwhelmed with gringo tourists since nearly the entire state of Michoacan is under a US State Dept travel security alert, as in....don't go anywhere except Morelia and fly directly there if you can.
However, Danger is my middle name. I almost always drive in Mexico, many thousands of kms over the past 15 years, including all around Michoacan, with no problems ever. I will take the bus if I'm just going to a specific place and returning to D.F. but otherwise having a car is worth it for the ability to stop and check out anything and everything.
The word from my Mexican friends in Patzcuaro, who are maybe in the best position to know since they have lived all their lives there, is not to go down into the Tierra Caliente, but as they say..... 'why would you want to go there anyway?'. So, if you're contemplating a day trip to Nueva Italia, thinking perhaps the town is a reconstruction of Venice in the middle of nowhere in Mexico, I'll save you the trouble. I've been there and can tell you that there are no canals with gondolas gliding quietly by, but I didn't get shot at there, either. I've been way more afraid in South Central LA.
Anyway, back to Santa Clara... if you want a copper comal, this is about the only place in the world you will find one, and they are fantastic for cooking tortillas. And further, if you want anything of copper that is made in Santa Clara, it will be at least 25% less expensive than in Patzcuaro, which is only 30 minutes away. Figure double if you buy the same items in Mexico City. And most of the really amazing things aren't sold in other cities. So, for example, if a person was going to buy something pretty expensive, like a bathtub or a 500 lb. 6 foot tall urn or a set of the most beautiful heavy gauge copper cookware this side of France, it would be worth the trip here just to save a serious chunk of money. And it's a really nice quiet little colonial town.
We came back twice in two days, just to make sure we went in every shop. There's also a nice little municipal copper museum with a demonstration forge, closed on Mondays.
It may be best to stay in Patzcuaro and make a day trip. I did see one hotel sign but didn't check it out.
I'm not sure why another reviewer only gave it one dot, because it is worth 4. Maybe if she/he went in the evening it would be a 1 because there wouldn't be anything at all to do, or maybe if the reviewer doesn't like copper stuff, but during the day it's definitely worth the visit for anyone with a curious streak and a free day to go there. And one of the days we went was tianguis day, so we got a little bonus.
Venga y disfruta
Written December 22, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DelbertLovett52
Washington, VT88 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
A charming Mexican village with the traditional public square surrounded by shops with exquisite copper art and wares. It’s a lovely ½ day trip from Patzcuaro. We bought several hand hammered cooking pots 8-10 inches round for about $8 US, a cover for a Bic lighter, hand hammered for $4 US and a handmade copper tile of a dragonfly for $3 US, works of art everyone! Want a copper country kitchen sink this is the place? Gorgeous ones around $700. Shop around, prices vary. The shop with the best prices we found was as follows; stand in the village square facing the main street, walk to your left, leaving the square and down the sidewalk, shop is on the first corner you come to same side of the street as the square.
Written March 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jaypea_5
Victoria, Canada789 contributions
Oct 2013 • Friends
Each year we make a trip from the beach town we live in up through Guadalajara and over to Morelia, settle into Patzcuaro and eventually, make the 20 minute trip to Santa Clara del Cobre. The drive is scenic, easy and safe. Santa Clara is one of the many unique artisan pueblos in the Patzcuaro area that have developed their own market specializing in one main craft. Coppersmithing is what draws us to Santa Clara. You can enjoy an entire morning wandering from shop to shop, comparing a variety of beautiful copper crafts hand made by incredibly gifted local artists. The prices you will pay here are a fraction of what you would pay in the States or Canada for the same product. (A farmhouse kitchen sink that cost $3,200 in Canada was just over $400 US). There are a wide variety of copper items including mirrors, kitchen sinks and baths, vases, urns, jugs, candlesticks; and many other beautifully designed products. The museum holds pieces of copper that are prehispanic as well as showcases annual winners of National and International competitions. Shop owners are friendly and interesting to chat with - lots of history and on site displays of coppersmithing.
Written February 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PatzcuaroVictoria
Patzcuaro, Mexico69 contributions
Nov 2019
I have a hotel in Patzcuaro (Hotel Casa Encantada) and I always highly recommend to my guests visit Santa Clara. It is a short trip from Patzcuaro. The various shops and workshops plus the museum are well worth the visit. It is fabulous to see some af the artesanos create the beautiful copperware. It is one of the best places to buy your gifts for the folks back home to let them know you were thinking of them. WHY? There are great gifts in every price range from earrings to gorgeous vases and they pack without trouble and do not break transporting them. Make sure you make time to see this lovely Pueblo and it's artesania.
Written December 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ainslie earl k
Portland, OR133 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
We always go here while we visit Patzcuaro. The artisans are plentiful, products varied, and shops prolific. Little restaurant on the plaza is a good place for any meal.
Written May 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Titapo60
El Paso, TX87 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
One of my many magic town that I visited during my June 2016; 19 day visit throughout Mexico. This town's gift to humanity is the Workmanship of the Copper. wonderful experience. Must visit a local copper shop.
Written September 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Billy Bob C
Belton, TX93 contributions
Aug 2016
It had been several years since I had been to Santa Clara del Cobra and it had changed a great deal. When I visited with my wife several years ago it was on a Saturday. My daughters and I went on a Monday this time. It seemed more hustled and bustled, less clean and less hospitable. But we enjoyed ourselves. I was disappointed because the craftsmen were not working at the National Museum Of Copper. They are probably there on weekends and it is a very interesting demonstration. The Museum itself is interesting with examples from the first pieces created by the Purepecha right up to recent work done by award winning national artisans.
In previous trips artisans were insistent that we not only see their finished work on display for purchase, but invited us to their shop to see the works being crafted. That did not happen this trip. But the copper work is beautiful, and with the current exchange rate more than reasonably priced.
We ate lunch at a small hotel and restaurant on the Zocalo. We did not write down the name because we were sure we could remember it; but we do not. The food was good, but the waiter was young and missed a few things. One of the things that distresses me most in my travels in Mexico is there are no refills on coffee. Coffee is considered more of an after dinner drink with desert and they bring you a separate cup each time and charge you for each individually. Some restaurants make an exception at breakfast, particularly if coffee is included in the price of the meal, but do not count on it. It can come as a shock if you are a big coffee drinker and not aware of the practice.
Parking is something of an issue as it is in much of Mexico. We were able to find a place a couple of blocks from the Zocalo and go through the courtyard of the Cathedral to get there. In addition to numerous shops around the Zocalo there are street vendors set up under the porticos around the Zocalo. From Morelia or Patzcuaro it is a day trip well worth taking.
In previous trips artisans were insistent that we not only see their finished work on display for purchase, but invited us to their shop to see the works being crafted. That did not happen this trip. But the copper work is beautiful, and with the current exchange rate more than reasonably priced.
We ate lunch at a small hotel and restaurant on the Zocalo. We did not write down the name because we were sure we could remember it; but we do not. The food was good, but the waiter was young and missed a few things. One of the things that distresses me most in my travels in Mexico is there are no refills on coffee. Coffee is considered more of an after dinner drink with desert and they bring you a separate cup each time and charge you for each individually. Some restaurants make an exception at breakfast, particularly if coffee is included in the price of the meal, but do not count on it. It can come as a shock if you are a big coffee drinker and not aware of the practice.
Parking is something of an issue as it is in much of Mexico. We were able to find a place a couple of blocks from the Zocalo and go through the courtyard of the Cathedral to get there. In addition to numerous shops around the Zocalo there are street vendors set up under the porticos around the Zocalo. From Morelia or Patzcuaro it is a day trip well worth taking.
Written August 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DanandAnn
Portland, OR111 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
Santa Clara is an excellent example of the many Mexican towns and villages that focus on a particular craft or art. In Santa Clara, its all about copper. Take a few minutes to visit the museum then hit the streets. We particularly enjoyed the shop El Viejo Almacen which across the main street from the main plaza. They have an excellent selection of practical and decorative locally produced copper products. If you ask, Olimpia can arrange for you to visit their workshop a couple of blocks away where you get an fascinating hands-on exposure to the their craftsmanship. On the same street as that workshop,you'll find another fine shop/foundry, Cobre el Porton. Craftmanship in these and other shops is impressive and prices are even lower than you could imagine. Santa Clara is a great half day trip if you're staying in Patzcuaro.
Written December 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boursay
San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico70 contributions
Jun 2013 • Couples
Santa Clara Del Cobre is a famous place in Mexico. First for copper crafting but for also being the home of famous personaje "Pito Perez". At least three movies were made about Pito Perez, you may check Youtube. From The PLaza Vasco De Quiroga in Patzcuaro we took a "combi"( 7 pesos) to la "centrale de camiones" and from there we took a bus to Santa Clara. Cost is about 17 pesos. It is a 30 minutes trip. There are also combis going every few minutes making some stops along the way. In Santa Clara we first saw the busy Sunday market and then we went to the Museo Nacional Del Cobre. There are all kinds of things made from copper, some as low as 10 pesos, some incredibly large pieces for about 15000 pesos: Plates, cooking utensils, sinks, table tops, decorative vases, souvenirs... and even antique looking bathtubs! Great craftsmanship! In the museum courtyard we saw several craftsmen pounding on a piece of copper after taking it off the fire. There are other places also where you can see how copper is handcrafted, just ask the many stores around. There are other things to see in Santa Clara Del Cobre like the colonial antique portal, the solar clock from the XVIII century, etc. Coming up August 10, 2013 through the 18 is the XLVIII Féria Nacional Del Cobre- LXVIII Concurso Nacional de Cobre Martillo. We did enjoy Santa Clara Del Cobre very much.
Written June 15, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NacidoRebelde
Guanajuato, Mexico1,236 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
We visited here while driving between Morelia and Patzcuaro. It was easy to find and easily accessible on a good paved road. We were hungry when we arrived so we had an excellent three course comida corrida at the hotel on the main square. Sitting outside enjoying the view we all had an excellent Sopa Tarasca, a good crisp green salad and then we all had a different main course, pork chops, chicken en mole and enchiladas. All meals were excellent, the price incredible, and their cafe de olla flavoured with cinnamon, vanilla and a hint of sugar was divine.
Then fortified with nourishment we went exploring for the copper the town is famous for. All around the square there are many shops selling a variety of things made from copper - even the kitchen sink - really! One shop had a model kitchen in one corner displaying almost any kitchen item you could ever need all done in copper - including the sink and drain board! I fell in love with a huge copper bathtub - but it was out of budget and too big to fit in the Cherokee. As we explored the different shops a fellow came by with a flyer inviting us to a demonstration of how they work the copper. Since it was located close by, in a shop/workshop located just up and around the corner from the main square, how could we resist?
The copper artisans showed us how they start with a lump of copper and by firing it and hammering it several times and using different hammers they turn that lump of copper into a glistening copper pot. Quite fascinating. They also told us that the copper mines in the area are no longer in production so they are making all new items from recycled copper.
If you are in the area and you like copper don't miss Santa Clara del Cobre.
Then fortified with nourishment we went exploring for the copper the town is famous for. All around the square there are many shops selling a variety of things made from copper - even the kitchen sink - really! One shop had a model kitchen in one corner displaying almost any kitchen item you could ever need all done in copper - including the sink and drain board! I fell in love with a huge copper bathtub - but it was out of budget and too big to fit in the Cherokee. As we explored the different shops a fellow came by with a flyer inviting us to a demonstration of how they work the copper. Since it was located close by, in a shop/workshop located just up and around the corner from the main square, how could we resist?
The copper artisans showed us how they start with a lump of copper and by firing it and hammering it several times and using different hammers they turn that lump of copper into a glistening copper pot. Quite fascinating. They also told us that the copper mines in the area are no longer in production so they are making all new items from recycled copper.
If you are in the area and you like copper don't miss Santa Clara del Cobre.
Written May 28, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
¿cuánto tiempo necesitas para recorrer el pueblo? hay buena comida?
Written April 4, 2019
Realmente el pueblo lo puedes recorrer en pocas horas sin embargo hay lugares muy interesantes para pasar la tarde disfrutando el lugar
Si se trata de recorrerlo consideró que en 5 horas
Written April 4, 2019
How did you travel to this town? I'm thinking about flying into Mexico City and renting a car to drive there and back. Any concerns about crime?
Written November 18, 2015
I can't answer the part about driving there, but Santa Clara del Cobre is a sleepy little village and very safe. It is very close to Patzcuaro and easy to get there by cab.
Make sure that you get to see the demonstration of copper workers. The one I saw was up the side street from the copper museum. Cobre el Porton is the name of it. (they have a website) Here are the directions: The museo de cobre is on the corner of the main street and a side street. Walk up the side street away from the central square. Cross the street and go to the last copper shop on the street. The store is huge, has several rooms that will look dark but they will turn on the lights for you.
I really would suggest taking a first class bus rather than driving. They are really nice and so much easier. There are now flights to Morelia on Volaris. Great airline.
Written November 19, 2015
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