Hotel courtyard in Pátzcuaro, Mexico

A tree and a large bush grow from a stone courtyard. Tiled floors decorate the paths bordering the courtyard. The building surrounding the courtyard has whitewashed walls indicating the building dates from the colonial period.Many hotels in Latin America are garden hotels, or posadas. These often have central courtyards that abound in trees and other plants, even if the hotels are in the middle of large cities.
Pátzcuaro is a small town in the highlands of Mexico in the state of Michoacán. The town predates the arrival of the Spaniards; the Purepecha people have lived in the area since at least 1324. Conquistadors claimed the area for Spain in 1540. The town is well-known for its indigenous heritage, expressed through traditional dances and handcrafted goods.