The municipality of Nahuatzen is located in the Tarascan Plateau west of Lake Pátzcuaro at an elevation between 2,300 and 3,300 metres (7,500–10,800 ft).

It borders the municipalities of Zacapu to the north, Erongarícuaro to the east, Tingambato to the south, Uruapan to the southwest, Paracho to the west, and Cherán to the northwest.

According to oral tradition, it was founded in the mid-16th century by people from the settlement of Xaracatan located about 3.5 kilometres (2.2 mi) to the southeast.

[1] The lack of economic opportunities in Nahuatzen has caused many of people to find work elsewhere in Mexico and the United States.

[20] Remittances from the United States have enabled families in Comachuén to maintain artisan traditions of embroidered textiles, woodworking and construction.