Its main headwaters are in Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park, in Uruapan, Michoacán. Near its source are two waterfalls, the larger Tzararacua and the smaller Tzararacuita (little Tzararacua).
After flowing some distance in the highlands ("Altiplano") of western-central Michoacan state, the river takes a course mainly towards the south.
It drains into the Balsas River which, in turn, empties into the Pacific Ocean.
