As an all-inclusive resort Getaways in Cancun, and week round parties in Puerto Vallarta no longer sounds so exciting during your fifth, or maybe sixth visit to Mexico, maybe you only have a cultural outing filled with filled with Great food and authentic mood.
Here at Travel Off Path, we like to shine a light on less well -known destinations that appear their recognition, but are often skipped by tourists in favor of the same proven hotspots. When it comes to Mexico, it’s no different.
Although it rarely makes the headlines, Morelia rises quickly in popularity At the moment, and it is high time that we have looked at some of the main reasons why:
1.5 million visitors so far this year
The capital of Michoacán, a land surrounded by land, is hundreds of kilometers away from both the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines in Central Mexico, Morelia is on the way to A record year in tourism.
It may not have the sparkling seas, the world -class hotels, and it is far from known as a bachelor destination, but Morelia Airport has so far registered 1.5 million passengers, From 1.3 registered in the whole from 2024.
That is already one 14.9 percent increase Year-on-year, and we are only in August! ‘Oh, but this should certainly be domestic Mexican travelers, because what could Morelia possibly offer if it is not even the coast?‘
That is where the no -sayers are wrong.
According to Morelia’s own municipal tourist secretary Thelma Aquique Arrieta, the regional airport is ninth in Mexico for the influx of international travelers. In the words of Arrieta itself it can ‘easily maintain’ or even surpass this peak.
So what is it about Morelia that attracts a growing number of foreigners?
There are places such as Cancun … and then there is Mexican Mexico
If we continue to tell you that culture and authenticity have become decisive factors for Americans when choosing their next destinations, they were not only unfounded suspicions.
Morelia is simply One of the best preserved colonial capitals throughout MexicoAnd that is a large part of the ‘why’. It is not often that a North -American metropolis is very similar to the old continent, and when Morelia’s huge historic center is walking, you will sometimes feel like you are in Europe:
This is not surprising, because the city was originally built by Spanish settlers and it looks strongly like their ancestral home country over the pond.
Image narrow streets paved with cobblestonesCovered with stone built buildings, Lommerrijk squareAnd a rising cathedral.
Morelia Cathedral, a baroque monument with a distinctive pink hue, is one of the most beautiful in the country, with its twin towers popping up over a picturesque Plaza de ArmasAnd a subtly cut main portal.
Beautiful colonial sights everywhere you look
That’s alone One of the many surviving structures From the colonial period spread over Morelia. In fact the whole Downtown Zone was classified in 1991 as a UNESCO world heritage site:
It is surrounded by an 18th-century aqueduct, which formally functioned as the boundaries of the municipality. With 253 arches and built from the same pink stone that the cathedral has set up, it is one of the most impressive sights of Morelia.
Vormaly a Jesuit College, now a cultural center, Palacio Clavijero Has one Fairytale-like courtyardSurrounded by arcade corridors and with a romantic fountain in the middle. The same layout can be found in the stately government palace, dating from the 18th century.
As far as the first is concerned, the most remarkable function, however, is without a doubt the collection of murals painted by Alfredo Zalce, which reflects Mexican history.
History lovers will certainly appreciate their time in Morelia, given that José María Morelos, The hero of Mexican independenceE, and a kind of patron, was born here, and his birthplace, Casa Natal de MorelosNow houses visitors.
Then there is the beautiful Templo de Santa Rosa de LimaAnother Baroque jewel with a lush interior, and Colegio de San Nicolás de Hidalgo” One of the oldest colleges in AmericaCompletely back in the 16th century.
We could continue, but you get the core of it.
Lush parks and wonderful street food
However, Morelia is not only about old buildings and museums:
Are Bosque Cuauhtémoc is possible one of the most picturesque urban parks south of the border, consisting of winding paths by lushly landscaped gardens, fountains and playgrounds.
Well -marked Mercado de San JuanYou will be one lively public market With rows in rows of stalls, where you can get everything locally, from Morelia’s nationally famous carnitas (The crispy, slowly boiled tender pork served in hot tortillas) Korundas (Triangular tamales wrapped in corn leaves).
To all our colleague -sweet devils there, you just can’t miss Mercado de Dulces Y Artesanías: As the name indicates, it combines traditional sweets and craft souvenirs, so what’s not fun? Oh, and to be honest, you didn’t really go to Morelia until you have tried them Cajetas The Celaya (Goat Milk Caramel).
Looking for an epic Mezcal-bar where you can taste ghosts with various flavored and gap on home-made food? The relaxed, no-frills Tata Mezcalalía Is the place to go. Now, if you hope for something a bit chiceter for a dinner, look no further than La Curciración the 1809.
It has the historic environment, the regional cuisine, the beautiful presentations (and the best Sopa Tarasca In the city), and it just taps every box.
How safe is Morelia?
We know how important safety is for Americans traveling in Mexico, such as There is a lot of wrong display Online and travel advice can sometimes worsen local risks, so here is the truth about Morelia:
The US Department of Foreign Affairs advises against all essential trips to the state of Michoacán, but There is nuance here.
Although the real gang activity and crime occur more often in Michoacán than other Mexican states, in particular Yucatán and Campeche, the city of Morelia itself is considered ‘on the safer side’ by travelers.
You should always take it with a grain of salt, but first hand seen on the basis of countless bills Reddit -Threads” Tourists generally feel safe in Morelia Despite The security warnings, as long as they ‘do not push their happiness’.
A traveler who spent two weeks in Michoacán, including Morelia, wrote to others that things are going well with each other and advised them to ‘just do it obviously’: stay in tourist areas, wear expensive articles and free up zones where crime is higher.
In general, the historic center is generally familiar, with an expat that lives in the heart of the center ‘terribly Certainly. ‘ This may not stop for other areas, but again, it is not as if tourists have things in decline zones of Villas del Pedregal or Eduardo Ruiz.
Fly Non -Stop to Morelia from the US
Oh, and as you could see from the title of this article, if Morelia caught your attention, You can fly directly from a number of American airportsWith return rates starting from just $ 113:
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