Morelia

Morelia, founded in 1541 as Valladolid, is a colonial gem built in pink quarry stone that gives it a unique appearance. Its Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, houses the majestic Cathedral with its 66-meter towers and the 253-arch 18th-century aqueduct. The city is the cradle of Mexico's independence movement and home to the Morelia International Film Festival. From here, you can access the monarch butterfly sanctuaries in the oyamel forests and Lake Pátzcuaro with Janitzio island.

📍 Michoacán

💰 $700-$1,800/day

🌤️ November to March for monarch butterflies and dry weather. October for the International Film Festival. Avoid June-September due to rain.

What to see & do

✦Morelia Cathedral with its pink quarry stone baroque facade and spectacular nighttime lighting
✦253-arch aqueduct, the city's iconic symbol since the 18th century
✦Monarch butterfly sanctuaries at Sierra Chincua and El Rosario (November-March)
✦Day trip to Lake Pátzcuaro and Janitzio island with its monumental Morelos statue
✦Conservatorio de las Rosas, the oldest music school in the Americas (1743)