Mérida (Yucatán)

By Liza Prado & Gary Chandler

HEAVENLY BODY: Church in Morelia (Bruce Herman/courtesy, Mexico Tourism)

Morelia is named after José María Morelos, a hero of the war for independence. It is an elegant, almost majestic place, with wide boulevards, baroque architecture, and an imposing cathedral. Its historical center is easily explored on foot, and with several museums and monthly events, Morelia's cultural outlets are easily accessible, too. For a tasty treat, head to the daily Mercado de Dulces (Candy Market), where countless sweets of all different flavors are sold—cajeta (caramelized goat milk) is truly a dream.

Inside Tip: Every November to March, one hundred million monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico from the United States and Canada. They can be seen in the Santuario de Mariposas El Rosario (El Rosario Butterfly Sanctuary), just 70 miles from Morelia—an easy, worthwhile day trip.

Liza Prado and Gary Chandler are the authors of numerous guidebooks to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, including Yucatán Peninsula and Cancún & Cozumel , both published by Moon Handbooks.

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Last Updated: 15 Sep 2010
Published: 12 Jan 2007
The details, dates, and prices mentioned in this article were accurate at the time of publication.