Morelia to Uruapan: 5 Best Ways to Travel [2024]

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Wondering how to get from Morelia to Uruapan?

Most people would immediately think of renting a car or taking the bus, but there are actually several options available to you.

The best way for you will depend on your budget, how long you’d like to spend in Uruapan, and what you’re planning to do while you’re there.

I’ve set out below a comprehensive guide that has helped loads of people find out how to get from Morelia to Uruapan simply and safely in five fantastic different ways.

Ready to go? Let’s get right into it.

How to Get From Morelia to Uruapan

Why Should You Visit Morelia?

Morelia is a large city of over one million people and is the capital of the state of Michoacán, Mexico. It was founded in 1542 and is known for having some of the most beautiful colonial architecture in Mexico.

Its architectural beauty comes at least in part from the very distinctive rose-colored stone called cantera used in many of its buildings. The pink stone was quarried locally and was easily cut and shaped, and historically it was often used as a building material in the city as a result.

The imposing Morelia Cathedral is the best example of both the colonial architecture and the beauty of the cantera stone. The cathedral was constructed during the late 16th and early 17th centuries and is a wonderful example of the Spanish baroque architectural style.

Another beautiful example of architecture in the city is the 18th century Morelia aqueduct. It runs for over a mile through the historic center and features 253 graceful arches and two square tower-like structures known as “water boxes”.

Beyond its architectural beauty, Morelia is also known as the food capital of Michoacán. Typical dishes that you can find in Morelia include uchepos, a type of very sweet, creamy tamales; corundas, which are cheesy triangular tamales; and gazpacho, which is a wild combination of chopped fruit, cheese and chili.

And if you want to explore a little farther afield, some of Michoacán’s “magic towns” (pueblos mágicos) like Pátzcuaro are within easy reach and make a great day trip from the city.

Before we jump into getting from Morelia to Uruapan, let’s look at why you should consider visiting Uruapan in the first place.

How to Get From Morelia to Uruapan

Why Should You Visit Uruapan?

Uruapan is the second-largest city in Michoacán and it’s located roughly in the center of the state, around 65 miles south-west of Morelia. The word Uruapan derives from a Purépecha word meaning something approximating “flowering and fruiting plants”.

The city is a major distribution center in the agricultural heartland of Michoacán. Although it isn’t as well-known as many other Mexican states, Michoacán is a major food producer in Mexico. In fact, in 2022, 73% of avocados produced in Mexico were produced in Michoacán, a staggering 1.8 million metric tonnes. To put that in perspective, around 80% of all avocados consumed in the United States are imported from Michoacán.

Part of the reason that agriculture is so successful in the state is because of the richness of the volcanic soil in the region. The area remains volcanically active, and the Parícutin volcano, which is only 30 miles away from Uruapan, is a great example.

In 1943, a farmer noticed that a hole in one of his cornfields had begun to smoke and the ground had begun to shake. Within 24 hours, a volcanic cone 180 feet high had developed and within a week, it was 500 feet high. The volcano continued to erupt periodically for over nine years before becoming dormant.

But there’s more to Uruapan than volcanoes, and within the city, there are a few different things to see and do. Uruapan is well-known in Mexico for its beautiful national park, Barranca del Cupatitzio. It’s the second-most visited in the whole of Mexico and is situated along the river Cupatitzio with several waterfalls and beautiful stone riverside pathways.

The city also claims to be home to the narrowest house in the world, although this is no longer the case according to Guinness Book of Records. In any event, it’s a quirky shoebox-sized 4.6 ft by 25.2 ft and you can take a tour for 20 Mexican pesos.

And the city is also home to La Huatápera, the first hospital for Indians in Latin America, which was constructed in 1533 as a beautiful courtyard colonial building. It now serves as a museum and showcases handcrafts in respect of each of Michoacán’s four main indigenous groups: the Purépecha, Nahua, Mazahua and Otomí.

Best of all, the town is only 65 miles from Morelia, so you can easily visit it as a day-trip if you don’t want to spend the night.

So let’s look at how to get from Morelia to Uruapan and the different options available to you.

How to Get From Morelia to Uruapan

1. Rental Car To Uruapan

Renting a car to go from Morelia to Uruapan is a great option that offers you the freedom to explore at your own pace.

There’s nothing quite like the open road.

Fast Facts: Rental Car From Morelia to Uruapan

Tip: Gas in Mexico will probably cost you around US$5 per gallon, and you’ll need about 2 to 3 gallons to get to Uruapan and back.

How Do I Find A Rental Car?

I recommend using DiscoverCars to book the best deal available ahead of your arrival.

If you’re planning on driving the car back to Morelia on the same day, then you’ll pay around US$60 per day plus gas. The price increases to about US$75 plus gas if you decided to spend the night in Uruapan and drive it back the next day.

What Is The Best Route From Morelia to Uruapan?

The route from Morelia to Uruapan starts by taking highway 14 south-west out of the city.

After about 25 miles, highway 14 becomes 14D and you’ll follow that for the next 40 miles to Uruapan.

What’s Great About Driving to Uruapan?

There are some great advantages to renting a car and driving to Uruapan.

1. Freedom

Of all of the options, driving literally and figuratively puts you in the driver’s seat.

You get to choose every aspect of your journey, from departure time to the speed you travel to how often and where you stop.

2. Privacy

One of the best things about driving is that you don’t have to share your journey unless you want to.

If you’re traveling as a family, driving also means that you can have your familial privacy whilst you travel.

3. Convenience

Driving is the ultimate convenience. All you’ll need to do is book the car and pick it up whenever you’re ready to go.

This is particularly helpful if you have a family and it might take a little longer than expected to get everyone ready.

FAQs: Rental Car From Morelia to Uruapan

We’ve set out below some frequently asked questions and answers about how to get from Morelia to Uruapan by rental car.

How Much Does It Cost To Drive From Morelia to Uruapan?

If you’re planning on driving the car back to Morelia on the same day, then you’ll pay around US$60 per day plus gas. If you spend the night in Uruapan, the price increases to about US$75 plus gas.

Most providers don’t charge you per mile travelled, but make sure you check before you sign on the dotted line.

What is the Route From Morelia to Uruapan?

The route from Morelia to Uruapan follows highway 14 south-west for around 25 miles before it becomes highway 14D a few miles outside of Pátzcuaro.

After that, you’ll follow 14D for the next 40 miles into Uruapan.

What is the Travel Time?

You’ll be driving for around 1 hour 30 minutes, assuming you drive straight through without stopping.

What is the Distance From Morelia to Uruapan?

The total distance is approximately 67 miles (102 km) from Morelia to Uruapan.

Where Do I Rent A Car In Morelia?

There are several places in Morelia where you can rent a car, including on Guillermo Prieto in the historic center and at Morelia International Airport.

Are The Rental Cars Comfortable?

The short answer is yes, you will be able to rent a comfortable modern vehicle in Morelia. However, the level of luxury that you enjoy depends very much on your budget.

The car rental providers in Morelia have a range of vehicles that you can choose from, ranging from compacts up to luxury limousines.

Is It Safe To Travel By Car?

Yes, it is safe to travel by car provided you take basis precautions such as wearing your seatbelts, traveling with the doors locked and not driving unsafely.

What do I need to rent a car?

You’ll need to be at least 21 years old and you’ll need to have held your driver’s licence for at least a year before you rent a car.

You’ll also need to bring a credit card in your own name and your passport.

Will I have Any Liability?

If you book through DiscoverCars, the deductible on the included insurance is usually zero for damages to bodywork from a collision.

However, sometimes not all parts of the car are covered, so check the terms of the policy before you book and consider upgrading the insurance package for greater peace of mind.

How to Get From Morelia to Uruapan

2. Bus To Uruapan

If you can’t or don’t want to fly and don’t want to drive yourself from Morelia to Uruapan, the bus is a great option for you.

Fast Facts: Bus From Morelia to Uruapan

Where Can I Book A Bus From Morelia to Uruapan?

The biggest providers of bus routes from Morelia to Uruapan are Futura, Elite Select and Parhikuni.

Tip: there’s no WiFi in the bus, so download anything you need at the hotel. You might also want to bring a neck pillow to help you sleep and Benadryl or Dramamine if you get carsick.

What’s Great About Taking The Bus?

Okay, so it’s not a private jet and never will be. Still, there are some positives to taking the bus.

1. The Bus Is Cheaper

Taking the bus will usually work out to be one of the cheapest options.

It’s definitely the best choice if you’re working with a tight budget.

2. quick Journey

In light of the short distance that you need to travel, the travel time won’t be much slower than if you took a rental car.

The rental car will be a little quicker, but the difference isn’t really all that great.

3. Local Experience

The bus is the most authentic Mexican method of travel, used by Mexicans all across the country.

If you’re looking to try to get the local experience, taking the bus is the way to do it.

FAQs: Taking The Bus From Morelia to Uruapan

I’ve set out below some frequently asked questions and answers about how to get from Morelia to Uruapan by bus.

How Much Is The Bus From Morelia to Uruapan?

A round trip on the bus starts at around 240 Mexican pesos (US$14) per person per trip.

Which Buses Run From Morelia to Uruapan?

The biggest providers of bus routes from Morelia to Uruapan are Futura, Elite Select and Parhikuni.

Is There a direct Bus from Morelia to Uruapan?

Yes, there is a bus service that can take you the whole way from Morelia to Uruapan without a stop in between.

What is the Travel Time?

Travel time is just over 1 hour 40 minutes, depending on the time of day you’re traveling.

What is the Distance From Morelia to Uruapan?

The bus route is approximately 67 miles (102 km) long.

Which Bus Stations Do I Use?

In Morelia, the pick-up point is Terminal de Autobuses Morelia, just a few miles south-east of the historic center.

In Uruapan, the drop-off point is Central de Autobuses de Uruapan, just to the north of the historic center.

Are The Buses Comfortable?

The buses are modern and air-conditioned, and the seats are comfortable semi-recliners.

There is no WiFi, though, so download everything you need before you leave the hotel.

Is It Safe To Travel By Bus?

You will be perfectly safe provided you take basic precautions.

Most importantly, keep your belongings with you at all times and keep your valuables out of sight.

How to Get From Morelia to Uruapan

3. Carshare To Uruapan

Another option you can use to get from Morelia to Uruapan is a carshare.

Car-sharing is very popular on the Morelia to Uruapan route and it’s a great cheap way to travel while getting to know new people.

Fast Facts: Carshare From Morelia to Uruapan

Where Can You Book A Carshare From Morelia to Uruapan?

The easiest way to find a reputable carshare service is on BlaBlaCar.

There are different options available and you can choose a ride with a verified driver with lots of positive reviews.

What’s Great About A Carshare?

Although you won’t be able to take full control like you could with a rental car, there are some benefits of using a carshare rather than driving yourself.

1. Cheap Way to Travel

Car-sharing is often much cheaper than any other option.

Similar to Uber, the car-sharing model is unregulated and costs are lower than the taxi as a result.

2. Easy to Organize

Arranging a car-share is very easy through online platforms like BlaBlaCar.

You’ll be able to see the pick-up and drop-off points at the time of booking and you’ll then pay when you’re picked up.

3. No Responsibility for the Vehicle

Similar to the other options where you’re being chauffeured, you won’t be responsible for what happens to the car while you’re on the road.

You’ll only be responsible for paying the agreed price and your liability ends there.

FAQs: Carshare From Morelia to Uruapan

We’ve set out below some frequently asked questions and answers about how to get from Morelia to Uruapan by carshare.

How Much Does It Cost To Drive From Morelia to Uruapan?

A carshare starts at around 100 Mexican pesos (US$6) per trip for one person.

Most services cap the number of passengers, so make sure you check this before you book.

What is the Route From Morelia to Uruapan?

The route from Morelia to Uruapan using a carshare will follow the same route as you would take if you rented a car.

What is the Travel Time?

You’ll be driving for around 1 hour 30 minutes.

What is the Distance From Morelia to Uruapan?

The total distance is approximately 67 miles (102 km).

Are The Carshare Cars Comfortable?

Drivers with good reviews will have comfortable vehicles. Contact the driver ahead of agreeing to a carshare ride to confirm.

Is It Safe To Travel By Carshare?

Yes, but you should be aware that some people may try to use the platforms to run scams.

You should be able to easily avoid this by choosing drivers who have verified profiles and lots of positive reviews.

How to Get From Morelia to Uruapan

4. Travel To Uruapan With A Tour

If you’re only intending to visit Uruapan for the day, you could book a tour rather than booking your own transport.

For day-trippers, this is a great way to outsource the trip-planning.

Fast Facts: Tour From Morelia to Uruapan

Where Can I Book A Tour To Uruapan?

There are a few different sites that you can take a look at to book a tour.

I recommend checking out Viator, which has a few different tours from Morelia to Uruapan.

What’s Great About doing a Tour?

If you’re only planning on doing a day-trip to Uruapan, there are a few great reasons that you should consider doing a tour.

1. No Planning Required

I think the best thing about booking a tour is that you don’t need to worry about planning the trip, the transport and the destinations. All of that is done for you by the tour organizers.

You can think of part of the price of the tour as an exchange for saving all that time in planning.

2. Focus On Enjoying The Trip

If you go with a tour, you can let go of the wheel and just enjoy the trip.

That’s particularly helpful when you’re traveling with your family or with a group and you’d rather not be distracted.

3. Local Knowledge

Another benefit of having a tour take you to Uruapan is that you’ll visit places that you might have missed if you’d planned your own trip.

That inside knowledge can be priceless if you end up having an amazing experience.

How to Get From Morelia to Uruapan

FAQs: Tours to Uruapan

If you still have questions about taking a tour from Morelia to Uruapan, take a look at the FAQs and responses below.

How Much Is A Tour From Morelia to Uruapan?

Tours vary in price but start at around US$105 per person.

What is the Travel Time?

The tours are full-day tours that start early in the morning and you’ll be dropped off back at your hotel in the evening.

How Do I find Tours?

Check out sites like Viator, which has a few different tours from Morelia to Uruapan and its surrounds.

Is It Safe To Book A Tour In Uruapan?

Yes, platforms like Viator carefully check each of the guides advertising on their sites to ensure that they are appropriately licensed.

How to Get From MOrelia to Uruapan

5. Taxi To Uruapan

Another option to mention is the good old taxi.

There are better options available, but if you’re in a hurry or you haven’t had time to plan, they’re a great option.

Fast Facts: Taxi From Morelia to Uruapan

Tip: Make sure that you agree the price with the driver before setting off so that there are no misunderstandings.

Where Can You Book A Taxi From Morelia to Uruapan?

If you want to book a taxi, you’d ideally try to find a reliable driver. The simplest way to do that is to get a recommendation from your hotel.

If you don’t get a recommendation, you can also hire a taxi from the street. In either case, make sure that you agree the fare before you set off.

How to Get From Morelia to Uruapan

FAQs: Taxi From Morelia to Uruapan

We’ve set out below some frequently asked questions and answers about how to get from Morelia to Uruapan by taxi.

How Much Does It Cost To Drive From Morelia to Uruapan?

You’ll need to negotiate your fare, and you should always do this upfront.

You can expect to pay around US$70 to US$90, depending on how much the driver wants the fare.

What is the Route From Morelia to Uruapan?

The route from Morelia to Uruapan should be the same as you would take if you rented a car or booked a carshare.

However, you should confirm the route with the driver before you set off.

What is the Travel Time?

You’ll be driving for around 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on how often you want to stop.

What is the Distance From Morelia to Uruapan?

The total distance is approximately 67 miles (102 km).

Are The Taxis Comfortable?

Yes, you’ll be able to rent a comfortable taxi for the hour-long journey to Uruapan.

Is It Safe To Travel By Taxi?

In all likelihood, you will be safe enough traveling by taxi from Morelia to Uruapan. This is particularly the case if you are traveling in a group.

How to Get From Morelia to Uruapan

What Are The Best Things To Do In Uruapan?

There are plenty of things to do in Uruapan during a day-trip from Morelia or over a weekend.

Perhaps the most popular attraction is the city’s national park, the Barranca del Cupatitzio. The park is located in the west of the city and runs north to south along the Cupatitzio river, whose path has carved a ravine through the landscape. The park is full of waterfalls, many of which cascade right down the ravine walls as the river emerges from its underground spring.

A close runner-up is the Parícutin volcano, which is only 30 miles away from Uruapan. It’s a relatively new volcano, having erupted its way through a cornfield back in 1943 until it ultimately grew to have an ash cone of over 500 feet. The volcano is currently dormant, and you can visit it to admire its impressive size as well as the ruins of an old church, San Juan Parangaricutiro, that has been half-buried by the eruption.

You can also visit La Huatápera, which was constructed in 1533 in the Spanish colonial style and was at the time of construction the first hospital for Indians in Latin America. In modern times it has become a museum and showcases handcrafts of Michoacán’s four main indigenous groups, being the Purépecha, the Nahua, the Mazahua and the Otomí.

Uruapan also claims to be home to the narrowest house in the world, although this is no longer the case according to Guinness Book of Records. Whether or not the claim is true, la casa más angosta is unique and measures just 4.6 ft by 25.2 ft. You can arrange a tour for just 20 Mexican pesos (around US$1.50) per person.

Although it perhaps isn’t quite as picturesque as nearby Morelia, Uruapan is still worth a visit in its own right. It’s only 65 miles from Morelia, so you can easily visit it as a day-trip if you don’t want to spend the night.

There’s certainly enough to do to keep yourself entertained during a day trip or even if you decide to stay for a night or two.

How to Get From Morelia to Uruapan

Where Are The Best Places To Stay In Uruapan?

If you decide that you want to spend more than one day in Uruapan, the obvious question will be where do you stay?

The good news is that for a relatively small city, there are quite a lot of great options.

Within the historic center, Hotel Plaza Uruapan is a great option right opposite the Plaza Morelos, the city’s small central park area. It’s appearance is a little old-school, but it has an on-site restaurant, a bar and a gym, as well as access to various shops including a hair salon.

Another central option is Hotel Mi Solar, which is a lovely hotel decorated in traditional Mexican style with immaculate rooms and an onsite steam room and bar.

If you’re looking for a more luxurious option, Mansión del Cupatitzio is located right next to the beautiful national park in the west of the city. As its name suggests, the location is palatial with a gorgeous outdoor swimming pool as well as spacious rooms, an on-site restaurant, bar and gym facilities.

If you’re looking for a cheaper option, Hotel Los Cedros is also located just outside the city center to the west. It also boasts an outdoor pool, if not as luxurious as the pool at the Mansión del Cupatitzio.

And if you’re really looking to economize, Hostel Paricutin is a great option. It’s right in the city center and offers great value for money if you’re prepared to bunk down in a shared dormitory.

There are enough great options that you should certainly consider taking it a bit slower and staying the night, so that you don’t have to rush back to Morelia in the evening after a long day spent exploring.

How to Get From Morelia to Uruapan

When is the Best Time to Visit Uruapan?

If you live in northern latitudes, you’re probably used to four defined seasons.  However, the more equatorial parts of the world like Uruapan don’t really follow this model. 

Instead, in Uruapan, there are really only two distinctive seasons, which are a dry season and a rainy season. The dry season runs from November to the end of April with cooler days except for March and April, where the maximum temperature can reach 81.6°F (27.5°C). The rainy season runs from May through to October, which starts warm and cools off as the year progresses.

Uruapan also has an altitude of 5,367 ft (1,636 m), which is about the same height as Denver, Colorado. Its climate is a humid subtropical climate, and because of the altitude, its temperature can fluctuate daily by more than 27.8°F (15.4°C). You’ll get cold nights and warm days, with the extremes in the temperature depending on part of the season in which you’re visiting.

The dry season is the most popular time for tourists, although there are also some spikes at other times such as the end of October during the Day of the Dead festival. The greater demand during the tourist season means that prices of flights and hotels increase as well.

The rainy season typically has fewer tourists, meaning that prices are lower, so its definitely the time to travel if you’re on a budget. Most of the time, it only rains in the afternoons, so if you plan to explore in the mornings, you can still have a great trip during the rainy season. 

How to Get From Morelia to Uruapan

What Should I Pack To Go To Uruapan?

Uruapan is at a reasonably high altitude, which means that the temperature can fluctuate throughout the day.

In Uruapan, people deal with this by dressing in layers and progressively stripping layers off as the temperature increases throughout the day. What you pack for both cities depends a little on when you’re expecting to visit.

During the cooler dry season months of November to March, temperatures are cool enough that you might want a warm jacket in the evenings. At its coolest in January, the temperature in Uruapan will fall as low as 48.6°F (9.2°C) in the evenings and then get up to 72.2°F (22.3°C) during the day.

The wet season months are generally warmer. In April, which is the warmest month of the year, it gets up to 81.6°F (27.5°C) during the day and only falls to 53.8°F (12.1°C) in the evenings. You’ll still need warm clothes in the evening, but you can get away with warm jumpers rather than needing coats.

If you travel during the rainy season, you’ll want to bring a light, waterproof jacket or buy a fold-up umbrella when you arrive.  The rain isn’t usually too extreme, but you should also have a few more changes of clothes in case you get caught in a downpour.

You’ll do a lot of walking in Uruapan, so bring or buy a comfortable pair of walking shoes. A hat for protection against the sun is also a good idea if you’re visiting in the late part of the dry season or in the wet season. 

How to Get From Morelia to Uruapan

Final Thoughts

Thanks for reading, and I hope I’ve been able to help you with some ideas for traveling from Morelia to Uruapan beyond just renting a car or taking the bus.

There’s obviously nothing wrong with those options, and frankly they’re probably your best bet most of the time. But I think it’s helpful to understand the other options so that you don’t miss out on a great experience you wish you’d had.

Your options to get from Morelia to Uruapan are many, and all of them are great. Choose the one that most takes your fancy, and have an amazing time in Uruapan!