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Major city · Mexico

UruapanUruapan del Progreso

Give Uruapan 2 nights: one full day for the Cupatitzio canyon park and the centre, one for the Tzararacua falls or the markets. Skip it as a base.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Uruapan is Michoacán's second city and the hub of Mexico's avocado belt, 110 km southwest of Morelia on the MEX 14D motorway. Travellers come for one thing above all: the Barranca de Cupatitzio national park, where springs break out of the ground inside the city and run through a wooded canyon. The colonial centre is small and walkable, the food market is one of the best in the state, and the surrounding Purépecha villages and the Paricutín volcano are within reach. Two nights covers it; three if you want the volcano.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
MXN
Best months
Nov–Apr (dry, mild)
avoid Jun–Sep (rain), Holy Week (crowds and full hotels)
Airports
UPN · MLM
Nights
2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
  • Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
  • Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
  • Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Uruapan911 ▾
  • All emergencies911
  • Tourist assistance (Ángeles Verdes / SECTUR)078

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Uruapan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee at a centre caféM$35–60
  • BeerBeer in a bar / from a shopM$50–80M$25–40
  • Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi across the centreM$60–100
  • Budget bedHostel or budget room, a night, per personMX$250 (≈ US$14)
  • Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomMX$1,100 (≈ US$60)
  • High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomMX$1,800 (≈ US$100)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$600 (≈ US$35) · Mid MX$1,200 (≈ US$65) · High MX$2,500 (≈ US$140)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Parque Nacional Barranca de CupatitzioAvocado orchards and packing housesPalm Sunday handcraft marketPurépecha food: corundas, churipo, uchepos
Airports
UPN Uruapan International Airport (Very small; about 1 daily Volaris flight from Tijuana. Most travellers arrive by bus or car from Morelia.) · MLM Morelia International Airport (The practical gateway: about 2 h by road to Uruapan.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    29°C (84°F)

  4. Apr

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    31°C (88°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    28°C (82°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    27°C (81°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    27°C (81°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    27°C (81°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    27°C (81°F)

  11. Nov

    Best

    27°C (81°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →

Warmest Apr (31°C (88°F)), coolest Jan (8°C (46°F) low), wettest Jul (20 rain days), driest Feb (1). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Uruapan: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

26°C (79°F)

8°C (46°F)

2 rd

Feb

27°C (81°F)

9°C (48°F)

1 rd

Mar

29°C (84°F)

11°C (52°F)

1 rd

Apr

31°C (88°F)

13°C (55°F)

2 rd

May

31°C (88°F)

15°C (59°F)

6 rd

Jun

28°C (82°F)

16°C (61°F)

16 rd

Jul

27°C (81°F)

15°C (59°F)

20 rd

Aug

27°C (81°F)

15°C (59°F)

19 rd

Sep

27°C (81°F)

15°C (59°F)

16 rd

Oct

27°C (81°F)

13°C (55°F)

8 rd

Nov

27°C (81°F)

10°C (50°F)

3 rd

Dec

26°C (79°F)

8°C (46°F)

2 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

The centre is walkable. Taxis are plentiful and Uber works and is usually cheaper; ask your hotel to call a taxi if you prefer. Combis run to nearby villages such as Tingambato and Puruarán. For the falls, the Paricutín area or Pátzcuaro you need a car, a taxi by the hour or a bus.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Parque Nacional Barranca de Cupatitzio

go

Door to door: Half a day

Walk from the centre, about 20–25 min west along Calzada de la Rodilla del Diablo

The reason to come. Springs, fountains and a clear stream in a wooded canyon; go early for cool air and fewer people.

Tzararacua falls

go

Door to door: 3–4 h

Taxi or combi toward the MEX 37, then a 3 km (1.9 mi) walk with a 500 m descent

60 m waterfall. Entry M$40. Horses and ziplines on site; agree prices before you start.

Paricutín volcano and San Juan Nuevo

overnight

Door to door: Full day

Car or taxi by the hour via the MEX 37, about 1 h to Angahuan, then a guide and horse

The church buried by lava at San Juan Parangaricutiro is the draw. Too long and too rough for a rushed return day.

Pátzcuaro

go

Door to door: 2 h

Bus from the Uruapan bus station, about 1 h 30 min

Colonial lake town with a strong market and Day of the Dead traditions; works as a day trip or a one-night stop.

Morelia

go

Door to door: 2 h

Parhikuni bus, about 1 h 45 min, or car on the MEX 14D

State capital with the best colonial architecture in Michoacán; a good pairing with Uruapan.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Centro (around Plaza de Mártires)

Walk to the plaza, the Huatápera museum and the food market; best for a short stay without a car.

Near the national park entrance

Quieter, greener, 10–15 min walk from the centre; good if the park is your main reason for coming.

Carretera Uruapan–Pátzcuaro (bus station area)

Only useful for a late arrival or an early bus out; nothing to see on foot.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
M$600–1,000 excl. bed
Mid
M$1,000–1,800 excl. bed
High
M$1,800+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × MX$1,100MX$2,200
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × MX$1,200MX$4,800
Barranca de Cupatitzio park entry2 × MX$50MX$100
Tzararacua falls entry2 × MX$40MX$80
Taxi across the city1 × MX$80MX$80
eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$300MX$600
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeMX$786
Trip total≈ MX$2,162 per person per day, bed includedMX$8,646≈ US$500

2026 estimate in pesos; long-distance buses and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee at a centre caféM$35–60
Corundas or uchepos from a market standM$30–60
Menú del día (soup, main, drink)M$120–200
Churipo or carnitas plate in a mid-range restaurantM$180–320
Beer in a bar / from a shopM$50–80 / M$25–40
Taxi across the centreM$60–100
Bus Uruapan → Morelia, ParhikuniM$220–300

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Uruapan itself is a working city, not a resort: the centre and the park are fine by day, but Michoacán has areas of cartel activity, so travel on the motorways by day, avoid isolated roads at night, and check local advice before heading into the sierra.
  • Michoacán has areas with organised-crime activity; stick to the city, the main motorways and the tourist villages, and travel by day.
  • The water at Tzararacua falls is not clean enough to swim in.
  • The falls involve a 3 km (1.9 mi) walk with a 500 m descent by stairs; horses are offered, agree the price first.
  • Holy Week fills every hotel in town for the Palm Sunday market; book weeks ahead.
  • Afternoon rain from June to September; carry a light rain jacket.

Emergency numbers

All emergencies
911
Tourist assistance (Ángeles Verdes / SECTUR)
078

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

UruapanUruapan del Progreso

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please

Emergency

  • All emergencies911
  • Tourist assistance078

Embassy

No embassies in Uruapan; the US, UK and Canadian missions are in Mexico City, with consulates in Guadalajara and Morelia (check).

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Bus Uruapan → Morelia: about 1 h 45 min, from about M$220 (2022 fare; expect more in 2026)
  • Bus Uruapan → Pátzcuaro: about 1 h 30 min, from about M$85 (2022 fare; expect more in 2026)
  • Taxi across the centre: M$60–100

Say or show

  • ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-to KWES-ta)
  • La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
  • ¿Dónde está el mercado? — Where is the market? (DON-de es-TA el mer-KA-do)
  • Dos boletos, por favor — Two tickets, please (dos bo-LE-tos por fa-VOR)
  • ¿Es seguro caminar por ahí? — Is it safe to walk there? (es se-GU-ro ka-mi-NAR por a-EE)
  • Sin picante, por favor — I don't want spicy (sin pi-KAN-te por fa-VOR)

Tipping: 10–15% in restaurants; MXN 20–50 for porters and guides.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Uruapan. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Nov–Apr (dry, mild) · avoid Jun–Sep (rain), Holy Week (crowds and full hotels) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for UPN: the single daily Volaris rotation, taxi fallback and a Morelia-by-road alternative.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Plaza de Mártires, the Huatápera and the food market, the park entrance, the bus station.
  3. Place pages with verified cutoffs (Barranca de Cupatitzio, Tzararacua, La Huatápera, Fábrica San Pedro) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Holy Week and avocado-season fixtures so the Palm Sunday market and the November–December Avocado Festival can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Mexico

Sources