Major city · Mexico
Quiroga
Base in Pátzcuaro and come to Quiroga for the carnitas and the market: 3–4 hours, or one night if you want the Tuesday tianguis.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Oct–Apr (dry, clear)
- avoid Jun–Sep (rain), Easter week and Day of the Dead (crowds, full beds)
- Airport
- MLM
- Nights
- 0–1
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.
Quiroga is a working market town on the south shore of Lake Pátzcuaro, about 15,000 people and 70 km west of Morelia. It is not a sightseeing town: the draw is carnitas, the daily tianguis and the craft shops that supply the whole lake region. Most travellers see it as a half-day from Pátzcuaro; a night here only makes sense if you want market morning without a bus.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Quiroga, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyQuiroga is a small, busy market town and feels calm by day.
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10.Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 All emergencies · 078 Tourist assistance (national) · 078 Green Angels roadside help
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMLM Morelia International (General Francisco Mujica) (Closest airport with scheduled flights; about 70 km, roughly 1 h by car or bus via Morelia).MLM Morelia International (General Francisco Mujica) (Closest airport with scheduled flights; about 43 mi, roughly 1 h by car or bus via Morelia).
- Getting aroundWalk.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeM$30–60 (≈ US$2–4)
- Street or quick mealCopper or woven craft from a market stallM$150–1,500 (≈ US$9–85)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi in townM$50–80 (≈ US$3–5)
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomMX$900 (≈ US$50)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomMX$950 (≈ US$55)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomMX$1,800 (≈ US$100)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$700 (≈ US$40) · Mid MX$1,300 (≈ US$75) · 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 →
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.
- Airports
- MLM Morelia International (General Francisco Mujica) (Closest airport with scheduled flights; about 70 km, roughly 1 h by car or bus via Morelia)MLM Morelia International (General Francisco Mujica) (Closest airport with scheduled flights; about 43 mi, roughly 1 h by car or bus via Morelia)
Weather and climate
Quiroga: 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
22°C72°F
5°C41°F
2 rd
Feb
24°C75°F
6°C43°F
1 rd
Mar
26°C79°F
8°C46°F
1 rd
Apr
28°C82°F
10°C50°F
2 rd
May
28°C82°F
12°C54°F
6 rd
Jun
26°C79°F
13°C55°F
15 rd
Jul
24°C75°F
12°C54°F
20 rd
Aug
24°C75°F
12°C54°F
19 rd
Sep
24°C75°F
12°C54°F
15 rd
Oct
24°C75°F
10°C50°F
7 rd
Nov
23°C73°F
7°C45°F
3 rd
Dec
22°C72°F
5°C41°F
2 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk. The centre is small and flat, and the plaza, church and market are all within about 10 minutes on foot. Taxis wait at downtown sitios or your hotel can call one; they are cheap and generally safe. Buses to Pátzcuaro and Morelia leave from the town centre.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tzintzuntzán
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min
Local bus or taxi north along the lake shore
Former Purépecha capital; the Franciscan monastery and the olive trees are the reason to come.
Santa Clara del Cobre
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Bus or taxi south via MEX-120
Copper workshops where you can watch hammering; buy direct from the taller.
Pátzcuaro
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Frequent second-class bus or taxi
The lake's main base: better hotels, restaurants and onward buses.
Janitzio
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus to Pátzcuaro, then boat from the muelle
Boat plus a steep climb; go early and check the last boat back.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Flecha Amarilla direct bus, roughly hourly
Useful for the airport and for a bigger city base.
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 the plaza and Vasco de Quiroga Pte.)
Walkable to the church, the fountain plaza and the carnitas places; most hotels sit here.
Carretera Quiroga–Pátzcuaro (MEX-120)
Roadside hotels and restaurants; only useful if you have a car.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$500–900 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- Mid
- M$900–1,600 (≈ US$50–90) excl. bed
- High
- M$1,600 (≈ US$90)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × MX$950 | MX$950 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MX$1,300 | MX$2,600 |
| Carnitas plate with tortillas and salsa2 × MX$200 | MX$400 |
| Bus Morelia → Quiroga, one way2 × MX$50 | MX$100 |
| Taxi within town1 × MX$60 | MX$60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$250 | MX$500 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$461 |
| Trip total≈ MX$2,536 per person per day, bed included | MX$5,071≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in pesos; long-distance buses and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Carnitas plate (about 1/4 kg with tortillas) | M$150–250 (≈ US$9–14) |
| Sopa tarasca or a daily guisado | M$90–160 (≈ US$5–9) |
| Aguas frescas, large pitcher | M$60–120 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Coffee | M$30–60 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Bus Quiroga → Pátzcuaro | M$20–40 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi in town | M$50–80 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Copper or woven craft from a market stall | M$150–1,500 (≈ US$9–85) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Carnitas plates are heavy and served early: many places sell out or close by late afternoon.
- Market days pack the centre; keep bags in front of you and watch for pickpockets in the crush.
- Some hotels have no lift and small car parks: ask before booking if you have luggage or a car.
- Summer afternoons bring heavy rain; streets flood quickly around the plaza.
Emergency numbers
- All emergencies
- 911
- Tourist assistance (national)
- 078
- Green Angels roadside help
- 078
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
QuirogaQuiroga
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- All emergencies911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
No embassies in Quiroga; the US, UK and Canadian missions are in Mexico City, with consulates in Guadalajara and Morelia (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Morelia → Quiroga: about M$50 (≈ US$3), roughly 1 h 15 min
- Bus Quiroga → Pátzcuaro: about M$20–40 (≈ US$2–3), about 30 min
- Taxi in town: M$50–80 (≈ US$3–5)
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dees-KOOL-peh)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-syahs)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah)
- Un cuarto de carnitas, por favor — A quarter kilo of carnitas, please (oon KWAR-toh deh kar-NEE-tahs)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HAY-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la parada del camión? — Where is the bus stop? (DON-deh es-TAH la pah-RAH-dah del kah-MYON)
Cash is king at market stalls and small carnitas places; carry small notes.
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 Quiroga. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr (dry, clear) · avoid Jun–Sep (rain), Easter week and Day of the Dead (crowds, full beds) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Field-check the tianguis days and the market hours at the plaza, plus the artisan market on Berriozabal.
- Confirm carnitas closing times and whether card payment works at the main places.
- Verify bus frequency and last departure from Quiroga to Pátzcuaro and Morelia.
- Check hotel lift, parking and wifi claims before listing them as facts.