Located in the south central part of Mexico, Morelia is a populous and modern metropolitan city which can trace its history as far back as the 1520s when the Spanish settled the area. Underneath the layers of history surrounding the city, there are plenty of modern attractions and large shopping streets to appeal to the modern tourist. Morelia was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1991, in honour of the many Spanish, P’urhépecha and Matlatzinca sites and artefacts throughout the area. The Morelia town square still contains glimpses into its Spanish colonial period, as the area is dominated by historical structures such as the Guadalupe Sanctuary and Tarascas Fountain. Morelia is ideally situated in central Mexico, and contains good transportation links to the coastal beaches and surrounding cities, such as León, Mexico City, and Guadalajara. As a cultural and historical centre in Latin America, Morelia is full of museums, cultural landmarks, and plenty of modern attractions such as outdoor activities, restaurants, and shopping malls. The city centre is packed with many structures and landmarks, and visitors with an appreciation of history will enjoy the likes of the Government Palace, Santa Rosa de Lima, and the Palace of Justice. There are plenty of locations throughout Morelia which will appeal to all, including local market stalls, restaurants serving up Latin cuisine, and niche boutiques. Adventurous visitors will no doubt delight in all that Morelia has to offer, such as horseback riding at Club Hipico de Morelia, or a football match at the Monarcas Morelia Soccer Club.
Morelia has an extensive transport infrastructure, including rail, bus and taxis. Many of the shopping areas and historical sites are within walking distance of each other. An intercity bus and railway service connects to Mexico City and event locations throughout Texas and Florida.
International arrivals will land at General Francisco J. Mujica International Airport, a mere 22 miles (35 km) away from the city. There are airport taxis operating on a fixed price. Shuttle services operate a regular service and are much cheaper than a taxi. There are also car rentals available, and highway 120 connects the airport to the city directly.