Morelos is one of Mexico's smallest states, a warm, low-lying pocket tucked just south of Mexico City across the mountains, long nicknamed the 'Land of Eternal Spring' for its mild year-round climate. The state holds the UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site of Xochicalco, the pueblo mágico of Tepoztlán beneath the sacred El Tepozteco pyramid, the state capital Cuernavaca with its Palacio de Cortés and Diego Rivera murals, and Cuautla, where Emiliano Zapata is buried and where the Mexican Revolution's agrarian roots run deepest.
Local currency: Mexican Peso (MXN).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Morelos.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- MX$220-400 ($12.95-23.60)
- Budget
- MX$400-800 ($23.60-47.20)
- Midrange
- MX$900-2,100 ($53.10-123.90)
- Luxury
- MX$3,000-8,000+ ($177.05-472.20+)
Food
- Street
- MX$18-55 ($1.05-3.25)
- Local
- MX$80-160 ($4.75-9.45)
- Midrange
- MX$200-450 ($11.80-26.55)
- Fine
- MX$550-1,500 ($32.45-88.50)
Transport
- Bus
- MX$8-14 ($0.45-0.85)
- Taxi
- MX$45-130 ($2.65-7.65)
- Airport
- MX$350-750 ($20.65-44.25, from Mexico City International, roughly 1.5-2 hours by road)
- Daytrip
- MX$100-550 ($5.90-32.45)
Activities
- Museum
- MX$25-70 ($1.50-4.15)
- Sites
- MX$0-95 ($0-5.60)
- Tour
- MX$350-1,000 ($20.65-59)
- Excursion
- MX$700-2,600 ($41.30-153.50)
Items
- Typical
- Hostel dorm bed (Cuernavaca or Tepoztlán), Budget hotel double room, Mid-range hotel double room (Cuernavaca center or Tepoztlán), Street taco (3 pieces), Comida corrida set lunch, Sit-down dinner for one in Cuernavaca or Tepoztlán, City bus fare (Cuernavaca or Cuautla), Local taxi across Cuernavaca or Tepoztlán center, Xochicalco archaeological zone admission, El Rollo or Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Oaxtepec water park admission, Tepoztlán market handicraft or textile piece (small), Tepozteco pyramid hike guide fee (optional, shared group), Bottled water 1.5L, Local beer
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Morelos costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
Daily total MX$650-950 ($38.40-56.05), Description Budget hotels or hostels in Cuernavaca's center or Tepoztlán, mercado comedores and taco stands, local buses, and free plazas, churches, and viewpoints
Mid Range traveller
Daily total MX$1,700-2,700 ($100.35-159.30), Description 3-star hotels in Cuernavaca or Tepoztlán, sit-down restaurant meals, pre-booked transfers for day trips, and a guided excursion to Xochicalco or a water park day at El Rollo or Oaxtepec
Luxury traveller
Daily total MX$4,400-11,000+ ($259.75-649.45+), Description Boutique haciendas and spa hotels in Cuernavaca or Tepoztlán, private drivers for day trips, and fine dining featuring regional Morelense cuisine
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Base in Cuernavaca's center, where hotels, food, and local transport are noticeably cheaper than a Tepoztlán weekend-getaway stay
Eat comida corrida (fixed lunch menu) at mercados and local fondas for the cheapest hot meals in Cuernavaca and Cuautla
Visit Cuernavaca's zocalo, Cuernavaca Cathedral's exterior, and Tepoztlán's plazas and church atrium, all of which cost nothing or very little to enjoy
Take the local bus or combi between Cuernavaca, Tepoztlán, and Cuautla rather than a private transfer, since the fare difference is substantial for short regional hops
Buy Tepoztlán's textiles, mezcal, and handicrafts directly from the Sunday market or workshop showrooms rather than Mexico City gift shops for better prices and selection
Visit Xochicalco independently by combi or local bus rather than a private tour when traveling alone or in a small group, since the archaeological zone is compact and well signposted for self-guided visits
Buy Xochicalco or Tepozteco entry on a Sunday if traveling with Mexican citizens or residents, when several sites offer free admission for nationals
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Wandering Cuernavaca's zocalo (Plaza de Armas) and admiring the exterior of Cuernavaca Cathedral, one of the oldest cathedrals in the Americas
Browsing Tepoztlán's Sunday market for textiles, mezcal, and regional crafts without any obligation to buy
Walking Tepoztlán's cobblestone streets and the atrium of the Ex-Convento de la Natividad, a UNESCO World Heritage monastery
Watching the sunset from Tepoztlán's town center with views of the dramatic Tepozteco cliffs above
Exploring Cuernavaca's Palacio de Cortes exterior and the surrounding Plaza de Armas arcades
Strolling the grounds around Oaxtepec's spa town, known historically for its Aztec-era healing gardens, before or after a paid water-park visit
Hiking the lower approach trail toward the Tepozteco pyramid before the paid entry gate, a scenic stretch through pine and oak forest