Cuernavaca

— primary source) Cuernavaca North America > Mexico > Central Mexico > Morelos > Cuernavaca Cuernavaca , City of Eternal Spring , is the capital of the Mexican state of Morelos . A popular vacation place due to its comfortable year-round climate, beautiful parks and gardens, and its convenient location within the country. This state capital comes to life on weekends, where local life is combined with the presence of the floating population that comes, mostly, from Mexico City. It's also home to many foreign people who come to learn Spanish, and most young people will have a fairly big understanding of English because of this.

Getting to Cuernavaca is fairly easy but beware the traffic in the Mexico-Cuernavaca-Acapulco tollway on Friday (from Mexico City to Cuernavaca) and Sunday afternoons (from Cuernavaca to Mexico City). Many visitors tend to travel those days and you might spend more than 2 hours on the road. Plan accordingly or choose other days for your travelling.

Buses cover most of the city and surrounding areas and cost M$8 per trip, more for longer distances. These are not particularly comfortable, but are relatively safe and regularly used by the many foreign language students in the city. Alternatively, there are many taxis which can be hailed on the street or ordered by phone or board them at base stations. There are several radio taxis and there is Uber service. Radio taxis are safer if you call (as opposed to hailing) them, as a record of your pick-up is registered by a dispatcher. Independent taxis lack this documentation and are slightly more risky. Taxis in Cuernavaca do not have meters and prices need to be arranged before getting in the taxi. Most destinations during the day will cost M$35-55. At night prices sky-rocket (double) and trying to get a taxi in the early hours of the morning will often cost substantially more. Try to get some idea of how much a trip will cost from locals beforehand. Once you get an idea of the prices you will be able to haggle and bring them down to reasonable fares. Citlali Radio Taxi , ☏ +52 777 364-6420 . Linea Turistica Cuernavaca Radio Taxi , Calle Nicolás Bravo 206, zona 1, Prados de Cuernavaca , ☏ +52 777 317 8978 . Radio Taxi Cuaunahuac , Calle Cuesta Veloz ＃71, San Cristobal , ☏ +52 777 317 0056 . Radio Taxi La Selva Miraval , Calle Melchor Ocampo S/N, Bosques del Miraval , ☏ +52 777 310 5033 . Radio Taxi Anahuac S.C. , Venustiano Carranza 1, Carolina , ☏ +52 777 317 0878 .

🌍 Cuernavaca Cathedral ( Catedral de la Asunción de María ), Miguel Hidalgo 17, Cuernavaca Centro . Beautiful colonial cathedral full of murals and paintings, many dating to the 17th century. Masses are celebrated in the main cathedral and sometimes in the open-air chapel or in side chapels. ( updated Jan 2023 ) 🌍 El Castillito . M-F 09:00-15:00 and Sa Su 10:00-16:00 . Home of the Photographic Museum of Cuernavaca . Free . ( updated Dec 2020 ) Robert Brady Museum . Tuesday-Sunday . This private museum has a large collection of primitive art in what was once the bishop's residence. There is a charge . ( updated Dec 2020 ) Papolote Children's Museum . Tu-Su 10:00-18:00 . M$60 for children, M$50 for adults . 🌍 Xochicalco ( 38 km southwest of Cuernavaca ). Daily 10:00-17:00, observatory open from 12:00 . The architecture and iconography of Xochicalco show affinities with Teotihuacan, the Maya area, and the Matlatzinca culture of the Toluca Valley. The main ceremonial center is atop an artificially leveled hill, with remains of residential structures, mostly unexcavated, on long terraces covering the slopes. The site was first occupied by 200 BC, but did not develop into an urban center until the Epiclassic period (AD 700 – 900). Nearly all the standing architecture at the site was built at this time. At its peak, the city may have had a population of up to 20,000 people. ( updated Apr 2019 ) Salto de San Anton . Waterfall Zocalo ( In the town square ). There is danzon every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday night from about 20:00 to 23:30 . There are many cafes in the area, as well as museums and souvenirs. ( updated Dec 2020 ) Borda Garden ( downtown across from the cathedral ). Open daily . This 18th-century mansion has been converted to a cultural center and botanical garden. There are regular art exhibits, concerts, and folk dances as well. Juan Soriano Museum of Contemporary Art ( Amatlan, near the main market ). Tuesday-Sunday . This museum, dedicated to the artist. Free . Parish church of Tlateltango . This 16th-century church, which served as the chapel of Hernan Cortes's first hacienda, is said to be the oldest on the American continent. There is an interesting mural outside, and there is a fair in September. 🌍 Teopanzolco archaeological site ( Zona Arqueologica Teopanzolco ), calle Río Balsas s.n., Colonia Vista Hermosa ( four blocks east of Plaza Cuernavaca. ), ☏ +1 777 3 14 12 84 , [email protected] . This is a Tlauhica and Aztec pyramid site dating to AD 1300 or earlier. It features a pyramid built on top of another pyramid, which was abandoned and forgotten during the Spanish Conquest and rediscovered in 1914. There are also several smaller ceremonial platforms. M$100 (free for Mexican residents) . ( updated Dec 2020 ) Chapultepec Park' ( in eastern Cuernavaca near Plan de Ayala and IMSS, 3 km east of downtown ). Open daily . There are crystal streams that flow into a small artificial lake. There is an exhibition hall, lush vegetation, paddle boats, a planetarium, and a petting zoo. There is a butterfly sanctuary and there are birds such as peacocks and ducks. The park is popular with joggers in the morning and families in the afternoon. small admission fee . Solidarity Park ( La Alameda ) ( Cuauhnahuac Blvd. east of the freeway ). Open daily . The park is popular with families, especially on Sundays. There is a fountain reminiscent of a pre-colonial ballpark, a large mural depicting the history of Morelos, playgrounds, soccer fields, roller skating rink, and artificial lakes with paddle boats. Parking available. Free . . San Miguel Ecological Park ( Parque Ecológico San Miguel Acapantzingo ), Av. Atlacumulco in Colonia Acapatnzingo ( 1 km southeast of the main market ), ☏ +52 777 312 3979 ext 6 . open daily, 07:00-21:00 . Built on the site of the former state penitentiary, the park features a jogging path, playground, dancing fountain, Byzantine-type mural showing the geography of the state, and a science museum with hands-on activities and workshops for children. Free. There is a small fee (M$10) to enter the museum . 🌍 Palace of Cortes ( Museo Regional Cuauhnáhuac ) ( Downtown Cuernavaca ), ☏ +52 777 312-69-96 (ext. 258102) , [email protected] . Tu-Su 09:00-18:00 . The Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes built this palace in 1533; his wife lived there, and his children were born there. Over the years, the palace has been expanded and used as a prison and a city hall. Today it is the regional museum, telling the history of the state of Morelos. There are rooms devoted to prehistoric finds, prehispanic settlements, colonial history, and the independence and revolutionary movements. There is an excellent view of downtown Cuernavaca from the second-floor balcony. In 1929-1930, Mexican muralist Diego Rivera painted the second-floor terrace. There are a souvenir store and rooms for temporary exhibitions. Guided tours in English are available, but you would be wise to call ahead. M$60 . ( updated Apr 2019 )

Cuernavaca has many local and nearby tourist attractions. Water parks are very popular and range from basic water holes such as "Las Huertas" with thermal waters, natural rivers as "Las Estacas" and large, multi-facility parks as "El Rollo" and "Six Flags Oaxtepec." You may also camp in many parks some of which feature other services such as hot baths, cabins and restaurants. About 16 km (10 miles) south of the city is Xochicalco, a large, beautiful and well-restored archeological site; other archaeological sites are in Coatetelco and Chalcatzingo . The nearby Tepozteco mountains and the village of Tepoztlan are very popular destinations for locals and tourists with attractions that include a 16th-century Dominican convent, museum, many resta [... truncated ...]

Dining in Cuernavaca features traditional Mexican cuisine alongside regional specialties of Morelos. Expect fresh, locally sourced ingredients — corn tortillas, salsas, and seasonal produce are staples. Local fondas and comedores serve hearty, affordable meals. Regional dishes may include local variations of moles, tamales, barbacoa, or seafood depending on the area's culinary traditions.

Local cantinas and bars in Cuernavaca serve Mexican beer, mezcal, tequila, and aguas frescas. Mexico has a vibrant craft beer scene that is growing in many regions. Pulque, a traditional fermented agave drink, may be available in central Mexico. Non-alcoholic options include excellent Mexican coffee, fresh fruit juices (jugos naturales), and horchata.

Accommodation in and around Cuernavaca ranges from budget hostales and family-run posadas to mid-range hotels and boutique properties. Options may be limited in smaller communities — advance booking is recommended, especially during peak season (December–January, Semana Santa, and local festival periods). For a wider selection of hotels, the nearest larger town or city provides additional choices.

Local shops in Cuernavaca offer everyday essentials and regional products. Look for locally made crafts, artisanal food products, and souvenirs that reflect the character of Morelos. Markets (mercados) are excellent places to find fresh produce, regional specialties, and handmade goods.

From Cuernavaca, visitors can explore other communities and natural attractions in Morelos by road. The region offers scenic drives, archaeological sites, and charming towns worth a detour. Long-distance buses connect with major cities throughout Mexico. Check highway conditions and fuel availability before setting out on longer routes.