Cuernavaca, City of Eternal Spring, is the capital of the Mexican state of Morelos. It is a city of 500,000 located 52 miles (84 km) south of Mexico City.

Cathedral's side-chappel at dawn

Understand

A famous vacation place among tourists due to its comfortable year-round climate, beautiful parks and gardens, as well as 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. Be prepared for many micro-climates inside the city and surroundings, where there have been variations of up to 10°C in less than a 8 km radius; while the lower zones can have very humid weather, the northern forest area will most certainly be cold by night.

The heart of the city is the central plaza and palace. Each night of the week you can enjoy dancers, musicians, acrobats and a lot of locals who use the plaza both by day and night as a place to hang out, meet friends and be entertained by many local artists and entertainers. The square and adjacent area is full of street vendors selling everything from bead work to maize on a stick and tacos.

Get in

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.

By car

• Take the Mexico-Acapulco expressway south from Mexico City for an hour and a half to two hours from the international airport. The toll road costs MX$103 (pesos) or there is a free road which is very well maintained and is primarily single-laned. Normally it takes 20 minutes more traveling by this route.

By bus

• Several bus companies operate routes to Cuernavaca. Buses run from Mexico City's Terminal de Autobuses del Sur, near Taxqueña metro station, limited runs operate from Terminal de Autobuses del Norte bus station and from Mexico City Airport´s both terminals (Pullman de Morelos to Casino de la Selva Terminal in Cuernavaca). It is also possible to catch a bus 1 Km before the toll plaza at the south on the Highway to Cuernavaca. Buses run on average every 20 minutes and tickets cost around M$130 or M$235 from the airport. Pullman de Morelos runs the most frequent routes. Buses are modern and safe and come equipped with air conditioning, toilets, and a movie during the trip. When there is no traffic the trip takes around 75 minutes from Terminal de Autobuses del Sur, or about 2 hours from the airport. Once within Cuernavaca, the bus will drop you off in a few places along the route, except the one from the airport that is non-stop, It's called Ejecutivo Dorado.

By plane

There are no regularly-scheduled passenger flights to the Cuernavaca Airport in Temixco. The nearest airport is in Mexico City.

Get around

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 between M$35 and $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 and 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, 62239 Cuernavaca, Mor., ☏ +52 777 317 8978. 
• Radio Taxi Cuaunahuac, Calle Cuesta Veloz ＃71, San Cristobal, 62230 Cuernavaca, Mor., ☏ +52 777 317 0056. 
• Radio Taxi La Selva Miraval, Calle Melchor Ocampo S/N, Bosques del Miraval, 62270 Cuernavaca, Mor., ☏ +52 777 310 5033. 
• Radio Taxi Anahuac S.C., Venustiano Carranza 1, Carolina, 62190 Cuernavaca, Mor., ☏ +52 777 317 0878. 

See

• Palace of Cortes. Also known as the Cuauhnahuac Regional Museum. Built in 1533 and used by Hernan Cortes as a summer residence. Be sure to see the beautiful murals by Mexican artist Diego Rivera on the top floor. Open Tu-Su, 9AM - 5PM. Currently closed (March 4, 2019) because of earthquake damage sustained in 2017.
• The Cathedral. During a recent remodelling, murals and paintings, some dating back to the 17 century, were found. Currently closed (7/27/2018) because of earthquake damage sustained in 2017. Masses are celebrated in the open-air chapel or in side chapels. (March 4, 2019)
• El Castillito. Home of the Photographic Museum of Cuernavaca. Open M-F, 9AM - 3PM and Sa-Su, 10AM - 4PM. Free.
• Robert Brady Museum. This private museum has a large collection of primitive art in what was once the bishop's residence. Open Tuesday-Sunday. There is a charge.
• Papolote Children's Museum. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10AM to 6PM. MX$60 for children, MX$50 for adults. (March 4, 2019)
• Xochicalco. Archaeological site, Observatory currently closed (7/27/2018) due to earthquake damage sustained in 2017.
• Salto de San Anton. Waterfall. Currently closed.
• Zocalo. In the town square, there is danzon every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday night from about 8PM to 11:30PM. There are numerous cafes in the area, as well as museums and souvenirs.
• Borda Garden. Located downtown across from the cathedral, 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. Open daily.
• Juan Soriano Museum of Contemporary Art. This museum, dedicated to the artist, is located in Amatlan, Cuernavaca, near the main market. Open Tuesday-Sunday. 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.), ☏ 01 (777) 3 14 12 84NOCC, direccion.mor@inah.gob.mx. 9:00 to 17:30. 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. Temporarily closed due to 2017 earthquake. MX$55. (updated Mar 2019)
• Chapultepec Park is located in eastern Cuernavaca near Plan de Ayala and IMSS, 3 km east of downtown. 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. Open daily.
• Solidarity Park (La Alameda) is located on Cuauhnahuac Blvd. east of the freeway. 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. Open daily, admission free.
• San Miguel Ecological Park (Parque Ecológico San Miguel Acapantzingo) is located on Av. Atlacumulco in Colonia Acapatnzingo, one km southeast of the main market. 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. The park is open daily, 7 AM to 9PM and admission is free. There is a small fee (MX$10) to enter the museum. Tel. (777) 312 3979 ext. 6.

Do

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 restaurants and handicrafts. Fourteen 16th-century monasteries in Morelos have been declared World Heritage Sites, including those in Tlayacapan, Yecapiztla, Atlatlahucan, Tetela del Volcán, Hueyapan, and Ocuituco. Most were damaged during the 2017 earthquake and are closed to the public (March 2019), but visitors can appreciate the main features such as the facade, chapels, and atrium, as well as local food (cecina in Yecapixtla) and handicrafts (black pottery in Tlayacapan).

Cuautla is 55 km east of Cuernavaca. This city was the site of a major battle in 1812, during the War of Independence; the hero of the battle was Jose Maria Morelos y Pavon, who gave his name to the state. Not far from there, in Ayala, one can visit Anneculco and Chinameca, where Revolutionary General Emiliano Zapata was born and assassinated (1919).

There are several former haciendas in the area, many of which have been converted to hotels and/or restaurants. Ex-hacienda de Cortes, in Atlacumolco, Jiutepec, is just outside Cuernavaca. Also worth visiting in Jiutepec is the hotel/restaurant Sumiya, built by Woolworth heiress Barbara Hutton as a home in the 1930s. This is a replica of a Japanese Tea House.

Also only in season (check to see if it is available) is Rafting at the Amacuzac River with class III & IV white water rapids operated by Raft Mexico - Plaza Dafne, Av. Morelos Sur #1602 int 8, Col. Chipitlan, Cuernavaca Tel. (777) 3 22 6555 and 01 800 728 4312 [Raft Mexico Home Page: http://www.raftmexico.com]

Learn

Cuernavaca is a major center for study abroad students from around the world studying Spanish. Excellent schools are plentiful throughout the city.

Buy

• Palacio de Cortes Handicraft Market. To one side of the Palacio de Cortés is a market selling a variety of Mexican souvenirs, particularly silver from Taxco. Among the cheap souvenirs aimed at tourists there are some pleasant items to take home with you.

• Galerías Cuernavaca opened in October 2005. This mall, just off the motorway, contains a variety of shops, restaurants and a cinema and is proving popular and is often very busy.

• Plaza Cuernavaca on Plan de Ayala Street is an open-air mall is that is still going strong and has a variety of shops, restaurants, and a cinema.

• Averanda is the newest modern mall, opened in 2018. It is located next to the freeway, near Galerias.

Eat

Budget

• 1 Las Iguanas Green's, Morelos 190, Colonia Centro (2 Blocks from the Zocalo, in the corner between Rayon Street and Morelos Avenue), ☏ +52 777 341-0613, +52 777 241-0613, iguanasgreens@live.com.mx. 8:00-23:00. Affordable and varied 4-course real-Mexican meal: includes water, soup, a small dish of pasta, an entrée and a dessert (typically ice cream). US$5-9. 

Tacos

If you are looking for a true Mexican meal be sure to try tacos where the locals eat them. Try the calle de los tacos (street of tacos), Nueva Inglaterra. This street is lined with taquerias with Grano del Oro being particularly good. On Plan d'Ayala try the tacos at Los Orientales or have a torta (sandwich) at La Cubana. La Princesa has two locations on Teopanzolco plus a location within Plaza Cuernavaca and one near the village of Parres close to Mision del Sol and Camino Real Sumiya. A taco al Pastor (pork) will cost between M$3 and $8. Traditional Tacos accorizados, which are large tacos served with chicken or beef and rice, are offered at a number of family restaurants.

Pozole

Pozole is a rich broth with meat, corn, and other vegetables. Pozolería El Barco, one block away from the cathedral, serves very good green pozole (with pipián sauce). Try their tostadas de pata as well (crispy tortillas topped with pickled pig's feet).

High-end

The center of town has some excellent restaurants. Las Mañanitas is a Relais & Chateaux hotel with excellent if somewhat dated cuisine on a menu that never changes. Famous for its large garden with free-roaming peacocks and other large birds, Las Mañanitas is well worth a visit for cocktails or a meal. On the main square facing the Palacio de Cortes is Casa Hidalgo also serving excellent food. These restaurants serve a variety of dishes consisting of traditional Mexican and international fare. Trattoria Marco Polo, across the street from the cathedral, serves good Italian food and pizza. For about $60 US, Marco Polo offers a very large pizza (about 1 m/3 feet wide) loaded with everything. Definitely not something would find in Italy, it is, however, a sight to see and excellent to try if you are eating with a large group there. El Faisan on Emiliano Zapata and on Rio Mayo is another excellent high-end restaurant featuring Yucatecan food that is worthwhile visiting when in Cuernavaca. La Provence in a boutique hotel of the same name a short distance south of the zocolo is Cuernavaca's leading French restaurant.

In the downtown 30m down the street Calle Fray Bart De Las Casas from Plazuela del Zacate, on the right hand side on corner, there is a small nameless place with open grill that has indescribably delicious arrachera and tortas/hamburguesas. M$135 for arrachera as of March 2011. For the best hamburgers in town, however, you'll need to go to either La Casa de Hamburguesa on Teopanzolco (inexpensive) or Meson Gaucho (expensive), on Domingo Diez across from one of Cuernavaca's Walmart stores, which features Argentine steaks in addition to the great burgers.

Seafood

Cuernavaca isn't particularly known for seafood, but you might try Tia Lucha on Rio Mayo in Vista Hermosa or in Polvorin. Los Delfines is also popular.

Drink

Bars

Los Arcos on the Zocalo is popular on Tuesdays when students converge on the open bar/cafe with live salsa music and cheap drink. La Bola is a typical Mexican cantina with live Norteno and Mariachi music every night between 7 and 10PM. 2 for one promotions daily between 2 and 9PM and very cheap food/drink packages. On average M$400 buys a generous plate of food for the table to share and a bottle of alcohol or 20 bottles of beer. La Taurina and Crudalia are very simple bars that sell cheap booze by the litre. Expect plastic tables and chairs and very few frills but a good atmosphere.

McCarthy's Irish Pub on Avenida Diana in Delicias offers Irish and Mexican drinks and food. As might be expected, it gets boisterous.

Pulqueria La Guayaba on Juan Ruiz Alaracon (downtown, one block from the cathedral) offers this traditional drink at reasonable prices. Sunday afternoons are the best day to visit.

There are several informal bars that sell beer and snacks at La Plazuela, located between the cathedral; and the Cortes Palace. Traditionally, La Plazuela sold hay for muleteers on the Mexico City-Acapulco trade route, but hay hasn't been available since the opening of the railroad in 1890.

Night clubs

On the weekends an influx of visitors arrive in Cuernavaca from Mexico City and head to the night clubs. The door staff at high-end clubs are often quite difficult. Men arriving without female companionship at a club will generally have trouble getting although foreigners are often given preference. It is important to note that much of the violence associated with Cuernavaca takes place in its nightclubs.

• Barbazul is a large indoor/outdoor venue with a cover charge of M$100 after midnight. Like Alebrije it is frequented by a young and wealthy crowd and many foreigners.
• Taizz is the highest end club with a cover of M$200. As with the previous two it is frequented by a similar crowd.

Mambo Cafe is open Wednesday to Saturday with Salsa dance classes on Wednesdays between 6 and 9PM. The most popular night for Mambo cafe is Thursday when it is often very full.

The Store is a new club and very different from the first three. Very basic the club has no waiters and is self-service from the bar. It is popular and well attended.

In all the clubs either inside the grounds or directly outside are stalls selling hotdogs and hamburgers and tacos are never far away. Most clubs close their doors at 3AM and do not allow access after this hour. However, it is usual for the last person to leave the clubs at around 5 or 6AM. In most clubs in Cuernavaca women do not pay cover.

• Enrique, 2460 arbour trace terrace suwanee GA 30024, ☏ +52 6785163059, enriquedelapena38@yahoo.com. 8AM-10PM. if you want to have a cheap dinner,go to VIP's is just down the street from zocalo on Benito Juarez street,servise is good and friendly. M$60. (updated Mar 2019)
• Pimuco, calle Ignacio Rayon 22 - pasaje Florencia (close to the Cathedral), ☏ +52 777-3105853. 12-23. 500 meters from the Cathedral,close to the Cine Morelos, there is this nice art-cafe' in an old traditional house, with a beautiful and green courtyard.They prepare good sandwiches and pastas.Good music and a long list of cultural events(live jazz concert,theatre,literature). M$100. 
• casa frida (Mexican and prehispanic food), carretera fed a Mexico km 69 (close to glorieta buena vista), ☏ +52 7772795370. 10AM to 8PM. an old house full of art and colors,real Mexican food and prehispanic dishes like ,iguana ,wild pig, snake, etc. Local beers and pulque 

Sleep

If you are in Cuernavaca, you can stay for example in the

Budget

Cuernavacas budget hotel row is in Calle Aragon y Leon. There are several inexpensive casas de huespedes:

• Hospedaje Marilu, Calle Aragon y Leon, rooms from M$65 (2008).
• IDEL hostel, ☏ +52 777 3130157, idel@cableonline.com.mx. Calzada de los actores 112 col. atzingo or idelhostel@gmail.com 

All rooms with Private bathroom free WiFi, parking, barbecue area, swimming pool, 15 minutes walk from main plaza IDEL Hostel Home page

• Real Santa Maria Avicultura, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100 Cuernavaca, Mor., has rooms beginning at only MX$351. An historical town, it is quite distant from downtown and there is little public transportation. Wheelchair access and child-friendly.
• Hotel Bajo El Volcan carries the name of the novel by Malcolm Lowrey. Calle Humboldt 19, Centro, 62000 Cuernavaca, Mor.•01 777 312 4873. Restaurant, swimming pool, child-friendly. Downtown location. Prices start at MX$805.

Mid-range

• Las Lomas Bed & Breakfast. Offers clean rooms starting at US$29. All rooms with private bathroom, free WiFi, parking, swimming pool, jacuzzi, kitchen area. Air conditioning available. 
• Nuevo Hotel America (Aragon y Leon No. 14, col. Centro) offers small but clean and cool rooms for M$240 a night. It lies on a sidestreet 10 minutes' walk from the Plaza.
• Las Villas de Bellavista. Tabachin 133 Colonia Bellavista (off of Ave Zapata). Has eight fully furnished typical Mexican colonial-style homes complete with fully equipped kitchens all on 1.5 acres of tropical gardens with heated 40°C swimming pool and pool house. Daily, weekly and monthly rates with cleaning, free WiFi, garage, off-street parking, hotel-like service. 

Splurge

• Hotel La Casa de los Arboles La Casa de los Árboles is a holistic spa-hotel in which nature and the distinctive charm of old Mexican haciendas come together in the middle of an ancient semitropical forest. Developed on five hectares of land with more than 150,000 trees, shrubs, and flowers belonging to over 60 species, this exclusive property offers guests a unique opportunity to take long, relaxing strolls through a one-of-a-kind botanical garden. La Casa de los Arboles offers 60 guestrooms in four different styles.
• Hotel Rio 1300 Hotel located on the famous Rio Mayo Ave. The main commercial street in Cuernavaca. Personalized treat with international touch. Rooms with all the comfort and suitable to your needs. Swimming pool, lounge bar, etc. http://www.hotelrio1300.com.mx/
• GS Hotel Cuernavaca, Carretera Federal México-Cuernavaca Km. 71.5 #17 Col. Buenavista c.p., toll-free: 1800 8228681, reservasweb@gshoteles.com.mx. They tout their facilities, services, rooms and restaurant. MXN 850/night for a twin room. (updated Jan 2017)
• Hosteria Las Quintas (Blvd. Gustavo Díaz Ordaz 9, Cantarranas, 62448 Cuernavaca, Mor.•01 777 318 3949) offers some of the most beautiful grounds in the city as well as large rooms, swimming pool, restaurant, meeting rooms, wi-fi, and restaurant. About MX$1600 (March 2019). https://www.hosterialasquintas.com.mx/
• Holiday Inn. Boulevard Diaz Ordaz, 86 - Cuernavaca - 62440 - Morelos - México. Located two km from downtown in Acapantzingo, this hotel chain offers a swimming pool, gym, meeting rooms, restaurant, and wi-fi. Rooms start at MX$1300.

Go next

• Taxco, the famous silver town, is about 30 minutes' drive outside Cuernavaca. This town used to survive on silver mining, now it survives on the tourist industry with almost everybody involved. Taxco is full of silver shops and a very large silver market. Silver is often sold by weight in the markets, be sure it carries the .925 stamp and is not silver plated. On Saturdays, from about 8AM until noon or so, the silver vendors of Taxco sell silver jewelry and other silver wares in a "flea market" that snakes around the city under canopies for a mile or so. It's the SAME silver you'd buy at full price on all other days of the week, but on Saturdays it's sold at a considerable discount. Get there early! One bus leaves daily for Taxco from Cuernavaca in the mornings and returns around 4PM. Don't miss it, or you'll miss either the silver "flea market" or your ride back to Cuernavaca. Bring a toothbrush in case.
• Tepoztlan is about 15 minutes outside Cuernavaca and very pleasant to visit particularly on market day. A must-see is the Tepoztec pyramid at the end of a rather long and steep walk up a mountain but the reward is well worth it.
• Xochicalco is about an hour from Cuernavaca and is the 4th most visited archeological site in Mexico. An early visit is recommended so as to not get too sunburnt. Be sure to enter the observatory.
• Las Grutas de Cacahuamilpa is a large cave system in a national park 74 km (1 hour 13 min) south of Cuernavaca near Taxco. There are well-illuminated paths with stalactites and stalagmites. The more adventurous can swim an underground river from February to April.Las Grutas official page
• Zoofari Safari Park is a zoo in Amacuzac. There are over 1500 species, many in a natural setting. It is located one hour south of Cuernavaca along the highway to Taxco. Entrance is by automobile only, although you can hire a taxi in Amacuzac or Puente de Ixtla. Open 365 days, cost MX$199.http://www.zoofari.com.mx/ (in Spanish)