Cuernavaca, Morelos

Capital of Morelos, one of Mexico’s smallest states, Cuernavaca has been known for centuries as the City of the Eternal Spring.

The name Cuernavaca stems from náhuatl word “Cuauhnáhuac” meaning “near the trees”.

With an altitude of 1,542 meters (5,059 feet) on Mexico’s central plateau, Cuernavaca’s climate is generally mild with warm, sunny days and cool nights. Its placement, strung along a slope riddled with numerous barrancas (ravines), makes for a marked difference in temperatures between the higher, northern areas of the city, which touch into cool pine forests, and the southern lower and more tropically-climed reaches, where the lushness of sugar cane and bananas abound.

The City of the Eternal Spring boasts of palatial houses hidden behind their high walls, year-round blossoming vegetation and sub-tropical gardens. It is only about a 45 minute drive from the Mexico City limits over an excellent toll highway that climbs to over 10,000 feet in altitude.

Cuernavaca is located in a small state rich with archaeological ruins and haciendas, impressive scenery and natural spas. The opportunity for interesting side trips are many, all being within only a couple of hours drive, at most, from the capital.

Cuernavaca is renown for its excellent language schools, many of which offer cultural activities and programs extending far beyond regular Spanish language courses.

Cuernavaca Hotels – make your reservations now for your Cuernavaca vacation.

Things to do and places to see within the Cuernavaca city limits.

The Borda Gardens – Located on Av. Morelos near the Cathedral, this residence and gardens built by Manuel de la Borda was the summer home of the Emperor Maximilian and his wife, Carlota. There are several rooms exhibiting colonial era artifacts and documents, and peaceful garden walkways surrounding a small lake with waterfowl.

The Cathedral of the Assumption (Catedral de la Asuncion) – A 16th C structure at the corner of Morelos & Hidalgo Streets in downtown Cuernavaca. Noted for its Mariachi masses. The Cathedral grounds also hold other chapels and churches.

The Cuauhnahuac Museum is located in the Cortes Palace just off the south-eastern side of the Zócalo. Prehispanic and colonial artifacts are on display, as well as impressive murals by painter Diego Rivera depicting scenes from Mexican history. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 5 pm. Guided tours are available.

The Hacienda of Cortez (Hacienda de Cortes) – a former sugar hacienda, is now reconditioned as a luxury hotel. It is located towards the Juitepec area on eastern the outskirts of Cuernavaca.

A Cuernavaca sporting experience – A short account of a family outing to watch Mexican wrestling, or Lucha Libre,  in the Arena Isabel in Cuernavaca…

The Town Square (Zócalo) – the heart of town, with band kiosk, Government Palace, gardens, restaurants and shops.

Salto San Antón – a picturesque waterfall with a pathway that takes you behind the falls. The San Anton neighborhood is known for its potters, and the approach to the falls is lined with vendors of red clay flowerpots and figurines as well as a variety of flowering plants and ornamental bushes.

Sumiya Japanese Gardens in Jiutepec, toward Cuernavaca’s Industrial Park, Civac. Sumiya is now part of the Camino Real Hotel chain – the gardens and architecture, which include fish ponds and contemplation pools, Japanese pagoda-style buildings and arches that were developed by Barbara Hutton, are largely preserved.

The Municipal Market is housed in a large, rounded-roofed building across the barranca from town, with additional shop kiosks extending up the hillside behind and to the sides. The central building holds an enormous variety of fresh produce, meats and fish, herbs and dry goods. The kiosks and storefronts that surround it concentrate more on clothing, shoes, plastics and pottery, flowers, kitcheware and miscellanous household goods.

The Robert Brady Museum, housing an impressive collection of masks and other artwork, is located on Netzahualcoyotl Street #4, around the corner from the Cathedral. Tel: +52 777-318-85-54.