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City Overview
Population: 1,000,000
Location: State of Morelos (Just South of Mexico City)
Cuernavaca is the capital and largest city in the
state of Morelos. Despite its size, the city has a very small town
feel to it. Known as "The City of Eternal Spring", Cuernavaca
is one of the principal vacation centers in Central Mexico due to
its temperate year round climate, prevailing sunshine, and abundance
of flowering trees and bushes.
The zocalo, also called the Plaza de Armas, is
the heart of the city and the best place to begin a tour of Cuernavaca.
Most of the budget hotels and important sites are nearby. The various
bus lines use different terminals, most within walking distance
of the zocalo.
The city is only 1 hour south of Mexico City and
3 hours from the ever popular Acapulco. Bus service between these
and other locations are excellent. Highway 95D, the toll road, skirts
the east side of Cuernavaca. If you're coming from the north, take
the Cuernavaca exit and cross to highway 95 (where you'll see a
statue of Zapata on horseback). Highway 95 becomes Boulevard Zapata
as you go south into town, then Avenida Morelos; south of Avenida
Matamoros, Morelos is one-way, northbound only. To reach the center,
veer left and go down Matamoros.
The first-time visitor to Cuernavaca will immediately
sense that the city has a vacation personality. That's because Cuernavaca
has been a summer getaway destination since Pre-Hispanic times,
when Indian nobility came here. Cortés followed this tradition
in Colonial times. So did Emperor Maximilian and his Carlota, as
well as many prominent silver barons.
Today, the city is still attracting those who want
to enjoy its combination of civilized charms and natural beauty.
The climate is perhaps its biggest draw. It offers spring like temperatures
and lush tropical foliage and flowers virtually year 'round. And
because of the city's urbane-but-mellow atmosphere, chances are
you’ll find yourself feeling relaxed - even if you take in
all the many sights in and around the city. These include sophisticated
shopping and superb dining ; the Plateresque architecture of the
Cathedral ; the Palace of Cortés – now the Cuauhnahuac
Museum – with its magnificent Diego Rivera mural ; the Tianguis
Artesanal - a market for folk art; the studio of artist David Alfaro
Siqueiros ; the historic Borda Gardens ; the Palacio Municipal ;
and three archaeological sites - Teopanzolco, Xochicalco, and Chalcatzingo.
As you wander down small winding streets you will find sidewalk
vendors, charming restaurants, lively bars, plus much more!
Since Cuernavaca has attracted the leisure crowd
for centuries, quite naturally there are several spectacular resorts
quite near the city. Some are so beautiful, they're worth a sightseeing
trip. These include Cocoyoc, which was originally part of a Spanish
land grant given to Cortés. Another is San José de
Vista Hermosa, where Cortés built his retreat. Then there's
Oaxtepec, which was a favorite of Moctezuma I, the builder of the
Aztec empire.
Cuernavaca is a great jumping off points to many
sites of interest withincentral Mexico. The road and bus service
in this part of Mexico is excellent. As a result, getting to the
various points of interest will be quick, easy, and most of all
inexpensive!
Information
The state tourist office (~314-38-72), inconveniently
located at Morelos Sur 187, is understaffed and not very helpful.
It's open to 5pm Monday to Friday. On Saturday and Sunday there's
an information booth in the cathedral.
Nearer the center, the Municipal Tourist office
( ~318-75-61), at Avenida Morelos 278 near the entrance to Pasilla
de la Barranca, is open lOam to 8pm daily.
The post office, on the south side of the Plaza
de Armas, is open 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm Saturday.
Next door a Telecomm office offers fax and telegram services.
Excellent Internet service is provided by Copy@net
at Morelos 178 at Motolinia (OS$2.75 per hour). The air-conditioned
space is open Monday to Saturday from Sam to 9pm and Sunday from
11am to 5pm.
Nearer the center, you'll find numerous Internet
cafes on Gutenberg just east of the zocalo.
Hospital Cuernavaca (~311-24-82) is at Cuauhtemoc
305 at the comer of 5 de Mayo in the Colonia Lomas de la Selva.
Without a doubt, Cuernavaca is an ideal place
to learn Spanish and experience Mexico!
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