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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