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! |
