Overview
Cuernavaca draws visitors with parks, gardens and a lively central plaza. Spanish language students and weekend visitors give the capital of Morelos a sociable atmosphere.
History · Day Trips · Nature
Did you know?
- The Palace of Cortes displays murals by Diego Rivera.
- Teopanzolco preserves an Aztec pyramid within the city.
- Borda Garden occupies the grounds of an 18th-century mansion.
Why go?
Cuernavaca, 'City of Eternal Spring', is the capital of Morelos with a year-round spring-like climate, beautiful parks, and gardens. It is a popular weekend destination from Mexico City, home to many Spanish language students, and has a vibrant central plaza with street performers every night.
Get in
Getting to Cuernavaca is easy via the Mexico-Cuernavaca-Acapulco tollway. Be aware of heavy traffic on Friday afternoons (southbound) and Sunday afternoons (northbound), which can add over 2 hours. The Central de Autobuses in downtown is served by several bus lines with frequent departures to Mexico City, Chilpancingo, and Tepoztlan. Cuernavaca Airport (CVJ) also exists but has limited commercial flights.
Get around
Buses cost M$8 per trip and cover most of the city; they are safe and used by foreign students. Taxis are unmetered; negotiate price before getting in. Daytime trips cost M$35-55, but night rates double. Radio taxis are safer if called. Uber is also available.
When to go
Cuernavaca has a comfortable year-round climate. The rainy season is June to September with heavy rainfall. The best time to visit is during the dry season (November to April) for clear skies. Weekdays are quieter; weekends get crowded with visitors from Mexico City.
Where to stay
Accommodation ranges from hostels like IDEL hostel (15 min walk from main plaza, with pool and parking) to B&Bs such as Las Lomas (from US$29) and boutique hotels like Las Casas B+B (US$125/night). There are also fully furnished colonial-style homes for rent (Las Villas de Bellavista) and mid-range hotels like GS Hotel (M$850/night for twin).
Food and drink
Cuernavaca offers affordable 4-course meals at Las Iguanas Green's (US$5-9). Local specialties include pozole (M$53 on special), tacos al pastor, and arrachera (skirt steak). For drinks, The Beer Company Cuernavaca has over 150 beers including local craft. Eat at Arrachera Rey de Reyes for excellent tacos (mains M$40-125).
Things to do
Must-see attractions: Cuernavaca Cathedral with 17th-century murals, the Palace of Cortes (regional museum, M$60, with Diego Rivera murals), and the Borda Garden (18th-century mansion turned botanical garden). Teopanzolco archaeological site (M$100, free for Mexican residents) has an Aztec pyramid. Nearby, Xochicalco is a UNESCO site (38 km southwest). Tepoztlan village with its pyramid hike is a popular day trip. Water parks like El Rollo and Las Estacas are popular. There are also several parks: Chapultepec Park, Solidarity Park, and San Miguel Ecological Park (free).
Stay safe
Exercise prudence; as of late 2020 there have been a couple of mass shootings. Avoid independent taxis without dispatcher records. Use radio taxis or Uber for safety.
Budget
Buses cost M$8 per trip, taxis M$35-55 daytime. Meals at Las Iguanas Green's are US$5-9. Hostel dorms from US$29 at Las Lomas. A daily budget of around M$400-600 should suffice for basics.
Day trips
Day trips: Taxco (silver town, 30 min drive), Tepoztlan (15 min, with pyramid hike and market), Xochicalco (1 hr, archaeological site), Grutas de Cacahuamilpa (caves, 1 hr 13 min), Zoofari Safari Park (1 hr, M$199 entrance). Also nearby Cuautla and Ayala for history of independence and revolution.
Go next
Next destinations: Taxco for silver shopping, Tepoztlan for culture and hiking, Xochicalco for archaeology, Grutas de Cacahuamilpa for caves, Zoofari for wildlife.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Sleep
GS Hotel Cuernavaca
They tout their facilities, services, rooms and restaurant.
Price when recorded: M$850/night for a twin room
Sleep
IDEL hostel
All rooms with private bathroom free Wi-Fi, parking, barbecue area, swimming pool, 15 minutes walk from main plaza
Sleep
Las Casas B+B Boutique Hotel, Spa, and Restaurant
Michelin Key boutique hotel (2024 & 2025) in the heart of Cuernavaca's Historic Center. With just 11 modern rooms, the hotel features upscale amenitirs, facilities include the White Spa, and the House Restaurant. The restaurant provides complimentary signature à la carte breakfast for two included in the room rate. For lunch and dinner, the restaurant offers Mexican-Mediterranean cuisine in one of the city's most opulent dining rooms with a full bar and an extensive wine list. The White Spa features massages, facials, couples treatments, reflexology and hot stone therapy. and has a heated outdoor swimming pool.
Price when recorded: US$125
Eat
Arrachera Rey de Reyes
"Arrachera" refers to skirt steak, a thicker cut of meat than "bistec." which is what one gets at most taco places. At Rey de Reyes you'll pay a little more than some other places, but the taste is far superior. They offer a wide variety of tacos, sausages, and other Mexican specialties. Located 3 km from downtown; take Ruta 6 to Diaz Ordaz. There are branches at Boulevard Cuauhnahuac Km. 3.5, Col. Tarianes, Jiutepec; Av. Par Vial No. 34, Col. Begonias, José G. Parres, Jiutepec; and one is proposed for Temixco.
Price when recorded: Mains M$40-125, steaks (for 4 people) M$270-350 (March 2019)
Eat
Burritos La Galería
Eat
El Madrigal
This well-known restaurant offers Mexican, International, and Vegetarian food; Gluten free. Kid friendly. Free parking, wheelchair access, accepts credit cards. Wine list. Large garden.
Price when recorded: expensive
Eat
El museo del acorazado
Eat
Las Iguanas Green's
Affordable and varied 4-course real-Mexican meal: includes water, soup, a small dish of pasta, an entrée and a dessert (typically ice cream).
Price when recorded: US$5-9
Before you go
Language
Spanish is main language. Many locals speak English due to language schools.
Money
Mexican peso (MXN). Buses M$8, taxis M$35-55 daytime. Bargain for taxi fares. Credit cards accepted at some restaurants.
Safety
Exercise caution; mass shootings reported in late 2020. Use radio taxis or Uber rather than independent taxis.
Transport
Buses M$8, taxis negotiate. Heavy traffic on weekends on toll road.
Weather
Year-round spring-like; rainy season June-September. Best November-April.
