Cuernavaca and the surrounding countryside are some of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions of the country with archaeological ruins and haciendas, impressive scenery and natural spas that will please the adventurer and photographer alike. There are places where shopping will be a delightful experience with bargains and the unusual waiting to be discovered.
This destination is
an excellent place to relax, and each year it draws
many tourists looking to escape from the stress of their workday
routines. Some travel to Cuernavaca to visit its luxurious
spas, which offer all kinds
of massages and relaxation therapies. Or you
can simply take a stroll through the city and
marvel at the magnificent historic buildings, such as the Convento del la Asuncion (Convent of The Assumption),
la Capilla de San Jose
(San Jose Chapel) and the Palacio de Cortes (Palace
of Cortez),
the oldest vice regal civic construction, which houses Diego Rivera murals. The museum features a mural by Diego Rivera depicting the conquest
of Mexico,
mammoth remains, and items from contemporary Indigenous cultures.
It
is worth a visit to the central square, the Zócalo, near sunset to hear the amazing
sound of thousands of birds rousting in the large trees surrounding the square.
It is nearly deafening!
The opportunity for interesting side
trips are many, all being within only a couple of hours drive, at most,
from the capital. There are numerous small localities outside the city, like Ocotepec,
where interesting religious celebrations take place, like the Day of the Dead
in the first days of November.
In the
surrounding areas you’ll find wonderful
attractions like the CorredorBiologicoAjusco-Chichinautzin,
an ideal spot for ecotourism outings
Also, … Chalcatzingo - This is an
archaeological site that features rock carvings and sculptures. Cuautla and its hot springs - The 2nd most
important city of the State of Morelos Huitzilac - A small village perched on a hillside above the city and a great
place to enjoy some of the local food including such specialties as barbecued
mutton, turkey mole and fruit-flavored pulque. In Huitzilac one
can visit the San Juan Bautista church with an inscription dating from 1690.
Festivities in honor of patron saint St. John the Baptist take place on June
24th and on September 1st are celebrations to commemorate the return of their
patron to the village after the image of the saint, which had disappeared in
the era of Porfirio
Diaz, was recovered from a house in Mexico City in 1921 and brought back to
its proper place of rest. Las Estacas - Fresh crystalline water springs from the earth, surrounded by some of the state’s
most beautiful natural scenery, where you can enjoy swimming in the river
or pools, horseback riding, canoeing, mini golf and other sports and
activities. Las Lagunas de Zempoala - A National Park which consists of lagoons, archaeological ruins and forests in the mountains above Cuernavaca at an
altitude of some 2,900 meters above sea level. The park encompasses 7 small
lakes of which three, Zempoala,
Tonathiua and Prieta, contain water
year-round and the other 4 are seasonal. The surrounding hillsides are covered
in forests of pine and other evergreens. The mean temperature hovers between 5
and 12º C. Rowing and sailing can be undertaken on the lakes; there is
horseback riding and camping as well as plenty of footpaths to walk and cliffs
to scale for the more adventurous. Access is via the Mexico-Cuernavaca highway,
the new toll road, turning off at Tres Marias and proceeding toward and
past Huitzilac village. Oaxtepec - A 16th Century Dominican Church and Convent are located in Oaxtepec. Tepoztlan - A small
village surrounded by craggy mountains and overlooked by the Tepozteco pyramid. Notable also are its
Church and Convent. Lake Tequesquitengo
- Located only 48 km
from Cuernavaca,
Tequesquitengo village in times past was a center for production of tequesquite, a substance
used in the manufacture of soaps. The lake is the largest in the state and
measures some 4 km across at its widest point. Available activities include
variety of water sports and activities such as water skiing, diving, jet skis,
boat tours, banana boats, parasailing and ultra light tours. On its shores
there are also a variety of restaurants. Tlayacapan - Place
of origin of the Chinelo dancers. Located in the hills beyond Tepoztlan, the village of Tlayacapan
is known for its clay and ceramic pottery and figurines, both plain and
colorfully glazed. Xochicalco - Pre-Columbian
Archaeological site south of Cuernavaca declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Other Points of Interest - just a sampling to wet your appetite
For
those interested in sampling cuisines, there is no shortage of choice.
In the state of Morelos, Mexican cooking is an art form. The variety of
dishes and sauces is vast, exotic and prepared with exceptional pride
and caring. Holidays, fiestas and religious practices are more
tradition bound and integrated into community life in Mexico which
brings us to look at ...
Cuernavaca Restaurants
Here are only a few of Cuernavaca's fine restaurants for some memorable dining experiences:
Bugambilias, Hotel Jacarandas, Cuauhtemoc 133. Tel. 315-7777. Restaurant surrounded by lush, semi-tropical vegetation. International menu. Hours 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Casa Hidalgo, on the Zócalo, downtown. Tel. 312-2749. International and Mexican specialties in a refurbished colonial setting with a view of the square. Hours 1:30 pm to 11 pm week day; closes at midnight on Saturday and at 10:30 p.m. Sunday.
El Faisan, Blvd. Emiliano Zapata 1233, Tel. 317-5281. Established Yucatecan restaurant with excellent food. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
El Laurel, Plaza El Pueblito, Av. Cuauhtemoc. Tel. 318-9559. Offering Mexican and International breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
Ex-Hacienda de Cortes Restaurant, Colonia Atlacomulco. Tel. 315-8844. Charming restaurant and bar overlooking the gardens of the Ex-Hacienda de Cortes
Gaia, Blvd. Benito Juarez 102 near the square, Tel. 312-3656. Mediterranean-Mexican. Open daily, 1 p.m. to midnight, except Monday; 1 pm to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Hosteria Las Quintas, Diaz Ordaz 9, Tel. 318-3949. Fabulous garden setting serving excellent International dishes.
La Calandria, Posada Maria Cristina, Blvd. Juarez 300, Tel. 318-2981. An ex-hacienda offering a restaurant and bar with garden view serving breakfast, lunch and dinner.
La India Bonita, Dwight Morrow 15, Tel. 312-5021. La India Bonita has a long history in Cuernavaca and an excellent reputation for tasty, Mexican cuisine. Open daily except Mondays.
Las Mañanitas, R. Linares 107. Tel. 314-1466. The lush gardens of Las Mañanitas are populated by a number of rare and tropical birds, and its walls and patios are decorated by numerous works of art by Mexican masters and craftsmen. The restaurant serves a variety of excellent International and Mexican dishes.
Maximiliano y Carlota, Galeana 29, Acapantzingo. Tel. 318-2004. International cuisine served on a garden terrace of the hotel, often with music.
Restaurante Marco Polo, Hidalgo 30, with a view of the Cathedral. Tel. 312-3484. Italian cuisine with homemade pastas and salsas.
Sumiya, Hotel Camino Real Sumiya, Jiutepec. Tel. 320-9199. South of Cuernavaca, amid the Japanese gardens of the former home of heiress Barbara Hutton, the Camino Real offers International and seafood specialties on the terrace. Hours 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily except Mondays and Tuesdays.