Cuernavaca has a long list of places and activities waiting to be explored by you. The city will allow you to be in touch with nature, history, culture and even to find the perfect spot to relax. Walking around Cuernavaca's Historic Center, and visiting its museums and ancient buildings, is like making a trip back to old colonial Mexico, and it also becomes apparent how the old structures blend seamlessly with the constant growth of a modern city.
Besides the old sugar cane haciendas, ancient palaces that belonged to Spanish conquerors, new and old museums, churches and several archaeological zones, Cuernavaca is well known for its aquatic resorts, lakes and parks where you will definitely have a wonderful day whiling away the hours and enjoying the fresh spring air.
Muros Cultural Center
The "Muros Cultural Center" represents an obligatory stop when visiting the city of Cuernavaca. It features one the most important contemporary modern art collections in the country. You'll be able to admire works of art from renowned painters like Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, David Alfaro Siqueiros, Jose Clemente Orozco, Francisco Toledo and Miguel Covarrubias, among many other great local, national and international artists. Besides the permanent art exhibitions, Muros offers a diverse range of public activities, like concerts, famous quartets, performances by famous pianists and also contemporary theatre plays.
Cuernavaca's Cathedral
The Spaniards took over Cuernavaca in 1521 and started the construction of the cathedral in 1529. This fortress-like building is spacious, surrounded by stunning chapels and features several restored murals influenced by Oriental cultures, some think these murals were painted by artists brought from China or the Philippines. An interesting aspect of this cathedral is that it was finished in 1552, meaning that it took about 20 years to construct! It is located in a place where earthquakes are quite common; however the construction is still standing strong.
Xochicalco
Situated only 38 kilometers South East of Cuernavaca, Xochicalco is considered one of the most beautiful and important archaeological sites in Mexico. It's renowned as a mystical place full of energy, as well as an incalculable archaeological gem. Once inside, don't forget to visit the onsite museum and the Ceremonial Plaza, where you will be able to admire the pyramid of Quetzalcoatl "the feathered snake", famous for being the location, some say, where a few wise men talked about the design of the famous and important Mesoamerican calendar. Xochicalco, a fortress like construction, was a religious-administrative center where important decisions were taken, and nowadays it is regarded by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site.
Cortez Palace (Cuaunahuac Regional Museum)
The Cortez Palace is a beautiful construction from the 15th century, built on top of an Aztec pyramid, which was destroyed prior to the construction of the new building. The palace served as the residence for the conqueror Hernan Cortez before his return to Spain in 1540. Presently, the interior of the castle is home to the Cuaunahuac Museum and it shelters a very important collection of pre-Hispanic and colonial artifacts, as well as some very important and well known murals painted by Diego Rivera in the 1930's. On them, one can follow a description about the history of Mexico since the time of the conquest up until the days of the Revolution. It is located in the center of Cuernavaca, next to the main square.
Las Estacas Aquatic Park
The World Association of Aquatic Parks considers that the preservation and conservation techniques implemented here, have made this place a one-of-a-kind Natural park. Its name comes from the "estacas" (posts) that were placed by the edge of the rivers to control the raising level of the water. The park has been declared a natural reserve in the state of Morelos, and it's located in the municipality of Tlaltizapan, only a few minutes from Cuernavaca. The park offers excellent services for visitors, such as swimming areas, either in rapids of at least 1 km long, or rivers with crystal clear waters, camping grounds, a trailer park, cabin rentals, restaurants, bars and a whole lot more. It is important to emphasize that Las Estacas has designed an ecological program to protect its flora and fauna, as well as a water treatment program and forest restoration.
Borda Garden
A wonderful place, offering astonishing natural beauty, plus it's also a great location for strolling. Situated near the center of Cuernavaca, the garden was developed by and belonged to a silver magnate of the region Jose de Borda, around the 17th century. This beautiful place offers to the public an incalculable number of flowers and plants, as well as swimming pools and fountains. The cultural activities held here include photography workshops and literary events, conferences, dances, music, and cinematography exhibitions for children and adults, among many others. Inside these beautiful gardens there is also a small museum that presents arts and history exhibitions.
Cascada de Anton
The Anton falls rise well above the 45 meters and have been admired by national and international visitors since the end of the 19th century. In 1933 a stair case and hand rail were built, allowing visitors to admire the splendor and natural beauty of it. The interior includes beautiful flowers while the exterior displays beautiful ceramic crafts. It's definitively worth adding to your list of "places to visit" whilst on your vacation in Cuernavaca.
"Agua Hedionda" Bathing Resort
This place is considered one of the best resorts to spend the day swimming and enjoying the sunshine, due to the healing characteristics of its water. It is located on Felipe Neri's Street in Cuautla.
Zoofari
Zoofari offers a unique concept in zoos, where thousands of animals from 150 different species share the same space in this huge, wide open zoo. Visitors are able to observe the excellent living conditions of the animals, including species from Mexico and many other parts as well. All of this is done of course, under the most supervised and strictest conditions. The weather in Morelos allows the excellent growth and development of the flora and fauna of the zoo and all of this is supervised by a team of professionals, specializing in the development of this marvelous zoo.
Juitepec
Several elements belonging to the Tlahuica civilization have been found in this ancient town, including artifacts like machetes, stamps and arrows, all clear examples that this land witnessed multiple and important historical periods before the arrival of the Spaniards. Among the most important attractions, we find the ex-Franciscan convent from the 16th century, a structure and region influenced by the first colonial years. Juitepec borders Yucatepec to the East, with Emiliano Zapata to the South and Cuernavaca to the North.
Tepoztlan
Considered a mystical town full of energy, Tepoztlan is surrounded by mountains, and has been famous since pre-Hispanic times. This place is ideal for those who love hills and pyramids steeped in legend, as well as those who love to be in contact with the traditions and millenarian history of our country. Tepoztlan is on top of the Tepozteco hill, and it's considered the second most important area in the country for natural "energy", after the pyramids of Teotihuacan.
Archeological Zone of Teopanzolco
This beautiful archeological site, made up of a central pyramid and another 14 monuments of a smaller size, is famous for indicating, in a very interesting way, the beginning of the event known as the "Equinox" every March 21st. This site was considered of the utmost importance during the Cuauhnahuac dominion. The area is very similar to the contemporary center where the temple of Tenochtitlan sits, and also the Tlatelolco and Tena zones. The traces of what seems to be one of the most important adoratory centers of pre-Hispanic times can be found in the interior of one of the residencies in the city of Cuernavaca.
Ecological lake of Tequesquitengo
The lake of Tequesquitengo is located in the south of the city, between the municipalities of the Puente de Ixtla and Jojutla, 48 kilometers away from Cuernavaca. The beginnings of this attraction date back to1650, when a small village was established in the crater of an extinct volcano. Due to reasons not yet clarified, the village flooded little by little until a new lake was formed, eventually covering it completely. Nowadays, the lake is a very popular place to water ski, however the real treasure is being able to dive and explore the ruins of the flooded village. At times when the water levels lower, it's possible to observe the tallest part of the church spire. The lake is a unique spectacle and thoroughly enjoyed by all visitors.