Nestled between the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the valleys of the state of Morelos, the city of Cuernavaca has a privileged climate that has attracted a large number of visitors, mainly people from Mexico City, who have taken advantage of the city’s proximity to establish their weekend homes.

Cuernavaca is the capital of the state of Morelos and also one of the first cities established in Mexico after the arrival of the Spanish, it’s origin dates back to 1528 when Hernán Cortés established in the area the headquarters for the Marquisate of the Valley of Oaxaca. One of the main tourist attractions in the city is precisely Cortes’ Palace, the building that said conqueror ordered built as his permanent residence and which is one of the first and most outstanding examples of civil architecture in the Spanish America. Throughout its history, this building has witnessed important episodes of the nation’s history and now houses the Cuauhnahuac Museum, which holds on its walls an important work by Mexican muralist Diego Rivera.

Other interesting sites in Cuernavaca’s Historical Centre are the plazas bordering the Town Hall, with their pleasant gardens and kiosk, where one can enjoy a nice flavoured water under the shade of many laurels.

Another site that holds special interest is Cuernavaca’s cathedral, one of the first Christian constructions in the country, which possesses a lavish open chapel that, coupled with others of its kind in the near populations of Tepoztlán, Tlayacapan, Tetela del Volcán and Yecapixtla, has been declared a World Heritage Site. Within the cathedral one can appreciate an exquisite intervention made by the famous artist Mathías Goeritz, co-author of the Satélite Towers in Mexico City.

A trip to Cuernavaca cannot be complete before visiting the Borda Gardens, built by orders of the wealthy miner José de la Borda during the 18^th Century and which have witnessed the appearances of important personalities of Mexico’s history, most importantly the Emperor Maximilian of Hapsburg, who enjoyed to rest and walk around the gardens.  

The city of Cuernavaca relies on a well-developed tourist infrastructure and has lodging facilities that will fit all budgets. It’s only one hour from Mexico City.