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Cuernavaca

There’s always been a formidable glamour surrounding Cuernavaca (kwehr-nah-vah-kah), the capital of Morelos state. With its vast, gated haciendas and sprawling estates, it has traditionally attracted high-society visitors year-round for its warmth, clean air and attractive architecture. Today this tradition continues, even though urban sprawl has put a decisive end to the clean air and you’re more likely to see vacationing North Americans and college students studying Spanish on monthlong courses than meet international royalty or great artists in the street.

Cuernavaca is an easygoing weekend escape from Mexico City for its strollable town center, touches of fine dining, artworks by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, and as a launchpad for the well-maintained ruins of nearby Xochicalco.

Explore Cuernavaca

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Museo Robert Brady
Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to be independently wealthy and spend their life traveling around the world collecting art for their lavish Mexican…
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Catedral de Cuernavaca
Cuernavaca’s cathedral, Templo de la Asunción de María is plain and solid with an unembellished facade. It stands in a large high-walled recinto (compound…
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Museo Juan Soriano
Opened in 2018, this contemporary art museum is comprised of off-white cubes squatting a few blocks west of the zócalo. Temporary exhibits have included…
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Jardín Juárez
Adjoining the northwest corner of the Plaza de Armas is the Jardín Juárez, where the central gazebo (designed by tower specialist Gustave Eiffel) houses…
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MMAPO
This bright and inviting museum showcases handicrafts from Morelos, including life-size chinelos (costumed dancers with upturned chins from Morelos). Most…
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Museo Regional Cuauhnáhuac
The Palacio de Cortés houses this excellent museum, which has two floors of exhibits highlighting Mexican cultures and history. On the ground floor,…
P
Palacio de Cortés
Cortés’ imposing medieval-style fortress stands opposite the southeast end of the Plaza de Armas. This two-story stone palace was built in 1535 on the…
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Jardín Borda
This extravagant property, inspired by Versailles (though with mere park-like results), features gardens formally laid out in a series of terraces with…
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Pirámide de Teopanzolco
This very small archaeological site, 1km northeast of the center, actually has two pyramids, one inside the other. You can climb on the outer base and see…

M
Museo Robert Brady
Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to be independently wealthy and spend their life traveling around the world collecting art for their lavish Mexican…
C
Catedral de Cuernavaca
Cuernavaca’s cathedral, Templo de la Asunción de María is plain and solid with an unembellished facade. It stands in a large high-walled recinto (compound…
M
Museo Juan Soriano
Opened in 2018, this contemporary art museum is comprised of off-white cubes squatting a few blocks west of the zócalo. Temporary exhibits have included…
J
Jardín Juárez
Adjoining the northwest corner of the Plaza de Armas is the Jardín Juárez, where the central gazebo (designed by tower specialist Gustave Eiffel) houses…
M
MMAPO
This bright and inviting museum showcases handicrafts from Morelos, including life-size chinelos (costumed dancers with upturned chins from Morelos). Most…
M
Museo Regional Cuauhnáhuac
The Palacio de Cortés houses this excellent museum, which has two floors of exhibits highlighting Mexican cultures and history. On the ground floor,…
P
Palacio de Cortés
Cortés’ imposing medieval-style fortress stands opposite the southeast end of the Plaza de Armas. This two-story stone palace was built in 1535 on the…
J
Jardín Borda
This extravagant property, inspired by Versailles (though with mere park-like results), features gardens formally laid out in a series of terraces with…
P
Pirámide de Teopanzolco
This very small archaeological site, 1km northeast of the center, actually has two pyramids, one inside the other. You can climb on the outer base and see…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Cuernavaca.

See
Museo Robert Brady
Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to be independently wealthy and spend their life traveling around the world collecting art for their lavish Mexican…
See
Catedral de Cuernavaca
Cuernavaca’s cathedral, Templo de la Asunción de María is plain and solid with an unembellished facade. It stands in a large high-walled recinto (compound…
See
Museo Juan Soriano
Opened in 2018, this contemporary art museum is comprised of off-white cubes squatting a few blocks west of the zócalo. Temporary exhibits have included…
See
Jardín Juárez
Adjoining the northwest corner of the Plaza de Armas is the Jardín Juárez, where the central gazebo (designed by tower specialist Gustave Eiffel) houses…
See
MMAPO
This bright and inviting museum showcases handicrafts from Morelos, including life-size chinelos (costumed dancers with upturned chins from Morelos). Most…
See
Museo Regional Cuauhnáhuac
The Palacio de Cortés houses this excellent museum, which has two floors of exhibits highlighting Mexican cultures and history. On the ground floor,…
See
Palacio de Cortés
Cortés’ imposing medieval-style fortress stands opposite the southeast end of the Plaza de Armas. This two-story stone palace was built in 1535 on the…
See
Jardín Borda
This extravagant property, inspired by Versailles (though with mere park-like results), features gardens formally laid out in a series of terraces with…
See
Pirámide de Teopanzolco
This very small archaeological site, 1km northeast of the center, actually has two pyramids, one inside the other. You can climb on the outer base and see…

Guidebooks

Learn more about Cuernavaca

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