Cuernavaca, MorelosCapital of Morelos, one of Mexico's smallest states, Cuernavaca has been known for centuries as the City of the Eternal Spring. The name Cuernavaca stems from náhuatl word "Cuauhnáhuac" meaning "near the trees". With an altitude of 1,542 meters (5,059 feet) on Mexico's central plateau, Cuernavaca's climate is generally mild with warm, sunny days and cool nights. It's placement, strung along a slope riddled with numerous barrancas (ravines), makes for a marked difference in temperatures between the higher, northern areas of the city, which touch into cool pine forests, and the southern lower and more tropically-climed reaches, where the lushness of sugar cane and bananas abounds. [Click here for more on weather] The City of the Eternal Spring boasts of palatial houses hidden behind their high walls and year-round blossoming vegetation and sub-tropical gardens. It is only about a 45 minute drive from the Mexico City limits over an excellent toll highway that climbs to over 10,000' in height. Cuernavaca is located in a small state rich with archeological ruins and haciendas, impressive scenery and natural spas. The opportunity for interesting side trips are many, all being within only a couple of hours drive, at most, from the capital. Cuernavaca is renown for its excellent language schools, many of which offer cultural activities and programs extending far beyond regular Spanish language courses.
Suggested tours and activities:
Zoomable map of Cuernavaca streets from MapQuest.com |
