PREMIUM PARTNERS TRAVEL EDUCATION NEWS
ABOUT
Planeta.com

SEARCH THIS SITE


 

Last Updated


MORELOS

Exploring Cuernavaca
by Ron Mader

MEXICO FORUM

MEXICO -- The city of Cuernavaca (elevation: 1,548 meters, 4,856 feet) boasts one of the most agreeable climates in the country and is adorned with colorful spring flowers year-round.

www.flickr.com

PHOTO GALLERY: Mexico Markets


HISTORY

Capital of the state of Morelos, Cuernavaca has a storied past.

What is today the state of Morelos was inhabited by the Chichimecs and inhabited by the Xochimilca and later the Tlahuica, who founded Cuauhnáhuac, which the Spanish renamed Cuernavaca in 1521.

The city boasts one of the most agreeable climates in the country and is adorned with charismatic colonial architecture and colorful flowers year-round.

Spanish language education taught to foreigners dates back to the 1960s when the town was put on the map by U.S., Canadian and European students attracted by the offer of immersion learning.

CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS

Cuernavaca served as the residence of Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortés. The Palacio de Cortés, built between 1522 and 1532, showcases the country's history, culture and tradition. The building is located on the main square. The second floor is adorned with murals that depict Mexican history by Diego Rivera.

The Museo Robert Brady, Calle Netzahualcoyotl #4, was the home of U.S. artist and collector Robert Brady. The museum includes several paintings by well-known Mexican artists, including Kahlo, Tamayo and Covarrubias and also has an extensive mask collection from around the world. Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Group reservations can be made at other times. Modest entrance fee.

NATURAL WORLD

A pleasant excursion is Lagunas de Zempoala National Park, 25 kilometers (16 miles) northwest of the city.

Some of the park's seven lakes are stocked with game fish. In terms of biological diversity or even entertainment, this is adequate, but not representative of Mexico's grandeur. You'll find well-worn paths for hiking and even some areas for camping. All in all, it's an easy day trip. To get there from the highway between Mexico City and Cuernavaca, turn off the main road at Tres Marías and head west through the town of Huitzilac.


VISITING?

LOCATION -- Cuernavaca is located 55 miles south of Mexico City. Nearby is Tepoztlán.

TRANSPORTATION - This is a direct bus from Mexico City's airport to Cuernavaca. It runs every hour throughout most of he day and every 90 minutes in the evening until 11pm.


SPANISH LANGUAGE SCHOOLS

Cuernavaca has a number of Spanish language schools, including Cuernavaca Language School, Encuentros, Instituto Chac-Mool and Experiencia Centro Cultural.


AUTHOR

Ron Mader is the Latin America correspondent for Transitions Abroad and host of the award-winning Planeta.com website.


REFERENCES

g Mexico Cities
b Xochicalco - Tony Burton/Mexico Connect
b Corn in the New Millenium (2000)

FLICKR

b Cuernavaca
ONLINE FLICKR

WIKI

b Morelos
ONLINE WIKI



PLANETA


SEMINARS

Learning never ends. See if one of our seminars is right for you.

www.flickr.com
 


seminars



events

mtw

GOOGLE
NEWS

 

NEWSGOOGLED
Mexico

 

TA


Copyright © 1994-2008. All rights reserved by individual authors. Link Guidelines