Things to see and Places to go !

The places listed are in no special order.  You just have to read down the list and see what might interest you.  This list includes hot spring pools, historic places, fun places, golf courses, water parks, national parks, ruins, temples--a bit of everything.  Over 30 places in all, plus a half-dozen golf courses.  One of my goals is to start visiting these places one by one and creating web pages for each attraction.  So, please, come back often.  We will be adding much more. Some of the sites about which I was able to find a lot of information, and in some cases even pictures, have their own web pages.   

One of the things I have found most interesting is the fact that Mexico had a European-based culture hundreds of years before most of the U.S. did.  In Cuernavaca, there are at least two churches, and Cortes' Palace as well, that were all built before cities like Columbus, Chicago and Detroit even had log cabins.  I did a web search and found nothing about when Chicago was founded.  In Columbus' web history, the 1870's are the earliest dates mentioned, while the city of Detroit was founded in 1701. Compare this to the Cathedral in Cuernavaca built in the 1500's.  Indian temples built in the 1200's.   

Xochicalco
Situated just 38 Km. from Cuernavaca, this is considered one of the most beautiful and important archeological sites in Mexico, not only because of its archeological value but also because it is considered  sacred by many people who believe this place is filled with energy. If you visit, do not forget to see the Sitio Museum and the Ceremonial Plaza, where you will see the extraordinary "Feathered Snake Pyramid." This pyramid was decorated with a relief  that is supposed to illustrate a reunion between important people to make the meso-american calendar. 

More info on  Xochicalco

Teopanzolco
In the heart of Cuernavaca, vestiges of prehispanic culture stand among modern buildings, making it easy to reflect upon the differences between the past and the present. The most important structure is the "Double Temple of Tlaloc- Huitzilopochtli," which consists of 14 monuments. For more information on Teopanzolco

Tepozteco Pyramid / City of Tepoztlan
This amazing pyramid is surrounded with vegetation, making an unparalleled sight. It was built to honor Ometochtli on the top of the hill of the Tepozteco. The city itself is well worth the 15 minute ride to see.   
For more info on Tepoztlan

The Piles
Ceremonial Center which is made out of "plazas." It had canals and deposits to save water for later use; located in Jonacatepec.

The Grutas
Caves of Cacahuamilpa: subterranean caverns distinguished for their stalactite and stalagmite formations.  Located about 1/2 way between Cuernavaca and Taxco.  

Cortes Palace
(Cuaunahuac Museum)
A beautiful building, built in the 16th century, which was used by the conqueror Hernan Cortes as his residence. Today it is home of a very important collection of prehispanic and colonial pieces. Located on the site of an Indian temple in the center of Cuernavaca, next to the Zocalo.

Chalcatzingo
This extraordinary archeological site is about 3,500 years old. You can find it just a couple minutes from Jonacatepec. It was probably made by the Olmecs.  Highlights include the Central Plaza, the Kings Reliefs, the Jaguar Relief, and the Hunter.
For more information on Chalcatzingo

Chimalacatlan
Built on the "Sierra the Huautla," on Tlalquitenango.

Coatetelco
In Nahuatl it means "the snake hill." It is located in Miacatlan. Coatetelco is approximately 2 km. after the city of Alpuyeca. It has ruins dating from the epoch of the Teotihuacan influence (450-600 A.C.) and Late Post classic (1350-1521) mainly in the Mexica epoch.
For more information on Coatetelco

Ruins of Malinalco
This is a Mexican initiation Temple

Museum and Cultural Center "Robert Brady Foundation." This museum has a very impressive collection of paintings and cultural artifacts. It is located at the intersection of Nezahualcoyotl and "20 Noviembre" streets, just beside the cathedral.  

The collections were assembled by Robert Brady (1928-1986). Born in Iowa, USA, with a career in the fine arts at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Tyler Arts Center of Temple University and the Barnes Foundation in Merion, Pennsylvania, He established residence in Venice for five years before settling here in Cuernavaca in 1962. During his entire creative life he traveled extensively adding to the collections. To be seen are major works of art by Rufino Tamayo, Frida Kahlo, Miguel Covarrubias, Maurice Prendergast, Marsden Hartley, Milton Avery and Graham Sutherland. This collection of more than 1,300 works also includes Mexican colonial furniture, prehispanic figures and tribal art from Africa, The Americas, Oceania, India and the Far East displayed in the fourteen rooms open to the public. With an unfailing artist's eye, Brady, a painter and designer, assembled this rich mosaic of contrasting styles and epochs. The wildly colorful rooms are exactly as Brady left them. 

Temixco
A little town located about 10 minutes ride from Cuernavaca, towards Taxco.  It has a great water park, a church that was built in 1697 and every Monday they have a huge "Mercado," where hundreds of exhibitors put up stalls and sell clothing and other soft- and hard goods for the house.  This is one of the best assortments of clothing, sheets, towels, blankets, bed spreads, etc. that I have seen in Mexico, all at very low prices.  

Magic Jungle 
This amusement park is filled with fun. In it you can find restaurants, dolphins, a lake, games and a wonderful planetary.

Zoofari Zoo    
This is a drive through zoo it has more than 150 species of animals. What makes this a unique place is that the animals are in complete freedom. It has its own restaurant and shop. Located 55 kilometers from the Cuernavaca-Taxco freeway, on the way to Taxco

Hacienda De Vista Hermosa    
Traditional hotel in a colonial setting, built over 400 years ago. 

Herbolary Museum
It is just outside the Maximilian house. (Matamoros 200, Acapatzingo).

Photographic Museum "El Castillito" 
On Agustin Guemes Celis Street (Calvario).

Regional Museum Carlos Pellicer in Tepoztlan  
One of the best collections of prehispanic pieces in Morelos. Pablo Gonzales Street  #2 in Tepoztlan.

Regional Museum of Tlayacapan  
In this museum you will have the opportunity of looking at some mummies that were found in a convent.

Culture House in Tlayacapan   
A very interesting center where you can listen to conferences and see expositions.

The "Fight for the Land" Museum 
A museum that covers the life of Emiliano Zapata.  It is in the center of Anenecuilco.

Cathedral of Cuernavaca

Not an outstanding building but well worth looking at.  It's a large complex with some smaller churches surrounding it.  One thing that I found interesting is that it was started in the year 1529 Finished around 1560; in an area with lots of earthquakes, it's still standing tall and strong.  The Borda Garden is just 50 yards or so up the street, making it easy to see both.  

While you are here make sure to visit the Church next to the Jardin Borda.  This is the so called Family church for the owners of the Jardin.  It has just been renovated and the inside is truly beautiful.  I think this small church is more impressive then the cathedral.
 

Parks, Lakes, and other Natural Places 

National Park "Tepozteco."   
Only 20 minutes from Cuernavaca, traveling on federal highway #95,  to the exit for Cuautla- La Pera, and on highway #115D, one arrives at the National Park "El Tepozteco".

On an area of 24,000 hectares covered with pines and oaks, the National Park "El Tepozteco" rises, proud of the spectacular rocky formations appearing majestically among the profuse vegetation, and among which is found a pyramidal structure called "The House of The Tepozteco", dedicated to Ometochtli-Tepochtecatl, the god of "pulque" and fertility. 

Borda Garden

This is a perfect place to walk in an unparalleled peaceful natural beauty. Located near the center of town.  cultural activities, such as photographic and literary events, conferences, dances, photography, music, cinematographic events and children's activities are held regularly.  The garden itself  has characteristics similar to those of the Andalusian garden, it has  lots of plants and many pools, and fountains.  
For more information and some photos of the Borda Garden.. 

Salto de San Anton
It is a 30 m. waterfall.  Located near the Bajada del Salto, col. San Anton, Cuernavaca Morelos.

Zempoala Lagoons
These beautiful lagoons are in the south edge of the mountain range of the Ajusco, lodged in old volcanic craters at 2,900 meters above the sea level. All of this region was declared National Park. Etymologically, its Nahuatl name is formed by the roots "Cempoall, twenty and "atl", water; many waters or many lagoons, surely making reference to the six small lagoons of the district, although some of them are completely dry during the spring. From east to west these lagoons are: the Lagoon of Zempoala, that is the biggest; afterwards the Lagoon of Compila, which derives its name from "Acopilac" or "Lagoon of the Crown" in Nahuatl, and is named this way because it is surrounded by peaks of mountains resembling a crown; the Lagoon of Tonatihua, that means "Lagoon of the Sun", and is placed at the lowest part of the hill of Alumbre; the Lagoon of Quila, that derives its name from "Tilac", meaning "Black Water" because it is darker than the others, almost drowned by the exuberant vegetation; the Dry Lagoon, the Lagoon of Ocoyotengo and the Lagoon of Hueyapan. The climate that prevails in the region is cool and humid. Around the lagoons are dense conifer wood, thick ferns and very small lichens.

Ecological Reserve "Texcal."  
An unforgettable experience in the jungle. In this reserve you will feel free and peaceful.

Ecological Reserve "Huautla." 
In this reserve there is a lot of research being carried out with respect to the flora and the fauna of Morelos.

Tequesquitengo Lake
This lake is located in the south of the state, between the municipalities of Puente de Ixtla and Jojutla,  only 48 kms. from Cuernavaca, its main access being by the Auto Pista.

Its origin goes back to 1650, when a small village was established at the border of a spring where the natives extracted "tequesquite" and planted sesame and corn; etymologically it is a Nahuatl word meaning "Place of Tequesquite or Lime", because previously it was a salpetrous plain that after some time was covered by water. In the XIX century the Mosso brothers, owners of Hacienda San Jose Vista Hermosa, built a channel and the excess water formed what is now the Lake of Tequesquitengo, destroying the original village. It is the biggest and most important lake in the state, and it is almost 5 kms. in diameter in its widest part, with a surface of 8 sq km and maximum depth of 25 meters. There is in the center of the lake a submerged village, and in the low water level seasons it is possible to see the church tower. The depth of its water makes it possible to water ski and to ride in motor boats and jet skis, or on a "banana." And the popular ship disco-restaurant allows  one to enjoy a pleasant nautical journey around the lake; in the outskirts there is a light aircraft school, ultra lights and parachute jumping.

 Shopping for Gringos 

There are lots of things to spend you money on, There are many tourist stores and mercados.  Some things you might not think of are dentists and eye doctors.  If you don't have insurance it is much much cheaper to get some good dentistry work done while you are here.  Glasses and Contacts are also cheaper here.  Another thing is getting custom clothing made while you are here.  Mexican tailors are very good and very cheap.  If you have a favorite shirt or pair of pants bring it with you and the tailor will copy it exactly.  If you are staying with a Mexican family ask them for a referral, if not there are some good tailors just to the left of Cortez's palace, from the Zocolo walk down past Charlies bar, next street turn left. 

Check out the food page for wine suggestions.  Wine suggestions. 

If you are suffering withdrawal pains, here are a few suggestions:

Sams Club carries quite a few American items.  The bakery is quite good; it's the best place in town to buy apple and cherry pies.  

Club de Golf !

Golf Club Cuernavaca. It has 9 holes and is in Plutarco Elias Calles 31, Colonia Club de Golf. Cuernavaca, Morelos.

Golf Club Tabachines. This is an 18-hole course, located in Colonia Tabachines.

Golf Club San Gaspar. 18 holes. Jiutepec, Morelos (19-43-84)

Golf Club Lomas de Cocoyoc. Inside Cocoyoc.

Golf Club Hacienda de Cocoyoc. Inside Cocoyoc Hacienda.

Golf Club Santa Fe. 18 holes a bit further out, but very nice; has a large American membership.  Off the autopista towards Acapulco.