Territory capital · Mexico
Cuernavaca
Give Cuernavaca 2 nights as a cool-climate base for Xochicalco and Tepoztlán, or 1 night if you only want the zócalo and Cortés palace.
Cuernavaca is the capital of Morelos, 84 km south of Mexico City and about 1,500 m up, so it stays mild while the capital bakes. The centre is small: plaza, cathedral, Borda Garden and the Cortés palace in one walk. Most visitors come for two nights, use it as a base for Xochicalco and Tepoztlán, and leave before the Sunday traffic back north.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MXN
- Best months
- Nov–May (dry, mild)
- avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain), Easter week and weekends for traffic
- Airports
- CVJ · MEX
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Cuernavaca911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cuernavaca, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mexican peso (MXN, $).Mexico-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelcel has the widest coverage; AT&T and Movistar are cheaper in cities.Mexico-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; garrafón (20-litre jugs) and filtered water in hotels.Mexico-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurants: 10–15%; check the bill for an included 'servicio'.Mexico-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 127 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mexico-wide
- SafetyCuernavaca is a normal working city, not a resort: use radio taxis or Uber at night, keep to the centre and known suburbs…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places; public toilets charge MXN 5–10 (≈ under US$1).Mexico-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 078 Tourist assistance (national)
- Sundays & holidaysMost museums and many archaeological sites close on Mondays; banks close on public holidays.Mexico-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCVJ Cuernavaca Airport (Small field south of the city; most travellers arrive via Mexico City instead.).
- Getting aroundCity buses cost about M$8 per ride; taxis have no meters, so agree the fare before you get in (M$35–55 by day in the centre, roughly double at night).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeM$40–70
- Street or quick mealTaco al pastorM$3–8
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi in the centre, daytimeM$35–55
- Metro or bus rideCity bus rideM$8
- Museum or sight ticketPalace of Cortés entryM$60
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personMX$250 (≈ US$14)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomMX$1,400 (≈ US$80)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomMX$2,800 (≈ US$160)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MX$700 (≈ US$40) · Mid MX$1,300 (≈ US$75) · High MX$2,600 (≈ US$150)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CVJ Cuernavaca Airport (Small field south of the city; most travellers arrive via Mexico City instead.) · MEX Mexico City Benito Juárez (Buses run from both terminals to Cuernavaca, about 2 h with traffic.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Feb
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Mar
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Best: Nov–May. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C) low), wettest Jul (21 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cuernavaca: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
Feb
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
19 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
21 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
21 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
20 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
Dec
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
City buses cost about M$8 per ride; taxis have no meters, so agree the fare before you get in (M$35–55 by day in the centre, roughly double at night). Uber and radio taxis operate; radio taxis booked by phone leave a dispatch record.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Xochicalco
goDoor to door: Half a day
Taxi or tour from Cuernavaca, about 38 km (24 mi) southwestTaxi or tour from Cuernavaca, about 24 mi (38 km) southwest
UNESCO-listed hilltop site; daily 10:00–17:00, observatory from 12:00.UNESCO-listed hilltop site; daily 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, observatory from 12:00 PM.
Door to door: About 1 h
Bus from the Central de Autobuses, about 45 min
Market town under the Tepozteco; the climb to the pyramid takes 1–1.5 h up.
Tlayacapan
goDoor to door: 1–1.5 h
Bus or car north via the tollway
16th-century monastery and black pottery; some monastery interiors closed since 2017 (check).
Cuautla
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from the Central de Autobuses, about 1 h 15 min
Hotter, lower town; the draw is 1812 independence history and nearby water parks.
Door to door: 1.5–2.5 h
Pullman de Morelos bus from the Casino de la Selva terminal
Buses every 20 min or so; the return leg is the one that jams on Sunday.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centro (zócalo and cathedral)
Walk to the plaza, museums and markets; noisier on weekend nights.
Vista Hermosa
Malls, restaurants and Teopanzolco ruins; 10–15 min by taxi from the centre.
Chapultepec / eastern Cuernavaca
Quieter, greener, near Chapultepec Park; you will need taxis or buses.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- M$500–900 excl. bed
- Mid
- M$900–1,800 excl. bed
- High
- M$1,800+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × MX$1,400 | MX$2,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × MX$1,300 | MX$5,200 |
| Bus from Mexico City (Terminal del Sur), one way2 × MX$130 | MX$260 |
| Bus from Mexico City airport, one way2 × MX$235 | MX$470 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × MX$300 | MX$600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MX$933 |
| Trip total≈ MX$2,566 per person per day, bed included | MX$10,263≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in pesos; long-distance buses and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| City bus ride | M$8 |
| Taxi in the centre, daytime | M$35–55 |
| Taco al pastor | M$3–8 |
| Budget set meal (soup, pasta, main, dessert) | M$100–180 |
| Palace of Cortés entry | M$60 |
| Teopanzolco entry | M$100, free for Mexican residents |
| Coffee | M$40–70 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Agree every taxi fare before boarding; there are no meters.
- Friday southbound and Sunday afternoon northbound on the Mexico–Cuernavaca tollway can add 2 h or more.
- Some 16th-century monastery churches in Morelos are still closed after the 2017 earthquake: check before travelling.
- Afternoon rain from June to September is heavy and sudden.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Tourist assistance (national)
- 078
Pocket card
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CuernavacaCuernavaca
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Tourist assistance078
Embassy
No US or UK embassy in Cuernavaca; both are in Mexico City (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Mexico City (Terminal del Sur) → Cuernavaca: about M$130, 75 min without traffic
- Bus Mexico City airport → Cuernavaca: about M$235, about 2 h
- Taxi zócalo → Vista Hermosa: M$50–80 by day, roughly double at night
Say or show
- ¿Cuánto cuesta ir a…? — How much to go to…? (KWAN-to KWES-ta eer a)
- Pare aquí, por favor — Please stop here (PA-re a-KEE por fa-VOR)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la KWEN-ta por fa-VOR)
- ¿Es seguro caminar por ahí? — Is it safe to walk there? (es se-GU-ro ka-mee-NAR por a-EE)
- No hablo mucho español — I don't speak much Spanish (no AB-lo MOO-cho es-pa-ÑOL)
- ¿Dónde está la central de autobuses? — Where is the bus station? (DON-de es-TA la sen-TRAL de ow-to-BOO-ses)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cuernavaca. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–May (dry, mild) · avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain), Easter week and weekends for traffic · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CVJ and MEX: last bus departures, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters: zócalo and cathedral, Borda Garden and Cortés palace, Vista Hermosa and Teopanzolco.
- Place pages with verified hours for the Cortés palace, Robert Brady Museum and Xochicalco.
- Weekend traffic fixtures so the Friday/Sunday tollway warning is field-checked.