Cuernavaca

Cuernavaca, about 80 km south of Mexico City, draws visitors to the Borda Garden and Diego Rivera murals, with a dry season from November to April.

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Cuernavaca is the capital of Morelos state and sits about 80 km south of Mexico City, a trip usually taking about 90 minutes by car on Federal Highway 95D. The city is nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring, a name attributed to Alexander von Humboldt, who gave it during his 1805 visit. Altitude runs from about 1,380 m in the south to about 1,800 m in the north, so the north is cooler and more humid. Ravines cut through the city and cool the air that moves through them.

The Palacio de Cortés, built for Hernán Cortés, holds the Museo Regional Cuauhnáhuac and Diego Rivera murals on Morelos and Mexican history. The Jardín Borda was the summer residence of Emperor Maximilian I in the 1860s and now has fountains, a lake, a museum and an open-air theater. Teopanzolco, an archaeological site near downtown, has a large pyramid base. The drier months from November to April suit most visits; the rainy season runs from mid-May to late October, mostly with showers and storms at night.

Cuernavaca in five

Take Federal Highway 95D from Mexico CityThe drive from Mexico City usually takes about 90 minutes by car on Federal Highway 95D. Inside the city, buses are the main public transport, and the central bus terminal is the Terminal Central.Getting around
Wear shoes with good grip for the steep streetsThe streets are steep and uneven, and the city is cut by ravines (barrancas). Good footwear helps on the streets and on the stairs down to Salto de San Antón.
Visit between November and AprilThe drier months from November to April suit most visits. The rainy season runs from mid-May to late October, with heavy showers and storms, mostly at night.
Pack a warm layer for December and JanuaryDecember and January are the coolest months, and nights drop below 10 °C. The north of the city sits higher and is cooler and more humid than the south.
Bring candles to an Ocotepec ofrendaOn 2 November, Ocotepec families set up large ofrendas for relatives who died in the past year, and visitors are welcome. Bring candles (veladoras) for the altar; hosts usually offer tamales, ponche or coffee.Culture

Things to do in Cuernavaca

See all attractions in Cuernavaca

Garden · CuernavacaBorda GardenBring cash. The entrance fee is 30 pesos and cards are not accepted.

an old church with a steeple on a cloudy day

Church · CuernavacaCatedral de CuernavacaSome parts were closed after recent earthquakes damaged them, so view those buildings from the outside.

Museum · CuernavacaPapalote Museo del Niño

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Need to know

Currency: Mexican peso (MXN)
Entry: Visa-free short stays for many passports; tourist permit (FMM) issued on arrival Read more
Emergency: 911 for police, fire and ambulance
Tipping: Customary for waiters and taxi drivers; check if service is added
Time: UTC-6, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh24°Low11°Cool nights, dry
FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh27°Low12°Dry, mild
MarchClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low14°Dry, warm
AprilClear3 rainy daysHigh30°Low15°Hot, dry
MayRain13 rainy daysHigh30°Low16°Rains start
JuneRain23 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh26°Low16°Rainy season
JulyRain21 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low15°Rainy, green
AugustRain26 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh25°Low15°Rainy, green
SeptemberRain25 rainy days2 days with stormsHigh24°Low15°Rainy, green
OctoberRain17 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Rains ending
NovemberClear4 rainy daysHigh25°Low13°Dry season starts
DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh24°Low12°Cool nights

Average daily high and low in Cuernavaca, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Cuernavaca

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 24°
Humidity: 57%
Wind: 13 km/h
Chance of rain: 2%

Cuernavaca

02:36 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-6

Today28°17°2%Monday: Fog. High 28°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 2%.
Tue28°17°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 28°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 0%.
Wed29°17°4%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 4%.
Thu29°17°16%Thursday: Clear. High 29°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 16%.
Fri29°17°20%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 20%.
Sat28°16°43%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 43%.
Sun26°16°49%Sunday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 16°. Chance of rain 49%.

Updated 02:18 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 18.81 MXN

Amount

Converted to

MXN · Mexican Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Cuernavaca

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

Mexico City, MexicoDía de MuertosOct 31 – Nov 2, 2026 · Read the event guide

Day trips by train

Before you go to Cuernavaca

eSIM for CuernavacaOffline maps for steep, uneven streetsRead the guide

Insurance for CuernavacaCover for falls on steep streetsRead the guide

Money in CuernavacaCash for markets and craft stallsRead the guide

Stays in CuernavacaCenter or north of the cityRead the guide

Rules for Cuernavaca, checked

Check whether your passport needs a visa for Mexico at gob.mx/sre before you book, since many nationalities enter without one.
Declare cash above the legal limit at arrival or departure. Check the current amount with the tax authority SAT before you travel.
For police, fire or an ambulance in Cuernavaca, call 911, the same number used across Mexico.

Plan around Cuernavaca

All of Mexico

Regions, transport and money for a wider Mexico route

Read the guide Getting around

Buses, roads and car rental for the trip south of the capital

Read the guide Visas and entry

Passport rules and the tourist permit for Mexico

Read the guide Money and costs

Cash, cards and typical prices for a few days

Read the guide Where to stay

Places to sleep in the center and the cooler north

Read the guide Plan the trip

Planning pages for dates, bookings and day trips

Read the guide

Cuernavaca FAQ

Is Cuernavaca worth visiting from Mexico City?

Yes, if you want historic palaces and gardens within reach of the capital. It is about 80 km south, around 90 minutes by car on Federal Highway 95D.

How do you get to Cuernavaca from Mexico City?

The usual route is by car on Federal Highway 95D, about 90 minutes. Inside the city, buses are the main public transport.

Why is Cuernavaca called the City of Eternal Spring?

The nickname is attributed to Alexander von Humboldt, who gave it during his 1805 visit. The annual mean is 20.9 °C. The rainy season runs from mid-May to late October.

What does Cuernavaca mean?

The name comes from the Nahuatl Cuauhnahuac, usually read as 'near the trees'. The Spanish changed it because they struggled to pronounce it. Other proposed readings include 'valley or plain of the eagles'.

When is the best time to visit Cuernavaca?

November to April, the drier months, suit most visits. December and January are the coolest, with nights below 10 °C.

Is Cuernavaca good for learning Spanish?

Yes. Ivan Illich's center in the 1960s and later language schools made it a major center for foreigners learning Spanish.