Founded by the Aztecs and now the state capital of Morelos, Cuernavaca's biggest attraction is its climate. Known as "the City of Eternal Spring," it stays at nearly 73° F throughout the year.

Just 50 miles from Mexico City, Cuernavaca, Morelos, has been adopted as a place of rest and recreation by many visitors, from Aztec emperors and conquerors, to princes, artists, and a large number of retirees.

It was the home of Hernan Cortes, Maximilian of Hapsburg, the muralist David Alfaro Siqueiros, and the writer Erich Fromm, all attracted by its sunny flower-filled days.

Cuernavaca's secret is its gorges, which penetrate the city and provide the moisture needed to ensure a year-round festival of flowers. Whether it is bougainvillea, poinciana, amapas, jacaranda, African tulips, jasmine, lilies, or daisies, something is always blooming, providing beautiful colors and aromatic scents.

The flower fair, "Feria de la Flor," is one of the city's most important holidays. Held in early spring, the streets are filled with flower displays and related competitions. Contributing to a true carnival atmosphere are fair rides and a sound and light show that occur every evening at the city's main plaza.

Throngs of tourists, however, come to Cuernavaca for more than flowers. A big attraction are these several gorges such as Amanalco with a tourist corridor, suspension bridges, and Salto San de San Anton with an 118-foot waterfall.

Besides being a natural spa, Cuernavaca boasts important cultural traditions. Here, in the courtyard of the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary of Cuernavaca, the first Nativity play in the country was held.

Morelos is the land of dancers known as chinelos. With distinctive costumes and masks, they dance tirelessly at carnivals to the sound of drums.

The people of Ocotepec, a village near Cuernavaca, take the Day of the Dead so seriously that tourists from around the world visit the cemetery to admire the offerings on its altars. 

The Palacio de Cortés in Cuernavaca is more than 450 years old and considered the oldest preserved colonial civil stucture in the Americas. Now a museum, it was built in 1526 as a residence for Herman Cortés and his wife but has also been used as a barracks, prison, and seat of government.

If looking for a unique hotel, Cuenavaca offers many interesting hospitality options. Choose from a former sixteenth century sugar mill, a hideaway built by a famous heiress, a colonial mansion, a historic hacienda, and more.