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Let's Go2MexicoCity - Articles Cuernavaca – A City to Live? Why choose Cuernavaca as a vacation destination or, even more dramatic, choose Cuernavaca as a city in which to live? That is a question that I have been asked by family, friends and colleagues. They seem incredulous and that is largely due to the fact that they have never heard of Cuernavaca, the capital city of the state of Morelos and about a 45 minute drive from Mexico City. All that can be said is, ‘So much the pity for their lack of knowledge of Cuernavaca’. Why? … This is where you can bathe in hospitable, friendly surroundings that are relaxing as well as intriguing and exciting, educational and awe inspiring. Lofty words? I don’t think so because they ring true for anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting the region: of coming to know those who are fortunate to live here and who share their love of life so freely and genuinely, of bathing in the colours and scents and sounds that express a joie de vivre rarely found elsewhere. Well, I have vacationed and am now in process of living there. I do not quite fit the Baby Boomer criterion by being a bit (ha, ha) older but this is the place for me and it is ideal for the Baby Boomer also.
As I hinted at in my opening paragraph, this is a place where there is no excuse for feeling bored with all there is to do and see. Cuernavaca and the entire region are historically rich and offer vistas equal in beauty and majesty as found anywhere else. Since it is a modern city also, there is a balance between the old, the very old and the new. A visit to the Zócalo, the central square, near sunset will surprise you with the sound of thousands of birds rousting in the large trees surrounding the square. There are culinary delights to be sampled also in the many fine Cuernavaca restaurants. As for side trips to neighbouring locales, there are many with one example being Ocotepec where interesting religious celebrations take place such as the Day of the Dead in the first days of November. In the entire region, there are archaeological ruins to explore and natural spas where you can relax and be pampered. The adventurers and photographers will find plenty to occupy them and to satisfy their needs If you like to shop, there is plenty of choice there also with a Mexican twist. The local markets are where you will find handicraft type goods. The local Mercado (market) near the Palacio de Cortés is most interesting to the collector. This is where you will find items for sale from other states as well. Yes, there are also shopping malls and department stores just as back home though the names will be different. Traditions in Cuernavaca stem largely from very early times before the white man set foot in this paradise. The love for markets stems from the time of the founders of Cuernavaca, the Tlahuicas, of circa 1100 AD to 1500 AD and prevails to this day. Artists play music, people stop to talk. What a change from the hectic lifestyle I used to be part of! Churches are a focal point where you will find a market nearby the church decorated inside out for the market occasion. The Tlahuicas’ influence extends to the coinciding of the most important festivals dates with those of the founders’ dates for festivals.
The tourist industry drives a good part of the economy and it can only be hoped that it will not become a Mecca for tourists to the degree that it loses its precious unique and charming vibrancy. That would be a great pity indeed! This is the first of a number of articles on Cuernavaca. The topics covered above will be expanded on in the upcoming article. See you with the next episode.Email to a friend Walter Hollander |
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Having lived and endured cold and harsh winters for most of my years may have brought me to a state of longing for a gentler climate and Cuernevaca certainly offers that also. Monthly normal high temperatures range from 78◦ F (or 26◦ C) in December and climbing steadily higher until in April a high of 90◦ F (or 32◦ C) is reached followed by a steady downhill trend back to December’s reading. As for low temperatures, again in December a normal low temperature is 56◦ F (or 13◦ C) increasing again until April with a low of 66◦ F (or 19◦ C). What does that mean in terms of how you feel? Well, you might want to put on a sweater during the night after the sun has gone down. There will be no more winter clothing though and I will not be sorry for that as I am sure you won’t be either. Also, there are no hurricanes, no tornadoes. Yes, there will be rain but mostly during the cooler nights and then mostly from June through October.
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The white man’s incursion into Mexico dates back to the 1500’s when Hernan Cortés the conquistador claimed the land for Spain. The Tlahuicas were fiercely loyal to the Aztecs. Cortés overcame their opposition to his forces and torched the city as it was then. He used the stones of the pyramid there to build his palace, Palacio de Cortés, on the pyramid’s base. He also erected Cuernavaca’s downtown cathedral, Catedral de la Asunción, which dates from 1552.
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