Cuernavaca is a resort city and capital of the state of Morelos 75 kilometers (50 miles) south of Mexico City. Its near perfect climate has attracted vacationers since the days of the Aztec emperors. Today its narrow streets host a strange mix of local residents, Mexican vacationers, tour bus temporaries, foreign students, international jet-setters, and Hollywood stars. Filming conditions are so agreeable that the Valley of Morelos has become a favorite of the U.S. film industry. In the 1960s Cuernavaca was discovered by North American and European students attracted by the language schools specializing in teaching Spanish to foreigners. Such schools have proliferated in recent years making Cuernavaca perhaps the best place in the world to study Spanish ! Tourist sites include the 16th century Cathedral, the Palace of Cortés,the Borda gardens, a spectacular public market with multitudes of cut flowers, numerous inexpensive markets for folkloric art, and some of the most beautiful restaurants in the hemisphere.

CLIMATE

The weather makes this "City of Eternal Spring" one of the most agreeable places in the world, attracting retirees, vacationers, jet-setters, and northern "snow birds." As you enter the city from the north at about 6000 feet altitude the temperature is fresh, but it gets increasingly warmer as you descend to the southern exit at about 4500 feet. The numerous hills and ravines provide for several micro-climates within the city.
During the dry season, October-April, you can expect weather like Indian Summer in the Northeastern United States, balmy days and chilly evenings with daytime temperatures in the 70s and 80s.

The mercury rises by mid March and reaches a peak in the 90s in May until the summer rains bring cooling temperatures. Late March, April and May are the only intensely hot months. Once the rains begin at the end of May or early June, spring-like temperatures return so don't expect heat waves in the summer when it is cooler in Cuernavaca than in Alaska . The rains last until late September making for a delightful summer with abundant vegetation and flowers. Most showers occur in the late afternoon or evening and the sun reappears nearly every morning to dry up the evening puddles. It rains all day very rarely, usually due to a tropical depression or storm in the Pacific. Most days of the year Cuernavaca is a paradise for sun worshippers, so slather on your protective lotion and enjoy!

SAFETY & SECURITY

Cuernavaca is safer than most North American cities its size and it has none of the major problems associated with Mexico City. One can take taxis with complete security and not a single taxi robbery has been reported. At the largest language school with thousands of students per year, not one single incidence of violence has been reported in in the last decade. Most crime is petty theft and pick-pocketing in crowded places like tourist markets and buses. Of course one needs to take precautions typical of any large city like not walking alone late at night. Women are advised to take radio taxis to avoid being propositioned by drivers. Radio taxis are available 24 hours, the driver is known to the dispatcher, and the cost is just a bit more than a public bus in the U.S.

CUERNAVACA: A Guide for Students & Tourists
2007 edition
by James J. Horn. 61 pages l4 color photos. $6.95 + 2.00 postage & handling. Please send check for $8.95 to Educational Travel Service, P.O. Box 373, Brockport NY 14420-0373. Free with rental or language school registration via ETS. Or buy now and deduct cost from subsequent registration.

Questions? Please write to: jimhorn@educationaltravel.com.mx