Cuernavaca: Difference between revisions
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The main bus terminal is located in the Lopez Mateos Market, next to the city centre. In addition to city buses, regional buses also run to towns and cities throughout the state, such as [[Cuautla]], [[Xochicalco]] and [[Tepoztlan]], from this terminal. These buses likewise make various stops along the route. |
The main bus terminal is located in the Lopez Mateos Market, next to the city centre. In addition to city buses, regional buses also run to towns and cities throughout the state, such as [[Cuautla]], [[Xochicalco]] and [[Tepoztlan]], from this terminal. These buses likewise make various stops along the route. |
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'''Inter-city Buses''' |
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Regular service to more distant destinations in Morelos, or destinations outside of the state, including [[Mexico City]],[[Toluca]], [[Puebla]], [[Taxco]], and [[Acapulco]] is available from stations in or near the downtown. The various companies providing services operate from separate stations, and sometimes operate from more than one station. The service from each station depends on the destination, and the class and speed of the service. Some services include movies, refreshments and thorough security scanning, while others provide only basic service similar to that of the regional buses. |
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'''By Taxi:''' |
'''By Taxi:''' |
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'''By Car:''' |
'''By Car:''' |
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Parking your car in the middle of the city might be very painful experience. During the day the city is absolutely full and there is always traffic jam in the downtown. When parking, pay attention that you park only in places where it is really allowed. (Never on a red line close the sidewalk). The best option is to use paid parking lots or pay a small amount of money to "someone watching your car". Restaurants usually support wallet parking and they do their service good. |
Parking your car in the middle of the city might be very painful experience. During the day the city is absolutely full and there is always traffic jam in the downtown. When parking, pay attention that you park only in places where it is really allowed. (Never on a red line close the sidewalk). The best option is to use paid parking lots or pay a small amount of money to "someone watching your car". Restaurants usually support wallet parking and they do their service good. |
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'''By Bus:''' |
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Bus destinations from Cuernavaca include very regular services to Mexico City (1.5 hours) as well as services to Toluca, Puebla, Tepoztlan, Taxco, Acapulco and destinations throughout Morelos. |
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You have 2 classes of buses available - There is the first class couch - "Clase Ejecutiva" - take this whenever you can. You have also the Regular Long Distance Bus. The differences are huge so the first class is worth to consider: In the couch you have stewardess there refreshments, TV with a movie and they are about to have there internet too. What surprised me were so small thinks like: someone watching your luggage before departure and after arrival. You get your bag only when presenting your ticket with the luggage number on it. They installed security scanners on the Bus Terminals so they do not allow anyone with a gun, knife, spray or what so ever questionable to get on board. The prices to Mexico city are about 120 pesos($12). |
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'''By Train:''' |
'''By Train:''' |
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Revision as of 05:54, 28 May 2007
Cuernavaca | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location in Mexico Location in Mexico | |
| Mexican State | Morelos |
| Government | |
| • Mayor 2006-2009 | Jesús Giles Sánchez |
| Elevation | 1,480 m (4,856 ft) |
| Population (2005) | |
• City | 332,197 city; 349,102 municipality |
| • Metro | 787,556 |
| Website | http://www.cuernavaca.gob.mx/ |
Cuernavaca is the capital and largest city of the state of Morelos in Mexico. It is the municipal seat of the municipality of Cuernavaca. As of the 2005 census, the population of the city was 332,197; the municipality's entire population was 349,102. The municipality has an area of 151.2 km² (58.38 sq mi) and includes numerous small localities outside the city.
Cuernavaca is located about 85 km. (50 miles) south of Mexico City on the M-95 freeway. It is known as "the city of eternal spring" because of its consistent 27 °C year-round weather. Cuernavaca is truly in the heart of Mexico, and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions of the country.
The city's name comes from Nahuatl Cuauhnāhuac "place near trees" (IPA: [kʷawˈnaːwak]), the name of the pre-Columbian altepetl at the location. The name was altered to Cuernavaca by influence of the Spanish words cuerno "horn" and vaca "cow".
Tourism
Cuernavaca has always been a popular vacation destination for people from the Mexico City valley. The opportunity for interesting side trips are many, all being within only a couple of hours drive, at most, from the capital. Many sights, from populous Mexico City to 18,000 feet volcanoes, are a short distance from the heart of the city.
Cuernavaca is a favorite spot for its historical richness, striking scenery, colorful life, and delightful climate. The terrain is hilly and the streets are narrow and quaint. A wide variety of activities are available with all of the normal services of a modern city. The city's bus system is economical and easy to use. This condition has added historical value to the city. The city has examples of ancient Aztec and Tlahuica cultures and of colonial buildings such as the Palacio de Cortés. Cuernavaca has historical sites from the Revolution, workshops of important artists, and more. Unfortunately, however, a rapidly-increasing population in the last couple of decades and a hugely-increased volume of traffic on the city's streets have brought problems of severe congestion and air contamination to large parts of the municipality.
The city has a number of language schools and has, for more than 25 years, been hosting visitors from around the world who want to learn Spanish.
Security
Cuernavaca, when compared with other cities in Mexico, is exceptionally secure. You might expect some small robberies, mainly in city centre but this is normal in any other large city or tourist destination. The police show their presence here very often so when passing the city by car you will see police several times. Dealing with Police officers is a special chapter on its own. As a foreigner you have always bad cards but if you show respect and don’t push them too much they are pretty easy to deal with. The majority of police officers speak only Spanish. In case of problems they usually require a small amount of money to speed the administration etc. But in general it is enough to show them respect and keep things moving.
Transportation
Public Transportation
Buses are readily available throughout the city. Locally the buses are called "rutas," and they are similar the "microbús" used in Mexico City. Many suburban areas lying outside of the official city limits are also accessible by city buses. The up-keep and cleanliness of the buses vary greatly, as do driving habits of the operators. Due to heavy traffic on main arteries the buses move very slowly at times, but at other times may move very quickly through small, less-traveled roads. There are official bus stops at very regular intervals along the routes, but if it is convenient, drivers will often stop for passengers at other locations. The prices of the city buses begin at 4.5 pesos, which is paid directly to the driver.
The main bus terminal is located in the Lopez Mateos Market, next to the city centre. In addition to city buses, regional buses also run to towns and cities throughout the state, such as Cuautla, Xochicalco and Tepoztlan, from this terminal. These buses likewise make various stops along the route.
Inter-city Buses
Regular service to more distant destinations in Morelos, or destinations outside of the state, including Mexico City,Toluca, Puebla, Taxco, and Acapulco is available from stations in or near the downtown. The various companies providing services operate from separate stations, and sometimes operate from more than one station. The service from each station depends on the destination, and the class and speed of the service. Some services include movies, refreshments and thorough security scanning, while others provide only basic service similar to that of the regional buses.
By Taxi: Do not hesitate to order or just catch a cab in the city - it is usually very secure service, they are reliable and very fast (as they know how to get fast from the jammed streets). The price can be as low as 20 Pesos for driving from city centre some 10 min away. But just one remark - the better YOU look the more you pay - there are bargain prices in taxi cars on the street. So if you look like as a "US businessman" you pay 3-5 times more compared to a "student like look". There is no way around. Taxi drivers speak sometimes english. They might help you even to find the orientation in the city.
By Car: Parking your car in the middle of the city might be very painful experience. During the day the city is absolutely full and there is always traffic jam in the downtown. When parking, pay attention that you park only in places where it is really allowed. (Never on a red line close the sidewalk). The best option is to use paid parking lots or pay a small amount of money to "someone watching your car". Restaurants usually support wallet parking and they do their service good.
By Train: Cuernavaca is no longer served by rail services.
By Air: There is a small airport in Cuernavaca. It is also known as General Mariano Matamoros Airport- you can fly to Guadalajara or to other in-land destinations.
In literature
Albeit somewhat disguised, Cuernavaca (or Quauhnahuac) is the setting for Malcolm Lowry's harrowing novel of alcohol-induced self-destruction, Under the Volcano.
Famous residents
- Gustavo Soralla (the true name of Jun Dae hyun)
- Emperor Maximilian
- Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Shah of Iran.
- Dwight Morrow, former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico and father-in-law to Charles Lindbergh, had a weekend home in Cuernavaca.
- Manuel Puig, an Argentine writer, moved to Cuernavaca in 1989 and died there in 1990.
- Erich Fromm lived here around 1950.
- Maurice Ascalon (1913-2003), the Israeli sculptor and industrial designer, spent the last years of his life in Cuernavaca, where he resided with his son, the artist Adir Ascalon.
- Warren Zevon (1947-2003), the Chicago-born rock artist, made cryptic allusion to the city of Cuernavaca in the song Veracruz, included on his 1978 breakout release, Excitable Boy.
- Notable jazz figures Charles Mingus (1922-1979) and Gil Evans (1912-1988) both died in Cuernavaca after suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease and peritonitis, respectively.
- Ivan Illich founded the Centro Intercultural de Documentación (CIDOC) in Cuernavaca in the early 1960s. This institution served as his base for many years.
- Miahuaxihuitl, a princess from Cuauhnahuac (modern Cuernavaca), a city to the south of the Valley of Mexico was the mother of moctezuma I, an aztec emperor.
- Barbara Hutton daughter of Frank W. Woolworth founder of the Woolworth department store chain. She built a Japanese style complex, now a Camino Real Hotel.
Quoted in Movies and Television
- In Men In Black when the INS agent asks the driver of a van that transports illegal aliens from Mexico, "Where are you coming from?" the driver answers, "I was fishing in Cuernavaca."(We should note that Cuernavaca possesses no lakes or rivers of significance, just cliffs and some creeks).
- In the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode Helpless (3x12), exactly 5 minutes into the episode, Buffy is talking to Giles in the library. "I'm way off my game. My game's left the country. It's in Cuernavaca."
- In Heroes episode 14, "Distractions", half-way through the episode Claire's mother claims that she spent some time in Cuernavaca.
Sister cities
References
- Link to tables of population data from Census of 2005 INEGI: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática
- Morelos Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México