Day trips

The trips worth making

The strongest case for Cuernavaca is as a base for the rest of Morelos. Several of these beat the city itself.

Tepoztlán — about 40 minutes. Worth it, and honestly the place we would rather send you. A magic town under a dramatic cliff, with a good market, the Tepozteco pyramid hike up the mountain, and far more charm than Cuernavaca kept. Easy half-day or overnight.

Balnearios (spring-fed water parks) — 20 to 60 minutes. Worth it on a hot day, and the real point of the region. Las Estacas is the standout — a spring-fed river you float down, clear and cool. Others like Las Huertas and the many balnearios around the valley range from pretty to family water-park. Weekends get packed.

Xochicalco — about 45 minutes. Worth it for anyone who likes ruins. A hilltop archaeological site with a carved Feathered Serpent pyramid and an underground observatory, usually quiet and well kept. Much less crowded than the big-name sites.

Yecapixtla — about 45 minutes to an hour. Worth it if cecina is your mission. The town that made the salted beef famous; go to eat, not to sightsee.

Taxco — about 1.5 to 2 hours. Worth it if you have the time and don’t mind the drive. A silver town of white houses tumbling down a hillside, over the border in Guerrero. It is a full day, so weigh it against just going straight there.

Honest steer: if you are choosing, do Tepoztlán and a balneario. Those two are why people should come to this corner of Morelos at all.