2-Day Taxco, Tepoztlán and Cuernavaca Itinerary

Arrival day

Before Day 1. Cuernavaca is your base for all three nights, and the other two towns are day trips from it.Details

Getting here: Most visitors fly into Mexico City and drive south, about an hour or so by road in light traffic and longer at busy times. Book the ride or the driver to your door ahead of time and leave early, since the road is long and the city traffic is heavy.
Getting around: The old centre of Cuernavaca is small enough for a walk, with taxis for the gardens a little farther out. Tepoztlán is a short drive away. Taxco is a long day, about two hours each way, so book a driver or a seat well ahead.
Warmth and care: Cuernavaca lies lower than Mexico City, so days are warm and nights are mild all year. Bring a hat, water and a light layer. Check current official travel advice before you book, and keep to main roads in daylight.
Settling in: Day 1 starts in the old centre of Cuernavaca, so settle in and take an easy walk around the two small squares first. Spanish is the language of the streets, and a few words go a long way.

How much walking? On foot, about 0.1 kilometers a day, and 271.9 kilometers by car in all across 2 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.

Day 1. Tepoztlán and Cuernavaca

4 stops · under 0.1 km on foot, 32.4 km by car

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1
MorningBest early
Tepozteco Pyramid
A small temple, dedicated to the local god Tepoztécatl, set on a ledge of the cliffs above the town. A steep path of rock steps climbs through the forest to it, and the view over the valley is the reason to go. Start early, bring water and shoes with grip, and check ahead on conditions.
Go when Early morning, before the heat and the crowds.
Local tip Bring plenty of water and wear shoes with grip, since the steps are steep and worn. Keep to the path, and do not climb in rain or after a storm. Check ahead on conditions and on whether the site is open.
Photo: Asedzie, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 32 min by car or transit16.5 km
2
MiddayIndoor
Palace of Cortés
A stone palace begun by Hernán Cortés in the 1520s, with a view over the valley, now a regional museum of Morelos. Along the upper gallery runs a long mural by Diego Rivera that tells the story of the region from the Spanish conquest to the revolution.
Go when Midday, as an indoor stop.
Local tip Go to the upper gallery for the Rivera mural, and read it from left to right. Check ahead on the opening, since a museum can close for a day without notice.
Lunch
Cecina tacos
Cecina is thin, dried and salted beef, a speciality of Morelos, grilled and served in tortillas with onion, coriander and a sharp sauce.
Local tip Order a few and add lime, since the meat is salty.
About 31 min by car or transit15.9 km
3
Midday
Tepoztlán Market
The market of Tepoztlán, with stalls of fruit, herbs, woven things, painted masks and ices in unusual flavours, in the streets of a small town with cliffs on all sides. It is busiest on market days, so check which they are.
Go when Midday, once you are down from the hill.
Local tip Taste an ice in an unusual flavour and look at the painted masks and woven goods. Hold your bag in front of you in the lanes, and ask before you photograph a seller.
Photo: self., CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 2 min walkunder 0.1 km
4
AfternoonIndoor
Dominican Convent of Tepoztlán
The old convent of the Nativity, built by Dominican friars in the 1500s, part of a group of early monasteries that share a World Heritage listing. A thick walled church and cloister stand beside the market. A working church, so stay quiet during services.
Go when Afternoon, outside the hours of services.
Local tip Walk through the cloister and look at the thick walls and the faded paintings. A working church, so cover your shoulders and stay quiet.

If it rains. Palace of Cortés and Dominican Convent of Tepoztlán are covered, so keep them. Move Tepozteco Pyramid and Tepoztlán Market to a dry day if you can.

Day 2. Cuernavaca and Taxco and the silver hills

4 stops · 239.6 km by carAbout 4 h 16 min driving

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

Drive from Dominican Convent of TepoztlánAbout 1 h 13 min by car71.5 km
Where Day 1 ended.
1
MorningIndoor
Santa Prisca Church
A baroque church of rose coloured stone, built in the 1700s with money from the silver mine owner José de la Borda. Its twin towers and carved front look over the plaza, and the altarpieces inside are covered in gold leaf. A working church, so stay quiet during services.
Go when Morning, outside the hours of services.
Local tip Stand in the plaza to see the whole front before you go in, then look up at the gold leaf inside. A working church, so stay quiet and keep your voice low.
Photo: Felipe huerta hdez, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons
About 1 h 1 min by car56.0 km
2
MorningIndoor
Cuernavaca Cathedral
The cathedral of Cuernavaca, begun by Franciscan friars in the 1500s inside a wide walled yard, with thick walls and an open air chapel that give it the look of a fortress. It is a working church, so stay quiet during services.
Go when Morning, outside the hours of services.
Local tip Walk into the walled yard first and look at the open air chapel. A working church, so cover your shoulders and stay quiet during services.
Photo by Rolando Garrido on Unsplash
About 1 h 1 min by car56.0 km
3
Midday
Plaza Borda
The sloping main square of Taxco, in front of the church, with arcades, cafe tables and narrow streets of silver workshops running uphill from it. Look for the hallmark 925 on a piece before you buy, and walk slowly, since the stones are steep and uneven.
Go when Late morning into midday, with a coffee.
Local tip The streets slope steeply, so take small steps and wear shoes with grip. Silver is sold in workshops and stalls here, so ask about the stamp and compare before you buy.
About 1 h 1 min by car56.0 km
4
Afternoon
Jardín Borda
A garden of terraces, ponds and old trees built in the 1700s by the family of a silver mine owner, José de la Borda, who also paid for the church in Taxco. Later it served as a summer retreat of the emperor Maximilian. It is a calm place for an unhurried hour.
Go when Afternoon, when the light is soft.
Local tip Walk the terraces and sit by the pond. It is a garden with steps and slopes, so wear shoes with grip. Check ahead on the opening.
Dinner
Quesadillas of squash blossom
Folded corn tortillas filled with cheese and squash blossoms, cooked on a griddle, a light supper under the trees of the square.
Local tip Ask what fillings are fresh that day, and eat them hot.

If it rains. Santa Prisca Church and Cuernavaca Cathedral are covered, so keep them. Move Plaza Borda and Jardín Borda to a dry day if you can.

Departure day

After the last day. The road north to Mexico City and its airport is long and often slow, so leave plenty of time.Details

The road north: Book the driver the day before and set off at least a few hours ahead of a flight, since the highway into Mexico City can stop dead at busy hours. Leave earlier still on a Sunday evening or a holiday.
Silver and craft: Silver pieces are small and easy to carry, but keep them in your cabin bag. Check that each piece is stamped 925, the mark of sterling silver, before you pay. Wrap bark paper and pottery well.
If you have a few hours: Sit once more under the trees of the small squares in the middle of Cuernavaca with a coffee, or walk through the garden of the silver baron one last time.

Questions people ask

When is the best time to visit Cuernavaca?

By average weather from 2021 to 2025, January to February and November to December are the most comfortable months for walking around Cuernavaca. This plan is built for march, which is a good month. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.

How many days does this plan cover?

It covers 2 days in Cuernavaca, planned for march. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.

Who is this plan for?

It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.

Is anything on this plan booked?

No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.

Can I plan my own days like this?

Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.

Can I change this plan?

Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.

How much walking is there?

On foot, about 0.1 kilometers a day, and 271.9 kilometers by car in all across 2 days. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.