Cuernavaca

Cuernavaca is the lush capital of Mexico's Morelos state, cradled by the Tepozteco Mountains south of Mexico City. The colonial city center features the 16th-century Palace of Cortés, former home of Spanish conqueror Hernán Cortés and now a history museum with murals by Mexican artist Diego Rivera. Just southwest is Cuernavaca Cathedral, in a 1500s walled monastery complex with a mural depicting Mexico's first saint.