Cuautla Attractions
How to get there
From Mexico City by rail in about 3.5 hours; by bus in about 2 hours; by car via the MEX 115 (about 100km/62mi).
Cuautla, long known about and much valued because of its thermal springs, lies in a part of the country blessed with a subtropical climate and correspondingly luxuriant vegetation. Located at the intersection of several cross-country routes, the town makes a good base for excursions to places of interest in the surrounding area, the main attraction being the many convents within reach.
History Cuautla (Náhuatl: "Cuauhtlán" = "place of the eagle") was already well known for its healing waters in pre-Columbian times, and in the early 17th c. became a fashionable spa for prosperous Spaniards.
In 1812, during the Mexican War of Independence, a battle was fought here between rebel forces led by José María Morelos and troops of the Spanish Crown. Emiliano Zapata, leader of the indomitable peasants' revolt during the Mexican Revolution (1910-20), came from Anenecuilco, 6km/4mi to the south.
Little from the colonial period survives in the town, though the two best-known churches, San Díego and Santíago, both date from the 17th c. Memorabilia from the time of the War of Independence are displayed in the Casa de Morelos.
Agua Hedionda (Spanish: "stinking water", on the east side of the town), Agua Linda, Casasano and El Almeal are the principal therapeutic baths in and around Cuautla, most being hot sulphur springs.
From Mexico City by rail in about 3.5 hours; by bus in about 2 hours; by car via the MEX 115 (about 100km/62mi).
Cuautla, long known about and much valued because of its thermal springs, lies in a part of the country blessed with a subtropical climate and correspondingly luxuriant vegetation. Located at the intersection of several cross-country routes, the town makes a good base for excursions to places of interest in the surrounding area, the main attraction being the many convents within reach.
History Cuautla (Náhuatl: "Cuauhtlán" = "place of the eagle") was already well known for its healing waters in pre-Columbian times, and in the early 17th c. became a fashionable spa for prosperous Spaniards.
In 1812, during the Mexican War of Independence, a battle was fought here between rebel forces led by José María Morelos and troops of the Spanish Crown. Emiliano Zapata, leader of the indomitable peasants' revolt during the Mexican Revolution (1910-20), came from Anenecuilco, 6km/4mi to the south.
Little from the colonial period survives in the town, though the two best-known churches, San Díego and Santíago, both date from the 17th c. Memorabilia from the time of the War of Independence are displayed in the Casa de Morelos.
Agua Hedionda (Spanish: "stinking water", on the east side of the town), Agua Linda, Casasano and El Almeal are the principal therapeutic baths in and around Cuautla, most being hot sulphur springs.
Cuautla Surroundings
Read More
Rock Reliefs
Important rock reliefs at Cerro de la Cantera and Cerro Delgado are thought to have been created by the Olmec. The site dates to as far back as 1100 B.C.
Read More
Tepalcingo, Mexico
Tepalcingo contains a number of churches, including the Shrine of Jesús Nazareno, created in a fine Mexican-Indian Baroque style.
Chalcatzingo, Mexico
To get to Chalcatzingo, take the road south off the MEX 160 not far from Amayuca, then, after 2km/1.3mi, branch left for the village 4km/2.5mi further on. The façade of the pretty colonial church of San Mateo has naïve sculptures and ornamentation showing Indian influence.
Zacualpan de Amilpas, Mexico
A road branching north off MEX 160, about 20km/13mi from Cuautla in the direction of Puebla, leads to Zacualpan de Amilpas (8km/5mi). This delightful village boasts an Augustinian convent complete with fortified church dating from the 16th c. In the corners of the atrium are two posas (processional chapels). Note also the frescos in the cloister (restored in the 19th c.). The pretty spa of Atotonilco is about 8km/5mi to the south.
