Mexico · UNESCO Heritage Sites

Private Day Tour of Xochicalco Archaeological Site and Cuernavaca

9 Hours Round trip from Pickup service provided in Miacatlán. Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Xochicalco
  • 02 Explore Cuernavaca, the City of Eternal Spring
  • 03 See the historic Palace of Cortés from a panoramic viewpoint
  • 04 Visit the 16th-century Cuernavaca Cathedral
  • 05 Discover the elegant Borda Gardens
  • 06 Travel in a private vehicle with hotel pickup and drop-off
  • 07 Enjoy the insights of a professional guide

Discover two of central Mexico’s most fascinating historic destinations on this private day tour from Mexico City. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Xochicalco, an important ceremonial and political center that flourished after the decline of Teotihuacán, and explore its remarkable archaeological legacy with the comfort of private transport and a professional guide.

Your journey continues to Cuernavaca, often called the City of Eternal Spring, where you’ll enjoy a panoramic view of the Palace of Cortés, visit the historic Cuernavaca Cathedral, and explore the elegant Borda Gardens. With hotel pickup and drop-off included, this experience offers a convenient and personalized way to discover the history, architecture, and atmosphere of Morelos.

Discover two of central Mexico’s most fascinating historic destinations on this private day tour from Mexico City.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 9 Hours
Tour type Private
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Mexico City, Taxco de Alarcon, Cuernavaca, Teotihuacán
Languages English, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Archaeological Zone of Xochicalco

Xochicalco is an archaeological site located between the limits of the municipalities of Temixco and Miacatlan in the state of Morelos, Mexico, 38 km southwest of the city of Cuernavaca. It was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1999. The heyday of Xochicalco takes place in the so-called Epiclassic period (650 - 900). During this period most of the monumental architecture visible today was built; Its development and emergence must be understood from its relationship with Teotihuacán, the dominant settlement in Mesoamerica throughout the classical period.

According to some researchers, Xochicalco emerged after the abandonment of Teotihuacán to fill the vacuum of economic and political power caused by that fact. In fact, this center had its heyday between the years 650 and 900 of our era, just between the fall of Teotihuacan and the rise of Tula.

2
Day 02

The city of Cuernavaca

Cuernavaca is the lush capital of the state of Morelos in Mexico, surrounded by the mountains of Tepozteco, south of Mexico City. In the colonial center of the city is the 16th century Palacio de Cortés, the former home of the Spanish conqueror Hernán de Cortés and currently a history museum with murals by Mexican artist Diego Rivera. To the southwest, is the Cathedral of Cuernavaca, in a 16th century walled monastery with a mural depicting Mexico's first saint

3
Day 03

Cuernavaca Cathedral

Cuernavaca Cathedral is the seat of the Catholic diocese of the same name in Mexico. It is a 16th century building, which makes it one of the oldest cathedrals in the country. It was originally erected as the convent of the Assumption, the fifth Franciscan foundation in Mexico. It was established in 1525 by the first twelve Franciscan friars who arrived in the country, with the help of a new group recently arrived from Spain.

4
Day 04

Gardens Borda

The Borda Garden is a historical museum located in the city of Cuernavaca and is located in what was the summer mansion of the wealthy miner from Taxco, José de la Borda. During the Second Mexican Empire, the Emperor of Mexico, Maximiliano de Habsburgo along with his wife Carlota Amalia chose this place as their summer residence and because of this, the road from Mexico City to Cuernavaca was improved.

5
Day 05

Panoramic View of the Palace of Cortes

The Palace of Cortés is a civil palace from New Spain from the 16th century, a historical monument located in Cuernavaca, Morelos (Mexico), ordered to be built by Hernán Cortés in the immediate years after the Conquest of Mexico. It was his residence, after living in Mexico City, where he settled the encomienda given upon receiving the marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca. It bears an enormous similarity to the Alcázar de Colón in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, which predates it (1506). It is currently the headquarters of the Cuauhnáhuac Regional Museum, inaugurated on February 1, 1974.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Pickup service provided in Miacatlán. 4 cities · 9 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Transportation by private vehicle
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Professional guide
  • Driver
  • Bottled water

Know before you go

  • STROLLER OR PRAM ACCESSIBLE
  • INFANT SEATS AVAILABLE
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not suitable for pets
  • No public transportation nearby
  • Infants must not sit on laps
  • We have coverage in all the places of the city of Mexico, Hotels, Airbnb

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Pickup service provided in Miacatlán.
Tour start
Pickup service provided in Miacatlán.
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 9 hours finish where they began, in Pickup service provided in Miacatlán..

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