Mexico : Safety by City
- Acapulco
- Aguascalientes
- Cabo San Lucas
- Cancun
- Chichen Itza
- Chihuahua
- Cozumel
- Cuernavaca
- Culiacan
- Durango
- Ensenada
- Guadalajara
- Guanajuato
- Hermosillo
- Huatulco
- Isla Holbox
- Isla Mujeres
- Ixtapa
- Juarez
- Leon
- Los Cabos
- Manzanillo
- Matamoros
- Merida
- Mexicali
- Mexico City
- Monterrey
- Morelia
- Nogales
- Nuevo Laredo
- Oaxaca
- Piedras Negras
- Playa del Carmen
- Puebla
- Puerto Morelos
- Puerto Vallarta
- Queretaro City
- Reynosa
- Saltillo
- San Luis Potosi
- San Miguel de Allende
- Sayulita
- Tijuana
- Tulum
- Valladolid
- Veracruz
- Zacatecas
- Zamora
- Zapopan
- Zihuatanejo
Cuernavaca is the capital of Morelos and is located about 90 minutes south of Mexico City.
Cuernavaca’s nickname is “the City of Eternal Spring” and is known for its warm but still relatively moderate climate.
The city has a varied economy, ranging from growing flowers and sugarcane to beekeeping and manufacturing.
Unfortunately, the state of Morelos and Cuernavaca have both been hit hard by crime, especially cartel and gang violence.
Cuernavaca, however, is a bit calmer, with the city center being a bustling tourist zone during the day.
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Morelos and warns that U.S. citizens have been affected by kidnapping there, but at the same time, the department hasn’t restricted U.S. government employees from traveling anywhere in Morelos like they have with cities near the U.S. border.
Cuernavaca has some amazing sights.
Museums and markets dot the city, and there are gardens for you to see as well.
The city used to be known for having several language schools, and many still exist; the town can have a sizable student population at times.
The tourist industry is smaller than it used to be due to the crime that intensified a few years ago, but you won’t be the only tourist there at all if you go.
So, just how safe is Cuernavaca if you’re a tourist?
It can be a great place to visit, but you’ll need to use common sense and not wander off.
And you need to be prepared to spend some evenings in.
Warnings & Dangers in Cuernavaca
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Cuernavaca can be a good place to visit if you use common sense. It's best to treat it like a big city and be cautious, but do try to enjoy your trip if you go.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Overcharging and the classic taking-a-longer-route scams are present. Taking Uber is a good way to avoid these issues.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
While Cuernavaca might not have the same huge tourist industry that a place like Mexico City might have, it's big enough that pickpockets and petty theft are problems that you'll have to deal with. Make yourself into a really annoying target with theft-proof bags and by watching your belongings. Look out for distraction scams and be cautious in crowded places, as well as on public transport, if you try to take that.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
Cuernavaca is in a very seismically active zone. The city does have a quake warning alarm like Mexico City's system; if you hear it go off, look at what locals are doing and follow their lead. Remember that many buildings in Mexico aren't built to the same seismic codes that you see in California and Japan.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
Populated tourist areas during the day should be fine, but at night, especially in less populated areas, the risk goes up. It's best to stay in at night.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
Cartel and gang violence are a problem in the state of Morelos. However, tourists tend to be protected from those issues in Cuernavaca. Do be careful traveling outside the city as kidnappings have affected U.S. citizens. At the same time, remember that the U.S. Department of State doesn't restrict U.S. government employees from traveling in Morelos, despite the Level 3 advisory.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Cuernavaca doesn't get as many tourists as it used to, which has lessened the risk of tourist scams. You'll still need to be on the lookout for overcharging, distraction scams, and the like, but using common sense and keeping track of your belongings will go a long way toward protecting yourself. Don't be naive; while most Mexicans are helpful people, if someone appears to be very helpful out of the blue, like when you're at an ATM or looking for a bar, try to get away from that person.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Cuernavaca doesn't have the worst reputation as a place for women to travel, but you should still be careful. Don't attract attention, especially if you look very foreign. Don't wear expensive jewelry or expensive clothes, and try to maintain a low profile. During the day, tourist zones should be fine, but it's best not to go out at night, especially alone. Don't wander into isolated alleys.
TAP WATER RISK: HIGH
Like in the rest of Mexico, the tap water in Cuernavaca isn't safe. There are too many points at which the water can become contaminated with bacteria and parasites that can make you very ill. Stick to bottled water for drinking, cooking, and even brushing your teeth.
Safest Places to Visit in Cuernavaca
The center of the city and the tourist zones should be fine during the day.
While there are neighborhoods that are very rich and considered very safe, as a tourist, you don’t want to head away from the center unless it’s to another tourist zone.
Places to Avoid in Cuernavaca
You’ll want to avoid going outside the center of the city, and you’ll want to stay in at night.
The risks go up once the sun goes down.
Cuernavaca isn’t the only city in the world like that, but when you’re a tourist, you don’t want to inadvertently wander into a bad situation.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Cuernavaca
- Stay in at night. Cuernavaca is one of those cities (if travel anecdotes are to be believed) where the city in the daytime is different from the city at night.
- Don’t wander away from tourist zones, especially if you’re alone.
- Stick to bottled water, and be careful of raw fruits and vegetables that were washed in tap water. A lot of Mexicans use colloidal silver products like Microdyn and Bacdyn to disinfect produce, but you never know what a particular store or restaurant has used.
- Sign up for STEP! This is the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program from the U.S. Department of State. You’ll get new travel advisories and information abour emergencies. Being part of STEP also helps you get in touch with the embassy in an emergency.
- Take Uber. While you can take taxis, you run the risk of encountering an overcharging scam.
- Try not to stand out. No expensive jewelry, no fashionable clothes or accessories, and so on. Look like a boring target to criminals.
- Ask your hotel’s staff if you should download one of the quake alert apps. While the seismic alert system broadcasts from loudspeakers and can be heard in most areas, there are some areas where the sound isn’t as audible. The apps can warn you about approaching shaking if you can’t hear the alerts.
- Limit travel outside the city to the highway up to Mexico City. The rest of the state has major issues with crime.
- Observe who’s around you in crowded areas so you can try to avoid pickpockets.
- Watch your drinks, and don’t go into bars or restaurants with strangers, no matter how friendly they seem.
So... How Safe Is Cuernavaca Really?
Cuernavaca can be an interesting city to visit.
The state of Morelos has issues with violence and crime, and the city of Cuernavaca isn’t totally without issues, either.
The city used to be one of the more dangerous in Mexico and still has a relatively high homicide rate.
However, as far as tourists go, as long as those tourists aren’t looking for trouble, staying in the city is reasonable.
Just stick to tourist areas and don’t go out at night, especially if you’re traveling solo.
How Does Cuernavaca Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Cuernavaca |
60 |
| Oaxaca |
78 |
| Queretaro City |
63 |
| Saltillo |
70 |
| Ensenada |
78 |
| Leon |
68 |
| Mexicali |
40 |
 Bakersfield | 66 |
| Lewisburg | 79 |
| Shreveport | 52 |
| West Memphis | 29 |
 Chennai | 50 |
 Iquique | 42 |
Useful Information
Visas
If you're a U.S. citizen, you won't need a visa to visit Mexico as long as you limit your stay to fewer than 180 days. If you want to stay longer than that, you'll need to apply for a temporary resident visa. For those stays under 180 days, you will need an entry permit called a Multiple Immigration Form, or FMM. You'll also need to pay a fee called the Non-Resident Fee, or DNR. If you entered Mexico via a land border and are staying in the country for six days or fewer, however, you may not have to fill out the FMM or pay the fee. But if you enter via air or boat, you'll need one. You can find the FMM online if you want to fill it out before your trip.
Currency
The currency in use is the Mexican peso, which is divided into 100 centavos. As of early February 2026, US$1 = MEX$17.27. Note that the peso uses the $ sign, so a sign that asks for $50 would be 50 pesos, not 50 dollars. You can exchange money at the airport at official exchange offices or get money from an ATM, which will probably have better rates. Outside the airport, go to banks and eithe exchange money at the teller windows or use the ATMs inside the bank. Don't every try to exchange money with someone on the street. Some may offer what they say are better rates, but they're really not. And there's the risk of ending up with fake money.
Weather
The climate in Cuernavaca is rather nice most of the time. The lows throughout the year (in Fahrenheit) remain in the mid-50s to low 60s, and the highs range from the low 80s in winter to the low 90s in summer. Humidity is reasonable in winter and slightly humid in summer, when the city gets most of its rain. Bring an umbrella in summer, or be prepared to buy one once you land, if you travel during the summer and early fall. Wear layers so that you can stay warm at night but be cooler during the day.
Airports
Cuernavaca does have an airport, but its services are limited compared to Mexico City's airport, which is just a 90-minute bus ride away. Cuernavaca's airport is Cuernavaca International Airport or General Mariano Matamoros International Airport. Mexico City's airport is also called Benito Juarez International Airport. Many people suggest flying into Mexico City instead due to the increased services. The bus that goes from Mexico City to Cuernavaca is Pullman de Morelos; look for the "autobus autorizado" desk that lists Cuernavaca on the sign and take the bus to Cuernavaca-Centro. Use Uber to get around Cuernavaca itself.
Travel Insurance
You aren't required to get travel insurance before entering the country of Mexico. However, you'll really want to get it anyway. First of all, your U.S. health insurance won't be of any good to you in Mexico. You'll need a policy that Mexican medical facilities will accept, so a medical travel insurance policy would be necessary if you wanted to be sure that any medical issues were covered. Also consider getting a travel policy that will reimburse you if your trip is canceled. If you lose something or have to reschedule a flight, for example, you'll want to know that you're covered by a solid insurance policy.
Cuernavaca Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
25 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 28 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 25 |
| Low °C |
10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 |
| High °F |
77 | 81 | 84 | 86 | 88 | 82 | 81 | 81 | 79 | 79 | 79 | 77 |
| Low °F |
50 | 52 | 55 | 57 | 59 | 59 | 57 | 57 | 57 | 55 | 52 | 50 |
Cuernavaca means “cow” (vaca) “horn” (cuerna)
From a local
This has no reference to sources for this article. I have lived in Cuernavaca for the past 35 years & all that is written here is out of date. Gang crime is in outlying cities & towns of the state, not in Cuernavaca, the capital. The dangerous areas are now in Cancun, Playa de Carmen & the central states of Zacatecas, Guanajuato etc for transport routes to the American drug market. There are plenty of tourists here but from Germany, France, Europe and Nationals who come for the culture & history, not to party on beaches. This is VERY old information & outdated.
Can you recommend a good hotel for 2 weeks for a woman traveler?
Thank you Georgia
I was just there last spring and honestly, sitting in a quiet garden near the centro with jacaranda petals all over the ground felt so peaceful that it was easy to forget how tense things can get if you go too far out at night.
Pasear por el Jardín Borda al atardecer me dejó con la brisa en la cara y una sonrisa, aunque confieso que al caer la noche prefiero volver pronto a casa.
Visited the markets and gardens, but I still felt uneasy walking near Jardín Borda after sunset and ended up staying in at night more than I expected.