richnindy

OK, I posted before and got some great ideas, so for my trip to Mexico City the first week in March: 2 night in Mexico City, 1 night in Puebla, 1 night in Cuernavaca, then 2 more nights in Mexico City? Or 2 nights in Puebla, skip Cuernavaca? Or just 1 night in either one and the rest in Mexico City? Any ideas? Thanks so much for your expertise.

SusanInToronto

We did something similar a few years ago. I think we took a bus direct from the airport to Puebla, where we spent a couple of nights. It's a really nice city to visit. Then I think we took a bus from Puebla to Cuernavaca where we spent a couple of nights. I wasn't quite as entranced with Cuernavaca when we first arrived - it seemed like a big city, but we did end up enjoying ourselves. Then we took a bus back to Mexico City.

I really like Mexico City - I was just saying to my husband that I'd love to go back there again and spend a few days - so whatever you chose will be good.

Fra_Diavolo

Hi Rich --

I'd recommend two nights in Puebla, so that you devote a day to the city and another to make a day trip from there to Cholula to see the great buried pyramid and to Tonantzitla and Acatepec to see the incredible folk art churches. Another possible day trip would be Tlaxcala, which I somehow missed when I was there, but it sounds interesting.

We stayed at the Meson Sacristia de la Compania. Quirky and fun, with a very good restaurant.

Cuernavaca I think takes more than a day to appreciate. It has some interesting sights -- the palace of Cortez, the Robert Brady museum (and a lot more, particularly if you are a fan of Under the Volcano) -- but much of its appeal lies in coming back to your hotel and relaxing by the pool in the garden, then out for dinner and drinks. After a while you don't want to leave.

Four days is a good amount of time for a visit to Mexico City.

SusanInToronto

The Robert Brady museum was wonderful. We also had a lovely dinner at a place called Gaia, I think? And then there's a large hotel where we had drinks - beautiful gardens.

emd3

I second Fra_Diavolo's suggestion re two nights in Puebla and go to Cholula on the 2nd day. That is what I did and it was great.

If you want a good inexpensive massage in Puebla try the little spa (I hesitate to call it that, it is just a little group of rms w/a few massage tables) at hotel and spa El Sueno. $50 USD for a wonderful 60 full minutes. Second night I got a hot stone massage and fell asleep on the table.

http://www.elsueno-hotel.com/english/spa.html

I stayed at Hotel Colonial and loved it.
http://www.colonial.com.mx/colonial/know.htm

emd3

I just have never gotten the allure of Cuernavaca. It has seemed like just a big city to me when I have been there twice. I've never found anything quaint or different or interesting about it at all. Did I just miss it?

Fra_Diavolo

I wouldn't say Cuernavaca is a Oaxaca or Guanajuato, but I think it has some attractions. The two I named above maybe foremost -- the Palace is worth a visit for the Diego Rivera mural alone. Then the center still has attractive (if trafficked), hilly streets. There's the Borda Gardens, gracefully decaying, and the bizarre house with a catwalk where Malcolm Lowry housed his character Jaques Laruelle. There is also a small but very interesting Aztec ruin on the outskirts of town. It is a temple the Aztecs were in the process of rebuilding when the Spanish showed up, so you can see the newer walls encapsulating the original. From here too you can make daytrips to Taxco, Malinalco and Xochicalco. I did the latter. It was the northernmost city built by the Maya, and commands sweeping views over the valley. I was lucky enough to be there on one of the few days when the noon sun shines through a small portal in the observatory. Quite dramatic.

I also found some good restaurants, and thought the nightlife was lively, probably because there are so many language students there. The old cathedral complex is interesting. We were there on a day when a class of children were making their first communion, and it was nice to see all the families dressed up, and to wander through the food stalls. There were flower garlands framing the doors of the cathedral. If you have dinner one night at the pizza place across the way, bring a small tripod and get a table on a porch and get a great shot of the gates.

Well, there is all that, but as I said maybe the best part is retreating to your garden and pool, where life seems very pleasant.

Stewbear

I would allow a minimum of 5 days in Mexico City, just too much to see.

richnindy

Sigh. That's what we've realized. But we're just there Sunday through Saturday and do plan to visit Puebla/Cholula/Tlaxcala the first two days. We will do our best to see Mexico City in the remaining time! Thanks to all for your input.