One work of advice: Get there EARLY on Fridays or else !

Hotel Espaa
Address: Calle 2 de Mayo No. 22
Phone: 352 - 2186

A short walk from the Cristobal Colon first-class bus terminal, this mid range priced, popular hotel is also clean and attractive once youre inside. A beautiful fernlined courtyard with a tinkling fountain surrounded by three balconied floors of spacious double rooms with TV, phone and hot water are priced at only 140 pesos from Sunday to Thursday. Fridays and Saturdays, if you can get a room, prices leap boldly to 220 pesos for the same habitation. Why? Before all of Cuautla is prepped for the heavy Mexico City weekend crowds come to soak away their work week stresses in one of Cuautlas several Balnearios.

Hotel Colon
Address: Main Plaza (Zocalo)
Phone: 352 - 2990

Weve already eaten here, but its also a hotel in truth. Rates are lower 100 to 120 pesos for a single with basic amenities including hot water, although its getting to be a tad worn. Check a couple of rooms to get the best one available. The location cant be beat, but it can get noisy on weekends and holidays. It still seems to maintain its popularity despite somewhat iffy service. If youre budgets a hair tight, you should head straight for this hotel first as its a good value for the price all things considered. Theyll negotiate room rates for longer stays too.

Hotel Sevilla
Address: Conspiradores No. 9
Phone: 352 - 5200

One of Cuautlas best values at 230 pesos for two. Its more expensive than the Hotel Espaa or Hotel Colon, but much nicer. The Sevilla is quietly set one block down a side street off the Galeria, just two and a half blocks from the main plaza. This well-kept hotel features nicely appointed rooms with cable TV, plenty of piping hot water, a phone, and a nice private bath with a shower. Service is top-notch, friendly and accommodating from the knowledgeable staff.

Share the Pleasures of Moctezuma

While youre in Cuautla, you absolutely have to share the pleasures of Moctezuma by lounging in one of the local hot springs. Heres the scoop:

Now Agua Hedionda means stinking waters and is the name of Cuautlas principal Balneario or more accurately, Sulphur Spring. There are several in the area where you can soak, soften and relax in the therapeutic waters that now smell only faintly of the yellow mineral. Rumor has it that Moctezuma himself languished in the sulphur springs that dot the state of Morelos, giving it the name Hedionda. Prices for the experience shoot from 60 pesos skyward on weekends, so go between Sunday and Thursday to beat the crowds and screaming brats. Balneario La ONDA, Balneario Agua Linda, Balneario Las Tazas, Balneario El Almela and the Los Termas Water Park are others to try.

Las Termas Hotel and Water Park "Las Termas Water Park" is in the eastern part of morelos, about 45 minutes from Cuautla: www.lastermas.com.mx/english/ubication.htm

The Morelos Office of Tourism Cuautla

For an unusual tourism office location this one must rank in the top ten. Its in a Franciscan convent! The Ex convent de San Diego, that is. The meticulously groomed grounds also house the now defunct Terminal de Ferrocarril Escenica or Scenic Train which was Mexicos only steam engine train and ran between Cuautla and the 16th century village of Yecapixtla. The clearly marked office, entered from the train platform, has maps and brochures on local sites and places of interest throughout the state of Morelos, but the staff speaks only Spanish. Theyre quite friendly and engaging though, so youll come away with plenty even if youre absolutely mute. (which of course you wont be right?) The location is diagonally across from the Plaza Galeano at the corner of Galeano and Estrada Bollas. The tourism office Phone is: 352 5221 .

A Parting Note: Before you leave Cuautla

be sure to stop by the restful, tree-lined Plaza de Zapata to sit a spell and reflect on the huge bronze statue of Morelos favorite son, Emiliano Zapata, while enjoying a tropical fruit-flavored ice cream from the Michoacan shop across the street from the Plaza. Its on Zemano between Calle 2 de Mayo and Larros. Galeano, Los Bravos and Zemano are all the same street. It just changes names as you head south from the Zocalo.

Be sure to check out my other articles in the two continuing series: Teaching English in Mexico and Traveling in Mexico. If you would like more information, have questions or comments, the author can be e-mailed; see address below.