Jojutla

Jojutla (officially known as Jojutla de Juarez) is in the southern part of the state of Morelos. Jojutla is a weekend destination for people who enjoy water sports of all kinds. There are at least a half dozen waterparks around town with tubes, chutes, wave pools and lazy rivers for tube floating. If you like your water faster, the nearby Amacuzac River offers Class 3 whitewater rafting. If you prefer a big, open lake for power boating, water skiing, or jet skiing, you'll love Lake Tequesquitengo.

Understand

History has been pretty calm around Jojutla. Although obsidian and ceramic fragments have been found in at least three nearby villages, there are no significant archaeological sites in the area. The town is old though, having been conquered by the Aztec between 1425 and 1436, according to the Codex Mendoza.

No significant battles were fought in Jojutla during the War for Independence. Although the town was held and sacked by the Maderistas during the Mexican Revolution of the early 20th century, no significant historical sites or museums document the period.

The city and surrounding villages were hit hard by an earthquake in 2017. Hundreds of buildings were destroyed and 73 people died. Several public facilities, including the town hall, were severely damaged. There are still homes and businesses that have not been rebuilt.

In 2010, the city was home to almost 19,000 people.

Get in

By bus

Pullman de Morelos operates frequent buses between Cuernavaca and Jojutla. Buses leave every 20 minutes for the 30-minute trip and cost as little as M$50.

• 1 Terminal Pullman de Morelos Galeana, ☏ +52 734 343 7285. 05:30 - 21:20. Bus stop to get on and off Pullman de Morelos buses. 

Get around

Things are a bit spread out so you'll want to use taxis if you don't have your own car.

See

• 1 Jardines de Mexico, Km 129 de la Autopista México -Acapulco a la altura de Tequesquitengo, ☏ +52 777 333 0141. Tu-Su 09:00-18:00 (closed M). Enormous botanical garden with groomed walking paths, a Japanese garden, and impressive collections of orchids and cacti. On-site restaurant. Transport is available (extra charge) if you don't want to walk many kilometers of trails. This is one of the largest botanical gardens in North America and will take hours to see it all, so bring a water bottle and protection from the sun. M$275. 
• 2 Parroquia San Miguel Arcangel (St Michael the Archangel Church), C. Cobarrubias 102, Centro. The town's historic main church was destroyed by an earthquake in 2017. The rebuilt church is an impressive showcase of modern architecture with a barrel-like nave and an inviting open-air feel. (updated Jul 2023)

Do

Wakeboarding on Lake Tequisquitengo

Skydiving near Jojutla

Hot air balloons (barely) over Lake Tequesquitengo

There's lots to do around Jojutla, including waterparks, whitewater rivers, boating on the lake, or skydiving.

Lake Tequesquitengo

• 1 Marina del Sol, Matamoros s/n, Centro Tequesquitengo, ☏ +52 734 347 0006. M-W 09:00-20:00, Th-Su 09:00-23:00. Private marina but day passes are available. Dining room, bar, pools and waterfront lodging are available. M$300 (day pass). 
• 2 Playa Ejidal Xoxocotla, Tequesquitengo. 09:00-18:00. Lakeside beach with swimming pools, palapas, chair and umbrella rentals, boat rentals, jet skis, water skiing and food and drinks (or bring your own). 
• 3 Paradise Ski Club, Av. Circuito del Lago #40B, Tilzapotla, ☏ +52 734 347 0499. Marina with good ski boats, lakeside restaurant and bar, swimming pool, and full-service hotel. (updated Jul 2023)

Skydiving

• 4 Skydiving Paracaidismo Tequesquitengo, Emiliano Zapata 21, San Jose Vista Hermosa (north side of Lake Tequesquitengo off Morelos state highway 6), ☏ +52 777 171 5650. M-F 09:00-17:30, Sa Su 08:30-14:00. Experience sky diving with spectacular lake views. Jumps from 13,000 to 17,000 feet. They also have a wind tunnel for folks who want to know what it might feel like without actually having to go up in airplane and jump. from M$1850. 

Waterparks

• 5 Balneario El Paraiso, Carretera Viejo Al Vivero 20, ☏ +52 734 342 7296. 09:00-18:00. Small, older, family friendly waterpark close to town. 

• 6 Aqua Splash, Km. 4.4 Carr Jojutla-Tequesquitengo, ☏ +52 734 343 3424. 09:00-18:00. Tubes, slides, pools, restaurant and more. M$160. 
• 7 El Rollo, Calle Ribera del Rio, Yautepec s/n, Gabriel Tepepa (off state highway 2, about 2 km northeast of Centro Jojutla de Juarez), ☏ +52 800 713 8099. 09:00-18:00 (open 365 days/year). Big water park with free-fall slides, wave pools, lazy river and more. Very popular with long lines on busy weekends. M$445. (updated Jul 2023)

Buy

• Tianguis - Sunday market in the Plaza de Arriba

Eat

• 1 Don Cangrejo, Playa Linda, ☏ +52 557 048 8196. 09:00-20:00. Popular seafood restaurant with outdoor patios with lake views and swimming pools. Boat rides available. (updated Jul 2023)
• 2 El Padrino, Ent. Chiverías - Ent. El Abanico 11, San José Vista Hermosa, ☏ +52 777 189 9208. 10:00-18:00 (closed W). Small, intimate traditional restaurant serving regional dishes. Elegant with top-notch service. Good selection of mezcals. House specialty is the meat molcajete (carne al molcajete con salsa verde). Reservations required. M$300. (updated Jul 2023)
• 3 FEnatur, Centro, Tequesquitengo, ☏ +52 553 431 6169. W-Su 18:00-23:30 (closed M Tu). Comfortably restaurant serving burgers, lasagna, and similar casual food. Excellent quality and service. M$200. (updated Jul 2023)
• 4 Playa Vikingo, Laguna Iberia No 1, primera sección Lago de Tequesquitengo. M-Th 09:00-20:00, F-Su 09:00-23:00. Lakeside restaurant with swimming pools, outdoor tables and more. Has B&B with rooms for rent. (updated Jul 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Real Jojutla, Riva Palacio 122, Centro, ☏ +52 734 342 2250. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Barebones hotel with dated decor but low rates. M$650. (updated Jul 2023)
• 2 Hotel Montecarlo, Carr. Federal Alpuyeca - Jojutla Km. 13.5, Los Pilares, ☏ +52 734 343 0648. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate hotel with swimming pool and attractive grounds. Rooms need an update and service is hit or miss. (updated Jul 2023)
• 3 Posada la Pastrana, Calle Universidad 141, Centro, ☏ +52 734 342 3085. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Economical hotel with good basic services including off-street parking. M$700. (updated Jul 2023)
• 4 Hotel Villa Bejar, Lomas Tropicales, Tequesquitengo, ☏ +52 734 347 0620. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Moderate hotel with comfortable rooms. Nice pool with hot tub. M$2000. (updated Jul 2023)
• 5 Hacienda Vista Hermosa, Carretera Alpuyeca Tequesquitengo Km 7, San José Vista Hermosa, ☏ +52 734 342 9040. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Upscale boutique hotel with spacious, clean, well-appointed rooms. Hacienda style property with immaculately kept grounds and swimming pool. On-site gourmet restaurant.An excellent choice for the discriminating traveler, and a relative bargain (no lakeside views, but a whole lot nicer). M$1700. (updated Jul 2023)

Go next

• Taxco
• Iguala
• Oaxtepec
• Xochicalco