As you plan your trip to Mexico to study and learn Spanish at Kukulcan, please keep the following recommendations in mind.

Transportation
Travel Documents
Proof of Health Insurance
Money
What to pack
Phone and Internet

Transportation

• Shop around to find the best price on an airline ticket for a flight to Mexico City that arrives no later than 4 p.m. and departs from Mexico City no earlier than 8 a.m. Be sure you are flying into Benito Juárez International Airport in MEXICO CITY. We recommend these arrival and departure times so you can travel to/from Cuernavaca on the same day as your flights. Cuernavaca has an airport but it's small, and it's very expensive to fly into it. It's better to take the bus to Cuernavaca.
• Pullman de Morelos offers luxury bus service directly from Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City to Cuernavaca's conveniently located Casino de la Selva terminal. Ask at the information desk in the airport or follow the signs for ground transportation. Buses leave about every 30 minutes. The cost of a one-way ticket is about $150 pesos (less than $15.00 U.S.). The bus ride will take between 1-2 hours, depending on traffic.
• If you are staying with a host family while you study at Kukulcan, they will provide you with transportation to/from school every day. If you want to go out on your own, you can take a radio cab (which your host family can call for you). A cab ride within Cuernavaca costs between $25 and $35 pesos (about $3 or less). We recommend that you use radio cabs because they are more reliable and safe than taxis you take on the street.
• Some people enjoy taking the local buses (rutas), which are very cheap. Others like to walk to get exercises. If you are adventurous and independent, we can supply you with a map and directions for getting around town. If you're going out at night, we strongly recommend a radio cab; this is the safest and most reliable option. Up to four friends or classmates can share a cab and split the fare.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Home Stays
Suites, Hotels, Apartments


Home Stays back

Since the Spanish language learning experience should not be an isolated one, we strongly recommended that students stay with Mexican host families so they can practice Spanish language and get a first-hand look at Mexican family life. Many of our academic partners make home-stays mandatory for their students, since they are part of the immersion experience.

Home stays provide students with pleasant rooms (single or double occupancy), three meals per day, and daily transportation to Kukulcan (if it is more than a 10-minute walk from the house to school). Kukulcan carefully selects families who will make students feel at home and provide them with a safe, healthy environment. With advance notice, we can also accommodate families with young children in home-stay accommodations.

Most of our host families have worked with us for years and have substantial experience with international visitors.

Home stays provide you with the best full immersion experience, since you're surrounded by Mexican culture and speak Spanish all the time. Many students say that living with a family is one of the best parts of the trip.

Suites, Hotels, Apartments back

For those who do not want home-stays, Kukulcán offers modestly priced accommodations for individuals, families, or groups in our nearby suites. The suites have single, double, or triple occupancy, each with a private bath. Meals can be arranged through Kukulcan´s cafeteria for student groups who stay in the suites together. The suites are private academic residences, situated in a beautiful garden setting with a pool. They have a secure entrance with 24 hour hour security cameras and an on-site staff to assist you. You can study or converse with friends on one of the terraces while enjoying a quiet spot in the heart of the city. Please contact us for prices if you are interested in staying in the suites. Click here to see photos.

Travel-Study participants, life-long learners, and other participating in a non-academic programs of study at Kukulcan may want to stay in a hotel or apartment in the city. We do not make these arrangements directly, but we can provide you with a list of hotels and put you in contact with real estate agents who rent apartments. Let us know if you are interested in this option. This is a more expensive option, but it gives you the greatest amount of privacy and independence. Not sure which is the right choice for you? Contact us and we'll be happy to help you decide.

SECURITY

A Message for Parents
Safety and Security: A Parent's Guide

This section provides practical advice about security in Cuernavaca, Mexico.  Generally, violent crime against tourists and international students in Cuernavaca is not common.

The Mexican government works hard to prevent incidents that impact negatively on Mexico's tourism industry.  Mexico's economy relies heavily on tourism, so security in areas like Cuernavaca, where tourists like to visit, tends to be very good.  For a city of one million people, Cuernavaca has a lower crime rate than many U.S. or European cities of a comparable size.  The people of Cuernavaca are friendly and welcoming toward foreigners.

The media pays a lot of attention to drug-related violence in Mexico, but it's important to note that 90% of the violence is limited exclusively to people associated with drug cartels and the police.  Mexico is a large country with many regional differences.  Violence along the U.S./ Mexican border, for example, is much higher than it is in the state of Morelos, where Cuernavaca is located.

The U.S. State Department says, "Common-sense precautions such as visiting only legitimate business and tourist areas during daylight hours, and avoiding areas where criminal activity might occur, can help ensure that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable."  During your stay in Cuernavaca, your safety is mainly a question of using common sense and avoiding potentially dangerous situations and areas where drug activity might occur.

In addition, we offer these tips for personal safety:

1. Take Radio Taxis, not taxis you stop randomly on the street. Radio taxis are legitimate licensed taxis. They are in constant contact by radio with the taxi central, which traces their whereabouts. The cabs are numbered, so each one can be traced. Radio taxis are more reliable and safer than other forms of transportation.

2. If you go out at night, go with at least one other person, or with a group.

3. Let your host family know where you're going, and approximately what time you will be back.

4. Don't accept help from strangers who approach you in the street. Don't accept drinks from strangers in bars. Don't go home with people you just met.

5. At night, stay in well lighted areas where there are other people.

6. In crowded places, like public markets, be on the lookout for pickpockets. Keep your money safely zipped in a pocket of your bag, and hold your bag close to your body.

7. Don't carry more money than you need; don't carry your passport and all of your credit cards. Take one credit card and just enough money for what you plan to do that day.

8. Don't wear expensive jewelry or watches. Don't carry around expensive equipment like ipads, ipods, iphones, smartphones, laptops, digital cameras, etc., especially in crowded public places (like cafes and bars) where someone can steal them while your head is turned. You may think you aren't wealthy, but compared to people who are very poor, your material possessions signal that you have money. This applies to designer purses, expensive briefcases, and other "status" items. Anything that is flashy and conspicuous will catch the attention of potential thieves.

9. Know where you're going when you go out. Don't stand around on the street looking at maps or otherwise indicating that you're "lost." Walk with determination, and act like you know what you're doing.

10. Don't drink to excess, and don't use drugs. Anyone "under the influence" is a target for crime.

11. To the extent possible, try to "blend in" with locals in terms of how they dress. If you are the only person on a city bus wearing shorts, flip flops and a baseball cap, you'll call more attention to yourself.

12. Be discreet anytime you take money out of your wallet. Don't flash a lot of bills.

Using common sense is the best guarantee of self-protection while traveling in most places around the world. By minimizing your vulnerability, you'll reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.

A Message for Parents back

In an increasingly global society, an international component has become an essential part of higher education. Most universities are stepping up their efforts to encourage more students to study abroad, especially on programs of a quarter or semester in length. Studying abroad enables students to develop maturity and independence, expand their knowledge of the world, and increase their sensitivity to other cultures. While abroad, they test the skills they have and obtain new ones.

Mexico is the gateway to Latin America, and it is an ideal place for students to learn or improve Spanish communication skills. Spanish is one of the most important world languages today. Study abroad opportunities at Kukulcan range in duration from a few weeks to an entire year, so a study abroad experience can fit into any student's schedule.

Safety and Security: A Parent's Guide back

Kukulcan Spanish Language school recognizes how important it is to provide a secure and unthreatening environment where your daughter or son can live and learn. Our campus is located on a quiet residential street. In typical Cuernavaca style, the property is enclosed by a high stone wall so it is completely private and hidden from street view. The school has a secure entry point, with 24 hour security cameras and caretakers on the premises. The grounds are expansive and open, but completely secure because there is no public access to them. Host family homes have similar features. The host families provide transportation to and from school, and they offer good, practical advice to students to help them adapt to life in Mexico.

Cuernavaca is a modern city with excellent health care specialists, reliable and safe transportation, and a highly developed system of communication. Your son and daughter will have access to all the modern conveniences of life at home while enjoying a new culture and language. Our host families are carefully chosen and well respected members of the community. Most are professional people with university educations. Our professional staff and instructors are trained to recognize and deal with issues related to culture shock. They help make your son or daughter's transition to Mexico smooth and pleasant.

Many U.S. students are statistically safer in foreign cities and towns than they are on their home campuses. Students who study Spanish at Kukulcan consistently report that they feel safe while in Cuernavaca. This is not to say that crime doesn't exist in Mexico or that your son or daughter's personal safety can be 100% assured. In Mexico, as in many tourist destinations, the most common kind of crime is minor street crime like pick-pocketing. There is no documented evidence that international students have ever been the specific target of violence in Cuernavaca. Political terrorism in Mexico is extremely rare, and has never been aimed at foreign visitors. Click here to read comments from former students.

The ability to communicate almost instantaneously worldwide via cell phones, fax machines and e-mail enables you to stay in touch with your son or daughter, and to obtain and share information quickly and accurately in the event of any emergency.

Students and parents should develop a family communication plan for regular telephone or e-mail contact, with contingencies for emergency situations. With this in place, you can communicate with each other directly about safety and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I budget for my personal expenses per week?
Once my plane arrives in Mexico City's airport, what should I do?
How do I get around in Cuernavaca?
What shots should I get prior to my travel to México?
Where will I be able to wash my clothes?
Will I have Internet access?
Will I have access to a phone or fax?
Will I be able to exercise during my stay at Kukulcan?
What if I get sick while I'm in Mexico?
What kind of meals are provided by the host family?
Is it true that I should not drink tap water in Mexico?
What kind of meals are provided by the host family?
Can I change from one level to another once I am enrolled in Kukulcan language classes?
What is Kukulcan's refund policy?
Once I enroll using the Kukulcan website, what should I do next?

How much should I budget for my personal expenses per week? back

This question depends entirely on you, what you plan to do in your free time, and what you think you might buy. There are many things to do in Cuernavaca that are free, like sitting in the zocalo and watching people or talking to friends. You can take a taxi to most places in Cuernavaca for about $2.50 or $3 USD or you can take a "ruta" (bus) for less than a dollar. You can get "la comida corrida" (the "daily special") in an economical restaurant for about $5 USD, which is a full meal. Or you can have an exquisite dinner with cocktails in a five-star restaurant for $100 USD. You can see a movie for less than $5 USD, or you can go to Acapulco for the weekend and spend $500 USD to stay in a luxury hotel, eat gourmet meals, and shop in fine stores. Many students plan a budget of about $150 USD of spending money each week. This gives them money to go grab a pizza or eat in modest restaurants a few times a week, have drinks, take cabs around town, go out at night, and buy a few things they need for personal use. Of course, it is possible to spend more or less than $150 per week, if you adjust your habits and activities to a particular price range.

Once my plane arrives in Mexico City's airport, what should I do? back

On the plane, you should receive an immigration form and a tourist card. If you do not, pick up these forms in the airport when you arrive. Follow the signs in the airport for imigración and aduana (customs). Fill out the cards and present them to the immigration official.

Remember, on your tourist card you should indicate that you are a "tourist' and coming to Mexico for personal reasons (not business) since, according to Mexican law, participation in a Spanish immersion program like the one at Kukulcan falls into this classification. Put your tourist card in a safe place where you won't lose it because you will have to turn it in when you leave Mexico. If you lose your card you will have to pay a fine.

The tourist card will ask how many days you will be staying in México. You are permitted to stay up to 180 days, so, it is better to put a date later than your actual departure, in case you change your mind and want to stay longer. You are required to leave Mexico on the date indicated on the tourist card, so if you are not sure how long you want to stay, put six months after your arrival in Mexico. This will allow you to choose a departure date at your convenience.

Find the carousel where your luggage will arrive. Be aware that, in general, baggage handlers at the Mexico City airport are very fast, so it is possible that your bags will already be out by the time you get to them. An airport official will check the baggage claim numbers attached to your luggage with the baggage claim receipts stapled on your plane ticket receipt to be sure they match. So, be sure you don't lose your claim tickets! Once you have gathered all your luggage and possessions you will go through customs where you will hand over your customs declaration form.

You will be asked to push a button and a red or green light will show up. If it is green, you go ahead without stopping. If it is red, you will step to the side and your bags will be searched. This process is done randomly and should not cause you any alarm as long as you are not carrying illegal substances.

Once you leave the customs area you should look for transportation. (Pullman de Morelos buses, or a private chauffeur that has been arranged for you). If you want to take the bus, look for signs for ground transportation. Buy your ticket for Cuernavaca, and ask for the "Terminal Casino de la Selva,' which is closer to Kukulcan language school.

How do I get around in Cuernavaca? back

Cuerncavaca is hilly but because the weather is so great it's a perfect city for walking around. Everything in the historical downtown area is within walking distance of Kukulcan. To get around town you can take a "ruta' (bus) that travels along all major avenues. Your Mexican host family can help you figure out which one to take to get to your desired destination. Rutas cost about 45 cents USD each way.

Taxis cost between $2.50 and $3.50 USD. You can call for a Radio Taxi to pick you up at home, school, or any public place. This is the safest and most reliable way to travel. Taxis don't use meters, so be sure to ask what the fare will be before you head off for your destination. Up to four people can take a cab and share the cost.  Use common sense when getting around, especially after dark, as you would in any city in the world.

What shots should I get prior to my travel to México? back

There are no required shots for travel to Mexico but check with your family doctor to see what he/she recommends. Furthermore, if you are presently taking a specific medication or prescription, please make sure that you bring along enough of the medication for your entire stay, in bottles bearing the original pharmacy label. Travelers are not allowed to bring in or take out prescription medication without a doctor's written prescription.

Where will I be able to wash my clothes? back

Laundry service is not included in the housing fee. However, some host families are willing to do your laundry for a fee of $5 USD per wash load. This is comparable to commercial laundry fees. Another option is to take your clothes to a commercial Laundromat in Cuernavaca. Most places offer 24 hour service. Dry cleaning is also available in Cuernavaca for a cost of about $3 USD per item.

Will I have Internet access? back

Yes. At Kukulcan we offer wireless internet access if you have your own laptop with wireless internet capability. Additionally, there are many internet cafés in Cuernavaca where you can send e-mails for about $1-2 USD per hour using public computers. Some Mexican host families may have wireless internet access in the house, but most will not. Wireless internet is not yet common in Mexico in private homes.

Will I have access to a phone or fax? back

Yes. Your immediate family (parents, spouse, children) can call you at your host family phone number but please keep in mind:

Please do not use the family phone to make outgoing calls because the family pays for each call out. The use of the telephone is not included as part of your program fees.

To make calls, consider buying a pre-paid cell phone service like Movistar.  This phone can be used to call internationally or locally.  You can buy as much time as you think you'll use.  It's usually the most economical option for making phone calls in Mexico.  Check with your service provider at home if you want to use your regular cell phone in Mexico.  It's possible the phone won't work here, or it may be very expensive to use.

Another option is to buy a prepaid international telephone card that you can use at any public phone. Public phones are easy to find in Mexico. They are located on the street and also inside places like Sanborns. 

Most of them work with a card (not coins).

Will I be able to exercise during my stay at Kukulcan? back

Yes. The school has a swimming pool and showers which can be used after exercising. We also have a list of local gyms and exercise facilities that we can recommend. Monthly rates in gyms vary from $25 US to $60 US depending upon the facilities and location. There are also tracks where you can go to run and, don't forget, walking around Cuernavaca is great exercise too.

What if I get sick while I'm in Mexico? back

Kukulcan has two excellent doctors who take care of our students should they become sick while in Mexico. The doctors can diagnose your problem and determine if you need hospitalization or if you should return home in the case of a serious illness or accident. Generally, the kind of medical problems people experience in Mexico (upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea) are temporary and easily resolved with a few days rest and a bland diet.

What kind of meals are provided by the host family? back

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided, but the hours may be different than your normal schedule. Generally, the hours of meals in Mexico are these:

Breakfast, 7:30 to 8:30 AM

Lunch, 3:00 to 4:30 PM
Dinner, 8:00 to 9:00 PM

You can expect about the same thing for breakfast that you might have at home: fruit or juice, toast, cereal or eggs, or a more Mexican version of these things, such as quesadillas or chilaquiles. The biggest meal of the day is lunch. This is similar to what people in the U.S. might have for dinner: soup or salad, an entree of fish, meat, chicken or pasta, and dessert. Dinner is a lighter meal, more like what people in the U.S. have for lunch. You can expect a sandwich or something similar.

Let the family know what you like and don't like to eat. To the extent possible, they will try to please you. If you have special dietary needs (vegetarian diet, kosher diet, etc.), be sure to let us know in advance so we can match you up with a family that can accommodate you.

You can buy a snack at Kukulcan's cafeteria if you get hungry between classes or you can buy snacks at the grocery store, and bring them to school with you. Your host family will not provide you with snacks or food between meals unless you arrange to pay an additional cost. If you are not planning to eat with the family on a particular occasion be sure to let them know so they can plan accordingly.

What kind of meals are provided by the host family? back

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided, but the hours may be different than your normal schedule. Generally, the hours of meals in Mexico are these:

Breakfast, 7:30 to 8:30 AM
Lunch, 3:00 to 4:30 PM
Dinner, 8:00 to 9:00 PM

You can expect about the same thing for breakfast that you might have at home: fruit or juice, toast, cereal or eggs, or a more Mexican version of these things, such as quesadillas or chilaquiles. The biggest meal of the day is lunch. This is similar to what people in the U.S. might have for dinner: soup or salad, an entree of fish, meat, chicken or pasta, and dessert. Dinner is a lighter meal, more like what people in the U.S. have for lunch. You can expect a sandwich or something similar.

Let the family know what you like and don't like to eat. To the extent possible, they will try to please you. If you have special dietary needs (vegetarian diet, kosher diet, etc.), be sure to let us know in advance so we can match you up with a family that can accommodate you. 

You can buy a snack at Kukulcan's cafeteria if you get hungry between classes or you can buy snacks at the grocery store, and bring them to school with you. Your host family will not provide you with snacks or food between meals unless you arrange to pay an additional cost. If you are not planning to eat with the family on a particular occasion be sure to let them know so they can plan accordingly.

Is it true that I should not drink tap water in Mexico? back

Absolutely. Water everywhere in the world contains living organisms that can make you sick if you aren't used to them. While your Mexican host family might drink tap water, you should NOT, because it will make you sick. Drink only bottled water. Avoid ice in drinks unless you are absolutely sure it is made from purified water. And be careful about eating raw fruits and vegetables unless you are sure they have been disinfected or have been peeled. When you plan your budget be sure to include at least a dollar a day to buy bottled water. Cuernavaca is a warm climate and you can easily become dehydrated. You should always carry bottled water with you in your book bag.

Can I change from one level to another once I am enrolled in Kukulcan language classes? back

Yes, by all means, but we recommend that you stay at the level in which you are first placed for at least two weeks to give yourself time to adjust. If you feel you have been placed in the wrong level, if you are making rapid progress and want to jump ahead, or if you are uncomfortable and want to slow down, you can talk to Kukulcan's academic director to see if a change can be made. It is also possible that some people, especially Heritage Speakers of Spanish, might be in one level for conversation and a different level for grammar. To the extent possible, we try to make sure you are always placed at the right level during your stay at Kukulcan.

What is Kukulcan's refund policy? back

The $150 USD deposit is non-refundable. If you are traveling with a group check with your group leader to see if you are responsible for paying any additional fees in the event you cancel. If you are planning to come to Kukulcan on your own but later change your mind you must send us a cancellation notice in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to the date your program is scheduled to start. This will release you from the obligation to pay anything else, providing Kukulcan has made no expenditures on your behalf in advance of your arrival. Once you begin classes at Kukulcan, there are no refunds if you decide to leave early.

Once I enroll using the Kukulcan website, what should I do next? back