Learn Spanish in Mexico

US and Canadian citizens can enter Mexico without a passport if they have a certified copy of their birth certificate with a raised official seal. We strongly recommend that you bring a passport. Traveling without it is asking for problems and hassles.

All other nationalities are required to have a valid passport.

It is a good idea to bring photocopies of your passport and other essential documents: airline tickets, prescriptions, credit card numbers, etc stored in a separated location. Bring the emergency telephone number of your credit card company.

A tourist card is issued to you by your airline or travel agent and should be completed prior to check-in. It would be validated by an Immigration officer upon arrival in Mexico. These cards are good for 30 to 90 days and can be extended for up to 180 days. Make a copy of your tourist Card as soon as possible.

Students under 18, a notarized permission letter from both parents is required.

For further questions contact the Mexican Embassy:
USA (Tel: 202 728 1600)
Canada (Tel: 613 233 8988)

Your tuition includes the cost of classes, homestay and 3 meals daily. Depending on your tastes and plans you will need to bring additional money. The cost of living in Mexico is lower that in USA (though Cuernavaca is a fairly expensive city in some respects).

We recommend that you bring a combination of US dollars and US dollar-denominated travelers checks. Changing money can be time consuming. The monetary unit in Mexico is the peso. Automated teller machines connected to the Cirrus and Plus Systems are located in all our locations, and are the fastest and cheapest way to get pesos. Be sure to bring your PIN number. Credit cards, especially Visa and MasterCard, are accepted in some stores, restaurants and larger hotels. You can also obtain cash advances on your credit card in banks. Traveler's checks can be cashed in at banks, and in larger cities, in retail establishments as well.

Don't carry all your valuables on your person. Leave them in a locked suitcase or in the safe at your hotel/home (pickpockets are in abundance in crowded places: buses, bus stops or trains stations).

Take some precautions you would in large cities in North America: women should not walk alone after dark, don't wear expensive jewelry, be careful with handbags. Use only official taxis or radio taxis if available.

For further information on safety in Mexico, you may want to call the State Department's Travel Advisory hot line: 202 647 5225.

If you run into legal problems in Mexico, there is a 24-hour national hot-line (52-2-500151), where English speaking aides are available.

You should only drink bottled water, never tap water. Also, if you buy any of the delicious natural soft drinks Mexicans elaborate, make sure it has been made with bottled water. Mexico inhabitants are immune to amoebas in water, but any person who has not been in touch with amoebas before, could suffer strong diarrhoea.

No shots are required to enter the country but you should check with your local doctor. If you will be traveling in the low-lying tropical regions of Mexico, we recommend insect repellent with a minimum of 20% DEET and/or malaria pills. It's a good idea to be up to date on your tetanus, typhoid and polio immunizations also. If you plan to stay longer than a few weeks and don't want to worry too much about what you eat, an immune globulin shot is recommend for protection against hepatitis.
For additional information call the CDC (Center for Disease Control) hotline at 404 332 4559 about disease prevention when traveling.

Dress is informal, but you might want to bring something for special occasions or for the evening. You can find almost anything in the shops of the city. We recommend you bring the following:

• Lightweight layerable clothing
• Jacket or sweater
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Umbrella (during rainy season)
• Small knapsack for day trips
• A large towel and washcloth
• Prescription drugs (particular drugs or dosages may not be available)
• Camera
• Extra film (can be expensive)
• Swimsuit
• Insect repellent with DEET
• Sunglasses
• Small alarm clock
• Walkman (for music or languages study tapes)
• Medical supplies (including antiseptic, aspirin, Imodium/Lomotil, antacid )
• Complete Spanish Dictionary, pocket Spanish Verbs and Grammar
• Guide book on Mexico

Government offices and businesses are open Monday ot Friday from 9am to 2pm, close for lunch and then reopen from 4pm to 7pm.

Museums and archeological sites are open 8am to 5pm, but museums are usually closed on Mondays.

Mexican foods are rich and varied:

• Bistec: grilled or fried beef
• Frijoles con arroz: beans and rice
• Tamales: steamed corn dough rolls stuffed with meat or vegetables
• Tacos: cheese, meat or chicken wrapped in a soft or crisp tortilla
• Enchilada: meat or chicken, beans and chiles in a rolled and fried tortilla
• Salchichas: sausages or hot dogs
• Guacamole: mashed avocado with tomatoes, onions and chiles
• Pollo con mole: chicken with a sauce made of over 30 ingredients, including chiles and chocolate.
• Ceviche: fish or shellfish marinated in lemon
• Caldo de mariscos: fish and shellfish soup