Cuernavaca Travel Forum

Hello!

I am a 27 year old female who will be traveling to Cuernavaca to attend one of the immersion schools. Unfortunately, my husband will not be able to attend with me and I was looking for any Safety tips from previous travlers since I will be traveling alone.

Any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

Cuernavaca is full of american teen tourists and it is pretty safe.

Enjoy.

WELL, I GUESS IT'S HARDER FOR A FEMALE TRAVELLER THAN A MALE. JUST USE COMMON SENSE AND NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO YA.

UNFORTUNATELY I NEVER BEEN TO THE PLACE YOU WANNA GO SO I CAN'T HELP WITH TIPS THERE.

Once you are in Cuernavaca I seriously doubt you will experience any danger as long as you use common sense.
What probably worries you is the transfer from the airport to Cuernavaca. Part of being safe is not looking lost and absolutely NOT accepting the help of any strangers who may present themselves even if they claim some official status. Chose your helpers either from families, shop owners, official at-a-desk travel aids, or police officers. Remember that not all people in uniform may be good or authentic officials. The key is that YOU chose. To those who seem to chose you just say, "No gracias".
The good thing is that making your connection to Cuernavaca should be very straight forward and easy. I can not give you step by step instructions because since I last visited they have apparently moved the bus departures to a new ground terminal called the "Terminal Terrestre". I have heard that it is easy to find and requires no transport. When you exit the customs area the first thing you probably want to do is go right in front of you to one of the bank exchange windows. The bus ticket office does accept credit cards, but does not accept US dollars. The $ sign means pesos. The price listed on the web site is 108 pesos (written $108 or sometimes $108 MN for moneda nacional -- this is about ten dollars.) The bus line you will take is called Autobuses Pullman de Morelia. A bus leaves about every 40 minutes from 6:40 AM to 11:30 PM.

There, that should do it. I am sure your school has given you instructions for when you arrive in Cuernavaca, and now you know how to get there on safe public transportation -first class with no hassle. Although it won't be necessary, you can probably start your total immersion from the moment you step off the plane. good luck bob. .

Hola,

I was in Cuernavaca a couple of years ago doing research for my book on Spanish immersion schools. I agree with the previous post that taking the Pullman de Morelos from the Terminal Terrestre in the Mexico City Airport is an inexpensive and safe way to get to Cuernavaca.

Once you are there, ask your host family or school directors about the safety of taxis. There are some "pirate" taxis in Cuernavaca, and my host mother had a bad experience in a one. (Pirate taxis are all over Mexico City. They are phony taxis that operate for the purpose of thievery.) If you go into Mexico city on a bus other than the Pullman de Morelos, always buy a ticket (voucher) for an authorized taxi in the bus station--do not hail one on the street.

In general, I found Cuernavaca to be a safe city. As in any city, I would avoid walking alone at night; there's always safety in numbers.

Have a wonderful time!

Martha Racine Taylor, Author of Spanish-Live It and Learn It! The Complete Guide to Language Immersion Schools in Mexico

I have been to Cuernavaca many times for the same reason, to learn Spanish. I think I have been there about 20 times. It is a great city and you will love the people. Like everyone says, "use common sense." If you go out at night, then take a taxi home. I usually walk and ride the bus everywhere and enjoy myself at the many restaurants. Cuernavaca is really a rather large city and it is the same as in many City's in other countries. You have your good and bad sections. Be a bit careful with wearing jewelry in public at night, such as an attractive necklace with a diamond or pearls.

If you stay with a host family, which I hope you do, then they are usually your best source of advice. The city is fairly modern now days and they have ATM's and everything. Making a call back the U.S. is easy or just get on the internet.

One thing I always do is to take a couple of books for learning Spanish and English to Spanish dictionaries. There are thousands of students studying Spanish in Cuernavaca and each time I have been there, the selection of books in the stores are limited. The school that you go to will probably have their own lesson books for you and you should get them. Also, I know this will be hard at first, but the more you speak in Spanish, the quicker you will learn it.

Most of the schools have weekend excursions and they are usually great times to just to get out and see the country with the other students and the teachers. If you go to Taxco, then take a warm sweater.

Have a great trip and enjoy yourself.