Study in Cuernavaca, Mexico

About Cuernavaca

Cuernavaca is the capital of the Mexican state of Morelos, south of Mexico City. It lies at about 1,500 metres above sea level, and the journey from Mexico City takes about an hour and a half, according to IDEAL Escuela de Español. Many people from the capital spend their weekends there.

For international students, Cuernavaca is above all a place to learn Spanish. Spanish courses for foreigners have a long history here: IDEAL traces its roots to CIDOC, the centre founded by the philosopher Ivan Illich, which it describes as the first formal Spanish school in the city.

Studying in Cuernavaca

This directory lists three active schools in Cuernavaca: one university and two language schools. The Universidad Internacional (UNINTER) is a private university that has been teaching since 1980, according to its own site. Its undergraduate programmes (licenciaturas) cover social sciences and humanities, business, engineering, design and architecture, with degrees such as International Relations, Tourism Business Administration and Computer Systems Engineering.

The university states that it holds FIMPES accreditation (from the federation of Mexican private higher-education institutions) and ISO 9001:2015 certification. It reports more than 40 exchange agreements in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. Each semester it receives exchange students from these partner universities, who join regular undergraduate or postgraduate classes, and its own students can spend a semester abroad from their third semester.

Learning Spanish in Cuernavaca

UNINTER also runs a Spanish school for foreigners, the Center for Linguistic & Multicultural Studies (CELYM), known until 2002 as Centro Bilingüe. It offers intensive and semester group programmes, one-to-one programmes, private classes and online Spanish.

IDEAL Escuela de Español marked 50 years of teaching in 2025. Its Cuernavaca school is in Colonia La Pradera, a residential area about a 20-minute walk north of the centre, and it also has a campus in Oaxaca. The school's main points for new students:

• courses start every Monday of the year, except on holidays
• students can join at any level, including complete beginners
• the school recommends at least four weeks of study to see clear progress
• the school states that it is recognised by Mexico's Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP)
• IDEAL does not award credit itself, but sends documents to students' home universities that grant credit

The third school in the directory is CICU Spanish School.

Cost of living for students

We found no official figures for student rents or bus fares in Cuernavaca. IDEAL offers host families within walking distance of the school, hotels, hostels and, for longer stays, apartments; rentals need at least one month's notice. Host-family prices are per person and per night, with half board (breakfast and the main meal at midday) as an option; air conditioning and heating are not provided, as they are considered luxuries in the city. Course materials are extra: at IDEAL a workbook costs US$12 and lasts two to three weeks.

Getting around and daily life

Most students fly into Mexico City International Airport (MEX) and continue to Cuernavaca by public bus or with transport arranged by their school.

The climate is mild all year. At the Cuernavaca weather station of Mexico's national weather service (Servicio Meteorológico Nacional, normals for 1991-2020), the average temperature is 19.1 °C in January and 21.7 °C in July; April and May are the warmest months, at about 24 °C. Rainfall averages about 1,400 mm a year, almost all of it from June to September. The dry season runs from October to May, and in the rainy season showers usually come in the late afternoon or at night.

Visa rules depend on nationality and length of stay. According to the Consulate General of Mexico in Chicago, holders of a valid visa from the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom or the Schengen area do not need a Mexican visa for stays of less than 180 days for non-paid activities, and the consulate publishes lists of nationalities that need or do not need a visa. Students staying longer than 180 days apply for a student visa at a Mexican consulate before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

Is Cuernavaca a good place to learn Spanish?

It has a long tradition of Spanish courses for foreigners, with weekly start dates and host-family housing arranged by the schools.

Which university is in Cuernavaca?

The Universidad Internacional (UNINTER), a private university teaching since 1980, which receives exchange students every semester.

What is the weather like in Cuernavaca?

Mild all year, with average temperatures from about 19 °C in January to 24 °C in April and May, and rain mainly from June to September.

Do I need a visa to study Spanish in Cuernavaca?

It depends on your nationality. For studies longer than 180 days, apply for a student visa at a Mexican consulate before you travel.