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Hi, all. I'm trying think of the best way of getting to all of the above places. I'll be in Alajuela, Costa Rica, for a month. I wanted to go to Mexico first to take a Spanish class for two weeks. I haven't decided where but I was thinking Guadalajara. I like big cities, art, architecture and cultural activities with small doses of small town charm.
I'll be coming from Washington, DC, in late October, early November. Here's what I was thinking:
Fly into Mexico City. Stay there for a couple of days.
Go to Guadalajara (how?) for 2-week Spanish class (Are there observances of Dia de Los Muertos?)
Go to Oaxaca for a couple of days
Fly to Alajuela?
I'll be coming back to Mexico afterward so I could either go to Chichen Itza before or after Alajuela. Which would be easier?
Thanks.
Mexico City, Guadalajara, Oaxaca, Chichen Itza, Alajuela - How to get from one to the other
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Unless you have a specific reason for wanting to take your language class in Guadalajara, I would suggest taking a class in Oaxaca and staying there longer. It would be a wonderful opportunity to explore this smaller city, as well as the surrounding crafts villages. Oaxaca is one of the best crafts areas in Mexico, with a high percentage of indigenous peoples. You can visit the artisan's studios, as well as enjoy a number of wonderful restaurants, museums, churches etc. The Centro Historico of Oaxaca is outstanding.
I've not been to Chichen Itza, so don't know how Monte Alban, the Zapatec ruins in Oaxaca, compares, but to get to Chichen Itza I guess you would fly to Cancun, which has great air service from a variety of locations.
Oops, I forgot to say that you can get to Oaxaca from Mexico City either by bus (5 or 6 hours, and the first class buses are very comfortable) or air (about 45-60 minutes from Mexico City, but more expensive).
I would highly recommend taking Spanish classes in Guadalajara. I did so three years ago and I had a blast. Guadalajara is considered by many to be the Mexican city with the most "culture". When I was there the city just seemed to be alive. Also, staying in Guadalajara gives you easy access to places like Lake Chapala and the town of Tequila (guess what they make there). Getting to Guadalajara from Mexico City would be easiest by plane (under 2 hours), but you could also take a bus (seven to eight hours).
Vita, you're trying to cover a lot of territory in a short amount of time. Although I love Mexico City, I'm wondering if there's any way you could fly into Guadalajara instead. It's a major city. You may have to go to Mexico City to get a flight to Oaxaca or maybe not, I'm not sure. Oaxaca is a long way from Mexico City. It's a wonderful place to visit though. I've been to Chichen Itza as well as Monte Alban. The former is terrific, but if you're interested in ruins, there are several sites (as well as Monte Alban) in the Oaxaca area.
It sounds like a wonderful trip - although it is very ambitious.
We flew with Continental from Philly to Miami to MC. Then flew to GU with Air California. Flew back with Continental from GU to Houston, then to Philly. I posted a report on our trip which included Copper Canyon on this forum.