I'd like to spend 2 weeks at a language school in June in Mexico, and I'm thinking about Cuernavaca. Can anyone give me some positive feedback about the city? I know most of the sites it's close to, including DF...the airfare is reasonable for me...there are plenty of good schools to pick from. Now I'm looking for some quality points about the city itself, especially since I couldn't find much in the archives. FYI, I spent 2 weeks in Guanajuato last June and loved it. If anyone can share, I'd really appreciate it...

We only spent a few days in Cuernavaca a year ago, so I'm by no means an expert. My initial impression of the city wasn't very good - it's a big sprawling city and I was expecting something smaller and more charming. I was ready to spend a night and then move on. But we ended up staying a few days and quite enjoying ourselves. There were some nice restaurants and the climate was lovely.

Almost forgot - one of the high points was going through the Robert Brady museum - fabulous house and wonderful art.

Friends just returned from language school in Cuernavaca and really enjoyed it. The school also planned many side trips. Be sure you get to Las Mananitas for an incredible meal. Cortes Palace is very interesting, too.

Yes, forgot about Las Mananitas. We stayed near there, and walked ove rfor drinks one evening. Really a pretty place!

I appreciate the help from both of you...Nice to hear you decided to stay and enjoyed yourselves, Susan. And TrvlMaven - the positive experience your friends had at the language school was encouraging since that's what I'll be doing. Any idea which school they chose?

Thanks again...

Cuernavaca is far from my favorite place in Mexico. Sprawled out, dirty in some places and certainly not my idea of a nice colonial city in Mexico. Have studied there at Cuernavaca langauge school which was fine. If you do go, the advice above is good, spend some money and eat at Las Mananitas, don't miss the Robert Brady Museum and Cortes' plalace. Also take a taxi to Tepoztlan for the day. Also- day trips to Mexico City are easy. In a long day we went from Cuernavaca to Mexico City, saw the Zocalo area, took the metro then bused to Teotihuacan and on the way back went to the Villa de Guadalupe. Also, you are only a couple of hours from Taxco, definately bus there and do an overnight. That's all the good, personally I would go to a smaller conlonial city.

I have been to Cuernavaca twice and loved it. Although it is a big sprawling city, there are a lot of interesting places. If you like water, go to Las Aztecas (not sure if that's spelled right) - It is a fabulous natural springs park. Also, take a drive to Taxco and to Tienestango (again - spelling?) - a very local GIGANTIC flea market in the middle of nowhere - FABULOUS

LeProf--my friends studied at Chac Mool Language school. They did a home stay which I believe also helped them with their studies. The school arranged many of the side trips that have been mentioned here. I especially like Tepoztlan (be sure and stop at the ice cream shop).

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I also attended Instituto de Chac Mool. It was fine. Although many people love Cuernavaca, I had to admit that the charm of the city escaped me. I just didn't get it. Lots of grafiti and high walls around all the property preventing views of the lovely gardens within.

I visited all the tourist attractions there (Robert Brady Museum, Cortes Palacio, etc.). At the most, mildly interesting, at least for me.

I also spent a day in Tasco (the silver capital). This would be a neat place for someone shopping for silver and touristy trinkets. Other than that, it just wasn't my thing.