Weather in Oaxaca in June
 

Hello,

What kind of weather should I expect in the city of Oaxaca in June? I'm getting concerned about the heat. I'll be taking classes in Becari and they told me that neithe the school nor the host family have any airconditioning. Should I be very concerned about it? I don't tolerate heat very well but am especially not fond of humidity.

Thanks for all your responses,

Jozhik, aka Julia

The weather should be fine, a nice mix of pm thundershowers and heat. Having stayed at mAny of the houses that Becari uses a small fan would be a nice investment (one that a kid would take to summer camp. Buen viaje!

P.s. Look up the 10 day forcast on weather.com for Oaxaca, it is usually pretty reliable.

End of May beginning of June is the start of the rainy season. Showers, sometimes very heavy interspersed with lots of sun is the norm. Remember that Oaxaca is at around 5000 feet which helps keep it cooler. Usually I am a little hot that time of year around mid day and into the afternoon, but its not bad. Usually a fan is enough to keep cool at night. Depending on weather systems is can even be fairly cool. Three years ago we were actually cold. Anyway I have been going that time of year for several years, as I will this year, and I don't think you will find heat to be much of a bother. If I decide to take classes this year, I may see you at Becari.

SrFlojo, Dude and others who have used Becari:

Can you recommend any of the families you stayed with? I'm looking for a family that is willing to talk to me, is flexible, friendly and likes cooking good food. I love Mexican food and hope to try some new delicious dishes in Oaxaca. I plan to have my breakfast and comida with the family and go out for supper.

Thanks,

Jozhik

I have stayed with Sra. Inelva quite a few times and she is a great cook. Also la Sra. Tobon is a good cook. Recently, my students took a cooking class through Becari with Sra Socorro, she was extremely pleasant and obviously a master chef. Her home is comfortable, but not within walking distance of the school. If you do not mind taking public transportation she would be an ideal hostess. Also make sure that you enjoy the best tacos in Oaxaca at Tacos Alvaro on Porfirio Diaz late nights (around the 500 - 600 block).

I think Srflojo and I are talking about the same place that we haved stayed? Inelva, her sister and mom have three houses up on Crespo Privado. I think this is a good place to stay. It is a clearly a business for them to have students there, last summer they had students from three schools while I was there, but in my experience they are always plesant and helpful and willing to chat in Spanish. I have also stayed at 401 Constitucion 1a. I remember the address, but not the name. The accmondations were modest, but fine, and everyone was willing to chat with me in Spanish.

I will be staying with the Carrasco family at 2a Privada de Crespo 106. Do you know them.

Yes this is the place Becari uses the most. Inelva is the mom's name. Between the three houses they have there- there are often many students. I stayed next door last summer but everyone ate breakfast where you will be staying. I think we will be staying in one of the houses there June 1-14. I called Luz who I think is Inelva's mom and she said she would find us a place to stay when we get there. Anyway I have stayed in the house you will be staying in and the one next door and I think they are good folks. As far as food, breakfast is fine. For the other meals I usually eat various places around town so I don't really know.

do you think there will be other students staying in the same house as me during that time? Is the house I am staying in the same house where the family lives or a different house? I had originally decided to take all meals at the home but do you think I am better off eating the evening meals out just for the experience? When I was in Cuernavaca last summer I ate out all of my evening meals in El Zocolo.

If it is like my previous experience there will be other students there. Their home is large and I beleive there are two rooms that they put students in upstairs and one small guest house in the back. When I was there last summer I think there were a total of four students staying there. In the house I stayed in next door I was upstairs and there was one student downstairs. Personally I enjoy eating at various places as opposed to soley eating at the home stay. I think you will really enjoy the Zocalo in Oaxaca it is quite a bit different than in Cuernavaca.

If you need some help choosing a home I certainly can help having placed students there with Becari over the past 6 years. As far as having other gringos there, yes that is a small problem that you will probably have to experience. As far as meals go, I would recommend just breakfast and or the mid day meal. There are too many fun places to eat off of the zocalo. Sra Inelva is great, as are many of the other families. I use the word family loosely as many are just single women or families where the children have left the home, "empty nesters." You might want to ask if there is a family that has space for only one person. If you are a female there was a great house on Melchor Ocanpo with la Sra. Cristina. She has two daughters, so a female or two would fit nicely into this house just south of the zocalo.

I think I will be very pleased with the family and the house. I like the idea of some other students there as that makes it not so intimidating to speak the language. When I was the only student in the house last year I really felt a lot of pressure to try to understand everything without anyone else(another student) being able to step in and "rescue" me. But this year I have more experience and knowledge so just about anything is ok with me. I requested a private room and private bath so hopefully that will come through. There is not much price difference between taking all or most of the meals with the family as opposed to breakfast only so I may just leave my reservations the way they are to give myself maximum flexibility to eat out or in. the food I had last year with the family in Cuernavaca was great! According to my reservation sheet, the family in Oxaca has a maid so I imagine the house is quite nice. Looks like a 10 minute walk to the school so I assume that means about the same distance to el zocolo because I think the school is close by.

The Zocalo is about 15 min. from the house. You will probably find yourself walking a little longer route to avoid walking on Crespo as it is a bus route and heavily travelled street. Where you will be staying is far enough from the this street so its not a bother.

Dude: is it in the same direction as the school so that if I am walking towards school from my house, I will also be walking towards el zocalo?

Hi, guys:

This board is a great place!

I just received a confirmation from Becari and they also have placed me with Carrasco family. I requested breakfast and comida, so that I can sample other places in the evening. Thank you for your suggestions and input! I'm going to be in Oaxaca from May 27 to June 29th, so hopefully I'll see some of you. Does anyone know of public swimming pools in the city? Or can people use swimming pools at the big hotels for a fee?

Thanks again,

Jozhik, aka Julia

I would imagine if you bought a drink or lunch that some of the hotels would probably let you take a dip..As far as public pools go, there are many to choose from and are quite relaxing. The two that we have frequented the most are Las Brisas and Vista Hermosa. Both are on the highway (about 25km out of Oaxaca)towards Etla. Las Brisas being right off of the main highway and Vista Hermosa is up in the hills. V.H. is a little quieter and more lush, while Las Brisas is busier. Both will run you around $4 usd to get in and both offers food and drink.

Yes the school is on route to the Zocalo.

jozhik-please post on this board after you have been there a few days and let me know how the family and accomodations are or else please e-mail me. I will only have a week there in August so will need to make good use of my time. thanks

Nonstop, I'll get you posted on my experience with the family.

Good luck,

Jozhik

Jozhik-thanks, I will be looking forward to it. Since I will be staying with the same family and attending the same school, your experiences will be of great help to me.

Which program are you doing at the school? 4 hours or 6 hours? I am doing 4 hours of group classes and 2 lkhours of private each day. It will be instense but with only a week I decided I better get what I could.