Cuernavaca – A trip I’ll never forget!

I just returned from my Spanish course in Cuernavaca, and I must say that whoever nicknamed the city as “The Land of Eternal Spring” was spot on! Not only does the city mix the old with the new – colonial buildings, remnants of Aztec culture, and the feeling of a vibrant, modern university city – but the delightfully warm year-round weather is a treat for anyone studying abroad!

With Mexico City just an hour away, the beautiful beaches of Acapulco just three hours away, and plenty of water parks and natural hot water springs nearby, you can bet that I took full advantage of the wonderful weather in Cuernavaca. If you’re looking to cool off one hot afternoon, I would highly recommend paying a visit to the picturesque Salto de San Anton waterfall, which is in Cuernavaca’s western city limits. It was incredibly relaxing to hear the water crash down while watching the cool mist waft across the canyon below.

After class, I practiced my Spanish by bartering with the enthusiastic merchants at the Palacio de Cortes market, where I bought many Mexican souvenirs for friends and family back home. I even spent several Friday and Sunday nights with my wonderful host family watching the sprightly and animated salsa dancers at Zocalo town square.

Since I was a little kid I dreamed of listening to a mariachi band while eating traditional Mexican cuisine in a charming restaurant in Mexico — and I’m happy to say I was able to do just that in Cuernavaca! With tons of authentic Mexican restaurants around the city, I enjoyed many relaxing moments snacking on quesadillas, pambazos (buns with potato filling), or other antojitos (snacks) in the company of international friends I met through the school.

I spent many afternoons after class hanging out with friends in the school’s private tropical garden, outdoor pool, and café. These were all prime locations to use the Spanish I learned in class with my fellow students.

This experience is one that I will not soon forget, as I returned home having made new friends from around the world, and my level of Spanish improved immensely, thanks to the excellent teachers and welcoming environment at the school. Studying Spanish in The Land of Eternal Spring is a decision I will never regret!

Daniel (Germany)