Tourist cards can be obtained from your airline, travel agent, or from any Mexican Consulate. For this, proof of citizenship (passport or birth certificate) is needed. for students under 18 a letter of parental consent, duly notarized is necessary, along with a tourist card. Tourist cards are usually given for 30, 60, 90 or 120 days.

ARRIVAL AT AIRPORT IN MEXICO CITY

A driver will meet you at the airport (schedule is limited from 9 am to 9 pm) and take you directly to TLAHUICA, if you so indicate on the registration form. The one round-trip cost per person is $100 US. On the way back a driver will take you directly to the Cuernavaca bus station where a ticket will be provided for a first-class bus which will take you non stop to the airport. One-way cost per person is $80.00 US.

HOLIDAYS

The following national holidays are observed with no classes held or makeup days. No refunds will be made to students for days missed because of holidays: January 1, February 5, March 21, Good Friday, May 1, September 16, November 1, November 20, December 12 and December 25.

EXCURSIONS AND TOURS

Students enrolled in the language program will be able to take advantage of tours and excursions. They are organized as afternoon activities to places of interest in Cuernavaca or as weekend trips to other areas of historic and/or contemporary interest.

Popocatepetl Volcano

Excursions and tours are offered to Mexico City, Acapulco, Taxco - the well-known silver-mining town, Tepoztlan - a small village with an outdoor market offering typical Indian art work, and to other areas of interest. These are optional and at an additional cost.

Participants will be taken to see the different Mexican festivities, according to the time of the year. For example, the Tlaltenango Fair takes place in September, right in the streets of Cuernavaca, where artesans from close villages bring their goods and art work to sell. In December, the traditional "posadas" take place all over Mexico where Christmas songs are sung while everyone tries to break the piņata. At Easter there are impressive ceremonial processions in most cathedrals and churches, commemorating the crucifixtion of Jesus Christ.

HOUSING

The living arrangement most compatible with total immersion language study is, without a doubt, living with a Mexican family. Most students choose this option, recognizing that the relationship with a family enhances their language development while giving them first-hand experience within the Mexican culture.

TLAHUICA maintains lists of families interested in having foreign students stay with them. Students can request either single or double occupancy housing. These options also include three meals a day.

If you prefer to stay in a hotel, posada or apartment, TLAHUICA will offer suggestions.