Travel to Cuernavaca

1. How do I get to Cuernavaca?

The best option is to arrive at Mexico City Airport from your country of origin, and then travel to Cuernavaca by bus or private transportation, which you can arrange for with Ideal, or take an airport taxi.

2. What does the private transportation service from Mexico city Airport to Cuernavaca that Ideal offers consist of?

In this service, an Ideal representative - with a yellow sign with your name on it - will meet you on arrival at Mexico City Airport (usually at the International Arrivals concourse) and take you directly to your host family in Cuernavaca. You can request this service for any day at any time.

Please bear in mind the following policies:

• Request the service at least 3 days in advance to give us time to confirm that we’ll be there to meet you.
  
• If you need to cancel the service or make changes in the date or time, please notify us at least 2 days in advance.
  
• For last-minute changes and emergency cancellations, use the telephone numbers that we send you with the confirmation of your transportation.
  
• IT IS IMPORTANT TO CLARIFY that cancellations and changes are accepted at least 3 hours in advance calling the cell phone numbers we send you; otherwise we will charge the full service fee.
  
• Ideal’s representative will wait at the airport for up to 1 hour and 30 minutes after your flight lands (allowing for minor delays that may arise). Ideal’s representative will check your flight status with the airline. If, after arriving at the airport, you have problems getting to where Ideal’s representative is waiting for you, call one of the telephone numbers we send you and the representative will wait for you. Each additional hour costs $12 USD.
  

3. How do I get to Cuernavaca from Mexico City Airport?

Upon leaving the International Arrivals concourse, go to the second level (where the fast food court is), where you will find a bridge leading to an area where there are buses to Cuernavaca and other nearby cities. At the end of the bridge you will see ticket counters for Pullman de Morelos; tickets cost $135 pesos.

Departures are at:
6:40 a.m., 7:15 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 10:40 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:00 noon, 12:40 p.m., 1:20 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 5:20 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 6:40 p.m., 7:20 p.m., 8:00 p.m., 8:40 p.m., 9:20 p.m., 10:10 p.m., 10:50 p.m., 11:30 p.m.

Note: Upon arrival to Cuernavaca, buy your taxi ticket INSIDE the terminal; if the ticket window is closed - late at night - agree on the fare with the taxi driver before you get in. During the day, a taxi in Cuernavaca costs between $30 and $40 pesos; at night, expect to pay between $35 and $50 pesos. You do not need to tip taxi drivers unless they help with your luggage, in which case $5 pesos is sufficient.

4. RECOMMENDATIONS for students arriving at Mexico City Airport:

• Preferably exchange your money to pesos before you go through Customs; there are currency exchange offices opposite the baggage claim belts.
  
• There are several currency exchange offices and banks in Cuernavaca that offer good exchange rates.
  
• Do not lose sight of your luggage.
  

5. What documents do I need to enter Mexico?

Different documents are required for each nationality. To be sure, check the requisites with your travel agent or visit the Mexican National Institute of Migration website.

For travelers entering Mexico from many countries - such as the USA, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, and Japan - the only requisite is a valid passport.

When you reach the airport Immigration checkpoint, an Immigration Officer will stamp the form you filled out in advance (which is usually handed out on the plane) and write the number of days you are able to stay in Mexico. Feel free to tell the officer how long you plan to stay and that you are going to take a Spanish course.

6. Do I need a student visa?

You do not need a student visa to study at Ideal; a tourist visa is fine.

7. Can I renew my visa if it expires while I am studying at Ideal?

It is possible to renew your visa in Cuernavaca. At Ideal we will be glad to help. There is a fee for renewing tourist visas at the Cuernavaca National Institute of Migration office ($250 to $300 pesos).

8. Do I need insurance?

Yes. You will need medical insurance, especially in case of emergencies.

9. What clothing and accessories should I pack to come to Cuernavaca?

Light, comfortable clothing, a sweater and/or windbreaker, bathing suit, towel, a change of formal clothing - if you think you might need it - and comfortable shoes. If you need to take any medications, bring them with you in sufficient quantities, as you may not find them in Mexico. You will need a doctor’s prescription to bring them into the country.