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JakeJakeJake · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 135

I've got two schools in mind, one in each to do intensive spanish classes for 4 weeks prior to DF.
Which in your opinion would be the best choice?

my main factors are the beauty of the place, things to do.... and the less touristy the better so i can speak the most spanish possible. though beauty and bars and things to do are most important.

TheLongWayHome · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 1016 Location: San Luis Piojosi

You'll find foreigners in both places though you'll notice it more in Guanajuato as it's relatively very small. I think I'd get bored after more than a week in Guanajuato, beautiful though it is.

JakeJakeJake · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 135

i hadnt given much thought to boredom. its a good point though.

guatetaliana · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 6:53 pm Post subject:

Guanajuato would definitely be the winner in terms of beauty and charm, hands down (which certainly means more tourism). But boredom is a compelling factor. Unlikely you would ever get bored in Guadalajara.

MO39 · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 9:54 pm Post subject:

Keep in mind that you're only going to be at the school you choose for 4 weeks. I think that the charms of Guanajuato wouldn't fade in that short period of time!

JakeJakeJake · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 135

plus the bright lights of df will be coming in july so a big city isn�t in desperate need

MO39 · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 12:12 am Post subject:

Another advantage of studying in a smaller city is that it should be easier to make friends with the locals, which will give you more chances to practice the Spanish you'll be learning in class.

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

My friend did a Spanish course for a month at Escuela Mexicana in Guanajuato, and I believe she stayed at the adjacent hostel (Casa Mexicana) the entire time. She absolutely LOVED it and still raves about it to this day. I am going to visit Guanajuato later this week just to see what got her so excited. Because Guanajuato is small, it's easy to meet up with people and move around from place to place. As for Guadalajara (I've been here for six weeks now), it can be okay but it's not great. I stayed at a hostel for a few nights when I arrived, and most of the people there were looking for accommodation while studying Spanish. Many of them were SHOCKED to find out how far their schools were from the center- we're talking 90+ minutes on a bus each way. If you are going to come to GDL, don't commit to anything until you ask some locals about the location of the school and the nearby transit connections. I am also living fairly far out of the center (fifteen minutes by foot from Plaza del Sol) and sometimes feel a bit "trapped" out here. It's nice to be able to walk to work (especially when I start at 7:00 am), but when I finish at 4:00 I rarely want to spend an hour on the bus going into the center (or to another cool neighbourhood like Providencia).

JakeJakeJake · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 135

cheers jetgirly. that sealed it

cummings93 · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2008 2:49 pm Post subject: check out SMA too

I strongly suggest you looking into some schools in San Miguel de Allende. My recomendation would be Instituto Allende or Centro Mexicano (which is near the Instituto).
Have fun.

jillford64 · Joined: 15 Feb 2006 Posts: 397 Location: Sin City

If this is your first visit, you will be able to find enough things to do in Guanajuato and the surrounding area keep from getting bored for four weeks. It is a lovely and charming city, but has gotten very touristy in the last 5+ years. I studied at Escuela Mexicana and stayed at Casa Mexicana for three weeks in 2006. I would rate them both as average, but the price is good.

fimac · Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Posts: 16

Guanajuato is a beautiful city, very charming like many others have mentioned. I spent a couple of weekends there and although it is small there is a fair bit to see. I stayed at Casa de Pita in Guanajuato- a great place. Pita is so lovely and you will definately be able to practice Spanish at her 'family' style breakfasts.

Your language school will take up a lot of time. Having lived in Guadalajara, I would go there if studying for a longer period of time as it is a MUCH larger city. I think it takes more time to 'get into' than does GTO. If you can extend your stay at the language school, go to GDL otherwise enjoy the charms of GTO. Having said that, schools in both places are likely to do little tours around their respective places, so you will be able to familiarise yourself with the larger city of Guadalajara.

The only disadvantage of Guanajuato is that you are probably likely to be spending much more time with English speakers. Guadalajara has a much better night life being a bigger city. It also has some really great and accessible weekend trips. PM me if you are interested in knowing more about GDL.

Buena Suerte,

Fi