Cuernavaca: a user's guide

Practical information: Web site www.studyabroad.com lists hundreds of schools around Mexico, Latin America and Spain. Cuauhnahuac School: www.cuauhnahuac.edu.mx; Phone: 52 7 312-3673/52 7 318-9275. The Centre for Bilingual Multicultural Studies: www.bilingual-center.com.

Phone: 52 7 317-1087.

Extra costs: Depending on your social habits, you will spend between US$20 and US$120 (HK$155 and HK$930) a week out and about in town. All the schools host afternoon, full-day and weekend guided excursions costing from US$10 to $50. With a little Spanish and a flair for adventure, it is relatively easy, and far cheaper, to go it on your own.

Location and transport: Cuernavaca is located about 1.5 hours south of Mexico City. Your school will have you picked up at the airport - if you feel like paying the whopping fee of US$70 to $80 for the taxi fare. Just outside the international arrival lounge, reliable, luxury buses depart hourly and cost a mere 80 pesos (about US$8). The buses will drop you at the Casino de la Selva bus station in central Cuernavaca. A taxi to the schools will cost about 25 pesos.

Visas: United States, Canadian and European Union nationals receive up to six-month visas upon arrival. Chinese citizens, including Hong Kong residents, need to apply for visas at their local consulate.