Has anyone been to both Cuernavaca and Antigua? How do they compare as cities? How does the quality of Spanish instruction compare? How does the nightlife etc. compare?
I realize that Antigua is less expensive. However, the ticket to get there from the US is substantially more expensive, and the flight is a lot longer.
"Ninguna mente extraordinaria está exenta de un toque de demencia." (Aristóteles)
Posts: 58 | Location: Boston | Registered: 11 December 2007
Cuernavaca would be a better place to study Spanish. Antigua probably has more English-speakers than Spanish-speakers. It`s a tourism mecca, and real estate has become so expensive that very few Guatemalans can afford to live there. Cuernavaca is a larger city, with a more diluted tourist presence (although it`s still quite popular).
Nightlife is good in both places, although there are more late-night options in Cuernavaca. It`s also more expensive. You should also take into consideration its very close proximity to Mexico City, which is a wonderful place to visit. Antigua is even closer to Guatemala City, which is one of the worst shitholes in the Western Hemisphere.
Antigua`s natural setting (surrounded by three volcanoes - one of them active) is more stunning, although Cuernavaca is also lovely.
Originally posted by dthf90210: Thanks, "Felix." DF and Puerto (are you there now?) are still on my short list too -- but I might save DF for when my Spanish is a bit better.
Nah, I´ve been back in DF since Saturday. I changed my mind about recommending study in Puerto Escondido - it would be like studying in Antigua. There´s about as much English as Spanish spoken there, especially if you´re a gringo. Oaxaca City would be much better, or San Cristóbal.
