DATES & Travel

A COVID-19 vaccination is required, and, if you are eligible, a booster.

Entry Requirements

• Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result. However, in order to protect our community, we ask that you take an at-home COVID test just before you depart for Mexico and send a photo of your results to our International Resident Assistant via WhatsApp at +1 651 399 6943. If you test positive, we will ask you to delay your departure for Mexico. 

• CGEE will monitor the entry requirements and let you know if anything changes prior to your departure.

Official Program Dates

Fall 2026 Semester

• Program Start (Arrive Mexico City): Friday, August 21, 2026 

• Program End (Depart Mexico City): Sunday, December 6, 2026 

Spring 2027 Semseter

• Early Spanish (3-Week Program): January 3 – January 22, 2027

• Spring Semester Programs Start: Friday, January 22, 2027

• Spring Break: March 21 – March 28, 2027 Program End (Depart Mexico City): Sunday, May 17, 2027

• Note: The last day of classes is Friday, May 15. Saturday, May 16 is free for packing and goodbyes.

Core Routing & Flight Logistics

Required Airport Routing

• Arrival Airport: Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) – Mexico City, Mexico

• Departure Airport: Benito Juárez International Airport (MEX) – Mexico City, Mexico

Target Flight Windows

• Arrivals: Try to land in Mexico City by 4:00 PM if at all possible. 

  • • • Note: We will arrange a few pickup times at a designated meeting point in MEX based on everyone's arrivals, so you may need to wait a couple of hours at the airport. 

    • Departures: We recommend choosing a flight that leaves no earlier than 11:00 AM on your program's end date. 

      • Note: The Center provides transit to the airport, but because you must allow 2 hours to get to MEX from Cuernavaca and check-in 2-3 hours early, earlier flights may require you to independently take a direct bus from Cuernavaca (approx. US $15). 

Mandatory Action Item

• Once your international flights are finalized, you must submit your details via the Flight Information Questionnaire in your Global Gateway account. 

Additional Program Notes

• Early Arrivals: If you choose to arrive ahead of the designated start date, you assume full responsibility for your own ground transportation, lodging, and meals. Be sure to contact the International Resident Assistant and cc Ann as soon as possible.

• Late Departures: If you stay in Cuernavaca after the program ends, meals stop after breakfast on Sunday, and you must vacate your room by 12:00 PM on Monday. Staying longer requires a US $15/day room fee. Long-distance travel in Mexico is encouraged only after the program ends.

• Booking Tips: We highly recommend purchasing changeable tickets. Watch your layover times to avoid long waits, and look out for departures on Tuesdays, which often have the best fares. You will receive a student roster soon if you wish to coordinate travel companions!

Booking Advisories & Strategy

Flight Coordination 

Please consult with your program coordinator prior to finalizing your booking. We attempt to align cohort arrival windows as closely as possible and may have specific recommended itineraries.

Preferred Travel Agency 

You are welcome to utilize our designated partner, Northstar Travel Company. Booking through our agency ensures dedicated institutional support in the event of airline delays, cancellations, or missed connections.

Layover & Fare Strategy 

While budget is a factor, we strongly advise reviewing connection times carefully. Excessive layovers (e.g., 10+ hours at London Heathrow or Amsterdam Schiphol) significantly compound travel fatigue prior to orientation. Historically, published international fares tend to be most competitive when searched on Tuesdays.

Managing Jet Lag & Long-Haul Flights

While traveling to Mexico City doesn't involve the extreme time differences of transatlantic flights, traveling can still be physically exhausting. Mexico operates on Central Standard Time year-round and does not observe Daylight Saving Time. Depending on your home time zone and the time of year, Mexico will likely align with U.S. Central or Mountain time. We recommend utilizing the following strategies to ensure you arrive refreshed and ready to head to Cuernavaca.

Pre-Departure Preparation

• Because the time difference is minimal, focus your pre-departure prep on packing efficiently and getting a good night's sleep the evening before you travel.

In-Flight Strategies

• Time Zone Alignment: Before you land, double-check your phone's time settings to ensure it updates to Mexico City local time.

• Hydration: Air travel is incredibly dehydrating, which increases general travel fatigue. Avoid excess caffeine while in transit and drink plenty of water. We strongly recommend bringing a reusable, empty water bottle through airport security to fill before boarding.

• Mobility: Even on shorter flights, do not remain completely stationary. Periodically stretch your legs and ankles in your seat or take a quick walk down the aisle to maintain circulation.

Post-Arrival Routine

• Traffic and altitude changes can add to your exhaustion when arriving in Mexico City. Try to stay active, get some fresh air upon arrival, and align immediately with local meal and sleep times once you arrive at your housing in Cuernavaca.

Passports

Be sure to obtain a passport if you do not have one. If you have one, be sure that it is valid for at least six months past your departure from Mexico.

To obtain a new U.S. passport, you will need to submit materials at an in-person appointment:

• Follow the Steps to Apply for a Passport In Person on the U.S. Department of State Website.

• Along with submitting materials, you will also need to pay for the passport fee. To see the most up-to-date costs please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html 

To renew your passport, you can renew by mail:

• Follow the steps to Renew (Your Passport) by Mail on the U.S. Department of State Website.

• Along with submitting materials, you will also need to pay for the passport fee. To see the most up-to-date costs please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/fees.html 

For complete information and application forms, see https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html    

Once you receive your passport, make a copy of the photo page to carry with you (in a separate place from your passport) when you travel. You will also need to upload a copy to your Global Gateway account (Passport Information questionnaire).

As a further safeguard, we require that you also bring to Mexico a certified copy of your birth certificate (see above where this is described) in case you need to reapply for a lost passport during the semester. 

If you are under the age of 18 or are not a U.S. citizen, please contact our Minneapolis office, as there are special documentation procedures you will need to follow.

Visa Requirements and Tourist Card (Important!)

Mexico: U.S. citizens and permanent residents can stay in Mexico as tourists for six months (180 days) without any sort of visa. Upon arrival in Mexico, you will receive a stamp visa. If asked by authorities, please indicate that your occupation is student but the purpose of your trip is “tourism.” While you are obviously planning to study in Mexico, you will not be enrolled in a Mexican university and therefore may use the standard tourist visa stamp rather than having to apply for a special student visa.

If you need to tell immigration an address in Mexico, please use the following one:  J.H. Preciado 314, Colonia San Anton, Cuernavaca, Morelos.  

When you go through Customs, be sure to tell the Mexican immigration officer that you would like to be given 180 days (ciento ochenta dias). There will not be a place to indicate that, so be sure to ask.

You will need to present your passport. It is helpful to bring a photocopy of the first page of your passport to carry with you in Mexico as identification. When you get to Cuernavaca, you will be able to store your passport somewhere safe. 

For Mexico City

From the U.S., dial 011-52-55 and then the phone number

Within Mexico, dial 01, if long distance, then dial 55, and then the phone number

Hotels near Mexico City Airport

From $40 – $150 USD

Hotel Camino Real Aeropuerto ($$)

Puerto México No. 80, Col. Peñón de los Baños Just across from the airport, Terminal 1

Tel: (55) 30-03-00-33 Fax: (55) 30-03-00-34

Courtyard by Marriott Mexico City Airport ($$)

4-star hotel. Just across from Terminal 1.

Sinaloa 31, Peñón de los Baños, 15520 Ciudad de México,

CDMX   (55) 4631 4000

Hotel Holiday Inn Express Mexico Aeropuerto

3-star hotel. Close to airport

Circuito Interior Avenida Río Churubusco 253, Colonia Granjas México, 08400 Ciudad de México,

CDMX (55) 5803 4900

Hotel Aeropuerto ($)

Boulevard Aeropuerto No. 380 Colonia Moctezuma

Tel. (55) 57-85-53-18 / 57-85-58-88

Fax: 57-84-13-29

They do phone reservations and just take cash

Hotels in Downtown Mexico City

(approx. 20 minutes from the airport via authorized taxi)

$15 – $20 USD

Casa San Ildefonso

Calle San Ildefonso # 38  Centro Historico. Ciudad de México  

CDMX  (55) 5789 1999

Hostel style mostly single or double rooms with shared bathrooms, but they have a few ones with private bathroom. Excellent location, behind the Cathedral.

Hostal Moneda

Moneda 8, Centro Histórico de la Ciudad de México

Phones: 55 22 58 21/ 55 22 58 03

Dorms and private rooms (all with bathroom), internet, kitchen, terrace café, short term storage, travel info, clean, safe, excellent location.

$20 – $50 USD

Hotel San Antonio

2 Callejon 5 de Mayo # 29 (Entre Isabel La Católica y Palma)

Colonia Centro

Telephone and fax: 55-12-99-06

$70 – $130 USD

Hotel María Cristina

Rio Lerma # 31 Colonia Cuauhtémoc

Phones: 57-03-12-12 /55-66-96-88

Hotel Canada

5 de Mayo # 47 Close to metro stop Isabel La Católica

Telephone: 55-18-21-06, fax: 55-12-93-10

NEAR ZONA ROSA in Mexico City

Hotel Azores

República de Brasil No. 25

Colonia Centro

Tels: 55-21-52-20/55-12-00-70

$35 – 50 USD

El Hotelito San Rafael

Ignacio M. Altamirano No. 45

Colonia San Rafael (close to Metro San Cosme)

Contact owners: Cuca Valero and Miguel Legaria

Phone: 55-35-39-73 Fax: 55-46-67-20 Email: hotelito@mati.net.mx

Hotel Juárez

Telephone: 55-12-69-29 / 55-18-47-18 / 55-12-05-68

HOTELS IN CUERNAVACA

From the U.S. dial 011-52-777 and then the phone number

Within Mexico, dial 01-777 and then the phone number

$40 – $60 USD

Hotel Laam on Avenida Morelos (approximately US $50)

Av. José María Morelos y Pavón Nte. 239,

Cuernavaca Centro, La Pradera, 62000

Phone: 314-4411

Hotel Quinta Las Flores

Tlaquepaque 1

Colonia Las Palmas, 62050

Phone: 314 1244

$80 – $120 USD

Villa San Marcos B and B

(cheaper rooms also available: from $40)

Leyva #208, Colonia Miguel Hidalgo,

Phone: 314-0361 Close to downtown (10 minutes) and gay-friendly

Contact person: Marta Elena de la Fuente: martaelena@cableonline.com.mx

Hotel Casa Azul (Raul Villareal)

Arista No. 17, Centro (downtown)

Phones: 314-2141/314-3634/314-3684

Email: lacasaazul@cableonline.com.mx

Hotel Casa Colonial

Nezahualcoyotl #37, Centro (downtown)

Phone: 312-70-33 and 310-0395

Posada Tlaltenango and SPA

(15 minutes in bus to downtown)

Privada Eucalipto #77

Phone: 313-2525 Fax: 313-0395

$120 – $200 USD

Las Casas B and B Hotel

Fray Bartolomé de las Casas #110 corner w/ Blvd Juárez

Col. Centro, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico CP 62000

International Call: +52 (777) 318-7777

From Mexico: (777) 318-7777

Local Call: 318-7777

$200 – $350 USD

Hotel Las Mañanitas

Ricardo Linares #107

telephone: 314-14-66/ 312-46-46 fax: 318-36-72

e-mail: reservaciones@lasmananitas.com.mx

HOTELS IN TEPOZTLAN, MORELOS

From the U.S. dial 011-52-739 and then the telephone number

Within Mexico, dial 01-739 and then the phone number

Hotels from $50- $100 USD

Hotel Tepoztlan Industria

No. 6, Centro (downtown)

Phone: 395-0522/395-0523

Hotels from $150- $250 USD

Posada Tepozteco Paraiso

No. 3, Barrio San Miguel

Phone: 395-0010

Family and friends are more than welcome to come and visit.  The best times are during the long weekends or Spring Break (if you are here in the Spring) and after the program ends due to the large number of speakers and excursions and the overall intensity of the academic program.

Some previous students have commented that they found visits by friends and family during regular program time to be extremely stressful.  Absences due to travel with family and friends do not count as excused absences. However, family and friends are often able to attend classes, listen to guest lectures, and participate in excursions with you. They are encouraged to meet up with you and travel when the semester ends. 

A Note to Parents and Legal Guardians:  We very much enjoy meeting you and would love to have you visit. It is important for you to know that sometimes parents’ visits during periods while students have classes puts extra pressure on them, as they feel that they must entertain you in addition to trying to complete their coursework and participate in a very busy schedule. Therefore, you may find that it works best to arrive after the program ends.  We highly discourage you from taking your children to the beach or traveling elsewhere with them at times when they would have to miss classes and other program activities. However, if you arrive prior to a long weekend or at another time during the semester, you are more than welcome to attend speakers and excursions with the group.

After the program ends, you may want to stay in Mexico for an extra week in order to travel with other students, family members, or friends.  Popular destinations include Chiapas, Guadalajara,  Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido, and Puerto Vallarta.  We advise that you decide this before arranging your return date, as we have found that students often want to stay one more week but have already set their departure date for immediately after the program ends.  Keep in mind that most airlines charge US $100 or more for any date changes. For that reason (and the unpredictability of illnesses such as COVID), we recommend that you try to get a refundable flight that allows for changes without a fee.

You may make arrangements to store your belongings in our facility afterwards if you plan to travel within the region.  However, CGEE takes no legal responsibility for items that are lost or stolen while in storage.  In addition, you must arrange to both store and collect your items in storage during office hours:  Monday-Friday, 10:00am-2:30pm.

If you choose to travel extensively, please be sure to budget accordingly.  When traveling overland on a careful budget, about US $50 per day is sufficient for transportation, room and board (depending on where you go, as prices can vary quite a bit). You may want to allot extra funds ($100-$300 recommended) for souvenir purchases, nightlife, emergencies, or other extras.

• Mexico City: (2 hours) Known as “The Largest City in the World” (population: approx. 25 million) with museums, shopping, great city parks, clubs, plays, etc.  Mexico City is the capital of the country, and nearly ¼ of the country’s population lives there.

• Tepoztlán (45 min. by bus or car)  A beautiful town nestled in the mountains. You can hike up to a pyramid or enjoy shopping for artisan products/souvenirs. Be sure to try Tepoznieves, Tepoztlan’s famous ice cream!

• Puebla:  (2-2.5 hours by bus or car) Colonial city where the Spanish legacy in a heavily populated indigenous region can be noted with the existence of many churches.  Poblanos boast that they have a church on every corner. Puebla is a UNESCO "World Heritage Site" due to its incredible Mexican Barroque artwork. 

• Chachalacas, Veracruz: (7 hours by bus or car) A small beach area, on the Gulf of Mexico.  There aren’t any large hotels and there are very few tourists, except during the high-volume vacation periods. It's a good day-trip from the city of Veracruz if you are spending time there.

• Boca del Rio, Veracruz (7hours by bus or car): A nice beach area, just 45 minutes' drive south of the city of Veracruz. It is more developed beach area than Chacalacas, just south of the city of Veracruz. Lots of hotels and shopping areas. 

• Veracruz, Veracruz: (6-7 hours by bus or car) Very important sea-bearing port of entry throughout Mexico’s history.  A great deal of Caribbean presence and influence in the area can be seen in the traditional Jarocho music, a mix of Indigenous, African and Spanish culture. Some of the beaches are hidden by the oil rigs. The nicest beaches close to the city are slightly south, in Boca del Rio, Veracruz.  You can take a bus from the city of Veracruz.

• Oaxaca City (7-8 hours by bus or car) A beautiful colonial city in the state of Oaxaca, near Monte Albán, an important archeological site. Oaxaca is a great place for food and is known for its chiles, chocolates and chapulines (grasshoppers).

• Guadalajara: (8-10 hours) One of the largest and most important economic cities in Mexico.  Mariachi music is very popular here.  Guadalajara also has a lot of bars/clubs/restaurants. 

• Mazunte, Oaxaca (12-14 hours from Mexico City) Very nice beach area in Oaxaca. To get there, you have to take a bus to Pochutla, and from there take a camioneta or a taxi colectivo to Mazunte. There aren’t any large hotels – you can rent out a nice room from a local. It is known as a “hippie” beach.

• Puerto Vallarta:  a beautiful beach city that often has special flight rates from Mexico City.

• Puerto Escondido: a beautiful beach city that often has special flight rates from Mexico City.

• San Cristóbal, Chiapas: (18 or more hours)  San Cristóbal used to be the capital of the state of Chiapas.  The presence of the Zapatista uprising can be seen all over the city.  It is a beautiful colonial town nestled in the mountains.

It is very important that our staff be able to reach you in case of an emergency. Therefore, we ask you to email your “TRAVEL INFO” (listed in the subject heading) to the International Resident Assistant and Ann.  and Antonio BEFORE you travel outside of Cuernavaca.  Be sure to take your charged cell phone with you (along with the charger) and keep it turned on so that we can reach you in case of an emergency.