1

Zacatecas!:) I'm from Zacatecas and I go there every year. it is a beautiful colonial city, clean, good climate, not hot or humid and there area students from other countries studing there too. Like I said I go there every year and never felt unsafe. Guadalajara and Morelia are beautiful too, I haven't been to Morelia but I know people who have been there and they say is a very nice colonial city. The weather is kind of warm. Guadalajara is more cosmopolitan, bigger and modern....beautiful women too! the weather is warm and humid in the summer time. any of these 3 choices are excelent! hard to decide which one would be the best.

Enjoy!

2

My vote is for Morelia,its a beautiful city and close to many small towns of interest as well. You can take a bus from Mexico city in about 4 hours.

3

Of the 2 I have been to Guadalajara & Morelia I would choose Morelia. Great Architecture, very sophisticated & excellent inexpensive food. Lots of culture both places, both have a nice zoo & friendly locals.

4

If you're from a big city and like that kind of life, I'd go for Guadalajara. Its the 2nd largest city in Mexico and that means BIG. Huge sprawling suburbs, lots of universities, nice Centro but you wouldn't confuse it with a colonial city.

Morelia, on the other hand, is smaller, very colonial and a UNESCO world heritage city. I've spent a fair amount of time there. Always something going on - concerts, etc. It feels very "comfortable. The region has lots of interesting day trips - Lake Patzcuaro and villages specializing in various crafts.

Haven't spent enough time in Zacatecas to comment but it seems interesting.

With those choices, you almost can't go wrong.

5

I've been to all three but briefly.
Guadalajara is a difficult city for tourists and I did not find it attractive BUT you are coming for a month, not three days! As with many large cities, it may very well be the most sophisticated and interesting of all - you just need to give it time to find out. Try to check expats forums rather than here before writing it off.

Morelia's Centro is beautiful, cultured, empossing, dignified and polluted to the limits. It also has a way too visible federal policia militar presence at every corner with heavy guns. I don't care much and felt secure but i was there last week with friends who did not feel comfortable and, well, I got to Michuacan from D.F. and my next destination was Pachuca and I would lie if I said I did not notice the difference. I do think it is safe for foreign student there but do consider whether you are going to feel comfortable.

Zacatecas - I haven't been there for 2 years. I liked the city very much Every time I visit - but I am sure contributer Zapfilms will provide plenty of info here, she is an awesome resource for everything Zacatecas related.

/alter

Edited by: alterigor

6

Wow what a choice! I can respond about Zacatecas as I have lived here 3 years. It is beautiful, air is clean, one thing I like are the abundant outdoor opptys as well as incredible museums, and an interesting architectural site La Quemada lots of charros and ranching in the region. It is a small city, which makes many things easier esp. for a short stay. Where do you have the chance to study? The UAZ here has a great reputation, many of us beyond University age people take music dance or cultural classes at their extension. There are many young people from all over this state and elsewhere, an active cultural and cantina scene, quite easy to make friends.

Semana Santa & Semana de Pascua this coming year fall the last week in March, first week in April. We have a great cultural festival for those 2 weeks with a big daily variety of music and arts. That is the school vacation so I would guess your program begins the 2nd week of April.

Safety-wise I sure never worry, I know most of my neighbors & people are out in the streets all the time.

There are also interesting day trips to small towns, or over to San Luis Potosi and Real de Catorce.. I don´t know if your school provides housing, but there are decent economic options of furnished rooms and apts.

Guadalajara has lots of students, its a much much bigger city so you gotta figure that in.

Feel free to PM me with specific questions.

7

"I'd prefer somewhere ... not too hot."

None of those three cities would be "too hot" for you. But, being up considerably higher, and slightly further north, Zacatecas is the cooler/potentially colder of the choices.

I had a great experience visiting Zacatecas in August, despite the fact that it was cool then at night. It might be even cooler there, but not unbearably cold, during April evenings. Also, based on zapfilms' comments, it might be desirable for you to get to Zacatecas a little early, for Semana Santa festivities.

8

GUADALAJARA!!! It's a great city, lots and lots of restaurants, bars, cafés, nightclubs!! It's a vibrant city with lots of things to see as well!! Besides, Guadalajara is close to lots of cool atractions such as Puerto Vallarta, and many other great warm beaches! Chapala lake, Tlaquepaque.. it's not far from Morelia if you want to visit and see that you made the right decision choosing Guadalajara!

9

Zacatecas.

Read my trip report from September:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2248683&messageID=20282782#20282782

LW

10

Thank you very much everyone! Seems like I've got really great options here :) Gracias!!!

11

Hi, I'm in Zacatecas for the first time. I love live music and dance, I have 2 days. looking forward to Revolution Day. Can you recommend and music events? Teatro Caleron? University? Thanks

12

I vote for Zac. Not many yanks so lot's off opportunity to work on the Spanish. Guadalajara is really big with all the goodies that come with it. I've never been to Morelia but here it's swell when the roads in and out aren't blocked by some group or other.
Regardless try a goat stew in the market called birria. Life will never be the same.

13

I have been to all three and I too vote for Zacatecas.
Guadalajara I liked, but it's a huge city.
Morelia is pretty colonial city, but it's the least favorite of all of the colonial cities I've visited.