4 cities in 4 weeks Mexico in July to study Spanish

I plan on visiting mexico for 4 weeks in July. I was going to stay in the same place the entire time (queretaro or guanajanto) and enroll in a language school.
But after looking around on LP I'm thinking that I'll spend one week in 4 different places, enrolling in school for 3 of the cities.
Any advice on what cities to choose? I'm going to stay in airbnbs because I'm traveling with my 12 yr old daughter.

You might do better remaining in one place for your Spanish studies.

Are you worried that you will get bored staying in one location for four weeks? For me local culture is usually the main attraction at any particular Mexican destination. And, there are more things to do in particular places than happen to be listed in guidebooks. An additional bonus to staying in a single place longer is that it gives you more opportunity to establish acquaintanceships with local people.

When I studied Spanish in Cuernavaca for ten weeks many years ago I had no trouble staying occupied. That was my first trip to Mexico so everything taking place around me was novel and bit disorienting. In other words, I initially experienced some cultural shock. It wasn't until after I'd spent several weeks continuously right there in Cuernavaca that I ventured out a bit to explore other places.

Every time you change to a new school in a new city the teachers there will need reassess your level of fluency and then you may then need to become accustomed to a teaching approach different from what you previously experienced.

And, even if you do all of your study in one place you could take some weekend excursions elsewhere, radiating from that base location.

You haven´t given us any idea of what your preferences or values are, so we can´t give reasonable suggestions. However a standard gringo route, that is, Mexico City, Puebla, Oaxaca, and then San Cristobal de las Casas might suit you.

If you are interested in exploring great language schools in interesting areas, go off the beaten trail to the mountains of Michoacan and enjoy the beauty of Lake Patzcuaro. CELEP in Patzcuaro is an excellent choice, with small classes, superior teachers and a convenient, central location.

Yes, I was concerned that we, moreso my daughter, would become bored. I initially had decided on queretaro, but Ole was the only school I could find there, and once I started looking in other States, i realized that Ole was very expensive.
So I looked at Guanojuanto (sp) because a lot of people recommended Plateros Spanish school. Their prices were more reasonable and there were more houses on Airbnb which is how we plan to live.

After reading the comments above, maybe I will stick with my plan and spend 4 weeks in one place, which I think will be guanajanto.
Thanks

Everyone has their own style, personally I'd recommend checking out at least 2 cities during that time.

BTW, I tend to find much better Airbnb options in Queretaro than Guanajuato... though it all depends on the timing.

You could do both Patzcuaro and Guanajuato. Lots more to do around Patzcuaro, such as visiting the craft towns surrounding the lake. Excellent small museums in both towns. And have you considered a homestay? I had a great one in Guanajuato, with a 70 year old retired nurse, in a large, beautiful house. And she was a great cook! Homestays really help with learning the language.

you should go to michoacan, it is near queretano and its a good place to stay

you should go to michoacan, it is near queretano and its a good place to stay

Michoacán? In the conflict zone?

LW

#8, no, not the Tierra Caliente. Time to do some research and reading... maybe even a little travel. A Spanish school in Pátzcuaro might be a good idea, to be able to read actual current news in, you know. Spanish.

Calling all of Michoacán a "conflict zone" is as silly as calling Mexico a "conflict zone," and you're not fooling anyone into believing that you are unclear on the concept.

#6, I have considered a home stay, but I really like my own space. Since posting this question I have looked into Patzcuaro and it does seem very nice, but at this time I think I will just use it as a side trip.
#5, it was difficult to find an Airbnb in my budget, in walking distance to the school that allowed kids under 12.

I agree with #9 that calling Michoacan a "conflict zone" is ridiculous, especially when comparing it to the nearly non-stop violence in the USA. According to NBC news, there have been 318 mass shootings in USA this year and 483 mass shootings in USA last year. ("Mass shootings" are defined as 4 or more victims.)
In the USA, carrying a gun seems as common as carrying a cell phone.
Yes, there are also issues in Mexico, but most of the mass murders in Mexico seem to be involved with the drug cartels. They kill their competition and often their families.

I am about to leave a genuine "conflict zone" and move from USA to Michoacan, where I feel much safer.

#10, that's a good plan... getting comfortable in a city like GTO with so many options within 2-3 hours is a serious plus, and having your own house for a month really makes it hard to go back to hotels once you get a taste of that!

...having your own house for a month really makes it hard to go back to hotels once you get a taste of that!

Really? I house sat for a while, and besides once making myself a cup of maruchan soup (hardly a benefit), I couldn´t see the point of having a kitchen and all that other space.

Hey man, I love reading your posts about sleeping in cramped cells on pieces of styrofoam, with sexy/dance noises in the hall and scary/ornery owners, waking up covered in mysterious afflictions. It lets me imagine living that lifestyle without having to pay the price. ;)

There's something about having your own place that helps you to feel integrated into the neighborhood and just more at home... some of them aren't even necessarily that spacious, but the hosts work to make them extremely comfortable. I had a wonderful place in a beautiful old building for a while last month in CDMX for around 500 pesos per night (great bed, kitchen, flat screen TV), and every day I walked past a 1000 peso hotel around the corner that I wouldn't have even stayed at for 100. Some people really prefer that whole revolving door/receptionist/hotel room experience though, to each their own.

As for the kitchen, this is used to prepare and cook food, which you then eat.

#13, you are so funny. I ended up getting what I think is a really large studio(I can't quite tell if a door separates the beds or not), so it's the both of best worlds to your point.

I did it!! I booked my nonrefundable airbnb in GTO. After getting the exact address and doing a bit of google maps recon, I think my daughter will be in for a it of culture shock. I'm super excited!!!

Thanks for all of the input!

That is pretty exciting!

I have never had a bad experience with Airbnb's in Mexico, and maybe 3 or 4 times out of 20, found something truuuly amazing (including in Queretaro and San Cris). The best thing about it is being able to feel that thrilling culture shock and still have "your place" to come back to and unwind, instead of feeling like a tourist in a hotel. Have fun!

Well, I went to Michoacan last year and it was great for me. I know it has some bad reputation, but it's not something that you notice when you go for tourism
Enjoy your trip, Mexico is very nice and about the precautions that I tell you to take, pay attention to what hotels and travel agencies or tourist guides recommend.
Or if you know someone who lives in the city you are going to visit, he can give you more details and recommend places for you even to go out at nights

Absolutely! I am also looking fwd to using our oven to make cookies whenever we want, since we'll be on vacation!
Those kitchens are good for something besides soup in a cup!

I can highly recommend palomitas in a bag. Only 10 MXN at your corner OXXO, and you cook it yourself in their microonda, only 1 min 40 sec (but listen to the clerk, time varies). A very Mexican snack, but with butter instead of mayonnaise (yuck).

Getting warmer, still no cigar.

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