Which would you recommend

Ok, i have decided on going to mexico for my spanish schooling and now i need to decide what city. I am thinking about Puebla, Guanajuato, and Oaxaca. Could anyone give me some recommendations? I am a 23 yr old from the USA. I just want a city that has history, sights, fun for a younger person and also some options for weekend excursion trips. If anyone could lend there two cents i would appreciate it.

Thanks, Colin

Those are three nice choices to have. I know many people love Guanj., but I do not know it well. I do know Oax and it certainly fits all your desires. It is one of the great cities of Mexico & and there and so many things to do in the general vicinity.

I second previous poster's vote for Oaxaca, having spent two weeks studying Spanish there a couple years ago. I was at Insituto Cultural de Oaxaca and loved it. Also had a really homestay. LOTS to do in and around Oaxaca. I love Guanajuato too - and one thing that might be good for a younger person like yourself is that it's a University town . .. . it's a beautiful city, but perhaps not as much to do in the surrounding area as there is in and around Oaxaca. ...

worterB a frequent poster on this board has a language school in or near Guadalajara, he is his website...Guadalajara is about 5 hours by bus to Puerto Vallarta for the weekends or to San Miguel Allende or GTO the other way...suerte

Here's my opinion; all three cities have a history, Guanajuato will most likely provide the most fun for someone your age, all three have plenty of 'sights' and good options for weekend excursions.

Buen viaje!

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I was leaning towards oaxaca, but i still have lots of research to do. Now i can narrow down just a bit more with your help. Again thanks.

Aloysius, have you spent much time in guanajuato? If so maybe i could ask you a few q's about it.

Mexico City or San Miguel de Allende, are the first two places I´ll suggest you seriously consider.

You can't go wrong with Guanajuato or Oaxaca. Both are beautiful university towns with lively vibe. Both have good daytrip options. And both have lots of language school options. Oaxaca has better food though.

thanks for the added info, i am now leaning towards oaxaca.

I had a wonderful experience at a branch of this school in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I have not been to the branch in Oaxaca but can vouch for them as a school in general. You can find out about them here http://www.solexico.com/

Of the three cities you mentioned, I think Oaxaca and Guanajuato are both good places to study. In Oaxaca, check out Instituto de Communicacion y Cultura, Solexico, Instituto Cultural, Amigos del Sol, or Academia Vinigulaza. Oaxaca is probably the least expensive place to study Spanish in Mexico, but some of the schools fill up in the summer, especially Instituto Cultural. In Guanajuato, look into Escuela Mexicana, Academia Falcon and Instituto Miguel de Cervantes. Guanajuato is a beautiful colonial city with lots to see in the surrounding area. However, there are no major Pre-columbian ruins nearby. Oaxaca has the advantage of being close to some major ruins sites and interesting native villages. The city also has a colonial flavor. Puebla has only a couple of Spanish schools and it's closer to Mexico City than the other two, but that may be an advantage for you.

I suggest you do some detailed research on each place and each school you are considering.

Buena suerte

wow, thanks for the info mracine and travelrm. I have heard a lot of good things about the instituto cultural in oaxaca. Thanks again for the advice everyone.