Your Arrival
Now that you have chosen to come to Cuernavaca, Mexico, to study Spanish at ASLI, it’s time to prepare for your trip.
Getting here:
Students coming to our Spanish Language School usually fly into Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport.
With airport pickup and a comprehensive arrival package, we’ll take care of the logistics, so you can focus on immersing yourself in the experience. ASLI is always on hand to assist you throughout your arrival.
At the airport, you will have your tourist card stamped and a section removed. You will proceed to the baggage area. Continue to the final checkpoint, where you may have your bags inspected. Green means go. Red means your bags will be opened.
After leaving the immigration area there is only one way to go and you’ll get to a large hall with many baggage carousels. Look for a television monitor to find which carousel your flight’s baggage will arrive on. Keep an eye on other carousels because frequently there are changes in the designated carousel.
Terminal 1 has free carts in this area, Terminal 2 doesn’t. In Terminal 2 you pay for the cart by putting a $10 peso coin in a machine. You can use the cart within the terminal building, even as far as the bus boarding area. In Terminal 1 the free carts can only be taken just outside the customs area. From there on you will need to handle your own luggage or make use of the services of a porter.
You may be asked to show your baggage claim checks once you have all your luggage. As soon as you exit from the customs area baggage handlers will offer their services. If you do use one of them you will be expected to tip $4 US or $5 US.
Where do I go if my luggage doesn’t arrive?
If your luggage does not arrive, do not leave the baggage claim area until you have filed a report with a uniformed airline representative. There usually is one standing near the baggage carousel until all baggage has been claimed. On the form, ask for the luggage to be delivered to the school at Calle San Juan número 4, Colonia Las Palmas, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Clave Postal 62050. Make sure the baggage claim check numbers are written on the lost luggage report and get a phone number to call to track the status of your luggage. For good measure take a photo of the claim check.
There are two options for traveling from the airport to the city of Cuernavaca.
- You can request that we meet you at the airport with a private driver for a fee payable directly to the driver or the school. He will drive you directly to your Mexican family in Cuernavaca. The trip takes about an hour and a half, depending on traffic. You will need to indicate this service on your registration form.
ASLI private transportation 110us. (one way).
- Direct shuttle from the airport to Cuernavaca “Pullman de Morelos.” You will need pesos (airport bank or ATM):
Terminal 1: terminal 1: You can hire a porter to Pullman de Morelos or walk to the left. You will see signs leading you to Transporte Terrestre (Ground Transportation). The signs will lead you to an upstairs area where you will see the sign for Autobuses. Ride the escalator up from the ground floor (Planta Baja, or PB) to the Primer Piso (first floor). The escalator is located between gates E1 and E3. Walk to the end of the food court. Go down the hallway between Krispy Kreme and 7 Eleven to the Pullman de Morelos ticket counter
Terminal 2: Turn right as soon as you exit from customs into the public area of the airport. Walk the whole length of the terminal, go through the glass doors and you’ll see the bus boarding area. Look for the Pullman de Morelos ticket booth.
Purchase your ticket at the Pullman de Morelos ticket counter. Each ticket is for a designated seat on a bus designated by its departure time. Departure time is shown in 24-hour time; for instance 2:00 PM is 14:00. Your luggage will be loaded under the bus and you’ll be given a luggage claim check. You will only be allowed a very small bag onboard the bus — daypack size or smaller. It is about an hour and a half ride to Cuernavaca once you leave the airport.
Pullman de Morelos Schedule
Mexico City Airport to Cuernavaca; Monday – Sunday, leaving daily:
06:40, 07:15, 08:00, 08:30, 9:00, 9:30, 10:00, 10:40, 11:20, 12:00, 12:40, 13:20, 13:40, 14:00, 14:30, 15:00, 15:40, 16:10, 16:40, 17:40, 18:00, 18:20, 18:40, 19:20, 20:00, 20:40, 21:10.
The last bus leaves the airport at 9:00 pm
The price is 380 pesos. (22 us) They accept debit or credit card. No dollars.
Contact:
From Mexico City dial 01 (777) before any Cuernavaca number
From the U.S./Canada dial 011 52 (777). before any Cuernavaca number
From Europe / Asia dial 00 52 (777). before any Cuernavaca number
The trip takes about two hours, depending on traffic. You will arrive at the bus station called “La Selva”. As the air conditioned shuttle travels down the autopista and your ears start to pop due to the change of altitude, be sure to look out the window to see the wondrous changes of scenery as you leave Mexico City.
Once in Cuernavaca, a taxi will take you to your accommodations. ASLI will provide you with the information you need. If you’re staying with a family, they will often pick you up at the bus station.