The average temperature in Puebla is 25º C (77 F) but it can change very rapidly. The mornings are cold; the afternoons can be hot, with thundershowers during the late afternoon/early evening, and cooler weather at night. During the summer it rains almost every afternoon so make sure you pack an umbrella, raincoat, sweatshirt or jacket. The first few days you may experience dizziness and have digestive upsets due to Puebla’s altitude. We are well above sea level, so we suggest that you drink a lot of water in order to minimize these symptoms.
For more information about the Weather please visit:
http://espanol.weather.com/weather/local/MXPA0070 and
http://www.ipsonet.org/cholula/clima.html

It is hot in Mexico during the summer, although it can rain heavily in the afternoons, so we recommend that you bring light clothing, and a raincoat or a pullover for the afternoon and evening. During the winter months, it is very cold in Puebla 41°F – 50°F (between 5-10 degrees Celsius). You need not worry if you do not bring exactly the right clothes, as you can buy all kinds of clothes here in Puebla.

The airport codes for Puebla and Mexico City’s airports are “PBC” and “MEX” respectively.
Most airlines have flights to Mexico City and Continental Airlines serves Puebla.

More information in Spanish is available at http://www.udlap.mx/conoce/comollegar.aspx

More Information about Mexico's City airport in: http://www.aicm.com.mx/home_en.php

You can find an interactive map in:
http://201.131.32.23/informacionalpasajero/mapaaicm/interactivemap.php

More information about Puebla’s airport:
http://www.aeropuertopuebla.com/infopas.html

*In order to plan for your arrival YOU MUST send the following personal and flight information below A.S.A.P. so that we can anticipate your arrival accordingly. If you are coming on your own, please send this information to centro.internacional@udlap.mx . If you are coming as part of a group, please send this information to your Group Coordinator

REQUIRED INFORMATION:
University, Name, Last Name, Gender, Arrival Date (MM/DD/YY), Arrival Time (HH:MM AM/PM), Airport from which you will depart to Mexico, Airport where you will arrive in Mexico (MEX/PBC), airline and Flight Number.

• Small alarm clock
• Raincoat
• Umbrella
• Pair of closed-toe comfortable shoes
• Sun block
• Hat or visor 
• Backpack
• Sweater
• Bar of soap or body wash gel
• Towel (one will be provided at the dorm)
• USB drive
• An outfit for “going out” or dress clothes
• Socks
• Camera (they are more expensive here)
• If you take medication(s) on a regular basis, we recommend that you bring a sufficient supply for the length of the entire program.

• Your passport
• Small amount of cash
• The easiest form of currency to carry is an ATM or DEBIT CARD. There are four cajeros automáticos (ATMs) on campus and you will always get the best current exchange rate by using them.

The UDLAP has a health center on campus offering you free medical service 24 hours a day http://www.udlap.mx/servicios/serviciosmedicos.aspx

In order to receive these services you must present your UDLAP student ID. Medications are not free but you can buy them in a pharmacy near the university. In the case of an emergency, the clinic can take you to a hospital in Puebla in its ambulance. Please note that you will have to pay for any costs for medical attention received outside the university.

While it is important to take preventive health measures in Mexico, you should know some vaccinations are unnecessary. A malaria vaccination is not needed since the UDLAP is not located in a tropical area and this disease has been eradicated from Mexico.

As part of the requirements for admission, you must have international medical coverage or international insurance. In the case of an accident or hospitalization outside the university, you must pay the cost of medical services in Mexico. The hospital must give you an invoice for the total cost and upon returning to your country, you must request a refund from your insurance company.

Automatic Teller Machines will give you money in pesos using any ATM debit or credit card. There are several ATM machines on campus. Each bank charges a different commission for cash withdrawal, but generally it is about the equivalent of $1 USD. All ATMs will only let you withdraw the equivalent of $400 a day.

Check the Flights section to see Airport Codes serving to Puebla. If you are flying as part of a group you must find out from the Director of your program if the pickup service is included. If this is the case, the UDLAP staff or "Consejeros" will be waiting for you at the Airport and they will help you find your way to the UDLAP.

The UDLAP is located in one of the most ancient cities in America, Cholula. With a population of around 70,000 people it is a great representative city with its zócalo, churches, market place, archeological site (the biggest pyramidal base in the world). Cholula is located 10 km (6.5 miles) west of Puebla City. Is an easy 20 to 30 minute bus ride. With roads in excellent shape that connect both cities.

Puebla is a city with around 2 million people. Puebla is one of the safest cities in the country as is Cholula, with all the facilities that a big city has to offer combined with a gorgeous colonial background.

For more information in Spanish please visit:
http://www.udlap.mx/conoce/informacion_turistica.aspx

It is hot in Mexico during the summer, although it can rain heavily in the afternoons, so we recommend that you bring lightweight clothing, and a raincoat or a pullover for the afternoon and evening. During the winter months, it is very cold in Puebla, between 5-10 degrees Celsius, (40-50 °F). Don’t worry if you do not bring exactly the right clothes, as you can buy all kinds of clothes here in Puebla.

Puebla and Cholula have almost everything that you can imagine, malls (Angelopolis, Cruz del Sur, Triángulo de las Animas, Palmas Plaza and la Noria), skating and bowling (la Noria and Plaza Millenium), movie theaters, night life (clubs and bars), theaters, etc.

You can find excellent craft work, not only in Puebla and Cholula but in the places we visit during the weekend trips. You can also find first class clothing and department stores in the malls. You will find that some clothing brands are more expensive due to tariff costs.

Near the UDLAP campus you will find Oxxo (a convenience store like 7 Eleven, you will see a lot of those around town). You can also go to Wal-Mart, Comercial Mexicana, Soriana, Sam’s Club (if you have a membership), or go to any convenient store in town. If you would like to do grocery shopping and also have a cultural experience do not miss the “Mercado Municipal” in downtown Cholula.

Some things are a lot cheaper in Mexico than in other countries, but other services and entertainment are just as expensive or more. We have made a list of the cost of everyday items and an “ideal budget” so that you know how much money you should bring with you. (All prices are in U.S. dollars.)

• Can of soda: $.50 USD
• Shampoo: $3
• Typical daily hot food special: $3-5
• Coffee: $1-3
• Sandwich: $1-3
• Sweatshirt: $15-20
• Music CD: $15
• Box of cereal: $3.50
• Liter of milk: $1
• Bottled water: $1
• A good restaurant meal: $20
• Beer: $1.50-2.00
• Spanish book: $13
• Pack of cigarettes: $2
• Taxis charge a minimum of $3.
• Movie tickets cost between $3 and $5, depending on the time of the show. On Wednesday, all tickets are half price.

A six week estimate of spending includes the following:

• Dinners throughout the program: $300 USD
• Small souvenirs: $100 USD
• “Going out” once a week: $120 USD
• Personal effects: $50 USD
• Total: $570 USD

This is an average amount to spend. Please note that the cost of weekend trips (if not included in your program) is not taken into account in this total.

Getting around in Puebla and Cholula is relatively cheap. You can take a bus to almost anywhere and there are also taxis. UDLAP has an arrangement with a company (information will be given to you upon arrival). We strongly recommend using this taxi company and NEVER take taxis off the street. The UDLAP has university buses running to Puebla. There are three different routes. The UDLAP buses have specific schedules and stops. For more information on the UDLAP buses please visit http://www.udlap.mx/vaporti/

In Mexico it is very easy to use a Telmex public payphone. Most of them function with a plastic card (LADATEL) that you can buy in the university, in any small store, supermarket, or even newspaper stands on the street. There are public telephones on campus and almost on every other street corner.

Also, you are free to use the UDLAP computer labs at any time of day at no extra charge.

The rate per minute for calling the United States is around 1 USD.

You can also use prepaid telephone cards that charge a lower rate per minute.

You can receive telephone calls in your dormitory, but you cannot make any calls.

If you stay with a Mexican family, be aware that local calls also have a cost.

Cell phone calls from a local phone cost around $.50 US dollars per minute.

Please be careful to whom you will give your house or cell phone number at a bar for instance

(52) – Country code of Mexico

(222) – Area code of Puebla

(229 20 00) – dial 7 digits for any local phone number in Puebla and Cholula

*When dialing a Mexican cellular phone from in Mexico you must always dial 044 and then the 10-digit number. If the cellular phone belongs to another area in Mexico you must dial 045 instead.

To make a call within the campus to any other university number you just have to dial the four-digit extension from any campus telephone. From your suite you can call the Colegio (Dormitory) reception where they can connect you to any service outside of the campus (restaurants to call in a delivery, pharmacies, Taxi-Fam, bookstores, etc.)

To dial from Mexico to another country abroad we recommend that you use a private phone booth that is right behind the campus called Ilhuica. This business offers cheap rates to call within Mexico, to the United States, Canada and Europe.

If you would like to make very inexpensive calls to the USA, buy a headset with microphone for your laptop (if you bring one) and download Skype. This computer program allows you to call all over the world and currently costs 0.021 USD per minute to call the US.

You can also purchase a cellular phone starting at around $40 USD (without signing a contract for a monthly/yearly plan). The price of cellular phones is cheaper here than in the United States, but they are much more expensive to use. Cell phones from other countries may work in Mexico but, be sure to speak with your provider about the higher rates that they will charge you, the conditions of use, and possibly, even changing your plan to one that is offered by your company in Mexico. *Not all wireless companies provide international plans or at least not one in Mexico.

Movistar and TelCel are companies that offer per call calling plans. It costs roughly 1 dollar for 30 minutes to call the US. However, be careful as it will charge you for any call where there is an answer at the other end (i.e. voicemail, etc.)

If you want to receive mail at the university the address is the following:

Universidad de las Américas Puebla (your name)

Centro Internacional de Lengua y Cultura

Humanidades 216

Ex Hacienda Santa Catarina Mártir,

Cholula, Puebla 72820, México

The Mexican post service is not very efficient; if you are lucky it will take at least 14 days before your package gets to its final destination. We recommend using Fedex, DHL or UPS instead; there are also many national companies.

Please be aware that some articles such as books, medications, computers, CDs, and new clothing are taxed, and the shipping company will charge these fees upon receiving your shipments. In certain instances these tariffs are higher than the prices of the actual items.

There are seven computer labs on the UDLAP campus where you can have access to the library resources, e-mail, discussion forums, news groups, a summary of your bank accounts and activity, etc. In order to have access to these labs you have to present your UDLAP student ID, and in order to use any computer, you must use your password and PIN #.

Your login is given to you on the third day in Mexico, and you would have to get your password at any computer lab from the help desk personnel. There are some labs open 24 hours a day.

If you are staying with a family, it is not a requirement for the families to have a computer at home with access to the Internet. For more information about IT facilities go to http://www.udlap.mx/servicios/ti/Default.aspx

It is not necessary, as you can use the campus’s computer labs facilities that are available 24 hours a day. Nevertheless, if you do bring your own laptop, you can use the wireless Internet connection on the campus. http://www.udlap.mx/servicios/ti/redi.aspx

On campus, there are many activities to do. From intramural tournaments to student associations, to cultural activities. There are also activities organized at the "Colegios" (dormitorios). Each dormitory has its own board of students, a chair and their resident advisors. They organize different pro-environment campaigns, tournaments, and parties. The University Student Council hosts more events. Different academic departments organize cultural activities, exhibitions and conferences. Make sure to check the UDLAP website and announcements at campus information points.

To find out more about the student association in UDLAP visit:
http://www.udlap.mx/vidaestudiantil/asociaciones.aspx or contact mauricio.perez@udlap.mx. When you email Mauricio, do not forget to mention that you are a foreign student coming to the UDLAP through CILC (our department).

Every semester, intramural tournaments are organized for the following sports (summer semester might have fewer tournaments):

• Soccer
• Tennis
• Squash
• Baseball
• Volleyball
• Basketball

You can join one of the many teams participating. These activities are organized by the "Dirección de Deportes" (Sports Department) located at "Gimnasio B." Visit the campus map online and click on "Instalaciones deportivas" (Sport facilities) to find out where to go. http://www.udlap.mx/mapavirtual/

You can join the school teams, but you would not be allowed to participate in official games. College teams in Mexico are also ruled by NCAA policies and national associations, who restrict foreign students from being part of official games unless they are full time students, hold a student visa, and they receive an official transcript from the UDLAP. Nevertheless, you can be part of daily practices. Some of our students have made excellent friends in the school teams and have had great experiences.

Find out about practice times and location at "Gimnasio B" http://www.udlap.mx/mapavirtual/

Golf is not a popular game on campus but there are people in Puebla who practice golf. There are some golf courses around. Visit http://www.visitmexico.com/wb2/Visitmexico/Visi_Puebla_Golf for more information.

Every dormitory building has:

• A computer lab
• A TV lounge
• Check-in staff on hand 24 hours a day, plus security staff
• Gaos and Bernal have their own cafeteria
• Cain Murray and Ray Lindley college have access to the café at the student center
• You will be provided with two sheets, a blanket, a towel and a pillow.
• We suggest that you also bring your own towel.
• Every room has a bed, a desk and a closet

For more information about the Colegios/Dormitories please visit http://www.udlap.mx/vidaestudiantil/colegios/Default.aspx

Visit the campus map online and click on "Colegios Residenciales" (Residential Colleges) to see location http://www.udlap.mx/mapavirtual/

No. You must bring your own kitchen utensils. If you bring utensils you can not bring them on your carry on luggage. If you are unable to do so, you may buy them here. When you arrive, you will be given an orientation during which you will be told where the nearest stores and supermarkets are.

No. You can enter or leave the dormitory any time you like. You have to sign the check-in register if you arrive after midnight.

If you are staying in a dormitory, you will have free access to the university facilities. You just need to provide your own washing detergent.

The dormitories are equipped with a normal telephone to receive calls in each suite. Calls can be received from 7:00 a.m. to midnight. The receptionist cannot transfer calls to any suite outside of the said timeframe unless it is an emergency. *For those of you that will be staying in a dormitory suite you may receive a call from abroad but it will go through the dormitory receptionist first. Make sure that your parents, friends, etc. know your suite number and say: ¿Me comunica al suite #123, por favor? The receptionist may also ask the caller for the name of the resident he wishes to reach.

Colegio Bernal – 2 29 25 00

Colegio Gaos – 2 29 27 56

Colegio Lindley - 2 29 21 14

Colegio Murray - 2 29 21 17

UDLAP switchboard – 2 29 20 00

It depends on your nationality and the time you will spend in Mexico. U.S students coming for less than 90 days not require a student visa. Otherwise, please contact your program director or contact liliana.eguia@udlap.mx for further information.

The link to the Immigration Office in Mexico is:
http://www.inami.gob.mx/index.php?page/MEN_TRMITES_MIGRATORIOS

You are free to stay as long as you like, just bear in mind the date of expiration on your student visa or your tourist card. Make sure that if you never requested a student visa, then, at the airport, the immigration officer will give you a card where you have to make sure you request for the sufficient number of days to finish your program. This card is your visa card and you will have to give it back when you fly back home.

No. Although it is recommended to have a copy of your visa and passport with you at all times, you should keep your visa and passport in a safe place in your dorm.

It is a very complicated paperwork procedure to recover your passport and visa. If you lose your documents, you have to testify at the Public Ministry (MP). Then you have to go to your Embassy or Consulate, get a provisional passport or visa depending on the case. All this paperwork has an extra cost (approximately $44 USD for your tourist card; fees for passports depend on the Embassy).