Frequently Asked Questions

Arrival Information

All participants should arrive in Tuxtla Gutierrez International Airport - located in the city of Tuxtla Gutierrez , the capital city of the Chiapas state.

Transfer from Airport to Host Family/Hostel/Hotel

Public transportation is quite popular in the Mexican state of Chiapa - with numerous buses and minibuses (called 'combis') running between Tuxtla Gutierrez and Chiapa de Corzo - making this major and still-sprawling city very accessible to participants wishing to experience the city of Tuxtla Gutierrez (located some 20-minutes away). Airport/bus-station pick-up is included in program fees. NOTE: We DO NOT offer airport drop-off services - participants are responsible for arranging their own return transportation once the program has commenced. If needed, Global Crossroad's partnering institution in Chiapa de Corzo can provide assistance in accommodating students' airport-return transportation. Teachers are required to provide their flight information prior to arrival in Mexico .

How can I contact the school if I arrive before the start of the TEFL program?

In the event that participants arrive before the proposed start date, they are advised to remain in a suggested hotel where they will then call our offices. This information, such as the address and telephone numbers of our Mexico partner's office, will be included in the final placement details provided in the supplied pre-departure booklet.

Accommodation/Food

Living accommodations are covered by the standard course fees and are set-up in local host families within walking distance of the language institute. While meals are the responsibility of the students, food can be obtained throughout this quaint town. Arranged living accommodations are all clean and moderate and are set-up in host families who have a long-running history of hosting international students. Global Crossroad strongly recommends that participants budget approximately $10-20/day for food.

Mexican cuisine in the state of Chiapas is heavily dependant on corn (tamales and even drinks) with black beans also being a nutritional staple. With various meats, such as beef pork and chicken found throughout many dishes, this region's cuisine also heavily features an abundance of fish and shellfish (bass, grouper, mojarra, sardines, shrimp, crab and clams) due to its location on the Pacific coast. Some of the region's signature dishes include "pepita con tasajo" (pumpkin seeds with salted meat), "cochito horneado" (roast pork), "estofado" (stew), "zispolá" (chicken cooked with white chilies, cabbage leaves and garbanzo beans), "sopa de pan" (bread soup) and "sopa de fideos" (soup with vermicelli pasta). Desert is usually in the form of regional sweets, such as crystallized fruits, coconut candies, and/or flan (custard).

Internet/Telephone/Medical Facilities

Internet and phone services are offered at Global Crossroad’s partnering institution. Global Crossroad’s TEFL school is located in Chiapa de Corzo – within a 20-minute ride from Tuxtla Gutierrez where all modern medical facilities are available.

Climate

The rainy season occurs from March to August, with the most extreme temperatures (often reaching 96 ºF) being cooled by the season’s rains and an often-occurring strong breeze. The hottest days occur in between the months of March and May with the rains usually beginning at the end of May. The weather becomes much more pleasant between the months of October and February with the evenings cooling to between 70-75 ºF. The entire state of Chiapas has a humid and sub-humid tropical climate with minor variations due to its large size and geographical diversity – Pacific coast-towns, sierras, valleys and wide-stretching forests – making it nature-lover’s paradise with its spectacular biodiversity and awe-inspiring destinations.