Best Student Cities in Mexico (2025)

Mexico is a nation overflowing with joie de vivre. This Latin American country proves to be an endearing location for living and studying. Hence, international students can’t get enough of the vibrant life Mexico has to offer. The decision on which Mexican city to choose as a study venue gets even more difficult, with the variety of options which are equally incredible. Each state in Mexico has an institution for higher education which leaves you with a tougher decision. In this article, we wish to give you an overview of the 8 best student cities in Mexico for an international student’s university life. Spending at least 2 years of your life in foreign surroundings is a big deal, and we want you to get the best study experience you deserve.

Table of Contents

1. Study in Mexico City
2. Study in Cuernavaca
3. Study in Guadalajara
4. Study in Playa Del Carmen
5. Study in Merida
6. Study in Guanajuato
7. Study in Cancun

Study in Mexico City

The capital of Mexico, Mexico City is a microcosm of the whole nation. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Latin America, Mexico City is the first place that comes to mind when one mentions the Mexican lifestyle. This city is not labelled the Mexican capital for nothing. It has everything an international student will need for his studies. For one, Mexico City is home to many prestigious universities which hold positive international reputations. The first on this list is the 3rd top university in Latin America, the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), which enrolls thousands of students from North America and beyond. Mexico City also has several language training centers for those who want to learn Spanish before their university program starts.

International students will find Mexico City a fine place for learning. Not only is it the location of top Mexican education institutions, but it is also a flourishing cultural spot. Unknown to many, Mexico City is the world’s city with the biggest number of museums. Students can go out of the university and jump from one museum to the next, probably start with the National Museum of Anthropology to the Museum of Frida Khalo to the Templo Mayor Museo or the museum of shoes. In October, students can revel in the lovely designs and architectures in the annual Design Week. Mexico City is a hub for artists and architects alike who can’t get enough of the Mexican landscape conducive for creating a magnum opus. Meanwhile, despite its metropolitan lifestyle, Mexico City has an affordable cost of living. Accommodation options, for instance, range from $80 to $100 per month. International students who want all of these should definitely go have Mexico City as their study abroad city choice in Mexico.

Study in Cuernavaca

The “City of Eternal Springs”, Cuernavaca is another popular city choice in Mexico for international students. It earned its nickname because of the semi tropical climate Cuernavaca enjoys throughout the year. International students who are fond of the outdoors should choose this city because they can have sunny days for a stroll or a food-tasting adventure. Moreover, universities in Cuernavaca are popular for their study programs related to history and the social sciences. In this city, history enthusiasts will have more than what they ask for from Cuernavaca’s colonial buildings and archaeological sites, like the Cuauhnàhuac Museum and the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary. Those who wish to learn to speak the Spanish tongue can also enroll in one of the city’s competitive language programs. Should you imagine yourself in a city where your extrovert self could have the most fun, Cuernavaca is your Mexican city of choice.

Study in Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the perfect Mexican city for international students looking to be trained in business and computer science. An ancient city, Guadalajara has now earned the label as Mexico’s second largest metropolitan area. It is also considered Mexico’s technology hub. Moreover, Guadalajara is not only a place to explore the cutting-edge technological innovation being introduced in the Mexican community. The city also combines the old with the new, since it is where some of the most famous Mexican cultural images originate. The charreadas or the rodeos, for instance, was first introduced by the Guadalajara community. Likewise, the city is the birthplace of the internationally renowned Manà band as well as the classical mariachi music. If you fancy a lifestyle in the shape of a smooth blend of the contemporary and the ancient, Guadalajara is your Mexican student city.

Study in Playa Del Carmen

University life does not mean poring over books for a whole week. Students would want to take some time to breathe and adore life as presented in the foreign environment they’re currently in. Of course, Mexico is not complete without the beaches.

Playa Del Carmen is a popular spot for those in the run for the best beaches in Mexico. Located in the Quintana Roo state, Playa Del Carmen boasts of the loveliest white sand beaches in the country. International students who cannot imagine a life away from the water and the sun should consider this city as their study location in Mexico. Aside from a trip to the beach, students can also go to the Island of Cozumel, a 45-minute boat ride from Playa Del Carmen, where they can enjoy diving activities. Furthermore, if you feel you have gotten too much sun and sand on your skin, you can explore the pyramid of Tulum which is very near the city.

Study in Merida

The largest city and the capital of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula state, Merida is an often overlooked student city. Home to 4 highly respected universities which offer various degree programs, Merida is a unique amalgamation of the Mayan heritage and colonial art. Cultural buffs will find paradise in this city of numerous musical, theatre, and art festivals. The international student population in Merida is surprisingly high. Most students going to Merida for their studies are those who are seeking an environment where the art scene thrives with pride and where foreign students can find themselves a niche even in an unfamiliar setting.

A student’s daily life in Merida may consist of a stroll to historical buildings and museums which teach about the Mayan civilization. The Cathedral of Ildefonso, Flag Monument, Regional Anthropology Museum, and the Gran Museo Del Mundo Maya are but a few of the attractions you can explore while studying at one of the universities in Merida.

Study in Guanajuato

Nuzzled in a valley in the central area of Mexico, Guanajuato is the most ideal Mexican city for students who have an inclination for archaeology, literature, and the arts. Guanajuato, the capital of the Mexican state with the same name, is a city where the economy primarily depends on the mining activities on its surrounding mountains. The city is also home to the internationally acclaimed University of Guanajuato which organizes several activities for literary and art enthusiasts, i.e. the Festival Internacional Cervantino, in honor of the famous author of “Don Quixote”, Miguel de Cervantes. Likewise, students interested in archaeology can find a lot to explore in Guanajuato. For instance, the Mummies Museum is a display of 59 mummies from the ancient civilizations in the country. Guanajuato is known to have a collection of 111 naturally mummified corpses. In this city, opera houses and theaters are the main form of entertainment, which will add to an international student’s cultural experience in Mexico.

Study in Cancun

Another Mexican city covered with the most relaxing beaches of white sands and turquoise water is Cancun. This is a city where students can take a quick dip at the nearest beach whenever they feel like it. Additionally, Cancun is a city which exudes Mayan legacy. In fact, the city’s name Cancun is Mayan for ‘the nest of serpents’. International students can witness important anthropological sites in Cancun, particularly the Chichén Itzá. Cancun is also home to the Great Mayan Barrier Reef and the turtle farms of Isla Mujeres. Underwater caves can also be found in this city filled with preserved Mayan ruins. Thus, if you are in for a university life in the most relaxing setting, Cancun should be your student city choice.

Study in Puebla

A city with 1.5 million population, Puebla is an underrated Mexican student city only a few got lucky to discover. Well, you’re lucky to know about this wonderful city bursting with historical pride. Puebla houses 70 churches which says a lot about the profile of the city’s residents. It is also a significant place in the history of Mexico as the site where the Mexican Revolution and the Battle of Cinco de Mayo were ignited. Puebla is definitely a student-friendly city home to a friendly community. Its residents enjoy a laid back lifestyle, which lures international students who do not take pleasure in an energetic life such as that enjoyed in highly urbanized Mexican cities.

These 8 student cities in Mexico are sure to give you an exciting university life. If you still find it difficult to round up your choices, try to imagine yourself as a student in each of these cities. If you think you can learn best in a particular city, then you have taken your pick.