Today, all you have to do is drive the 90 km (60 miles) separating Cuernavaca from the hustle and bustle of Mexico City, and you will find yourself in a pleasant, sunny, different climate where you can enjoy the rich color of the bougainvillea and the colorín trees; the river flowing gently through a canyon; the colonial atmosphere of the downtown area and the refreshing waters of its apancles and its natural springs. Interestingly, the city has for decades been one of the main places where foreigners come to learn Spanish at one of the many language schools. Summer courses, seminars and a wide range of academic activities are held in this semi-tropical and very pleasant climate. The nightlife is rich and varied, and the options for eating out could not be better. Restaurants in the downtown area and throughout the city (some of which are first class) specialize in regional Mexican dishes that can be enjoyed in spacious gardens. There is also the option of having a refreshing drink in the lively, young atmosphere of the soda fountains located in front of the Palacio de Cortés.