Did you know that Guatemala is one of the best countries in the world to learn Spanish? There are many affordable Spanish schools throughout the country which provide you with an immersive experience where you can learn Spanish while living with a host family. Guatemalans have a clear and neutral accent, so its a great place to grasp the language without feeling overwhelmed by regional slang.
In August of this year, I set off on a solo trip to Guatemala to, drawn by its vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and the chance to improve my Spanish. My trip including attending a Spanish school for a week, where I took daily five-hour classes while staying with a local family in a small town on Lake Atitlan. The school ended up being one of my favorite travel experiences ever, blending language learning with a deep dive into Guatemalan culture. Whether you want to brush up on your Spanish or simply want a unique cultural adventure, I wholeheartedly recommend this unforgettable experience to anyone visiting Guatemala. Here’s a bit about my experience…
To learn about my experience as a solo female traveler in Guatemala, read
“A Solo Female Traveler’s Ultimate Guide to Guatemala”
Lake Atitlán Spanish School
There are countless Spanish schools around Lake Atitlan, but after seeing lots of good reviews and testimonies from other solo travelers, I decided to attend Lake Atitlan Spanish School. The school is located in the small town of San Pedro, which is the perfect base on Lake Atitlan. There’s lots to do and it’s easy to get to all the other towns on the lake, such as San Juan and San Marco.
How to get to San Pedro la Laguna
There a few ways to get to San Pedro from the Guatemala City Airport or Antigua. Your first and easiest option is to take a shuttle directly there. Make sure the drop of location is “San Pedro la Laguna”.
Alternatively, take a shuttle from Antigua or from Guatemala City to Panajachel, the biggest town on Lake Atitlan. These shuttles are a bit more frequent than the ones to San Pedro and can be cheaper. However, once you get to Panajachel, you must take a lancha (small boat) across the lake to San Pedro. Keep in mind that the lanchas stop running after about 5 pm, so make sure your shuttle arrives well before then (they are often late because of traffic).
Lake Atitlan Spanish School is also very helpful in arranging transportation.
The school is in a picturesque spot right on the lakeshore and the “classrooms” are these little gazebos, which have a table, two chairs and a whiteboard. Everyday you get to learn Spanish while enjoying the perfect Guatemalan weather and admiring this amazing view. I personally think the location and beautiful property is the biggest advantage of this school compared to others in San Pedro.
The Classes
At the school, you’re paired with a teacher and have 1 on 1 lessons everyday, ranging from 4-6 hours. I chose to study for 5 hours every morning, which was perfect for me, but most people seemed to only study for 4. About halfway through the class, there’s a 15 minute break where they serve a small snack, usually something like a tamale or taco.
Everyone comes to the school with a different level of Spanish, some already being conversational and others starting from zero. Since I had already been studying on my own for a few months, my classes were mostly conversational. Through the conversations my vocabulary naturally expanded and I become more comfortable expressing myself in Spanish. My teacher also took the time to teach me all the tenses I need to know, like the present, past, future, conditional, and subjuctive, so I walked away with a great basis that I am still building off today in my Spanish learning journey.
One of my favorite aspects my classes was getting to know my teacher and learning about his culture and life in Guatemala. He was around my age, so we were able to easily connect. Although we come from such different places, there were quite a few things we had in common and our conversations flowed naturally, which made learning easier.
My Spanish improved tremendously during this week. In a few days I went from being too scared to speak to having enough confidence to start conversations with locals. It helps that Guatemalan people are so patient, everyone I encountered was happy to converse with me even though my Spanish wasn’t perfect.
In the afternoons, the school offers cultural activities, included in the price of tuition, such as a San Pedro walking tour, a chocolate making class, and a Mayan medicine workshop. All of the activities are conducted in Spanish, so it added to the learning experience. The activities were all fun & informative!
Homestay
I also decided to live with a local Mayan family, which was arranged by the school. Athough I was nervous about the homestay, as it would be my first one, it became my favorite part of the experience. I was very lucky to be paired with Letty and her family, who were so welcoming and had a beautiful home with traditional Mayan decorations. Letty was an AMAZING chef (we heard she was the best of all the host moms). Breakfast, lunch and dinner were all delicious filling meals, and she always made sure there was something for me as a vegetarian. Just take a look at some of her creations…
There were 6 other people from the school staying at the homestay, and we all quickly became friends. It was so fun eating all of our meals together and laughing over our bad attempts at speaking Spanish. It was so sad to say goodbye at the end of the week because it felt that we became a little family!
Lake Atitlán Spanish School offers an unforgettable way to learn Spanish in one of the most beautiful settings in Guatemala. From the peaceful lakeside classrooms to the personalized one-on-one lessons, every detail is designed to help you grow your language skills while immersing yourself in local culture. The cultural activities and homestay experience make it so much more than just a school – it’s an opportunity to connect deeply with the traditions and people of Guatemala. I left with improved Spanish, incredible memories, and friendships I’ll always treasure. If you’re looking for a unique, supportive, and immersive way to learn Spanish, Lake Atitlán Spanish School is the perfect choice!
