San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala
While traveling through Republic of Guatemala I spent three weeks taking Castilian classes too staying amongst a local menage unit of measurement on Lake Atitlan. Here’s a rundown of my experience.
Guatemala is 1 of the best countries inwards the globe to see if you’d similar to larn Spanish. It’s non likewise far from the United States, classes are inexpensive, too locals naturally speak tardily without using likewise much slang.
Plus, if you’d similar to larn Castilian fast, there’s no improve means therefore to live totally immersed inwards the civilization & linguistic communication for an extended menstruum of time.
I decided to report inwards the town of San Pedro La Laguna on Lake Atitlan, located inwards the Guatemalan Highlands of the Sierra Madre mountains.
This massive lake is surrounded yesteryear volcanoes, colorful wildflowers, too traditional Maya villages. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 pic perfect setting to larn Spanish.
Spanish School In Guatemala
I went to Cooperative School San Pedro on Lake Atitlan (Lago de Atitlan). It’s a truthful cooperative started yesteryear a grouping of experienced Castilian teachers who believe they guide maintain a responsibleness to their community.
In full general it’s recommended to guide maintain at to the lowest degree three weeks of Castilian classes to acquire a basic grasp on the language. You tin guide betwixt 3-6 hours of teaching per day, either morn or afternoon classes.
Homestays are available or y'all tin detect your ain accommodation.
I paid $205 USD per week for iv hours of cast per day, 5 days per week, which also included my homestay plus three meals a day. It was a non bad deal!
Lake Atitlan has a laid-back hippy vibe, too the landscape some the lake is breathtaking amongst many outdoor activities nearby. However Antigua & Quetzaltenango (Xela) are also pop towns for learning Spanish.
Xela is a larger city, piece Antigua is a chip to a greater extent than touristy.
Friends of mine guide maintain recommended ICA Castilian School inwards Xela too Antigua Plaza School inwards Antigua if you’re looking to remain in that place instead.
Typical Day At Class
There are a few unlike options for cast schedules, nevertheless I guide iv hours of one-on-one Castilian teaching per day, 5 days a week. My instructor was Flori, a local adult woman who’s been teaching for years.
She ever seemed upbeat too excited to learn equally nosotros sat inwards the shade overlooking Lake Atitlan.
After a full general evaluation of my Castilian skills (almost non-existent inwards my case), Flori gave me a refresher course of teaching on rules of Castilian too helped improve my vocabulary using fun games too written exercises.
There were homework assignments every nighttime too…
My Castilian apace improved amongst regular daily instruction, too I was lastly able to communicate amongst my Guatemalan host menage unit of measurement too other locals.
Three weeks of cast wasn’t plenty to acquire fluent, precisely traveling through Central America was MUCH easier because I could empathize a lot to a greater extent than too brand myself understood.
Even though I belike sounded similar a 5 twelvemonth old!
The Homestay Experience
While taking Castilian schoolhouse inwards Republic of Guatemala I stayed amongst the Bixcul-Pichilla menage unit of measurement inwards their modest two-story cinderblock domicile nestled at the bottom of Volcano San Pedro.
It was super hard to communicate at first, equally they don’t speak whatsoever English. Only Tzujill (a local Mayan language) & some Spanish.
I had my ain bedroom, too the menage unit of measurement of 5 shared three others. We also had a basic kitchen too open-air courtyard. Living this means was an eye-opening experience for me, really unlike from the “comfortable” American lifestyle I’m used to.
There was a bath inwards the courtyard, too a sink expanse used for washing clothes, cleaning dishes, brushing teeth, shaving — pretty much everything.
Water was delivered via pipes in 1 trial or twice a week, where it’s stored inwards drums for afterward use. Occasionally it would run out if nosotros used likewise much.
Activities Nearby
Like I mentioned earlier, the Lake Atitlan expanse is total of cool things to do. So when I got sick of trying to memorize novel Castilian words, I’d guide maintain a pause too acquire exterior for a Guatemalan adventure!
Volcano Hikes
Lake Atitlan is surrounded yesteryear volcanoes. Hiking these is a non bad means to acquire some practise too capture epic photos of the landscape. Two of the most pop hikes are Volcano San Pedro too La Nariz de Indio.
Lake Kayaking
Rent a kayak too explore Lake Atitlan up-close. Or if you’re feeling REALLY adventurous, detect a local fisherman willing to rent out his traditional wooden canoe. They aren’t piece of cake to navigate!
Scuba Diving
Yes, y'all tin perish scuba diving nether the lake here, too plainly there’s interesting materials to see. Like freshwater crabs, underwater volcanic hot-vents, too flooded hotels. ATI Divers is located inwards the town of Santa Cruz.
Coffee Tours
Coffee is a large bargain inwards Guatemala, too the nutrient-rich volcanic slopes some Lake Atitlan are covered inwards java farms. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 java tour allows y'all to experience the fascinating java production procedure from start to finish.
Maya Villages
There are 12 Maya villages spread out some the shores of Lake Atitlan, amongst many exclusively accessible yesteryear boat or on foot. My favorites were Santiago, San Juan, too San Marcos. Walk the cobblestone streets, see erstwhile churches, ticker a local basketball game game, too experience some Maya culture.
Community Outreach
Many of the Castilian schools inwards San Pedro give dorsum to the community amongst social assistance projects, too y'all tin volunteer to assist out yesteryear bringing nutrient or edifice supplies to poor local families inwards need.
Tips & Advice For Studying Spanish
Panajachel is the principal shipping hub for the Lake Atitlan area. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 jitney from Republic of Guatemala City to Panajachel takes 3-4 hours. Once at the lake, the best means to go from hamlet to hamlet is yesteryear lancha (boat taxi). Prices vary, precisely are by too large some 15-25q ($2-3 USD).
The temperature some Lago Atitlan fluctuates betwixt l – lxxx degrees (F), therefore it tin acquire chilly at night. Larger towns similar Panajachel & San Pedro guide maintain ATMs, precisely non all of them do.
When picking a Castilian schoolhouse inwards Guatemala, perish on a spotter for schools that funnel coin into social assistance projects for the local community. I’d also recommend staying inwards a homestay for the same reason, that coin goes a long means towards improving the lives of your host family.
For additional recommendations, speak to people who’ve genuinely attended the schoolhouse y'all are interested in. Search go blogs or online forums similar Lonely Planet to read reviews of other schools. ★
Location:
San Pedro La Laguna, Guatemala
Spanish School:
Total Cost:
$90 – $225 USD per calendar week depending on hours/homestay
Packing Guide
Check out my travel gear guide to assist y'all start packing for your trip. Pick upwards a go backpack, photographic telly camera gear, too other useful go accessories.
Book Your Flight
Find inexpensive flights on Skyscanner. This is my favorite search engine to detect deals on airlines. Also brand certain to read how I detect the cheapest flights.
Rent Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Car
Discover Car Hire is a non bad site for comparison automobile prices to detect the best deal. They search both local & international rental companies.
Book Accommodation
Booking.com is my favorite hotel search engine. Or rent apartments from locals on Airbnb. Read to a greater extent than well-nigh how I volume inexpensive hotels online.
Protect Your Trip
Don’t forget go insurance! I’m a large fan of World Nomads for short-term trips. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read to a greater extent than well-nigh why y'all should ever bear go insurance.
Recommended Reading: Lonely Planet Guatemala
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READ MORE FROM GUATEMALA
Camping On An Active Volcano
Swimming In Limestone Pools At Semuc Champey
Exploring The Lanquin Bat Caves
A Trip To Quetzaltenango Guatemala
Swimming In Limestone Pools At Semuc Champey
Any other questions well-nigh studying Castilian inwards Guatemala? Are y'all interested inwards traveling here? Drop me a message inwards the comments below!
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