Language Immersion Courses in Colombia

Spanish is the official language of Colombia and the language of everyday life in its cities, so a course here means using Spanish all day, in class and outside it. Spanish courses for foreigners are taught mainly by private language schools in the largest cities and on the Caribbean coast. They are not part of the university system: they run short courses that you can start almost any week, at any level from beginner to advanced.

The two language schools listed on SpainExchange show the main options. Centro Catalina teaches in Cartagena de Indias, on the Caribbean coast, and in Medellín. Nueva Lengua, Escuela de Español has its main school in Bogotá, in the Quinta Camacho neighbourhood of Chapinero, and also teaches in Cartagena, Medellín and Ibagué.

How Spanish courses work in Colombia

Most schools offer a weekly group course, more intensive options, private lessons and exam preparation, often combined with cultural activities and accommodation. Centro Catalina's courses are a good example of the usual formats:

• Standard group course: 20 lessons a week, from Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 12:40, in groups of 5 to 6 students (maximum 8), for all levels from beginner to C2.
• Private lessons: one-to-one or two students with a teacher, in packages of 10, 15 or 20 lessons a week, held in the afternoons between 2 pm and 6 pm.
• DELE or SIELE preparation: 20 lessons a week in the afternoon, in groups of 3 to 4 students, for every level from A1 to C2.
• Cultural activities three times a week, and courses for families and for specific purposes.

In Cartagena, Centro Catalina's school is in the San Diego area of the walled historic centre, with 6 classrooms. The school states that in 2017 it received the quality accreditation of IALC (International Association of Language Centres). Nueva Lengua also runs weekend immersion trips around the country, according to its profile.

Certificates and accreditation

A school's own certificate shows that you attended a course, but it is not an official qualification. For an official certificate, many students take the DELE. According to the Instituto Cervantes, DELE diplomas are official qualifications awarded by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of Spain's Ministry of Education; they cover all six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), from A1 to C2, and have indefinite validity. You can register for a DELE exam without having taken any specific course first. SIELE is another Spanish certificate; some schools, including Centro Catalina, prepare students for both.

The Instituto Cervantes also runs SACIC, an accreditation system for schools that teach Spanish as a foreign language; accredited schools are re-evaluated every three years. If accreditation matters to you, check the Instituto Cervantes list of accredited centres rather than a school's own description.

Admission and visa

Language schools have no academic entry requirements: you choose a start date, a course and the number of weeks, and the school places you in a group that matches your level. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and on how long you stay. Colombia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería) issues a student visa (visa V, Estudiante) for in-person, virtual or distance studies, including "educación para el trabajo y desarrollo humano" and higher education. Holders of passports from visa-exempt countries do not need this visa as long as their stay in Colombia does not exceed 180 calendar days.

For a longer course, the student visa requires, among other documents, a certificate of admission or enrolment from the school stating the programme and its duration, bank statements showing minimum income equivalent to three monthly minimum wages (SMLMV), and health insurance valid in Colombia. The visa is valid for up to two years. Check the current rules with the Cancillería before you book (checked October 2026).

Costs

Prices are usually quoted in US dollars. Examples from Centro Catalina's own pages (checked October 2026):

• Standard group course (20 lessons a week): US$239 for one week, US$219 per week for 2 to 3 weeks and US$199 per week for 4 weeks or more.
• Private lessons: US$279 for 10 one-to-one lessons a week.
• DELE preparation: US$1,440 for 4 weeks.
• Homestay with a Colombian family: US$229 per week (7 nights) with breakfast; dinner with the family costs extra.

Add flights, health insurance and daily expenses to your budget, and ask each school what its price includes (materials, registration, activities).

How to choose a school

• City and climate: Cartagena is a Caribbean port city with a tropical climate; Bogotá and Medellín are large cities in the Andes.
• Format: group lessons are cheaper; private lessons let you set the pace and focus on your goals.
• Intensity: compare the number of lessons per week, the length of each lesson and whether classes are in the morning or the afternoon.
• Exams: if you need an official certificate, ask whether the school prepares for the DELE or SIELE and where you can sit the exam.
• Accommodation: host families, shared flats and residences differ in price and in how much Spanish you speak at home. At Centro Catalina, host families in Cartagena live a maximum of 25 minutes' walk from the school.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa to take a Spanish course in Colombia?

It depends on your nationality and the length of your stay. According to the Cancillería, holders of passports from visa-exempt countries do not need a student visa for stays of up to 180 calendar days; longer courses require the student visa.

How much does a Spanish course in Colombia cost?

At Centro Catalina, a standard group course of 20 lessons a week costs US$239 for one week and US$199 per week for four weeks or more. A homestay with breakfast costs US$229 per week.

Will I get an official certificate?

A school's certificate shows attendance and level, but the official diplomas are the DELE, awarded by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of Spain's Ministry of Education. You can sit a DELE exam without having taken a course first.