Study in Antigua, Guatemala

About Antigua

Antigua Guatemala, usually just called Antigua, is a small city in central Guatemala. Its municipality presents it as a World Heritage city (Patrimonio Cultural de la Humanidad), and life in the historic centre revolves around the central square, where several language schools are within walking distance.

For students, Antigua is above all a place to learn Spanish by immersion. Language schools work with local host families, so students can combine one-to-one or small-group classes with daily life in Spanish, and many come for a few weeks between other travels or as part of a study abroad programme.

Studying in Antigua

Both schools in our directory for Antigua are Spanish language schools. Tecún Umán Spanish School was founded in 1983 and states that it is accredited by Guatemala's Ministry of Education and by INGUAT, the national tourism institute. It has a staff of 35 teachers, teaches between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and offers one-to-one classes, shared-teacher group classes and online lessons. According to the school, it is one of the few in Guatemala that can grant college credits through the Universidad Rural de Guatemala.

COINED Antigua teaches in a remodelled colonial house a few blocks from the central square. Its intensive course has 20 group lessons a week and the super-intensive course 30; private lessons are also available. Groups have at most 8 students, lessons last 55 minutes, courses start every Monday and run from 1 to 52 weeks, and new students take a written and oral level test. The minimum age is 16.

Cost of courses and living

Prices are set by each school. At Tecún Umán, a week of one-to-one classes costs US$125 for 2 hours a day and US$200 for 4 hours a day (5 days a week), while shared-teacher group classes cost US$80 a week for 2 hours a day; prices are in US dollars with taxes included. Homestays are the usual form of accommodation: Tecún Umán's host families offer a private room for 7 nights with 17 meals a week (three meals a day from Monday to Friday and breakfast on Saturday). COINED offers host families and hostels near its schools. Ask the schools for current homestay prices before booking.

Visa and longer stays

Citizens of countries that require a prior visa must apply to the Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración (IGM) before travelling. Visitors who want to stay longer than the time granted on entry can apply for an extension of their tourist stay; the request must be made before the authorised stay expires, and the fee is US$25. For long programmes, the IGM grants temporary residence for students, issued for periods of 1 to 5 years depending on the category.

Getting around and daily life

The historic centre is small and easy to cover on foot: most of Tecún Umán's host families live two to four blocks from the school, a walk of 10 to 15 minutes, and COINED's school can be reached on foot or by public transport. Living with a family means meals and conversation in Spanish every day, which is the main reason students choose Antigua.

Frequently asked questions

Is Antigua a good place to learn Spanish?

Antigua is a popular choice for Spanish immersion: its schools offer one-to-one and small-group classes starting every week, and students usually live with local host families.

How much does a Spanish course in Antigua cost?

At Tecún Umán Spanish School, a week of one-to-one classes costs US$125 for 2 hours a day and US$200 for 4 hours a day; group classes cost US$80 a week for 2 hours a day. Accommodation is extra.

Can I get university credits for a Spanish course in Antigua?

Tecún Umán Spanish School states that it can grant college credits through the Universidad Rural de Guatemala. Check with your home university whether it accepts them.

Do I need a visa to study Spanish in Guatemala?

It depends on your nationality: citizens of some countries need a visa before travelling. Visitors can ask the IGM to extend their stay before it expires, and students on long programmes can apply for temporary residence.