Language Immersion Courses in Peru

Language schools in Peru teach Spanish to international students, usually in short, flexible courses that start every week. Most of the schools in our directory are small, privately run centres in Cusco, the former Inca capital in the Andes; others are in Lima, on the coast, and in Arequipa, the main city of southern Peru. Courses are taught in Spanish by native-speaker teachers and are often combined with a homestay, cultural activities, volunteering or travel.

These schools are not part of the university system. They award their own certificates, not degrees, and there is no single national register of Spanish schools for foreigners, so each school's accreditation has to be checked one by one.

How the courses work

Most schools offer group classes and private lessons, measured in hours or sessions per week, with 20 a week as the usual intensive format. Levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): AMAUTA Spanish School in Cusco offers standard courses from A1 to C2, and Mundo Antiguo Spanish School says its curriculum is aligned with the CEFR. Groups are small: Mundo Antiguo states a maximum of four students per group, and EL SOL Spanish Language School in Lima a maximum of eight.

Besides general Spanish, schools run specialised courses such as medical or business Spanish and exam preparation. AMAUTA offers Spanish combined with DELE preparation and teaches in four places: Cusco, Lima, the Sacred Valley and the Amazon rainforest. Wiracocha Spanish School in Cusco runs a DELE preparation course and an immersion course, and Ceica-Peru Spanish School in Arequipa offers individual lessons for all levels.

Accreditation and exams

Accreditation claims vary and are the schools' own. Mundo Antiguo states that it is recognised by Peru's Ministry of Education and licensed by the Municipalidad Provincial del Cusco as a language and cultural education centre. EL SOL states that it is the only Spanish language school recognised by the Peruvian government (R.M. 432-2020 - MINEDU) and that it is an official SIELE examination centre. Ask the school for the resolution or licence before you rely on it, for example if you need a course recognised for study leave at home.

For an internationally recognised certificate, students sit an exam rather than relying on the school's certificate. The DELE diplomas are official qualifications that the Instituto Cervantes awards on behalf of Spain's Ministry of Education, and they cover all CEFR levels from A1 to C2. SIELE is a second, online-based Spanish exam.

Admission and visas

There are no entry requirements beyond booking: schools place new students with a placement test or a first-day interview, and beginners are accepted. What matters more is your immigration status. For study, Peru's immigration authority Migraciones issues a temporary visa for study (formación), which covers any form of training recognised by the Peruvian state and student exchanges; you apply from outside Peru, and the stay is 365 days, extendable. Rules for short visits depend on your nationality, so check them with Migraciones or a Peruvian consulate before booking a long course (checked October 2026).

Costs

Prices are set by each school and quoted in US dollars. Two examples from the schools' own price lists in 2026: at Mundo Antiguo a group course of 20 hours costs $145 a week and a stay with a host family $165 a week; at AMAUTA a group course of 20 sessions costs 140 a week and a homestay single room US$165 a week. Mundo Antiguo also lists a shared apartment from $95 a week. Check what is included (meals, materials, registration fee, airport pick-up) before comparing.

How to choose

• City: Cusco for an Andean setting and many small schools, Lima for a large coastal capital, Arequipa for a mid-sized city in the south
• Altitude: Cusco and Arequipa lie high in the Andes, which many visitors feel in the first days
• Course type: group or private lessons, hours per week, and whether DELE or SIELE preparation is offered
• Accommodation: host family, student residence or shared apartment
• Accreditation: ask for documents behind any recognition the school claims

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Spanish course in Peru cost?

Schools set their own prices in US dollars. In 2026, a 20-hour group course costs $145 a week at Mundo Antiguo in Cusco, and a host-family stay about $165 a week at both Mundo Antiguo and AMAUTA.

Can I prepare for the DELE in Peru?

Yes. AMAUTA Spanish School and Wiracocha Spanish School in Cusco and EL SOL in Lima offer DELE preparation, and EL SOL states that it is an official SIELE exam centre.

Are Spanish schools in Peru officially accredited?

There is no single national register. Some schools state that they are recognised by the Ministry of Education or licensed by their city, so ask the school for the document.

Do I need a student visa for a Spanish course in Peru?

It depends on your nationality and the length of the course. Migraciones issues a temporary visa for study, applied for from outside Peru, for training recognised by the Peruvian state.