Study and find schools in Guatemala

Studying in Guatemala

Guatemala is one of the best-known places in Latin America to learn Spanish. Its language schools are concentrated in two highland cities, Antigua Guatemala and Quetzaltenango (Xela), and most of them teach one-to-one, with homestays with local families and cultural activities around the classes. The country also has a university sector, mostly private, for students who want to take a full degree in Spanish.

Our directory lists 8 schools in Guatemala: seven Spanish language schools and one university. Four of the language schools are in Quetzaltenango, two in Antigua and one in nearby Ciudad Vieja; the university, the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, is in Guatemala City.

The education system

Higher education in Guatemala is offered by the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC), the country's public university, and by a large group of private universities. The Consejo de la Enseñanza Privada Superior (CEPS), the council for private higher education, lists universities such as Universidad Galileo, Universidad del Valle, Universidad Francisco Marroquín, Universidad del Istmo and Universidad Rafael Landívar. Teaching is in Spanish. Degrees follow the Latin American pattern of licenciatura (first degree), maestría and doctorado, with programmes and admission rules set by each university.

For most international students, though, Guatemala means a Spanish course rather than a degree. Language schools are private and set their own programmes, usually by the week, with intensive one-to-one lessons. Some go further: Celas Maya in Quetzaltenango states that it is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes, has taught Spanish since 1999 and also offers courses in Mayan languages.

Admission and recognition

Language schools have no formal entry requirements: you choose a start date, take a placement test and are placed at your level. Several schools prepare students for international exams. Celas Maya offers official DELE and SIELE exam preparation, and Ciudad Vieja Spanish Academy prepares students for DELE certifications. These exams are the most widely recognised way to certify the Spanish you learn.

If you need academic credit, ask your home university before you go. Some schools, such as Celas Maya, offer university credits through partner institutions; the transfer is always decided by your own university. For a full degree at a Guatemalan university, apply directly to the institution and check how the degree will be recognised in your country.

Visa and residence

Most language students come for a few weeks or months on a tourist stay. Citizens of countries that require a visa beforehand (the Instituto Guatemalteco de Migración's "category C" countries) must apply for a tourist visa, which costs $25 to apply for. Tourists who want to stay longer can apply for an extension of their authorised stay ($25), which must be requested before the stay expires.

For longer studies at a Guatemalan educational institution, the IGM grants a temporary residence for students (checked October 2026). The main points:

• an enrolment letter from the Guatemalan institution, signed and stamped, with your timetable or study plan
• proof of financial means: a guarantor or a bank statement of the student or the parents
• a criminal record certificate from your country, or where you lived in the last 2 years, valid for 6 months
• foreign documents must be apostilled or legalised and, if not in Spanish, officially translated
• fees: $25 to submit the application and $100 for each year of residence granted

Once the residence is granted, you have 30 days to register your biographical and biometric data.

Costs

Course prices vary by school and package and are usually quoted per week, often including homestay; compare what is included (hours of class, meals, activities) rather than the headline price. Official migration fees are set in US dollars and paid in quetzales at the official exchange rate. No official source publishes average living costs for students, so ask the school for a realistic monthly budget.

Where to study

• Quetzaltenango (Xela): a city in the western highlands, with Celas Maya, El Quetzal Spanish School (founded in 1998), Miguel Angel Asturias Spanish School and Sol Latino, which is in the historic centre and runs daily activities alongside classes
• Antigua Guatemala: a colonial town popular with language students, home to the Tecún Umán Spanish School and COINED Antigua
• Ciudad Vieja: next to Antigua, with the Ciudad Vieja Spanish Academy, where students can stay with a host family and join cultural excursions
• Guatemala City: the capital and seat of most universities, including the Universidad del Valle de Guatemala

Culture and practical life

Guatemala has a strong Maya heritage, and several schools combine Spanish classes with cultural activities, excursions and volunteer projects. Homestays are the usual form of accommodation and give daily practice in Spanish. Take out travel and health insurance that covers your whole stay.

Frequently asked questions

Is Guatemala a good place to learn Spanish?

Many students choose it for intensive one-to-one classes and homestays in Antigua or Quetzaltenango. Some schools prepare for the DELE and SIELE exams, and Celas Maya states that it is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes.

Antigua or Quetzaltenango?

Antigua is a smaller colonial town close to Guatemala City. Quetzaltenango (Xela) is a larger highland city with several long-established schools. Both offer one-to-one classes and homestays.

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

Short courses are usually taken on a tourist stay; citizens of countries in the IGM's "category C" need a visa first. For longer studies, the IGM grants a temporary residence for students, at $100 per year plus a $25 application fee.

Can I get university credit for a Spanish course in Guatemala?

Some schools, such as Celas Maya, offer university credits, but your home university decides whether to accept them. Ask before you enrol.