If rambling off in español with over 450 million native language speakers is on your lista, then learning Spanish in Mexico is a guaranteed way to get there. Not only does it boast 130 million enthusiastic locals to practice with and a culturally-rich history dating back to 500 B.C., but it’s a bang for your buck compared to going to Spain or even signing up for a Spanish semester back home. Plus, it’s infinitely tastier and more fun, so hurry up and ¡vamos! — let’s find the best place to learn Spanish in Mexico for you and your goals!
There are a LOT of places to learn Spanish in Mexico. Which one is right for you?
Somewhere between snow-capped mountains and underwater ocean museums, there’s an altitude to match any learning and living style. From ocean resorts to buzzing metropoles, written exams have never been more scenic and language practice never as much fun as over a tray of mezcal. And, just as the sunny climate, it’s always a good time to say hola to a whole new world down South.
Why learn Spanish in Mexico?
Whoever said that school isn’t fun or verbs are boring has clearly never attended one of the many Spanish language schools in Mexico. With potential academic credit, a new resume line, a professional network, and plenty of real-life relevance, signing up for a language class is a great way to not only order your own taco toppings in no time, but also to spend time abroad meaningfully.
Language schools assess your current skill level (zero is fine) and place you in a similar group, guaranteeing that lessons are relevant and understood. While exact class sizes, hours, and lesson plans vary between schools, costs are some of the lowest among South America and the quality of education is high.
There’s usually a generous offer of extracurricular activities, tandem language exchanges, fun people, and a flexibility of time commitment for any backpacker’s calendar. Whether it’s a week of flurried verb conjugations or an entire summer of grammar practices, class registrations are flexible and can be requested/extended the week prior. No more excuses of not being able to commit to a travel plan four months beforehand!
10 best places to study Spanish in Mexico
1. Mexico City
Don’t shy away from the chaos of Mexico City — it’s one of the best places to study Spanish in Mexico!
Mexico City is a beast—definitely a magical and fantastic one. Not only is this the cradle of Mexican civilization and still rocks the mighty Pyramid of the Sun to prove it, but it’s a contemporary gem of culture and innovation.
With 9 million chilangos to practice your vocab with, there is a constant flutter of activities among the 150+ museums and over 170km2 of canals to float on. Language schools are as numerous as the taco al pastor vendors, but most of the popular ones are located around La Condesa, Polanco, and Centro Historico.
You can even take classes at The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), which is the most prestigious education institution of the country—and a UNESCO site.
Recommended programs:
- Spanish Language Course and Immersion in Mexico City
- View ALL Spanish Language Schools in Mexico City
2. Oaxaca
Oaxaca is a colorful colonial town with a walkable city center built upon uneven cobblestones, and is hands down one of the best places to learn Spanish in Mexico. Smaller and quieter than CDMX, Oaxaca is nonetheless brimming with cultural activities (with the most celebrated Dia de los Muertos celebration in the country) and expat organizations.
Most of the language schools have shady plazas and are scattered around the dazzling cathedral. After classes, practice food vocab while ordering tlayudas or chomping down on grasshoppers, and on the weekends, take an excursion to Monte Alban (impressive Zapotec archaeological site), El Tule (tree with the world’s stoutest trunk), or Hierve el Agua (petrified stone waterfall with WOW views).
Recommended programs:
3. Guadalajara
Capital city of Jalisco, this is where mariachi, tequila, and charreria comes from. So, you know that this “Pearl of the West” is gonna be good when it comes to cultural immersion and a crazy fun time.
The equivalent of Mexico’s Silicon Valley, Guadalajara is also the proud parent of drowned bread rolls, the Chivas (Mexico’s most popular sports team), and the largest indoor market in Latin America.
Between classes, geek out over the International Film Festival or the largest Spanish book fair in the world, and folkloric dance recitals. If you’re interested to learn Spanish in Mexico for adults, there’s a large business and elder expat population here!
Recommended programs:
- Spanish Immersion Program in Guadalajara
- Learn Spanish in Guadalajara, Mexico
- View ALL Spanish Language Schools in Guadalajara
4. Puerto Escondido
Learn Spanish AND make friends with sea turtles? Sign us up!
Located on the pristine southern coast of Oaxaca, Puerto Escondido (perhaps the best place to learn Spanish in Mexico for those looking for something further off the beaten path) is a buzzing town appealing to hippies, party animals, surfers, and enthusiasts of beautiful beaches.
If you manage to get tired of conjugating verbs and surfing, take a sunset horse ride through the sand, volunteer with some sea turtles at the National Mexican Turtle Center, attend the circus festival, check out the surrounding beach towns, catch a movie on the beach, and explore the tucked-away Manialtepec Lagoon.
The foggy mountains are a few hours to the north and Oaxaca City perched just above that, so if you want a getaway to a colonial center or high-altitude, weekend excursion options are many.
Recommended programs:
- Tropical Medicine & Community Health (2 Week Intensive)
- Learn Spanish and Surfing in Mexico!
- View ALL Spanish Language Schools in Puerto Escondido
5. Guanajuato
A colourful UNESCO, postcard-perfect town, Guanajuato is a labyrinth of tiny alleys and flowery plazas. Mexico’s most popular cultural event, Festival Internacional Cervantino, rages every fall semester and draws top performers from America, while Diego Rivera’s house is open year-round for visits.
At night, sneak over to the callejón del beso or pig out on gorditas. Language schools in this pedestrian city have links with current events and try to hook their students up to the latest craze.
Recommended programs:
- Summer Spanish Language + Culture
- Low-Cost Spanish Study-Abroad Courses in Mexico
- View ALL Spanish Language Schools in Guanajuato
6. Mérida
Known as the elegant white pearl, Mérida is a great option for Spanish language schools in Mexico for those looking to get away from the crowd. Though there are tours coming in from Cancun and excursions available to nearby Chichen Itza and cenotes, Mérida itself is a quiet town without many gringos to distract from the lulling intonation of Mexican Spanish.
Not only is it the cultural center of Yucatan, but it has one of the oldest cathedrals of the New World and its own Champs-Élysées. For over 100 years, Mérida was the richest city in the world thanks to its henequen production; today, it remains a fashionable town with a year-round sunny climate and one of the best places to learn Spanish in Mexico.
Recommended programs:
7. Playa del Carmen
You might forget that you’re not on a luxurious vacation while learning Spanish in Playa del Carmen.
For those looking for a party vibe while trying to learn Spanish in Mexico, Playa del Carmen’s proximity to Cancun guarantees non-stop entertainment and plenty of Spring Breakers to merge in with.
There are some quieter beaches and casual eateries in Playa, while numerous cenotes are waiting for those bored with saltwater. Though there is a fair share of posh clubs and hotels, there’s also a thriving local scene if you look past the English menus.
By studying Spanish at a language school in Playa del Carmen, you’ll be presented to a community of locals and be able to experience the city beyond its tour offers. Soon, you’ll be dancing salsa at Zenzi and swimming with turtles at Akumal like a native.
8. Cuernavaca
An hour south of Mexico City, Cuernavaca is nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring and has plenty of flowers to prove it. The locals, guayabos (yes, they are referred to as the guava trees), are busy but eager to meet foreigners and with plenty of connections in Mexico City for weekend city trips.
With a main gazebo designed by Gustave Eiffel himself, Cuernavaca is a learning center with many international ties and a wide range of accredited language schools to pick from. From quirky museums to a growing café scene, Cuernavaca is quickly rising from Mexico City’s shadows and flaunting itself as one of the best places to study Spanish in Mexico.
Recommended programs:
- Affordable Spanish Lessons in Cuernavaca
- Live and Learn in Cuernavaca, Mexico
- View ALL Spanish Language Schools in Cuernavaca
9. Puerto Vallarta
From ragged backpackers to high-end business men, Puerto Vallarta is a beloved destination of many. This coastal town on the Pacific Coast is pedestrian-friendly and keeps the cumbia playing year-round.
The Malecon is a quiet promenade to hang out with your new classmates, while the oyster shacks, sunset cruises, and adjacent beach towns offer endless adventure. The Romantic Old Town is full of eclectic shops, chocolate museums, and scuba diving enthusiasts, while the ocean horizon sometimes breaks with whales and dolphins.
Learning Spanish in Mexico will be an adventure!
Make the most of your time abroad and find the best place to learn Spanish in Mexico!
Wherever you decide to sign up for a language school in Mexico, the entertainment is guaranteed: salsa, Sabritas, and a mariachi hat included. Regardless of the age, time frame, or language level, language schools in Mexico provide the personal attention and conversation practice required to slide over to nivel super-o and see the world around you with a permanent set of exclamation marks (instead of just one).
Learning Spanish in Mexico is a budget-friendly option to become a professional r-roller while also exploring a rich culture and getting plenty of language practice in over street food stands. Hop on down, dive in, and bathe in the cultural immersion; it’s as easy as uno-dos-tres.
Ready to learn Spanish while having fun? View ALL Language Schools in Mexico!
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