Spanish Language Schools in Cuba

Looking like a giant landing strip from above, Cuba entices you to touch down and explore. Its steep shape makes it tricky to move extensively west-to-east, but the coastline is always a stone’s throw away and the mountain range that runs through the continent will leave you with a geographic buffet no matter your location.

A beacon of glorified destruction, Havana is the first choice for Spanish language study in Cuba. It’s an old-school treasure box, with history peeling from every surface. Hop on a guagua from Habana Vieja, stroll around the Hemingway Marina, and then head to Vedado’s restaurant district in a classic car. From sunsets along the Malecón to midnight martinis the underground jazz cafes, the opportunities for entertainment are endless. Still awake? Go salsa your heart out at La Casa de la Musica to finish the night. Want something more classical? Check out an exhibition at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. Theatre geeks? Catch an avant garde show at the Gran Teatro. History and architecture buffs? Take a stroll along the 16th-century fortress keeping guard over the city.  Whatever your interest, you’ll find plenty of distractions from your Spanish language lessons.

For a slower pace of life, head west to Viñales. Surrounded by tobacco fields and mogote mountains, life here revolves around watching oxen plow the fields and sipping piña coladas while lounging in rocking chairs on front porches. Between Spanish language classes, go on long bike rides, hop on a horse, or learn how to roll your own cigar. Touristic during the holidays, but lovely year-round, Viñales will offer plenty of free time and friends to practice your Spanish with.

In the southeast lies Santiago de Cuba, a dynamic bustle of smells and sounds. With strong influences from the nearby Dominican Republic and Haiti, Santiago is a sweaty masterpiece of political and historical struggle. The jineteros are numerous and reggaetón is blasting from every window, but there is undeniable charm beneath the layer of dust. There’s a reason Fidel Castro decided to plant the seeds of the Revolution here. Stay for a while, dig in, and see what all the buzz is about.

Since everything is strictly regulated by the government, you can rest assured that all Spanish language schools in Cuba are controlled for quality and offer reliable packages. Decide what looks best, take a few weeks off, and hop on over.

The most common ways to learn Spanish in Cuba are offered through language schools, and the majority of them that will provide housing within the same building (or close by, with transportation provided). Spanish language classes offered through these more traditional institutions can be personalized to your level and learning speed, and usually meet for four or five hours per day, Monday thru Friday. Spanish language schools in Cuba also offer plenty of cultural components outside of the classroom: tours of rum factories, beach escapes, salsa classes, and walking tours.

Due to the tricky accommodation laws of the country, programs that do not provide lodging within the school will assign you to a homestay. If you’re lucky, your host might even be your teacher; talk about full immersion! Homestays are a great option to practice everything you learned in class through conversation, and, especially in Cuba, a very convenient way to secure your next meal on the table. Unless you’re living in a highly touristy quarter, forget about the option of café’s, and supermarkets don’t exist.

Along that line, don’t forget to pack plenty of school supplies, some presents for your host family, and a few extra bars of chocolate. Who wants to run out of highlighter fluid or sweet reserves halfway through the program? While the specific time to master Spanish varies by program type and school hours, be aware that you might need some extra time to get into the Cuban groove of things (in regards to both linguistics and lifestyle).

In the best way possible, Cuban Spanish is going to put your head into a blender and make you throw your high school Spanish textbook against a wall. In contrast to the lyrical son and trova that originated on this island, the spoken language is full of sharp accents and has more potholes than the road leading to Camagüey.

Cuba’s Spanish sounds like it’s perpetually sipping on rum. Each phrase starts with a climax, then kind of fades away. More notably, you’ll notice the frequent coda deletion; whether it’s laziness or efficiency, a lot of constants are simply chopped out of words (as are the last syllables of words). The letters “L” and “R” seem to be interchangeable, as are “B” with “V,” and the only time you’ll hear a “D” is when you’re singing the alphabet.

On top of that, there’s almost as much slang and local expressions peppered into conversation as there are real words. However, most statements exchanged with older generations still will end with usted; this is probably from the years of communist patria, but even your (foster) uncle will be addressed formally.

Last, but not last, is the speed. You’re going to have to listen faster than the guerillas run through forests. However, once you get into the flow and accept the uneven pace of Cuban Spanish for what it is, the rest of the world’s Spanish will seem…well, boring.

While we usually preach that anything is possible, there are limits in Cuba. Whether you are planning a weekend outing to Varadero or are simply craving an ice cream sundae, resources in Cuba are not plentiful. With a clear separation between locals and tourists (no matter how much you try to immerse yourself, without Cuban citizenship, a tourist you always will be), the communist benefits offered to locals do not apply. Transportation is limited, stores are empty, and AC is non-existent. Master creativity and acceptance as you tame cravings and desire for convenience.

On the flip side, the jineteros (hustlers) in the streets are not limited. In no time, you’ll be a pro at using imperatives. While the rest of the Spanish-speaking world will gently lull words out of you and wait for you to break the shyness barrier, Cuba will be merciless. This is great for boosting confidence and speaking loudly. Ai, papi! You’re gonna grow a sassy Cuban backbone, whether you want to or not. Strut that Spanish.

If you think Cuba is just an island chockful of cool old cars and wild, late-night dance competitions, you should probably just stay home. After the icy Cold War and the rough Revolución, Cuba was left devastated, drained, and discarded. However, the concept of a cuba libre is still strong, and the enthusiasm of its people is radiant. Join barefoot crowds dancing in the streets as you learn the sensual swing of this island’s Spanish.