Maya Language Programs

I had such an amazing experience in this program. I was the only student learning spanish at the time because it was slow season, but everyone at the school made me feel at home. I got to volunteer in the classroom of kids learning english and help with their english as they helped me with my spanish. I was able to sharpen my spanish in 4 weeks, but also learn a lot about the culture of the area.

I had a great time in my week long stay at Na'atik. I did a solo trip and was able to practice my Spanish for the whole week. My teacher Licey was incredible. So patient and persistent as I was learning. She kept the content interesting and conversational while also ensuring I learned the fundamentals for communication. The program coordinator Elizabeth was always on top of things and helped make sure communication was consistent and that all the plans were well coordinated. She was also really helpful with recommendations for the town and navigating being a foreigner in a small town. The school itself is beautiful and everyone there was really kind and welcoming. The activities offered were also really fun. It was great to get to learn more about the Mayan culture and I high recommend any of the excursions that include learning about the land, practices, and people. I went during a less busy time of year, so I was the only student around. If you like the one on one time, then I recommend going in mid-end of August. If you want to be around people, don't go then. Overall, I recommend this program!

I had an amazing 3 weeks at Na’atik!! The communication with the program was helpful, informative, and prompt from when I signed up to when I left. I loved my host family, they were friendly, and always patient as I learned. The accommodations were very nice and comfortable, I felt very at home (and the food was AMAZING!!). The activities were super interesting, I learned so much about the history of Quintana Roo and Carrillo. I would really really recommend Na’atik if you’re looking for an immersion experience that’s more personal and part of the community—rather than another corporation.

I stayed in Carrillo for one week and had the best time. The class time was super great and the instruction was well-paced and well-suited for my language level. There was only one other person with me in class so there was lots of opportunity for conversation. My home stay was also really great and gave me the opportunity to put what I learned in class into action. The accommodation was also very well-appointed and the food was incredible! The excursions I took were really special and made the week really meaningful and fun and helped to understand the culture and again use language skills in a different setting. I felt incredibly well taken care of the entire time from communication the week before I arrived, to having someone waiting for me when I landed at the airport to when I was delivered back to Cancun. I would 100% recommend doing this immersion program and it gave me a real confidence boost with my speaking comfort. I even got several compliments on my Spanish when I was talking with people in town and then after my stay in Carrillo. I only wish I could have stayed more that one week. If I can, I will definitely go back!

Na'atik Language and Culture Institute responded to this reviewJune 12, 2026

Thank you so much, Lindsey! I do hope we see you down here again soon.

I am 69 and retired. I was fed up with my 5 years learning Spanish with DuoLingo. I determined I needed an immersion program to jolt me into being able to converse with others (I tried a tutor which helped but was still not enuf). So my adult daughter and I enrolled for the school in February 2026. She speaks Spanish much better than me but wanted to improve even more and we got to spend 11 days together, something we hadn’t done since she was a kid. Elizabeth was meticulous at providing information and making sure we understood how the program worked. To say this was a reboot for me is putting it mildly. During the weeklong classes (4 hrs/day for 5 days), activities in and around Carrillo, and living and eating with our very gracious and sweet host family, I finally became able to differentiate words when people spoke. And while I didn’t suddenly start speaking confidently I could finally see how that would happen. Being surrounded by people primarily speaking Spanish for 11 days made my mind to start thinking in Spanish. And now I find myself constructing sentences when I am idle and thinking how I would answer a question in Spanish. I have also stopped translating sentences. I cannot recommend Na’atik more highly. And both my daughter and I plan on going back for 2-4 weeks sometime in the next few years.

I had a really fun time through this program! I felt like this school was really good at communicating and I felt that three weeks was perfect for a portion of my abroad trip. My host family was so nice and instantly treated me like one of their own and I will miss them as I continue to travel.

Wow, I loved my experience at Na’atik. The town/city is really friendly and walkable. I was walking around alone as a foreign looking woman of color with my phone out on Google maps, completely safe and comfortable. My host family is so lovely and cooked me three delicious vegetarian meals a day. Plus tropical fruit EVERYDAY. Loved my private classes and excursions too. Can’t wait to come back

As our first immersion experience, I don't think it could have gone any better. Our host family was patient, kind and flexible (with our schedule, and our dietary preferences). The lessons at the school were excellent with my teacher quickly figuring out in what areas we should focus. The excursions that we had were enjoyable and reasonably priced. Felipe Carrillo Puerto is a fine small town with friendly people. I can't recommend it highly enough for those looking for language immersion. Especially important for me is that they have a non-profit mission.

We loved our classes. They were adapted to our learning levels and interests. We could not have hoped for more from our host family. They were very patient in conversation, and the food was delicious. Carrillo is a lovely town, with friendly people, and we felt quite safe. 10/10, will visit again!

I absolutely loved my time here. My host family was more welcoming than I could have ever imagined. I truly felt like part of the family and the school was fantastic. Their teaching style was a great combination of learning, and lots of application through games and excercises with other students.

I had an amazing time being in Mexico. There were so many opportunities to experience the culture and go on cultural experiences in the area. I learned so much about Día de los Muertos and the local holidays. I got to go to the Mayan ruins and cenotes. The host family was so nice and the food was delicious. I was nervous to travel to Mexico but it felt very safe and the food was delicious.

You will not have a better Spanish Immersion experience than in Felipe Carillo Puerto. The school community is very attentive, welcoming and professional. The host families include you in everything and make you feel like you are family.

Hello, I am looking to make arrangements for a cultural trip for me this coming summer in either June or July of 2026. I am currently a High School Spanish teacher and I have been given a grant to purse professional development that will further my effectiveness as a teacher. This could also potentially roll into a school trip abroad in the future. Lastly, I would have to bring my family of 4 with me to this summer trip so I am hoping you can recommend somewhere nearby with that kind of room. Thanks for your help!

Na'atik Language and Culture Institute responded to this reviewNovember 25, 2025

Thanks for reaching out, we’d love to help you plan a meaningful cultural immersion experience for Summer 2026. We’ve tried contacting you different times at [email protected], so please check your spam or promotions folder. Once we reconnect by email, we’ll send options and next steps. Looking forward to hearing from you!

The Na'atik Institute offers an excellent Spanish (and Maya) immersion experience. They have a beautiful, comfortable school building with air conditioning and a terrific library. Their teachers are excellent and the teaching was personally crafted to focus on my goals as a student. I loved staying with and getting to know my Mayan host family. I very much enjoyed the chance to visit the Raxalaj and tortilla making Mayan cultural centers. It was really fun playing games in English and Spanish with the teenage English students from Carrillo. This was my second visit to Na'atik and I plan to go back and begin studying Yucateca Maya. For me, an experience where my investment in a weeklong class supports Na'atik and its staff, my host family, and Na'atik's ability to help local kids go to university by strengthening their English skills is ideal. I also deeply appreciate the chance to spend so much time with Mayans in the school, my host family and the community and to learn about their culture, history, and language.

My experience with Na'atik was incredible. I stayed in Carrillo for two weeks and enjoyed every minute. The classes were very helpful and covered a wide array of topics. Coming in I had little practical Spanish experience, but now I feel much more confidence. Not only were the classes amazing, I also had an very positive experience with my host family. They were welcoming and supportive and made an effort to include me despite my limited Spanish. They also provided me with an amazing place to stay and three delicious meals per day. The Na'atik excursions were also a highlight. During my stay I enjoyed a bike ride in the jungle, a tortilla making class, a trip to Chancchoben and Bacalar, and a cenote swim. Additionally, I was also able to explore Carrillo thanks the the bike provided by Na'atik. I highlight recommend this program. Everyone at Na'atik is amazing!

I had a wonderful time studying at Na’atik. This is my second time here and it was been amazing. My homestay family was awesome, the food tasted great, and you have frequent and easy opportunities to immerse yourself into the local communities. Additionally, my Spanish improved so much and is significantly better than it was before. The classes have definitely taught me more than those that I take at home. Overall it was an amazing experience and I would definitely recommend.

I enjoyed my time at Na’atik! I think it was great experience for me and great way to immerse myself in the culture. I woke up and spoke Spanish with my host family and ate food from the Spanish cuisine. I got to walk around Felipe Carrillo, which is a very safe, beautiful, town and try lots of different foods and just explore another part of the world. I think staying for longer than a week is definitely helpful, but that was the only time I had. If you want to be immersed in the language then I would try this program because not only do you get that you get it in a real environment without a tourist influences. Loved my teacher and time here!

I’ve had a amazing week at Na’atik fulfilling a life long dream to live & study in another country. The teachers and host family proudly shared their life and expertise with me, warmly welcoming into their town, their school and their home. I look forward to coming back next year and taking a real break from my hectic life in the US. A true gift to myself?

I brought my whole family to Na’atik and we had a wonderful and authentic experience. The people here have been so kind and we have learned so much. The instructors were engaging with my 11 and 14 yr old sons. I was able to get more in depth with my Spanish learning, and my husband is speaking more than I have ever heard him speak in Spanish. The home stay has really encouraged us to use what we are leaning in class after we leave here for the day. I also found the town to feel very safe and friendly. Na'atik provided bikes for us so we were able to move about town with ease. This has been a wonderful and enriching adventure for me and my family.

I attended Na’atik Language Immersion program with my mother and friend! We loved every minute. The class was personalized to our learning goals and the family we stayed with was incredibly nice! I would definitely go back if I have the opportunity. If you are sensitive to warm weather consider the time of year. We would have benefitted by picking a different time of year to travel so that it would have been cooler for us.