Language Programs in Cuernavaca, Mexico

I honestly wasn't sure what to expect about my time with IA and on the program before I came. I mainly booked because I wanted to improve my Spanish, but I ended up enjoying the whole experience way more than I thought I would. The classes were really good and the teachers were great, but I think what helped me the most was everything outside the classroom. Living with a Mexican family meant I was hearing Spanish all day, every day, and after a while you kind of stop overthinking everything you want to say. We'd go out into the city, visit markets, grab food, do the cooking class, weekend trips, all that sort of thing, and you're just constantly using Spanish without really thinking about it. One thing I really appreciated was how much effort everyone put into making sure we were having a good time. Harry and Harry were always around if anyone needed anything, whether it was recommendations, helping someone who wasn't feeling well, or just making sure everybody was included. It never felt like they were just running a business. You could tell they actually cared about everyone having a good experience. Cuernavaca was also a really nice surprise. I'd never even heard of it before finding Iguana Abroad, but it's such a relaxed place and feels really authentic. There aren't loads of tourists everywhere, so you end up speaking Spanish much more than you probably would in somewhere like Cancun or even Mexico City. I also made some really good friends on the course which I wasn't expecting. Even now we're still talking about meeting up again somewhere. If you're looking for luxury accommodation and cocktails by the pool every day, this probably isn't that kind of trip you are going to be looking for to be honest. But if you actually want to improve your Spanish, experience Mexico properly, and come home with some brilliant memories, I'd definitely recommend it.

Learning Spanish in Mexico with Iguana Abroad was an incredible and unforgettable experience that truly deepened my knowledge of Spanish and my love for travel. I learnt so much during my time there – both with our teachers in our classes but also around the city during the “immersion” part of the program. I would say I learnt the most Spanish on my trip while I was talking to people around the city on the guided walks and tours with Iguana Abroad, as well as during the salsa dance class and the Mexican cooking class. The organizers of the program really encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and immerse yourself in Mexican culture as much as possible which I found so helpful for gaining confidence with my Spanish. The Iguana Abroad team is all really supportive and welcoming and the program directors and staff really went above and beyond to make sure our group of girls felt comfortable the whole time we were on the course. I highly recommend this program for anyone looking to fully immerse themselves in Mexican culture and learn Spanish in an exciting environment through cultural immersion.

The program was better than I expected and I'm really thankful to the two Harrys for everything. They are so passionate about what they do and it was such a big part of what made my time in Mexico so special. I especially loved Las Estacas and the beautiful nature there, I have never been anywhere like that before in my life but have always wanted to. I have already started making a plan on how to hopefully come back again one day. I can't recommend Iguana Abroad highly enough, you won’t regret it!!

Taking a Spanish immersion course abroad was a new experience for me but I absolutely loved it. And I loved Iguana Abroad – thank you to the Iguana Abroad organizers for making what initially felt like quite a stressful experience so smooth and enjoyable. My experience started with an email or two to Iguana Abroad, followed by a video call with Harry, one of the British organizers. From then on the whole process was very smooth and straightforward. Iguana Abroad picked me up at the airport when I arrived and they accompanied me to my accommodation and introduced me to Mayra and Emilio – the lovely Mexican couple who would be hosting me during my time in Mexico. It was such a perfect way to ease myself into a new environment and get settled in. Cuernavaca is a beautiful city. I just loved how green and fresh it was. There are so many gardens and parks in the city that it really feels like you are surrounded by nature even though you are in a city. I also loved the beautiful little cafes and restaurants in the city center that serve delicious traditional food. On the immersion program we also did a cooking class, which was wonderful. I will never forget my evening with Chef Natividad cooking, eating and chatting in her kitchen – it is a memory I will cherish for a very long time. There were so many other wonderful moments on the course that I couldn't possibly list them all here. I just want to say a huge thank you to Harry, Harry and Fabiola for making this trip so fulfilling and worthwhile. Gracias.

Before coming to Cuernavaca my Spanish was around an A2 (fairly basic). I could order food, ask basic questions and understand simple conversations, but like everybody else around that level - as soon as someone spoke naturally, I was completely lost and would want to switch back to English straightaway, and that was always kind of embarassing. After just a few weeks, I left feeling comfortably around B1 (intermediate), and, more importantly, I actually had the confidence to use Spanish every day. By the end of the program I was having conversations with my host family (who were amazing!), ordering in restaurants without thinking, chatting to locals around the neighbourhood and markets, and even making friends entirely in Spanish. It was the first time I'd ever felt like I was genuinely living the language rather than just studying it. Maybe one thing that sort of surprised me most was how much learning actually really does happen outside the classroom, and the lessons were excellent, really nice small groups, smart engaging teachers and lots of speaking—but probably the real magic was the immersion. Living with a Mexican host family, exploring Cuernavaca, visiting local markets, taking part in cultural activities and weekend trips meant I was constantly using Spanish in real situations. It never felt like a holiday with a few language classes; it felt like moving to Mexico for a few weeks. I also think Cuernavaca is the perfect place to learn Spanish. It's beautiful, safe, authentic and far less touristy than Mexico City, so you're surrounded by Spanish from the moment you wake up until you go to bed. That made a huge difference to my progress, and everybody else on the course said that as well. Harry, Harry (the two Harrys!) and the entire Iguana Abroad team (especially Fabi!) genuinely care about every student so much. From the airport pickup to the accommodation, activities and day-to-day support, everything was incredibly well organized, and I always felt looked after. That was really important to me. If you're serious about improving your Spanish, not just memorising grammar but actually becoming confident speaking with native speakers, I honestly can't recommend Iguana Abroad highly enough. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had, and I'd return in a heartbeat!

Me and my wife are planning to buy a place in Mexico next fall, so we joined the Iguana Abroad Spanish immersion program to brush up on our Spanish before making the big move. Iguana Abroad was everything we could have hoped for in a Spanish immersion program. The staff were friendly and helpful throughout the whole process. We had several video calls with Harry, the program director, before we flew out, and he answered all our questions about arriving in Mexico, what to pack, and what to expect once we got there. I'd already been to Mexico several times—mostly to Baja, but also a couple of trips to Mérida—so I had a rough idea of what to expect. It was my wife's first visit, though, and both of our Spanish levels were pretty basic, so improving our confidence was one of our main goals. From the moment Harry and Hugo met us at the airport, they made us feel welcome. Even on the drive into Cuernavaca we found ourselves chatting with the driver in Spanish. We made plenty of mistakes, but nobody minded, and that really helped us relax. By the end of the first few days we were already speaking much more Spanish than we expected. If you're looking for a true immersion experience, this really is one. We thought the accommodation was basic but perfectly comfortable for what we needed. We had hot water, a swimming pool in the garden, and a simple rustic room. Nothing luxurious, but it was a great place to come back to and relax after a full day of classes and activities. We'd like to extend our warmest thanks to the entire Iguana Abroad team for giving us such a memorable experience. We made great friends, improved our Spanish far more than we expected, and came away feeling much more confident about our plans to move to Mexico. Hopefully we'll see you guys again once we're settled in Mexico this November. Hasta pronto!

Iguana Abroad really went beyond my expectations it isn’t just about Spanish—it’s about experiencing Mexico like a real local, but to a really impressive amount. You don’t just sit in a classroom you’re out in the streets, discovering hidden cafes (and super nice ones as well in Cuernavaca!), figuring out menus, chatting with locals, laughing at yourself when you mess up Spanish. Sometimes it is a little crazy learning a language, but that part of the experience is always so much fun on a course like Iguana Abroad. One of the craziest things is how you can learn without even noticing most the time. Great experience and I would like to come back. It was a real chance to meet people you’d never meet anywhere else, do things you’d never do on your own, and somehow leave feeling like Cuernavaca is a little bit your city now.

Now that 2025 has almost finished I can say without a doubt that Iguana Abroad has been the NUMBER ONE highlight of the entire year! So much about this course made and makes it really special - the school, its beautiful campus and the amazing breakfasts there, the other fantastic participants who I now call fantastic friends, the immersion events (especially going to the insane local market and doing the cookery class!!), the surrounding nature, the travelling, I could go on and on. Cuernavaca (or “The City of Eternal Spring” as it is very rightly named!) is also the most perfect place for a course like Iguana Abroad’s - with a focus on learning through immersion. It’s a beautiful, walkable, friendly city, and I will definitely be returning!

Iguana Abroad was for me the first time in Latin America and the first time in a Spanish speaking country (apart from several family visits to Spain and Catalonia in my childhood). Coming from Europe the culture shock in Mexico was quite extreme, but after a short period of adaptation I was soon loving Mexico and Mexican culture. The Spanish language tuition on the course was really excellent. I arrived on the program with no Spanish (level A1) but after four weeks I was able to talk to my Mexican friends and teachers in Spanish, and understand almost everything people were saying to me. It was an intense course (but in a good way) because you are always encouraged to speak in Spanish, and English is discouraged. This “total immersion” approach was really helpful for me and it was one of the main reasons I chose Iguana Abroad to begin with. Immersion can sometimes be challenging because you are sometimes in situations with Spanish speakers that you don’t fully understand, but eventually you start to absorb the language and become more attuned to the nuances of people’s speech. Reaching that point with Spanish was such a satisfying experience for me. I am very grateful to Iguana Abroad for the experience.

I was little bit nervous about joining the program before I came, mainly because Mexico sometimes gets bad press back home, but I am so happy that I chose to join Iguana Abroad! Everyone on the course (literally everyone!) really helped our group of girls to feel comfortable right from day one and everything was so well organized (Spanish classes, accommodation, weekend trips, the cookery class, etcetera) - basically everyone on the program took so much care to make sure that we were enjoying ourselves and having a good time at every moment during our stay. If I could choose one word to describe how the program was it would be that it FLOWED! From the start to the end it felt like the course was perfect to make sure that we were having an awesome time and learning Spanish as well. The two Harrys who run the program made us feel 100% comfortable at all times and we appreciated their knowledge and recommendations for things to do in the city and places to go. I am so grateful for all the effort that everyone on the program put in to making our time in Mexico so special. I would absolutely 100% recommend this course to anyone looking for a good all-inclusive Spanish experience in Mexico.

Iguana Abroad was a lifechanging experience for me. I always wanted to learn another language and live abroad but I never took the step forward to actually do it. When I found Iguana Abroad online I knew right away that it was the perfect opportunity to achieve the dreams that I had always had. And I am SO SO glad that I took the leap and applied because it was absolutely one of the best decisions of my life (if not the best decision of my life so far!). I can now actually speak Spanish, which I never thought I would be able to do! But more than that Iguana Abroad gave me the confidence to travel abroad and not be scared about what life can throw your way. It taught me that living abroad is not a stressful or dangerous thing to do and it showed me what an amazing country Mexico is, and that living there is absolutely life changing! I am so grateful to all the people that I met on the program that made the program what it was, and I am so humbled by all the Mexicans that I met who have changed my life for the better in so many ways. Thank you Iguana Abroad! Muchas gracias!

I would recommend the Iguana Abroad program for many reasons. Firstly because the tuition you receive on the course is really precise and efficient and really gives you the skills needed to learn Spanish very quickly. I felt that I learnt more in 4 weeks on Iguana Abroad than I did in 4 years of college and 1 year of Duolingo – literally. Secondly, the accommodation was really amazing. My accommodation had a huge outdoor heated swimming pool that we could use as well as an incredible garden with hammocks, banana trees, gym, and spacious outdoor seating area – it really was incredible, and so much better than I would expect for a course of this price. The accommodation was actually quite a surprising aspect of the course because they didn’t really advertise how good it was going to be before we arrived so I was really nicely surprised when I arrived, as I was thinking it would probably just be normal language school accommodation (which would have been ok as well, but this was so much better). [By the way, if anyone from Iguana Abroad is reading this – you should definitely advertise the accommodation more before students arrive because it’s a real selling point that would really make people like me more likely to sign up!] The last thing that I will say about the course is that the excursions and events were really well planned and so useful for learning Spanish. We often visited places where many people didn’t speak any English at all, which was so useful for helping us improve our Spanish conversation skills. It really felt like complete “immersion” in the language which is exactly what I was hoping to find when I signed up. I would definitely recommend this course to anyone looking to learn Spanish quickly and comfortably, in a beautiful and interesting location.

Iguana Abroad was such an awesome experience and absolutely gives you so much confidence in yourself and belief in what you are capable of! The program helps you use Spanish around the city and shows you how to interact with people in different places. We did a market tour which was so fun, and also a cookery class and salsa event. We also did excursions every weekend with the group. Everyone on the program was so lovely and amazing and I will never forget the friends I made on the course! If you are in two minds about joining the program, I would say – go for it! You won’t regret it.

Choosing a Spanish course honestly took me ages— there were so many options, so many incredible destinations, so many things to consider. But now that I’ve experienced Iguana Abroad, I know I made the right choice. If anybody else was unsure about which course to choose - my advice would 100% be Iguana Abroad. For one thing, I really felt like this course had it all - and more: a super friendly, organised atmosphere, passionate teachers, and a fantastic team running the program. The students and participants (all the guides, salsa teachers, friends of the guys running the course etc) make it even better. It was honestly a really inspiring and supportive learning environment that I haven't experienced many other places. For language learning, this course is very special. The immersion events were all unforgettable - run by fantastic teachers and guides, the travel destinations are incredible and unique, and the opportunities to practice Spanish I felt were pretty much endless. For anybody who is serious about learning Spanish while exploring Mexico, this is the place to be.

I’d say that Iguana Abroad’s magic lies in how the course seamlessly blends language and life. Yes, the Spanish classes are excellent (small groups, passionate native teachers, a truly stunning school campus), but for me the real lessons happened outside: discussing Mexican history beside ancient Aztec ruins, cooking mole poblano with "abuelitas" (at my homestay), or haggling for the best prices in the local markets. As well as just the classroom textbooks and whiteboards, you’ll use street art, local slang, and laughter to learn—and it sticks. I’ve got so, so many great memories from this trip, and so many new friends that I share them with. Everyone on my course (Summer ’24) said the same thing - the instructors (affectionately called “the Harrys”,) are the heart of the program, and I couldn’t agree more. I felt like they really mapped my journey personally so even on a group course, things felt tailored just for me and my goals. They even included activities completely outside of the course schedule just because of a few passions of mine I had spoken about, such as jazz music. We went to a local jazz club to see an open event there and talked about music with some of the people playing there - which was one of the best moments of the whole trip for me. Moments like this played such a huge part of improving my confidence and fluency with Spanish. Another day we visited the hidden, beautiful San Anton waterfall in Cuernavaca to help me nail some key words and phrases for hiking and exercise - another deep passion of mine, (and a few others in the group). Nothing ever felt scripted - the Harry’s felt like true masters of language immersion courses. I’ve done language programs before, but none ever pushed me to engage so deeply. By week two, I was joking with my homestay family, navigating local transport solo, and (mostly) holding my own in everyday conversations. The confidence boost was unreal, not just for language, but travel too. Plus, the friendships—with locals and fellow learners, students on the course, etc —are the kind that long outlast Instagram posts. Considerations to Know: * Pace: Days can be packed! If you crave downtime and rest, don’t feel afraid to do that. It’s a really flexible course - and that’s sort of what this course is about - you, and your Spanish learning journey. * Physicality: Some adventures (like ruins hikes) require moderate fitness. Hiking up to the Tepotzlán pyramid from the "zocalo" town center (which is optional) was a real mission. * Homestays: My family was wonderful, but flexibility is key—the every so often cold showers and salsa-dancing toddlers come with the territory! If you want something more predictable you’d probably be better with the private accommodation option. What I’d say is that Iguana Abroad isn’t for casual tourists—it’s for adventurers who learn by living. Yes, classrooms are a big part of the program, but they’re just the starting point. If you’re ready to move beyond textbooks and let the rhythm of Mexico guide your learning, this is the course for you… just make sure you bring an open mind and you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone—at least for me, that’s when the real learning happened.

I found Iguana Abroad online and I was attracted by the range of activities offered, as well as the emphasis on immersive learning. Communication with the Iguana Abroad staff was always good before the program started, and the support given by the program directors and teachers was excellent during the course. Learning Spanish in Mexico is so different to learning in the US – you learn much faster when you are immersed in a Spanish-speaking country, surrounded by the language all day with so many opportunities to practice and speak to people. I was really happy with all the events offered on the program – I especially loved the cookery class and the salsa event. Learning to cook Mexican food and try salsa and cumbia dance styles was an awesome experience! The free airport collection offered by the program was also really useful because I arrived in Mexico City in the evening, so it was definitely reassuring to know that someone would be waiting for me at the airport. The price for the program was good considering everything that’s included and there were no disappointing aspects of the course that I can think of. A perfect immersion course!

I came to Iguana Abroad with no expectations, just hoping to see where this crazy journey would take me, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out! Everyone on the program was so fun, kind and welcoming they really make you feel at home from the moment you arrive. I stayed in the private accommodation with Vito and Maru which was awesome and definitely something I would do again. There were always loads of fun events going on during the week and on weekends and there was always someone to hang out with and explore! I want to say a big THANK YOU to the Iguana Abroad teachers and organizers who made this awesome trip possible and I hope to see you all again in 2026!!

I would recommend Iguana Abroad to any traveller (or soon-to-be traveller!) planning a trip outside their comfort zone! The Spanish lessons are fun, creative and interesting, and really inspire you to learn much more effectively than if you were in the US. The Iguana Abroad program also has accommodation included in the course price which was really important for me when I was looking for which immersion program to choose. I chose the private accommodation option which I really recommend because the rooms were spacious and clean, and there was even a pool, garden and gym inside the accommodation. The accommodation was also just one minute walk from the Spanish school (literally across the road) which was perfect. I would highly recommend the Iguana Abroad program and would encourage anyone who has not yet done so to apply!

Iguana Abroad was a special experience for me. My sister came on the program in 2023 so I knew what it was going to be like before I signed up, but it was actually better than I expected! So many amazing people and memories it’s really hard to choose which ones to include here – I think maybe my most memorable experience was going to Las Estacas nature park and swimming through the jungle round the lazy river – it is such a beautiful location and still quite unknown outside of Mexico. I also loved the trip to Tepoztlan because of the traditional crafts and souvenirs as well as the Pyramid hike. The Spanish classes on Iguana Abroad are really useful and push you to the limit of your abilities, so that you improve quickly and learn to speak the language better even after the first week. I also loved the social aspect of the program because you really do make friends for life and share memories with unforgettable people!

One of the best things about Iguana Abroad was that there was always something going on. Apart from the culture immersion midweek events (like the rooftop skull painting workshop, Mexican cookery class, etc) and stuff happening on the weekend (the travelling events) I was thinking that not much else would happen the rest of the time outside of the classroom. But, this was really, realllyyy not the case! For a start, the program directors always had suggestions of things to do (for example they started the course by giving everybody the details of local group chats on WhatsApp etc where events and stuff from around the city was being shared all the time), and would organise little events basically every day for everybody to come along to during the week if they wanted (going to a secret waterfall; exploring the local markets; going to the museums, parks, events in the area etc). Plus there was always the option of doing language exchanges with the locals that the directors organised for everybody who was interested. There was loads of stuff on the course that were highlights of the trip for me that weren’t actually ‘officially’ part of the course, if that makes sense. There was also an amazing group of other students with me as well which made things even better - and it goes without saying that all the scheduled stuff (the weekend trips, culture events) were just incredible as well. Iguana Abroad’s summer group course is such a unique program and has so much going for it. I’m sure it will go from strength to strength!