Language Programs in Mexico

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!