Spanish Cultural Immersion and Adventure in 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!

I honestly had such a great experience with Iguana Abroad. I went in hoping to improve my Spanish and ended up getting way more out of it than I expected. My Spanish improved a lot in a short amount of time, I guess one reason is mainly because you’re using it every day, not just in class but out in the city too, on the events, and with people always surrounded closeby to help all the time (the two Harrys, Fabi, the teachers, and just all the other members on the team and people involved with making this course truly special) The teachers were really friendly and easy to talk to, which made a huge difference. Classes felt relaxed but still super helpful, and everything we learned was actually useful in real life. I never felt stressed or embarrassed about making mistakes. The activities and trips were one of my favorite parts. They were super fun, really well organized, and gave us tons of chances to practice Spanish while exploring different parts of Mexico. Everything was basically just really well organized from the start. The staff were always around if you needed help, and I felt safe and supported the whole time, especially as someone traveling alone. Things start from way before you actually arrive in Cuernavaca - talking with the staff, the teachers, reading the personal report and all of that stuff. This course honestly is different for all the best reasons. And of course, meeting amazing people through the program and made friends I’ll definitely stay in touch with. Overall, Iguana Abroad was an unforgettable experience, and I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their Spanish while actually living it!!!

A friend suggested Iguana Abroad to me and I cannot thank them enough. We actually came together for the summer course and I would say coming with a friend or partner you already have is such a great idea because the memories and moments shared are so so special. It is such a great way to make moments with great friends. Many of the other students on the course came by themselves and had incredible times and we’re actually still in touch with basically everybody else from the course … I can’t really think of anybody Iguana Abroad wouldn’t work really well for.

Iguana Abroad is the key to learning Spanish in my opinion. I have tried for many years to really get good but have never reached the levels that I really wanted to … at least until I did Iguana Abroad!! For me, language apps, online courses, even online classes have always left me feeling like I still don’t really know what I am doing in actual, real life experiences, but that’s what this course totally changed for me. The huge amount of genuine interactions and memories together with the really good classroom lessons were totally priceless to me and how I learn… and there is such an individual focus to each student as well I’d say, and how each individual learns - starting way before the course even begins, doing an online “Needs Analysis Session” with one if Iguana Abroad’s teachers, and receiving a report to help you prepare for the course and get the most out of it. No doubt the best language course there is.

This course was an absolute game-changer!!! Literally from day one, the focus on practical, real-life Spanish made every class engaging and immediately useful. I felt like the lessons (on the beautiful school campus!) were really cleverly designed to push you just enough out of your comfort zone, plus the one-on-one attention available all the time ensures you never feel lost. Beyond the classroom, the cultural experiences— just wow... excursions, local interactions, Mexican culture - the food! - and even simple day-to-day adventures— all of this truly turned learning into something immersive and unforgettable. The team is incredible - as you hear in all the other reviews on here: approachable, knowledgeable, and genuinely so enthusiastic and passionate about helping you improve, making you fall in love with Mexico. I left feeling not only much more confident in Spanish but truly inspired by the culture, the people, and the friendships I made along the way. A few of us even have some plans to meet again in Mexico. If you’re serious about learning Spanish and having a truly incredible experience, this course is unbeatable!

Absolutely wonderful time on the course. Excellently organised down to every detail, nothing had been forgotten, and there is clearly an awful lot of passion apparent throughout the course, right from the Program Directors (Harry and Harry), to the staff and teachers at the school, to the guides, drivers and locals on the excursions. It was a really magical trip, I am so much more confident with my Spanish, and I have lifelong friends that I share some really special memories with. Highly recommended!

If you are looking for an immersion program that’s worth your time and money Iguana Abroad is it!!! The Iguana Abroad program is a labor of love by two BFF’s; both named Harry. They put their heart and soul into ensuring I had the best opportunity to immerse into the Méxican culture. I lived with a local family which was amazing. Iguana Abroad’s partnership with the renowned Universidad International provided classroom instruction with their Professors , a beautiful campus and supportive administrative staff. Our weekly activities and outings made interaction with the community fun and informative. The city of Cuernavaca is truly amazing and the climate was fantastic. I just can’t say enough about the Harrys and Iguana Abroad. If you are thinking about it don’t, just do it!!

What an incredible program that has changed my life !! Iguana abroad is the perfect immersion course from the mid week and weekend field trips , to classes on campus, to real world interactions!! It has truly taught me so much about Mexican culture and traditions as well as insight on my inner workings !! This program challenges you to put your spanish speaking to a test while having one of the greatest experiences of your life !! I highly recommend this program !!! #ThanksToTheHarry’s

I highly recommend Iguana Abroad’s summer immersion program in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Any and all Spanish levels can benefit from the classes, home stay, immersion activities and cultural experiences. The directors of the program, Harry and Harry, provided thoughtful and unique experiences like shopping in the local Mercado and the cooking class afterwards. The town, Cuernavaca, is safe and every person I interacted with was welcoming and friendly. If you are looking to improve your Spanish and learn more about the Mexican culture then definitely check out this program!

I participated in the summer program in Cuernavaca, Morelos with Iguana Abroad for two weeks. The whole experience was amazing! In the time I was there, we had so many great adventures and opportunities to explore the Mexican culture, speak Spanish with natives, cook and eat authentic Mexican food, and more! Every excursion with our group was well-organized and very safe. The Spanish language classes and the school were top-notch, and I felt empowered by the end of the trip; it was hard to leave, and I will definitely be back! I would recommend Iguana Abroad's program to anyone looking for an opportunity to immerse themselves in Mexican culture with an authentic study abroad experience and meet new friends along the way!

With only one week to travel, I chose Iguana Abroad for an immersive jump start to my Spanish conversation skills as well as a first experience of Mexican culture. The program met and exceeded all of my expectations. The program directors and teachers at the language school worked to understand my goals and interests and offered a week filled with amazing hands-on experiences (salsa and cooking classes highly recommended!) and opportunities to meet and converse with fascinating people. I have returned home with a deeper understanding of a beautiful country that has so much to offer a curious traveler. As a woman traveling alone, I felt comfortable and safe at all times, with just the right combination of organized events and time to explore the city on my own. I would highly recommend this very personalized experience!

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.