Lake Atitlan not only is a must see destination while in Guatemala, it is the cheapest place I have ever encountered to study Spanish in the world! Less than $100 a week!!! The small town of San Pedro boasts a wide array of cheap but good schools for any traveler. It’s no wonder that Adolphus Huxley called Atitlan the most beautiful in the world!
Getting There: Fly into Guatemala City. Arrange for private transportation to Lake Atitlan or take cheaper camioneta (chicken bus). One of the most popular cities on the lake is Panajachel, San Pedro is 20 minutes via water taxi across the lake ($5).
Accent: Clean, slow Spanish; great for beginners
- 20 hours of private Spanish classes a week
- 7 days accommodation at either host family
- 6 days of meals (if you opted for host family option)
- free/reduced price excursions with Spanish School
San Pedro Spanish Schools:
- Casa Rosario ~ $80 per week (Spanish + dorm) or $115 per week (Spanish + home stay)
- San Pedro Spanish School ~ $160 per week (Spanish + home stay)
- Cooperative Spanish School~ $150 per week (Spanish + home stay)
- View from hostel in San Pedro
Accommodation: Private hotel rooms run anywhere from $5 a night to $40, depending on your level of comfort. Don’t expect more than bed, sheets, and working toilet at the less than $10 a night places.
Navigation: The heart of San Pedro rests up a steep hill from the arrival dock. There is a daily market where local Indian women come and sell fruits,vegetables, tamales, you name it. Lunch could cost you less than $2.
Safety: Relatively safe city, but as anywhere foreign, stay alert. Biggest crime might be getting overcharged for lake taxi.
More articles about Guatemala can be found here: The Big Fat World
