study spanish in nicaragua

Nicaragua, nestled snugly in Central America between Honduras and Costa Rica is not the Nicaragua of your parents generation. Long gone are the right-wing Sandinista’s and now in place is a full fledged Democracy and many Spanish immersion programs in cities such as Granada, León, San Juan del Sur, and Managua.

In terms of beauty, Nicaragua is not lacking in any respect, with the colonial charm of Granada, Conception Volcano and it’s sisters volcanoes, Lake Nicaragua, the beaches of the Caribbean and Pacific side, plus jungles, cloud forests, lakes, and valleys, it;s no mistake how this country is booming in tourism and Spanish immersion schools.

Getting There: Most flights land in Managua International Airport (MGA). Lonely Planet says the following: Nicaragua is accessible via two international airports and six major border crossings (and two sketchy ones) with Honduras and Costa Rica. International buses and flights leave Managua several times daily for El Salvador.

Accent:  Spanish is the official language, do not expect to find many English spoken outside of the larger and more expensive hotels. Creole, English and indigenous languages are spoken along the Caribbean coast. Nicaraguans tend to leave out the s at the end of Spanish words. This, however, varies on a regional basis. “Vos” is often used instead of “tu”. However, “tu” is understood by native Nicaraguans. [wiki]

Currency: $1 USD to 21 Cordobas; US dollar widely used

Price ranges from $150-280 a week and include the following:

  • 20 + hours of private Spanish classes a week (I have noted where groups rates were listed)
  • 7 days accommodation at host family
  • 6 days of meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner). No meals on Sunday. *Some families offer only 2 meals per day
  • free/reduced price excursions with schools
  • Registration fees are not included in the prices and can range another  $50-$75

Popular Cities of Spanish Study:

  • Granada~ Cultural capital of Nicaragua; feel of Antigua, Guatemala
  • León~ Former capital and religious center of Nicaragua
  • San Juan del Sur~ Lovely beach location on Pacific side
  • Managua~ Capital of Nicaragua and dubbed the ‘Venice’ of Central America


Accommodation: Rates go from $15 for a private room in Managua to as low as $6 in Leon. San Juan del Sur can be had for $10 a night and Granada about $8. The higher your taste levels go so do the prices.

Violent crime is low but be aware of standard travel warnings and pick pockets