Month in Guatemala

So, after months and months of hating my job, I finally bought a plane ticket to spend January in Guatemala and CA learning Spanish, traveling, and decompressing.

Been to CA for a brief visit earlier this year (Belize and Guatemala), so looking for suggestions of language schools and places to see.

Other than apparently scuba diving...what do you like to do? With only one month and part of that??? in school, you only have time for one country. Sounds like Guat. is it. Antigua has the top rated schools in the country. Tecun Uman, Ixchel, La Union, Sevilla.... any would be good. So much depends on the teacher...and how the two of you interact. Suggest you wait until you get there to enroll. Give yourself at least a day or two to check out the schools. Don't pay for more than a week at a time. What did you see the first time that you liked? Doesn't hurt to go back. Some of us have been doing that for years. What is your budget like?

I highly recommend the Cooperativa school in San Pedro La Laguna. My friend and I both had excellent teachers and homestays and the other students seemed equally pleased. It's cheaper than most of the Antigua schools and the town is a better immersion environment. San Pedro has a reputation as a hang-up for druggies but we really didn't run into that element except in the area right around the Pana dock which we easily avoided. The school grounds are gorgeous and I enjoyed the activities and visiting other villages on the lake.

I also had a fabulous teacher at the school in Nebaj and the community is fascinating. The homestays were a bit rougher and my friend's teacher wasn't great, so I can only strongly recommend that school if you don't mind really rustic living and if you can request Pedro Ramírez Cobo for a teacher.

My photos are linked below if you're interested. Keep us posted!

Not sure what you mean by Antigua having the "top rated schools in the country", Bob... rated by whom?

Lots of good schools in Xela, it tends to be slightly cheaper than Antigua, and has fewer tourists (though yes, there are still plenty, but as in San Pedro they're easy to avoid).

By review posted here by hundreds of students, by reviews posted on the websites that review language schools.

For Antigua I rate "La Union" language school (been there twice! Last time was for month and a half!) La Union Website

Very friendly and professional, but there are heaps, just have to find one that suits you.

But for better immersion I agree that Xela Ju (Quetzaltenango) is very good, as more out of the way and lower student population making you use your Spanish more! Less out and out touristy. Also you can try Quiche language classes too :)