Attending a Spanish School in San Pedro is by far one of the most-sought after experiences in Lake Atitlán. It's so good that many travelers end up staying here for months.
In this post, my travel partner gives a full account of how and why she chose her Spanish School - Maya Magic Spanish School in San Pedro La Laguna.
Maya Magic Spanish School
- Location
- San Pedro La Laguna
- Distance
- 15 mins from town center
- Cost
- Q60 per hour
- Spanish Lessons
- One-on-one, tailored and online
- Extra Services
- Homestay options and cultural experiences
Why I Chose Guatemala To Learn Spanish
Having traveled to Mexico and Cuba, I've found it very difficult to understand because pronunciation felt like a very strong accent, too fast or hard to understand. But... as soon as I came to Guatemala, people started speaking slowly and clearly.
Guatemala stood out right away because of this. I was excited to start the hunt for a Spanish School.
Is Antigua A Good Place To Learn Spanish?
One of my first stops in Guatemala was Antigua. I visited a few Spanish Schools here and while the town is very stylish with lots of cafés & restaurants, it didn't feel like a place that fits my travel style long-term. Antigua felt touristy and relatively expensive for long term stay.
The truth is that many schools seemed to focus on presentation rather than teaching style.
I also had to cut my search short in Antigua because I got salmonella. My next stop was Lake Atitlán to recover since I had a friend at San Pedro.
Choosing San Pedro To Study Spanish
After arriving Lake Atitlán, I stayed at San Pedro with my friend and was immediately hooked with the beautiful lake views while walking the streets. San Pedro had the perfect balance of affordability and authenticity.
In San Pedro, there are two main types of schools:
- Famous Schools with front-side lake views
- Schools offering package deals: dance classes, cooking classes and Temazcal ceremonies
Sadly, I didn't feel a connection with the teachers at these two types of schools. Then I found Maya Magic School while searching online and decided to visit.
Why I Chose Maya Magic Spanish School
Unlike other schools, Maya Magic Spanish School is not located in the center of town. It's a 15-20 minute walk from the center. This might seem like a major downside but the pros of being further in nature means no noise from tuk tuks and instead I can listen to the birds chirping in the trees.
What impacted my decision the most was when I first met Maria, the owner and my new teacher. Rather than packages, Maria emphasized her 23 years of experience and a focus on what mattered the most to me — being able to converse in Spanish confidently after I finish school.
Her passion convinced me I’d genuinely learn here.
If I study here, I’ll actually learn.
1. Understanding of my Motivation
Maria actually took the time to ask me about my goals. Why do I want to speak Spanish?. My backpacking style revolves around cultural exchange, and language is essential to that.
I want to share experiences with local people — not just visit famous landmarks. Speaking with locals, learning their culture, using public transportation, and negotiating prices is why I want to learn Spanish. Maria truly understood my why for learning Spanish.
2. Flexible & Personalized Classes
Most schools had fixed schedules like four-hour-a-day classes for five days a week which felt too rigid. Other classes felt like they were merely trying to sell big packages.
Maya Magic School was student-centered and very flexible which I loved. I wanted to study for a longer period of time and Maria was able to accommodate me. In the end I decided on classes three times a week and I did this for over a month in total.
Maria’s English made learning faster and less frustrating — something other schools lacked. In fact, other schools I visited had teachers who spoke Spanish only and they justified it by saying you should study in Spanish to learn Spanish. As a beginner, I found that approach ineffective.
3. Real Guatemalan Experience
One of the highlights of the week was walking to class and passing through the local market in the town center. I often stopped by local veggie shops, and when it rained, Maria’s husband — a tuk tuk driver — gave me rides.
I was treated like family and not just a student. Being able to hold conversations with them also made me extremely happy. This was exactly what I signed up for!
4. Supporting Locals Directly
While most Spanish Schools seemed overly commercialized and almost like an all-inclusive hotel experience catered for rich tourists, Maria's school was quite the opposite. She is the main Spanish teacher and owner of the school so everything goes directly to her family and to the local community.
5. Learning in Nature
The short hike to the open-air classroom, filled with birdsong and lake views, made learning a joy. I could see hummingbirds throughout the day and hear birds chirping. That beats hearing tuk tuk traffic and noisy people on the streets.
Homestay Options
If you'd like an immersive experience, Maria's school offers homestays. For solo travelers, this might be an attractive option since you can practice what you learn in class with your host family.
All three meals are included which are local dishes. And you get to learn even more about the culture.
Final Thoughts: My Honest Review of Maya Magic School
This might seem surprising but after the fifth week of class, I was able to not only order in restaurants but also ask questions, talk to locals, and do it all with confidence.
Speaking Spanish helped me negotiate better deals and navigate local life confidently. And this permanent skill will stay with me while I continue traveling more Spanish-speaking countries.
If you’re a traveler seeking meaningful connection, Maya Magic offers one-on-one lessons, flexibility, and a true local experience — highly recommended.
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