San Juan Spanish School

I stayed for 1 month in the AirBnB of the school and took 1 week of Spanish classes.

I really loved it. The place is beautiful! I was extra lucky, because my room had a beautiful view of the garden AND the Indian Nose! Everything was clean and felt really welcoming and peaceful. I work remotely. It's a comfortable and relaxed place to work. There are hammocks in the garden to relax and everyday there is free coffee.

The cat Rey is really sweet as well.

They organise multiple activities a week (many even for free). For example: we went to a weaving place where they make the traditional clothing. Fun way to practice Spanish as well and to connect with other people.

Eligio (the owner) and Luis (who works in the school) are both so warm and kind. They are always up for a chat. I will miss them!

I also really loved the private Spanish classes in the garden. I already spoke some Spanish. But I improved a lot in one week. My teacher, Raul, was super nice and a good teacher. The classes were fun and diverse. Afterwards he even gave me extra exercises and recommendations for books, so I can keep on practicing on my own.

If I'm back at Lake Atitlan I would definitely stay at San Juan Spanish School again!

I did not stay on site but one of the instructors, Lidia came to my yoga retreat 5 days a week for two weeks teaching me Spanish. I cannot rave enough about the classes I had and how quickly I went from not speaking a word to being able to have small conversations and negotiations with vendors. Lidia is an AMAZING teacher that I cannot highly recommend enough! Not only is she an incredible teacher but was also a wonderful guide to local hot spots in Lake Atitlan. If you are looking for a place to learn Spanish...look no further!

I went to the school to look for room for rent, but when I found out the Spanish class was 1 on 1 and the garden was so lovely, I decided to sign up for 4 weeks of class. It can not be more pleased with my decision. I went from only able to order food in a restaurant to having 2 hour conversations in just a few weeks. I never knew that leaning language could be so much of fun. I always thought that I had no talent in language, but now I understand that a good teacher and good teaching method make all the difference. Thanks to my teacher Katy. You are the best!

I was able to take last minute Spanish lessons and I am so glad I did. My teacher Andrea was very patient with me. I learned so much in a short amount of time. The setting was so nice and peaceful. I would highly recommend taking classes here.

I had the most incredible week at San Juan Spanish School! I learnt more in one week there than I have in the past year of online Spanish lessons. It was such a lovely environment to learn in, being outdoors amongst the banana trees and walking around town with my teacher to practice conversation. My teacher Raulito was not only a lovely guy but an amazing teacher, and Eligio made me feel so welcomed and went to every effort to ensure all the students had the best cultural and learning experience. I wish I could have stayed longer!

It's an amazing place to learn Spanish!
I had one and a half weeks of spanish classes with Julia, and I am now able to have good conversation.
The lessons are well prepared and intense, giving you a lot of different tasks to work on - even after I finish my stay there.
I've stayed in a homestay family and really enjoyed the experience. The only "downside" is that my family mainly spoke Tz'utujil, which made it quite hard to join the conversation. Besides that, the time at the family was super interesting, and I learned a lot about their day-to-day routines and traditions.
The school itself is gorgeous - a green oasis in the middle of San Juan - and it's great to learn Spanish in such an environment. Definitely recommend learning spanish here!

Would highly recommend studying at San Juan Spanish school and doing a homestay. The learning environment was fab, in a gorgeous garden. Lourdes was a great teacher - so patient - my Spanish improved a lot in just 1 week! The homestay was amazing too, Raquel and her family were so accommodating and cooked delicious food.
Eligio coordinated everything for the lessons, homestay and activities seamlessly.

I had the best week learning spanish at San Juan Spanish School. The lessons are given in a beautiful garden and all the teachers are super friendly and helpful. Josefa was a brilliant teacher and very patient with my very basic understanding of Spanish!

I just had lessons for 3 days (4 hours each day) but I learned a lot and had a great time! The garden in which we learn is beautiful and my teacher Angela was super! Eligio is taking care of everyone and everything and makes you feel home right away. Thanks!

Easily the best thing I've done on my trip so far. My teacher Lourdes and my host family were also amazing. Would definitely recommend.

I would highly recommend studying at the San Juan Spanish School, not only for the lessons, which are excellent, but for the tranquil setting they have created to study in. You sit shaded in open air huts working with your teacher for a few hours, then, on your break, you can walk fifty meters to sit on the dock, go get a smoothie or a delicious coffee or something to eat.

I lived with a family here for two weeks, they were kind and accommodating, I even spent Christmas with them. San Juan does not see many tourists which makes it especially nice for a relaxing yet immersive experience.

My teacher, Eligio, is patient and funny, he worked with me to improve my Spanish in a few short weeks from non existent to a functional, basic level of Spanish knowledge. We also went on a hike, he helped with tours and also answered all of my questions about the culture, the town and Guatemala as a whole. He makes learning fun.

I’d highly recommend the school. I did two weeks here, and then continued my studies with the same teacher while living in San Pedro and then San Marcos. You can be flexible with your plan as you go, so if you start to crave a change of scenery, the sister schools are there for you too.

I took a week of Spanish lessons at the San Juan Spanish School. My experience was fantastic. Ani is not only a wonderful teacher but she is a wonderful person too. She is very good at what she does and is good at making learning fun! The setting is in a garden so the setting is beautiful and makes learning very enjoyable as well.

Had an excellent two weeks at San Juan Spanish school. My teacher Raul was patient and helpful and my Spanish has improved so much since learning with him. Eligio is a fantastic host and teacher and offers you a powerful and informative insight into the area. The school itself is a wonderful oasis and every teacher is friendly and supportive. I really enjoyed my time and recommend it to all.

I spent a week at San Juan Spanish School with my teacher Liz. San Juan is an artsy village with beautiful murals all over. The school is set in a peaceful, well-tended garden with shady outdoor classrooms. It’s an inspiring place to study Spanish! Liz was patient and supportive as I worked through tricky grammar and verb tenses. I enjoyed listening to all her stories about life in Guatemala and her family, which greatly improved my listening comprehension skills, vocabulary, and conversational abilities. I feel much more comfortable speaking Spanish after my intensive course here and am so glad I came!

I did 2 weeks of Spanish classes here and absolutely loved it the teachers were amazing at helping me progress with my Spanish and the school itself is lovely and green as well as being nice and quiet space to learn and practice. I also did the Mayan family homestay which is something I would recommend the families are lovely and it’s a great way to get in some extra Spanish practice outside of class, it also gives you the chance to see how the locals really live. If you in Guatemala and on the lake looking to do some Spanish classes I would definitely recommend this school.

I had a fantastic week at San Juan Spanish school. I really recommend to anyone travelling in Lake Atitlan. You can study as you travel around the lake as your teacher will come to San Marcos or San Pedro or San Juan. I chose to stay in San Juan and visit the other villages in my own time. Thelma was a brilliant teacher, she adapted the lesson to suit my level of understanding and I appreciated that. Eligio and his family were fantastic hosts, so kind and helpful and I will definitely be back when I’m in Guatemala.

I spent a week doing classes here with Ani, and I can highly highly recommend the school to anyone looking for quality Spanish lessons in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The classes were fun, informative and well structured - Ani focused on areas of Spanish that I needed more clarity on and I definitely feel more confident about it as a result. In addition to taking classes, I stayed in one of the rooms they have for accommodation which was super comfortable, relaxing and convenient. Truly a gem of a place, and the coordinator Eligio was an absolute pleasure to be around!

I had an amazing experience taking 1-on-1 private classes for a week in San Juan. My teacher, Thelma, was really great and explained everything clearly. This was my first time taking Spanish and I learned so much!

The school itself is surrounded by greenery and banana trees. It was lovely to be outside in the garden taking the classes.

Highly recommend and great prices!

i studied in both the San Juan & San Pedro schools for 2 weeks with Ani who was a fantastic teacher. The garden in San Juan is such a lovely place to learn and hang out, and Eligio is so friendly and helpful. Being able to get one to one for this time has helped me so much and I got on so well with my teacher - we laughed and had so much conversation about life. There were also opportunities to go on activities together such as to the Cacao cooperative, so I could improve my listening skills.
I highly recommend this school and hope to be back!

Loved taking my classes there! The place is a colored garden where you can learn outside within a beautiful setting. My teacher was wonderful, she adapted to my level, rythme and needs. Eligio the school coordinator welcomed me on the first day and was always here to help if anything. I would definitely recommend anyone going!