Q: Do I need a visa for Guatemala?
A: Citizens of the United States and most Europeans automatically receive a 90 day tourist visa when entering the country, which can be extended once for another 90 days at the Tourist Board of Guatemala (INGUAT). However, we recommend you always check at the time of booking your flights with your local embassy or consulate.
Q: How long will it be before I can speak Spanish?
A: If you start as a complete beginner after 1 week you will normally be able to introduce yourself, ask basic questions of directions and tell time/days of the week. After 3-4 weeks you regularly will be able to have a more fluent conversation in present and past tense and make yourself generally understood, even though you may have to ask a person to repeat a question and to think over your answers. Studying for 5 weeks and more will allow you a gradually firmer grasp of the language to a point where you may be able to discuss certain topics, use several tenses somewhat accurately and get jokes. 3 months of serious studying should bring you to a level of near-fluency.
Remember that it depends a lot on how seriously you take your studies and how much you practice social conversation outside the school as well. We highly recommend volunteering as part of your program, as not only a very appreciated contribution to the Guatemalan society, but also a way of getting a natural way to practice Spanish in real-life situations.
Q: What is the minimum age to enroll in the programs?
A: We ask that our participants are over 18, or else that their legal guardian writes a letter of consent. However, no person under 16 years will be accepted into any program unless accompanied by an adult.
Q: What is included in the Program Price?
A: The specific amount of hours and details are listed in the Program Price List. Always in included are the following: airport pick-up to take you to your host family or hotel in Antigua, in host families you receive 3 meals per day except Sundays and bed linen at the homestay. Upon arrival you receive an envelope from your driver containing some detailed information about Antigua Guatemala and the school as well as a map and and a placement exam. On the first day (Monday) there is an Orientation Talk where all is explained, our activity program is presented and you have time to ask any question you may have. The same day we take you on an Orientation Tour of Antigua. All the teaching materials are included.
Q: What is NOT included in the Program Price?
A: The total cost is made up by the Program Cost + Registration Fee of $20. Not included are airfare to get to Guatemala, visas, departure taxes and smaller out-of-pocket expenses for bus fare, entrance fees, laundry etc. Meals on Sunday and towels at the homestay. Tours within Guatemala are priced separately.
Q: Can I change from Group Classes to Private Classes if I find it suits me better? A: If you are unsure of which to reserve we recommend you book Group Classes and then up-grade to Private Classes on-site. The cost for the up-grade is currently $65 per week.
Q: What if there is nobody else at my Group Level?
A: This does usually not happen, but if it does we will substitute your 4 hours of Group Classes for 3 hours of Private Classes, which is the equivalent of how much you cover and the attention you receive during the Group Classes. When there is another student at your level you will automatically go back to Group Classes.
Q: What should I pack?
A: We recommend that you travel with a larger suitcase or back-pack, as well as a smaller day-pack for shorter excursions. As the climate is very varied throughout Guatemala you should bring both trousers and long-sleeved sweaters, a light jacket, as well as shorts/skirts and tops. Comfortable walking shoes, sandals and perhaps something a little dressier for going out at night is good. Swimwear for the beach and a towel (not provided at the homestays). Sunglasses, a hat and a money belt are sure bets when traveling.
Q: Is it safe to come to Antigua and Guatemala?
A: This is a question we get frequently, and we understand the concern: being far away it may seem scary no to know exactly what is going on in little-known countries and how to interpret what one hears about Guatemala.
Violent crime is a concern in Guatemala, as well as in many other countries, both poorer and richer, and you should of course always be careful, especially when it is a new place that you do not know very well and you may not speak the language. However, crime is really quite concentrated to certain areas to which we do not go as part of our Spanish Programs and most tourists never find themselves anywhere near them. Gangs generally operate in parts of Guatemala City and the Escuintla area, where mainly Guatemalans live. As for crime targeting tourists, yes, there have been incidents, but it is mostly robbery or pick-pocketing. The few incidents involving violence are very regrettable, but we feel that it can be just as dangerous to get lost in Amsterdam, Madrid, Washington or any other major city as here. The town of Antigua in itself is very quiet and the safest place many of us have ever lived in.
Female travellers: Violence against women is sadly, in Guatemala as in any other country in the world, committed in over 90% of the cases by a close family member, ex-husbands and boyfriends. As a foreigner in Guatemala and at other tourist destinations, you should be careful of fellow travellers, local friends or friends-of-friends. It is when women trust men around them that they are most vulnerable. Attacks by complete strangers are much more uncommon than many think. These statistics are valid at home, in European countries and in the United States, too.
We always recommend worried students or parents to look at statistics in your own country to have something to compare with, which at least gives you some back-ground to numbers you may hear about. We can say that we don’t think and certainly don’t hope that anything bad will happen, but ultimately it has to be your own decision - you have to feel comfortable and and be able to enjoy your time.
We always start your program with an orientation session, in which we advice our students exactly how to think about safety. If you have any concerns or questions about anything at all, please let us know. We will be more than happy to answer them as detailed as possible, to help you prepare for your trip.