Spanish School Antigua Guatemala - Spanish Academy Ciudad Vieja

Ciudad Vieja, as a former Capital of Guatemala has more options for Spanish immersion with less English influence than Antigua. However, Antigua is our main site for cultural and distraction activities.

History of Old City

Originally, Ciudad Vieja was a neighborhood where the Tlaxcalans lived. It is said that the settlers were Tlascala descendants who accompanied Don Pedro de Alvarado upon his arrival in 1524

They seatled where San Miguel Escobar is today. But, due to the natural phenomena of the Agua Volcano and its constant destruction of the city, they found it necessary to move to a safer space., where Antigua Guatemala is nowadays.

Many visitors who come to Antigua Guatemala for the first time feel like they are entering to a different world. Cobblestone streets, colonial-style houses with no more than two stories, monuments from days gone by, no neon signs, not even traffic lights.

History is present everywhere and visitors get an unforgettable impression of what life must have been like when Antigua was the capital of Central America more than two centuries ago, and now known as   

a UNESCO World Heritage site.

After the damaged of the earthquake of 1773, many buildings in Antigua, formerly the capital of Guatemala was moved to present Guatemala City. Antigua was largely abandoned and time seemed to stand still until it was rediscovered in the early 20th century. 

Due to its location in the Central Highlands of Guatemala, only about 45 km (28 miles) from Guatemala City, Antigua also is an ideal location to start exploring the rest of the country. Regular bus service departs to all places of interest make traveling to and from Antigua Guatemala easy and convenient.

Antigua Guatemala is more than just another place in Latin America where you can study Spanish or to have fun! Antigua is a charming and quiet colonial town full of friendly and helpful people, where you can relax from the stressful activities from your daily life, escape from the cold or heat of weather, and recharge your batteries for another year, or another few months of your life, before you plan for another experience to travel abroad.

 I had one-week wonderful classes with Amanda. She is well versed in Kachiquel and Mayan cultures, especially those of traditional clothes and its patterns. I learned the history of Guatemala and how Mayans were repressed on the local civil war. We also talked about the traditional Mayan stories and the worldview behind them. I started reading Menchu’s book to know more about the civil war and how it impacted the indigenous communities. It was not only a Spanish class but also a class that gave me a deeper understanding of the indigenous cultures here. I highly recommend the Spanish Academy Ciudad Vieja if you are interested in indigenous cultures, Mayan rituals and stories.  

After the damaged of the earthquake of 1773, many buildings in Antigua, formerly the capital of Guatemala was moved to present Guatemala City. Antigua was largely abandoned and time seemed to stand still until it was rediscovered in the early 20th century. 

Due to its location in the Central Highlands of Guatemala, only about 45 km (28 miles) from Guatemala City, Antigua also is an ideal location to start exploring  the rest of the country. Regular bus service to all places of interest make traveling to and from Antigua Guatemala easy and convenient.

 I attended classes at this Spanish Language School in Guatemala in April 2011. It was a mind blowing experience. The school treated me like part of the family. Señora Olga who was my instructor was excellent. The Spanish Academy itself is wonderful. I felt completely safe and at home there. I learned more Spanish than I thought I would in short time I was there. I would suggest anyone who has a chance to study at The Spanish Academy Ciudad Vieja to do it, it will be one of the best decisions you will make, as it was for me, I will never forget this experience.