Payments and Money
Should I bring cash, traveler's checks, or credit card?
Do you accept credit cards at school?
Does the school charge a service fee for credit card or bank
transfer payments?
Do I have to pay for lessons and lodging before I come to Guatemala?
How does Pay Pal work?
Is there a registration fee?
How do I make a deposit?
If something happens and I can't continue my lessons, can I get a refund?
Is there a cancellation fee?
Can I apply a grant I have for study?
Lodging
What kind of lodging do you offer?
How far is the lodging from the school? From the town center?
How are home stay families selected?
Do the families have children?
If I take the home stay option, can I get a private bath?
If I do not want meals on certain days, can I pay less?
Do you have babysitting services?
Is staying with a family safe? What about the food?
Can I get a discount if I share a room with a friend or my child?
Can I receive telephone calls at the family?
Is there a telephone at the home stays that I can use?
Can I find out my home stay address before arrival?
How many students stay in one house?
Can I bring gifts for my home stay family?
School
Is the school accredited?
What is the average student like?
When should I make a reservation?
How do I make a reservation?
Do you have group classes as well as individual lessons?
Do the teachers speak English?
What does the typical study plan look like?
What nationalities are your students?
How many students do you have at one time?
How many students do you have now?
What makes your school different from all the others?
Are you associated with any universities in the USA?
Do you issue certificates or transcripts?
Lessons
When can I start lessons?
How can I start thinking in Spanish?
What is the average length of study?
Is there homework?
How do you correct pronunciation?
What do you focus on in the lessons?
On which holidays is the school closed, and are lessons made up?
Do you have classes for children?
Which textbooks does the school use?
Will my university accept the academic credits from Universidad Rural?
Are the credits general, or can I take specific classes?
I have a young child. Can I bring them? What activities do you offer
for children?
I learned a little Spanish before but have not had much practice with it
- which level am I? A beginner or false beginner?
My friend and I are at different ability levels of speaking Spanish.
Can we still study together in pair lessons?
Travel
I am thinking about driving. How much is it for gasoline in the region?
I am coming by bus. How do I reach the school from bus station?
What are the prices for travel to local areas of interest within Guatemala?
What is there to do in Guatemala?
Can I go to Tikal? How do I arrange a trip?
Which airlines go to Guatemala? Which airport do I fly into?
How do I get from Belize City to Antigua?
Planning
What should I bring with me?
What is the weather like?
What inoculations do I need?
Can I find work?
Do I need a visa?
Should I get international health insurance?
Miscellaneous
What kind of Internet services do you offer?
What is the electric voltage in Guatemala?
Are activities included in the tuition cost?
Can you supply references from former students?
Is Antigua safe?
Is Guatemala safe for female travelers?
I am coming to Guatemala to volunteer. Can you help with lodging?
Are there a lot of tourists in Antigua? Is it hard to learn Spanish there?
How much Internet is for free?
Can my son/mother/uncle/etc. (not a student) go on the school
activities with me?
What is there to do in Antigua? What about the nightlife?
What volunteer opportunities do you have?
Payments and Money
Should I bring cash, traveler's checks, or credit card?
We suggest that students bring bankcards (whether personal or credit) and withdraw money from local bankomats (ATMs), or bring travelers checks in US dollar denominations, issued by American Express only. These are the safest ways, and some banks in Antigua do not charge commission for exchanging travelers’ checks. Although you should bring some cash with you, and theft in Antigua is rare, you should avoid traveling with an excessive amount. Please note that some students have stated difficulty in withdrawing more than $200.00 per day at the Bankomats (ATM) in Guatemala! Therefore, if staying for an extended period of time, please consider paying in advance, by bank transfer or Pay Pal, or bring an extra credit/debit card with you.
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Do you accept credit cards at school?
We do not accept credit cards at the school, as we use the Pay Pal system and we like to ensure that payment goes through before a student arrives to avoid any potential problems. Please note that some students have stated difficulty in withdrawing more than $200.00 per day at the Bankomats (ATM) in Guatemala! Therefore, if staying for an extended period of time, please consider paying in advance, by bank transfer or Pay Pal, or bring an extra credit/debit card with you.
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Does the school charge a service fee for credit card or bank transfer payments?
Yes. In Guatemala, credit card transactions incur an extra fee, sometimes as much as 12%, and large payments sometimes run into difficulties. Usually schools that accept credit card payments tack on this extra fee, sometimes without informing their students. Our students may safely make a payment with their credit card using the PayPal® system for only a 3% surcharge. Once a reservation is received requesting credit card or bank transfer payment, we calculate the total and send a request for payment, which is an email from PayPal® containing a link. Simply click on the link in the email message, add the credit card information, and send. It’s that easy. Pay Pal requests will come from and payments sent should go to payments@spanishinantigua.com
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Do I have to pay for lessons and lodging before I come to Guatemala?
No, definitely not! There is neither a need to pay before you arrive, nor a registration fee. Please note, however, that credit card payments and wire (bank) transfers MUST be made two weeks prior to the start of lessons or lodging due to processing times and possible email delays. See our General Terms and Conditions for further information regarding payment.
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How does Pay Pal work?
How it works is once we have all of the reservation details finalized, we send a request for payment. Pay Pal then sends you an email with the request, and provides detailed instructions how to either create an account, whereupon you may pay by credit card or transfer the funds from a bank account, or simply enter your credit card information. We prefer this method as this is secure, and the only entity that sees the financial information is Pay Pal (i.e. a student cannot see our deposits/payments and we cannot see the student’s credit card/bank information). Pay Pal payments must be received at least two weeks prior to arrival.
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Is there a registration fee?
No, there is never a registration fee. For beginners’ group lessons and group semester programs, a small deposit is required as these programs depend on a certain number of attendees. Also, there is a $100.00 deposit (to be paid by Pay Pal or bank transfer, subject to surcharges) for any apartment deposit and for certain special programs (e.g. All-inclusive).
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How do I make a deposit?
For deposits, we only accept credit card and bank transfer payments. Payments made via Pay Pal is preferable, as it is easier to deal with, plus it avoids bank exchange fees. In the case of postponement due to illness, etc. we hold your deposit until a future date (i.e. you do not lose it, and can apply it to future study).
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If something happens and I can't continue my lessons, can I get a refund?
Unlike most other schools, we offer a refund within the first three days for any classes not taken. This gives you the option of withdrawing if you are not satisfied with the results. Even past the first three days a refund may be given. In most cases payments may be applied towards future study, within one year of original reservation. Please see our General Terms and
Conditions for more information.
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Is there a cancellation fee?
You may cancel your reservation within three days after scheduled arrival without penalty, less any possible bank transfer/Pay Pal fees. During this time, there is only a $50 administrative fee, deducted from the amount to be refunded. Deposits for group classes and apartments usually cannot be refunded.
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Can I apply a grant I have for study?
Any details about grants and their applicability to CLI would need to be verified with the donor. We are a private school, not a university, so it is advisable that students check with whomever is providing the grant as to where they can use it. If necessary, we can provide copies of our certification from the Ministry of Education, the tourist commission INGUAT, and association with Universidad Rural.
There should be stipulations attached to the grant, which are clear and easy to follow. In many cases, even if a grant is not applicable specifically to language study, it could be applied as a part of a total program. For example, a grant covering helping the children of Central America could mean the grant would cover incidentals leading up to this action: travel costs, languages study, etc.
CLI is not a US Title IV school.
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Lodging
What kind of lodging do you offer?
We are a full-service learning facility and as such are able to offer a wide range of lodging choices, including rooms and apartments right at the school. You can find details on all the various options on our web site under the Lodging link.
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How far is the lodging from the school? From the town center?
All school-sponsored lodging is very close to both the school and town center, usually with a 5 to 10-minute walk. The exact center of town is a 10 minute walk from the school. Most other types of lodging are usually the same distance.
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How are home stay families selected?
All of our host families are carefully selected, as we are very particular with whom we work. These families are selected based upon compatibility with the host student(s) and their home’s comfort and cleanliness. Many rooms are private, with shared bath with hot water. The rooms have one or more beds, dresser or shelves, table and chair, and light. Families generally eat their meals with the students. We actually pay a little extra per week to ensure quality and ample meals are offered, yet charge our students the same price as other schools. It is not necessary to pay extra for this quality, as it is our norm. Please note, however, that home stay families are independent contractors, and standards in Guatemala are probably not what you are used to. Although minor quirks should be considered as part of the experience, lodging location may be changed each week if desired, without penalty.
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Do the families have children?
Some do, some do not. With special request, we can arrange lodging with or without children.
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If I take the home stay option, can I get a private bath?
Most home stays are with shared bath, although it is possible to get a private bath if available and for a surcharge. These are extremely limited, so we suggest you make a reservation for one in advance. Upon receiving your reservation, we will inform you if one is not available.
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If I do not want meals on certain days, can I pay less?
The way it works with home stays, the student hostel, and hotels that offer meal plans is that it is either an all or nothing proposition. You can arrange to receive meals each week or not. Quite frequently students miss a meal or even a whole day of meals due to travel for the weekend or the like, but the cost of the meals is not refunded. Meals are about $30 of the weekly price (about $1.30 per meal), so most students always take the meal plan despite the fact that missed meals are not refunded. To stay in a room in a home without meals is $60.00 per week.
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Do you have babysitting services?
We also have babysitting services available for a fee. For those students staying for longer periods of time or who are moving to Guatemala/Central America, we also work with a pre-school, which is right around the corner from our school. Please see our Child_Care section and Pricelist for more information.
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Is staying with a family safe? What about the food?
The homes are all chosen carefully, for cleanliness, comfort, and compatibility. All families are kind and maintain their homes in good order. We make frequent visits to ensure this. Meals are well prepared and purified water is used, as well as peeled fruit.
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Can I get a discount if I share a room with a friend or my child?
Unfortunately, there are no discounts for shared rooms. The cost is the same, whether the two people have two rooms or just one. This is due to the fact that the families set the price, which is already low, as well as the cost for utilities increase with every added person. Furthermore, meals are included with home stays. The only discount offered is if a parent shares a room with his or her child, who is under five years of age. In such a case, the price would be 75% of the normal cost for the child. If coming with another person or in a group, we recommend one of our own apartments or rooms in order to save on lodging costs, as two people can stay for the price of one, and each additional person incurs only a small surcharge.
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Can I receive telephone calls at the family?
Some families do not have telephones. Calls may be received at the school during its open hours, and they may be made from any of the numerous pay phones or Internet cafes. The school will always accept calls of an emergency nature on its mobile, and students are notified immediately in such cases.
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Is there a telephone at the home stays that I can use?
Oftentimes a host family has a phone, but students must make calls from a pay phone, which are easily found. There are also many Internet cafes that offer international phone service for low rates. Sometimes the home stay families allow students to receive phone calls, but not to make them.
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Can I find out my home stay address before arrival?
Just use the school address and phone until arrival. We do not give out the address until then due to family request, because of no shows, excessive calls, safety concerns, etc. However, if you must know your home stay address or contact information, please let us know at least one week prior to your arrival, and the information will be sent to you three days before your date of arrival.
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How many students stay in one house?
Most home stays have 2-3 students staying with them at one time. Student houses have more, generally 3-8. For those wishing it, we can take requests that the student be placed with a family who is not catering to any other students who speak the same language. In addition, we can take requests for being the only student in the house, available for a surcharge. Of course, these may not be available all the time.
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Can I bring gifts for my home stay family?
While gifts are not necessary, something small and indicative of your hometown or home country would be appreciative. Some students bring a few small, inexpensive toys for children. If the family that they are staying with does not have children, they then just donate to a local orphanage. Thanks for being considerate!
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School
Is the school accredited?
The school is recognized and accredited by the Ministry of Education, the tourist commission INGUAT, and Universidad Rural in Guatemala City.
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What is the average student like?
Our students vary between young and middle aged, with a few in their 50's and 60's. They come from all walks of life; flight attendants, pilots, lawyers, students, etc. The average student age is 28, however we have had students from 1 to 75, and it is a good chance one if not several students around your age will be studying at the school during the same period of time as you will be, so it is quite easy to meet new friends.
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When should I make a reservation?
We prefer an advanced reservation, so our teachers have ample preparation time. All of our teachers are highly trained and professional individuals, and although they work for us as a first choice, if we do not have work for them they try to find a temporary placement elsewhere. While we keep some teachers on standby for last minute arrivals, and have always been able to accept latecomers, we do recommend making a reservation. Once you are relatively sure that you would like to attend lessons, it is best to make a reservation and then change the arrival date or cancel later if needed.
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How do I make a reservation?
If you would care to make a reservation, go to our "Reservations" link on our web site and fill in the required information. If you have problems with this, let us know and we can email you a form.
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Do you have group classes as well as individual lessons?
Yes. Generally classes are held for couples or groups of two or more. If private lessons are taken and then some students want to form a class together, we allow this and give a discount off the tuition as well. Beginner’s classes start the first Monday of each month, demand permitting.
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Do the teachers speak English?
Most teachers of Spanish in Antigua do not speak English, but we have some that do. Generally only Spanish is spoken during the lesson, in order to speed up the learning process. If you are interested in other subjects, we can assign a teacher who speaks your native language.
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What does the typical study plan look like?
We do not have a set course description besides that listed on our web page for several reasons, but mainly because we have students of all different levels, who come for varying amounts of time, and who wish to study Spanish for all sorts of reasons. After a placement exam and needs analysis, we create a program of study based on the student's unique, personal needs. We have general one-page brief explanations of material covered for the first through third weeks for those students at the main levels of study - beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
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What nationalities are your students?
Pretty much everything. We have had students from: the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Poland, Czech Republic, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, etc.
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How many students do you have at one time?
It really depends on the season, and can range anywhere between 10 and 100, however 30-40 is a good average. The learning center is quite large with outstanding facilities; however we limit our student enrollment to 100 (this includes lessons at different times of the day, and off-site lessons, so there are never near this many students at any one time at the school) in order to give our students more personalized attention. This ensures you receive the attention that you deserve.
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How many students do you have now?
It depends on what you mean, as some students study afternoons, some mornings, and we could have many register the next day. It really fluctuates. Those that study with us generally stay for longer periods of time. Most students now study for 1 month or longer.
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What makes your school different from all the others?
We are a full-service learning center, with excellent customer service, and the most program and lodging options of all the schools in Antigua. Furthermore, we have our own Internet café with hi-speed and Wi-Fi access, laundry and meal service, and are probably the only school with apartments and rooms right on the school grounds. Our prices are a little below average for top-end schools in Antigua; some schools charge a little less, most charge a lot more. Our prices are extremely reasonable, and on the lower end of the spectrum for the reputable schools in Guatemala. Despite our reasonable prices, we pay our carefully selected teachers about 20% more than the industry average, ensuring academic quality and teacher motivation. What our students also get is personalized attention from start to finish. From quick replies to inquiries, assistance throughout the acclimation process, to your departure, we are there for our students. In addition, we have helped our students find accommodation after their studies were completed, planned biking expeditions, established bank accounts, and assisted with travel arrangements, all at no extra charge. Students are well cared for, from before their arrival, until the completion of their stay with us. In addition, you may look at www.languagecenters.net for information on all of our language schools, and what sets us apart from our competitors.
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Are you associated with any universities in the USA?
We currently have no association with any university in the USA or in Europe. However, we have had many high school and university groups study with us, often coming year after year.
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Do you issue certificates or transcripts?
We issue certificates to those who wish, but not transcripts. This is because all academic credit is verified though the local university. The transcripts would come from this university, not us. This is a government-approved university, which is required to issue transcripts. Our certificates can state the number of hours studied, and any course content you would like to include.
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Lessons
When can I start lessons?
Lessons can be begun on any day of the week except on Sundays and holidays, although most students prefer to arrive Friday or Saturday, and begin lessons on Monday. However, midweek arrivals are not a problem. Times of study are generally sometime between the hours of 8 a.m. and noon, and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
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How can I start thinking in Spanish?
It is difficult to force someone to start thinking in a target language, but there are techniques that we employ to assist our students. For example, lessons are conducted entirely in the Spanish language in order to avoid the confusion that occurs when two languages are used at the same time. Conversation is highlighted in the lessons, and association is applied to assist in the learning process.
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What is the average length of study?
Our students enjoy a plan of study designed around their schedule and according to their specific learning needs. We also offer specialized programs for those in the medical and legal professions. Typically, our students study 4-6 hours per day, Monday to Friday, for 1-3 months, although student have studied for as short as one week for as long as 20. The number of lessons and length of study program, however, is entirely up to each individual student.
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Is there homework?
There is no assigned homework, as there are many lessons each day so in the evening hours, we give the students a chance to rest and absorb what they have learned for that day. Exercises and practice are provided during the lessons as well. For really motivated students, we can put together challenging work for them to take home. So do not worry about this; nothing is forced!
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How do you correct pronunciation?
For pronunciation correction, repetition can work to a limited extent. Our teachers are experienced at developing a student’s errors into correct pronunciation. In part this is done by pointing out the differences between sounds, giving examples, explaining position of tongue, lips, etc.
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What do you focus on in the lessons?
Of the four main language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), we focus on conversation the most, but the others are covered. We place an emphasis on speaking because many students need this the most, plus reading and writing can be mostly practiced at home and corrected later with the instructor. This maximizes your lesson time with a teacher. Sometimes we have students who are academics or for whatever reason wish to concentrate more on reading or writing. This is possible, as we develop a lesson plan around the learning needs of each student.
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On which holidays is the school closed, and are lessons made up?
For the complete listing of holidays which we are closed, please view our policy in the Terms_and_Conditions. Students will be asked to pay an additional $3.00 per hour for their lessons given before or on holidays.
Do you have classes for children?
Yes. We have teachers that specialize in teaching children, and the prices are the same as for adults. For parent/child study opportunities, please see our Learn Together program. For child care, please see the information under our Child Carelink.
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Which textbooks does the school use?
Our focus is on communication, hence the lack of a standard textbook. You can only learn so much from a book, and with language the most important thing is to start speaking. We realize that some students are visual learners, and prefer to use such a book. We therefore allow each teacher to use his or her own course book. Also, rather than force a certain text on a student, we suggest that if he or she wishes to use a certain book that they go with their teacher to borrow or purchase a textbook, suitable to their level and interest. We also have our own textbooks, created and edited by CLI staff, for our students to use in their lessons.
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Will my university accept the academic credits from Universidad Rural?
Many universities – including in the USA – have accepted credits, but ultimately it is up to each university to decide whether to accept the credit issued by Universidad Rural. We do know that almost all schools that issue credits only work with this university. You need to take a minimum of 50 hours of instruction to qualify to take the exam.
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Are the credits general, or can I take specific classes?
The academic credits are all general. What happens is that after 50 hours of study a student is eligible to take the university exam. The exams are for a minimum of 2 credits. Although these credits are general, we can structure your course around a specific topic or topics, and issue you a certificate after 50 hours of completion. Some examples would be: Legal Terminology Spanish, Medical Spanish, Latin American Literature, Mayan Studies, etc.
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I have a young child. Can I bring them? What activities do you offer for children?
Yes! Children are welcome at our school. Most of our lodging options will accept children and our Learn Together program allows parents to study Spanish with their children. Also, children under 5 receive a 25% discount on their lodging. CLI Guatemala also offers babysitting services for parents who are our students. Please review our prices for babysitting and our Learn Together program on our Prices and Special_Programs pages. In addition to special teaching and babysitting programs, your children can accompany you on activities, although there may be some which are unsuitable or uncomfortable for small children. For those in the Learn Together program, we have special activities for children. If you would like more information, please enquire at the office or at
info@spanishcontact.com regarding programs for children.
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I learned a little Spanish before but have not had much practice with it - which level am I? A beginner or false beginner?
Generally, a student’s level depends on many factors – including how much previous practice and studying that have had in the language. Specifically a “beginner” is a person who has no knowledge of Spanish, or who may know basic words such as “hola” or “como estas” but they do not know how to form any sentences. A “false beginner” is a person who can form their own short sentences, but perhaps not very well, or someone who can form short sentences (or perhaps only phrases) in only the present and past simple tenses. Whether a student writes that they are a beginner or false beginner, it does not matter so much, as the teacher spends the first hour or so of the first lesson assessing the student’s individual needs.
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My friend and I are at different ability levels of speaking Spanish. Can we still study together in pair lessons?
Studying together, even though you are at different levels, is really your choice. We generally recommend that people who are at different levels should not study together. However, if you feel your levels are close enough and the two of you are comfortable studying at the same level, then you should try it. You should know, however, the teacher will teach material at the level of the lower student – so both students will understand.
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Travel
I am thinking about driving. How much is it for gasoline in the region?
Prices fluctuate, but generally they are as follows:
Guatemala: about 80 cents / liter
Honduras: about 90 cents / liter
Mexico: about $1.15 / liter
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I am coming by bus. How do I reach the school from bus station?
The best way to find the school is to view and print our map, right from our web site. All busses arrive right next to the Mercado (market), which is at the middle-western edge of town. Antigua is on the grid system, calles going east-west (left-right), and avenidas going north-south (up-down). So our school on Avenida del Espiritu Santo would be to the southwest of the bus stop. The bus stop is at Alameda Santa Lucia (equivalent to 8 Avenida), between 3 and 4 Calles. What you need to do is go towards Alameda Santa Lucia, which you should see from the bus stop, as it is a divided boulevard. Once you come to this, turn right. You are now heading south. Go about 2 blocks, passing the mercado (market) and a Campero (popular fast-food chicken restaurant). The next street will be the side of the market. The next street after that is 5a Calle Poniente (at this point, it is also called Calle de la Polvora y Landivar). Streets are often not marked, so a good indicator is a fenced yard with a large garden and a whitish building in the middle, towards the back – the street is right after the metal fence. Turn right. You will now be heading west towards the school. At the next street, turn left. We are about 50 meters (150 feet) down, on the right side. The address is Avenida del Espiritu Santo.
The school is located on a large estate enclosed by a high orange and yellow wall. It is located between 5 and 6 Calles. toward number 11, which is our address. For any inquiries please email us or call the school at (+502) 7832-1039.
If you can't find the street someone will point the way if you just show the address. We are all friendly here! There is a map of downtown Antigua on it under the "contact information" link. This shows our location in comparison with the main tourist points in town.
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What are the prices for travel to local areas of interest within Guatemala?
From Antigua, the average prices are:
To/from Panajachel $100 private bus, group tourist bus $25
To/from Chichicastenango $100 private bus, group tourist bus $25
It is possible to reserve a bus for the Panajachel/Chichi trip, as it may be cheaper to rent one for the 2 days. We actually had several students who did this, and the price was around $175.
To/from Tikal $400 private bus, group tourist bus $150, flight $225 round trip, air/hotel/guide package $325
To/from San Andres Itzapa $25 private bus, group tourist bus $7
Car rentals are about $60 per day, for five people (not recommended)
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What is there to do in Guatemala?
Many students take advantage of Antigua's central location to visit places such as volcanoes, the ocean-side, huge outdoor markets, or the beautiful Lake Atitlan. The weekends are free to explore Guatemala, and usually students arrange trips themselves or with the help of the school. Some go to the beaches on the Pacific coast. There is boating, fishing, hiking, etc, and within Antigua there are various ruins, museums, gyms, and small cinemas. There are so many activities and their costs are negligible; it is best to not over-plan and just see once you arrive. Arrangements can be made easily in town, with no advance notice required.
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Can I go to Tikal? How do I arrange a trip?
There are numerous travel agencies in town that can help you plan a trip with only one-day notice. Costs are from $50 by bus ($150+ group tourist bus), to $200-$300 for airfare, local transportation, and guided tour.
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Which airlines go to Guatemala? Which airport do I fly into?
The main carriers to Guatemala from the USA are Delta from Atlanta and Continental from Houston. American Airlines and some others also fly direct. Please make sure that you fly into Guatemala City’s La Aurora International airport and not Antigua airport, as the latter is a Caribbean island!
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How do I get from Belize City to Antigua?
Some people fly, some take the bus. All flights go through Flores, Guatemala. You can fly from Belize City to Flores, but that route is expensive (~125 plus $15 tax). Taking the bus to Flores is about $25 and only 4-5 hours. You can then see Tikal. Afterwards, flying to Guatemala City is only about $125. You can take a bus, but it is about 12 hours to Antigua from Flores.
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Planning
What should I bring with me?
A good dictionary is about all you need, as the school has books and other learning material, but students may bring their own books if they wish. Other considerations: sweater, light jacket, raincoat or umbrella, insect repellant, medication, etc. Most items that a student could need are available for purchase in Antigua.
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What is the weather like?
Guatemala is known as the “Land of Eternal Spring”, and as such is very temperate most of the year. There are periods of intense rain, and evenings can be a bit cool, so it is advisable to bring some sweaters, a light jacket, and either a raincoat or an umbrella. Temperatures are almost always between 55 and 85 degrees F.
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What inoculations do I need?
Please check with your physician or local health care provider. You can also check out the US Dept of State web site for country specific informationhttp://www.cdc.gov/travel/camerica.htm
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Can I find work?
Generally, there is little work to be found in Guatemala, but there are some jobs teaching English that would cover room and board. We sometimes have work for our students, but applications are only accepted in person.
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Do I need a visa?
Citizens of the USA, Canada, and most Western European countries do not need a visa to enter Guatemala. Upon entry into Guatemala, immigration will typically issue a 90-day visa. Make sure that you ask, however, as sometimes they give only 30 days if they think that you are only visiting as a tourist. It is not a problem to ask for 90 days. If you will stay longer than 3 months, you may apply for an extension in Guatemala City. Citizens of other countries should contact the nearest Guatemalan embassy or consulate. Please note: lately visa requirements have changed quite rapidly, and drastically, so it is best to consult the nearest Guatemalan embassy or consulate, as well as your own country’s embassy in Guatemala. Web site address for visa information for citizens of other countries residing in the USA is
http://www.guatemala-embassy.org/visas.asp
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Should I get international health insurance?
We recommend that you check to see if your insurance plan covers you while traveling. Some links to organizations or companies that offer short-term international insurance coverage are listed below. These links are for your convenience; we do not recommend any particular insurance company, and cannot be held responsible for a student’s lack of appropriate coverage.
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Miscellaneous
What kind of Internet services do you offer?
We have are very own Internet café, where students have unlimited use Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday mornings. There are cables available for people with their own laptop computers. We also have Wi-Fi, enabling anyone with wireless capabilities to access the Internet anywhere on the school grounds. Internet access is available in our apartments and rooms, 24 hours per day for those bringing their own computers.
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What is the electric voltage in Guatemala?
Electric systems in Guatemala are the same as in North America: two prongs using 110 voltage with a frequency of 60 Hz.
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Are activities included in the tuition cost?
Yes! All weekday activities, except such things as museum entrance fees, are included in the cost. Some optional special activities may require a small fee. Weekend excursions are arranged upon student request for a nominal fee. Please see Activities.
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Can you supply references from former students?
Yes! We have a list of former students who are willing to provide references for our school. While we have some for specific programs/situations, the majority of students are references for the general study atmosphere in Antigua. Please contact us if you would like us to supply a reference for you. If you are a former student and wish to be a reference, please contact info@spanishcontact.com
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Is Antigua safe?
Certain parts of Guatemala have seen some problems, but mainly in rural areas and particular parts of Guatemala City. Most problems involving tourists are due to lack of preparedness on their part, or traveling alone to remote areas. The common sense rule applies. Antigua is a large tourist destination, and few people experience any problems. The last few years have seen a precipitous reduction of problems in Guatemala overall, and Antigua has a separate police force for tourists, the Tourist Police, which is highly regarded. They can even accompany tourists to remote areas upon request. Although some tourists in Antigua have encountered some problems, our students have had very few problems, either in Antigua or while traveling throughout Guatemala and no student has ever been physically harmed.
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Is Guatemala safe for female travelers?
We have had many female students of all ages, some as young as 16 studying and traveling alone. Generally the key is common sense: try to travel with someone, stay alert, do not travel to remote places at night, and don’t flash valuables or act rudely or with arrogance. Certain parts of Guatemala have seen some problems, but mainly in rural areas and particular parts of Guatemala City. Most problems involving tourists are due to lack of preparedness on their part, or traveling alone to remote areas. The common sense rule applies. Antigua is a large tourist destination, and few people experience any problems. The last few years have seen a precipitous reduction of problems in Guatemala overall, and Antigua has a separate police force for tourists, the Tourist Police, which is highly regarded. They can even accompany tourists to remote areas upon request. Many of our female and male students, who come to Guatemala on their own, find other students to travel and go out with – not only is it safer, but it is also more fun to have some company while traveling!
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I am coming to Guatemala to volunteer. Can you help with lodging?
Yes. Our services are available to anyone, but our students receive first priority and frequently enjoy extra rate reductions.
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Are there a lot of tourists in Antigua? Is it hard to learn Spanish there?
As far as avoiding tourists, they are pretty much everywhere now. There may be more in Antigua at some times, but it is really a matter of discipline. Antigua is the preferred choice for many because it offers the chance to only speak Spanish, yet offers conveniences generally found in North American and Europe. One can find many restaurants, cafes, and bars to cater. If one does not want to hear English, simply avoid these places. If you are not the type of person who adheres to a program without help, than there are certain things that you can do such as stay with a family with no other English speakers (we can arrange this), do not go to the places foreigners frequent, etc.
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How much Internet is for free?
We now have our own Internet café, with new laptop computers! Internet use is available and free of charge to our students Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday mornings. In the case - for whatever reason - that the Internet café is closed for a lengthy period of time, we provide 2 hours of free Internet at a local Internet café for all students each week. This is usually enough, but if not, we can sell extra hours for 6 quetzals per hour (about 75 cents). Students staying in one of our school rooms or apartments have 24-hour access to the Internet, right from their room.
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Can my son/mother/uncle/etc. (not a student) go on the school activities with me?
Family members who are not studying at CLI may accompany our students on activities; however, they will need to pay for transport/entrance fees, etc. like other students.
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What is there to do in Antigua? What about the nightlife?
Antigua is a wonderful place to get away, as it is a rich, beautiful colonial town with a wonderful historical past. Weather is always temperate to warm, and Guatemala is known as the “Land of Eternal Spring”. Students come year-round because of this, and because of the local and travel opportunities for adventure. There are daily activities; so many students will go on these. In addition, there are many places to explore around town, ranging from markets, to museums and ancient ruins. Students also meet at cafes, go to watch either foreign films, or some films about Guatemalan culture. Many restaurants and pubs will have themed days, where there are parties of various sorts.
We have many tourists of different age groups and the nightlife, while smaller than major cities, is vibrant with many restaurants, pubs, and cafes. Most cater to the international community, so there is no problem meeting new friends. Antigua is also a popular location during the many holidays that Guatemala has. Within Antigua there are many sites to see: ruins, churches, Mayan vendors, etc. There is no shortage of fun.
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What volunteer opportunities do you have?
There are many volunteer opportunities in Antigua, especially in the medical field or working with children, and the academic director helps to find a position your first day at the school. Volunteer arrangements are usually done at the school, in order to give the volunteer a direct view of the options. Your first day at the school, we can take you to see the various locations. There is a hospital in town, and you can work with children, the physically ill, or with those with mental health problems. The choice is entirely yours. There is also an orphanage nearby that has a school as well, and so working there is a possibility. Other volunteer opportunities have included building houses, environmental projects, and teaching. For long-term projects, we can help you to find the right volunteer option for you somewhere in Guatemala after the completion of your studies. |
