Spanish, the language of millions, needs no introduction. The global language, with 474.7 million native speakers, has emerged as the fourth-most spoken language after English. And it is the official language of 20 countries.
Woah! Did I just read that correctly? The official language of 20 countries! Can you just imagine the power of this language?
These insane numbers explain why there is a rapidly rising focus on learning and mastering this language. Whether learning it online or traveling all the way to Spanish-speaking countries, there’s no stopping people willing to learn this language.
Among all this, the question arises, where to go to learn this language? To make things easier for you, we have narrowed down the list of ‘8 Best Cities to Learn Spanish Around the World’, including the best school to opt for, the lesson costs, and the living expenses of these cities. Knowing all this, it will become comparatively easier for you to make a decision for yourself.
A good command of Spanish can open doors to many job opportunities and cultural exchanges. Whether you are a student, a traveler, or an entrepreneur — learning Spanish is the perfect way to unlock the vast potential of the language. It is more than a language; it is a passport to a world of new opportunities and experiences!
So what are you waiting for? Let’s explore the list of the top 8 Best places to learn Spanish, choose the city that suits you best, and book your tickets to kickstart your language-learning journey!
Why go abroad to learn Spanish?
Before we start with the list, let’s have a moment to explore the benefits of learning Spanish abroad (in case you need to convince your family or friends).
When there are a number of platforms like Rosetta Stone, Babbel, Busuu, and more available on the internet that offer Spanish courses online, what is the need to fly all the way to any other place? How is it more beneficial?
Well, as easy as it is to stay home in your comfort level and learn the language, going abroad to learn Spanish has unparalleled advantages. To be surrounded by native speakers is unarguably the most effective method to learn a language. The best thing it will do is improve your pronunciation and add the fluency needed to make your linguistic skills look beautiful.
Let’s look at some more solid benefits of learning Spanish abroad:
- Language Immersion: Being constantly surrounded by native Spanish speakers provides a valuable opportunity to listen, understand, and perceive the language the way it is culturally done and learn it more effectively and naturally.
- Cultural Understanding: Living in a Spanish-speaking city allows you to experience and understand the local culture and traditions, which helps you learn the language even better as you understand the emotions behind the words.
- Improved Fluency: Conversing daily with native speakers in various real-life situations significantly improves your speaking and comprehension skills, making you sound like a pro!
- Global Networking: You get the chance to meet and connect with people from around the world, expanding your social network and broadening your global perspective
- Personal Growth: The challenges and triumphs of living abroad foster resilience, adaptability, and independence — crucial life skills that extend beyond language learning.
- Travel and Exploration: Learning Spanish abroad goes beyond classroom confines, offering the chance to explore new cities, landscapes, cuisines, and more.
So, why not venture abroad to learn Spanish? It doesn’t only help you master the language but also unlocks a number of opportunities and new experiences. This fusion between learning and traveling is the perfect recipe you need!
Things to Consider Before Learning Spanish
Before diving deeper into your journey to learn the Spanish language, there are a few key factors you need to consider to ensure a smooth and beneficial experience, and then you explore and decide which city suits you among all the best cities to learn Spanish.
- Your Learning Style: Everyone has their own unique style of learning. Some people prefer to learn in a structured classroom environment, while others excel through practically practicing it or through the online courses. Identifying your preferred learning style can significantly improve your language acquisition.
- Time Commitment: To learn a new language, you must invest significant time and effort. Be realistic about the amount of time you can dedicate to learning the language.
- Goal Setting: Setting clear, achievable goals for your language learning ride is important. The goals could vary from being able to hold a basic conversation to attaining fluency in Spanish.
- Choosing the Right Location: If you are planning to learn Spanish by moving to another country, the location plays a critical role. Consider factors like the cost of living, climate, cultural experiences, and the local dialect of Spanish.
- Cultural Immersion: Be prepared to dive in the Spanish culture, as this will greatly help you enhance your language learning skills. This means experiencing local foods, participating in local traditions, and having regular conversations with native speakers.
- Language Variations: Be aware that Spanish has its variations too, as the Spanish language spoken in Spain can be quite different from Latin American Spanish in terms of pronunciation, vocabulary, and usage. So you need to choose your learning destination based on the Spanish variation you wish to learn and master.
Before further considerations, it is important to remember that learning Spanish is not just about memorizing vocabulary and grammar rules, it is about accepting a new culture, widening your perspectives, and building connections with Spanish speakers worldwide.
Yes, it is a challenging yet rewarding journey, and with the right mindset and correct preparation, you’ll be able to navigate it successfully.
Our Favorites: 8 Best Cities to Learn Spanish Around the World
When you have finally made up your mind to learn Spanish abroad, we move a step forward, and the next important thing you do is browse for the best places to learn Spanish. As the official language of 20 countries and widely spoken in other parts, you can just imagine how many fantastic places are out there to go and learn the language. There are numerous study abroad programs and Spanish schools offering top-notch courses to keen learners.
We have gathered a list of our favorites after extensive research, the 8 best cities to learn Spanish from worldwide. To make things more easy for you, we have included the best school to choose from there, their starting price for Spanish lessons, and the living expenses such as apartment costs and meals. The only thing left to do is, grab your passport and get going.
Depending on your preferences, cultural choices, and budget, find the place that entirely suits you and is perfect for your Spanish learning journey!
1. Bocas del Toro, Panama – Best Overall Place to Learn Spanish
The Bocas del Toro Town, or just Bocas Town, is known as the capital of Bocas del Toro province, in Panama. It is at the southern tip of Isla Colón, in the Caribbean Sea. In Bocas, you will find a comparatively embryonic landscape, and a friendly, laid-back vibe. Bocas is also home to a tropical rainforest, some of the area’s indigenous cultures, like the Ngäbe and NasoTjerdi, as well as many of the country’s most popular beaches.
Bocas del Toro is a charming archipelago off the coast of Panama. With rustic beaches, fallen coconuts, and vibrant nightlife, the tranquil environment of Bocas del Toro is a perfect place to learn for adventurous souls. You can enjoy the best of your time while learning Spanish and enjoying the stunning place.
Best School for Spanish: Habla Ya Spanish School
The best school in Bocas del Toro is Habla Ya Spanish Schools. It is located on Isla Colón, the main island. A short walk from the school takes you to restaurants, bars, hotels, and beaches. The air-conditioned classrooms provide the utmost comfort for your learning.
Starting Price of Spanish Lessons:
The starting prices range per hour at this school for each class type, either in groups, mini groups, or private lessons.
- For groups, the price per hour ranges from $8.75 – $12.50.
- For mini groups, the price per hour ranges from $11.75 – $15.25.
- For private lessons, the price per hour ranges from $14.75 – $24.75.
Cost of an Apartment in the City:
The cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is $850.00.
Cost of Meals at Restaurants:
A meal for 1-person in the city at any inexpensive restaurant costs $7.00.
If you choose to go to McDonald’s, the McMeal (or Equivalent Combo Meal) will cost 8.00 $.
2. Medellin, Colombia – Best City to Learn Spanish with a Nightlife
Medellin, the capital of Colombia’s mountainous Antioquia province. It is just full of art and artistic vibes! It also is the second biggest city in Colombia, a bustling city with a vibrant nightlife that will keep you entertained. Also famous for the name, the “City of Eternal Spring,” it is known for its pleasant weather and its annual famous Flower Festival where one finds all the different kinds of flowers.
Modern metro cables link the city to surrounding areas and offer views of the Aburrá Valley. Sculptures by Fernando Botero decorate downtown’s Botero Plaza, while the Museo de Antioquia displays more of the Colombian artist’s work. If weather, culture, and nightlife are your choice, this is the most intriguing place to learn Spanish for you.
Best School for Spanish: Toucan Spanish School
This school is the largest and the best Spanish School located in El Poblado, Medellín, Columbia. It teaches both group and private lessons to all levels of learners.
Starting Price of Spanish Lessons:
A one-week group class for Spanish lessons at this school costs $184.
Cost of an Apartment in the City:
The cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is $386.95.
Cost of Meals at Restaurants:
A meal for 1-person in the city at any inexpensive restaurant costs $4.88.
If you choose to go to McDonald’s, the McMeal (or Equivalent Combo Meal) will cost $6.10.
3. Barcelona, Spain – Best City to Learn Spanish in Spain
The capital of Catalonia, Barcelona is a fascinating city to learn Spanish in Spain. A perfect blend of old and new, known for its stunning architecture, Barcelona has everything to make your time memorable here. The vibrant culture and beautiful beaches are the cherry on top. The city has a bilingual nature, with both Catalan and Spanish spoke, it provides a rich linguistic environment that makes it a great city to learn.
Best School for Spanish: Linguaschools
The high-quality Spanish school is located in the heart of city, Barcelona. In the local neighborhood, there are various cafes and narrow alleys, while the popular attractions are at some distance. They offer various kinds of Spanish courses.
Starting Price of Spanish Lessons:
An average two-week course for Spanish lessons at this school costs $788.21. It includes staying with a host family.
Cost of an Apartment in the City:
The cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is $1242.3.
Cost of Meals at Restaurants:
A meal for 1-person in the city at any inexpensive restaurant costs $16.19.
If you choose to go to McDonald’s, the McMeal (or Equivalent Combo Meal) will cost $9.72.
4. Buenos Aires, Argentina – Best City to Learn Spanish in South America
The Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, fascinates students because of the wide variety of recreational activities happening in the city. It is a vast and beautiful country packed with diverse cultures. This city attracts many international students keen to learn the Spanish language, and the proceedings of the city keep them entertained too. The language schools in the city have a long range of courses, suitable for every new learner, including classes, preparation for exams and flexible timings, which makes it a better choice for the students.
Best School for Spanish: Expanish
Expanish is one of the most renowned schools for learning Spanish in Federico Lacroze, Argentina. It has a diverse range of courses and different programs. The qualified and experienced teachers at Expanish use engaging teaching methods that help the students learn Spanish effectively.
Starting Price of Spanish Lessons:
- A private lesson (minimum 2 lessons) for Spanish language costs $37.86 per lesson.
- A 10 lesson pack costs $340.75.
- A 20 lesson pack costs $681.49.
Cost of an Apartment in the City:
The cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is $397.99.
Cost of Meals at Restaurants:
A meal for 1-person in the city at any inexpensive restaurant costs $6.76.
If you choose to go to McDonald’s, the McMeal (or Equivalent Combo Meal) will cost $5.00.
5. Antigua, Guatemala – Best Cheap Place to Learn Spanish
Antigua is an old colonial city, concealed in the Guatemalan mountains. The city offers a welcoming atmosphere with its cobblestoned streets, energetic markets, and garnished cafes. It is an amazing choice to learn Spanish here and explore the city along with, many students often do so. Their rich history through ancient ruins and historic sites makes it an attractive option.
Best School for Spanish: Maximo Nivel
Maximo Nivel is a well-known school for Spanish located in the heart of the city, Antigua. It stands as the best educational travel and study abroad institution. They present many program choices across Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Their offerings include Volunteer Abroad, International Internships, Native Spanish Program, TEFL Certification, and Adventure and Culture programs. It is a great study place for Spanish, and with the location, the benefit of being around everything that students need.
Starting Price of Spanish Lessons:
A course for small group lessons, with 10 hours a week, starts at $60.
Cost of an Apartment in the City:
The cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is $514.
Cost of Meals at Restaurants:
A meal for 1-person in the city at any inexpensive restaurant costs $5.60.
If you choose to go to McDonald’s, the McMeal (or Equivalent Combo Meal) will cost $6.37.
6. Guadalajara, Mexico – Best City to Learn Spanish in Mexico
Mexico is famous for many reasons, the culture, the game of football, and many more. And within Mexico, what is considered the cultural heart of the country is Guadalajara. As it presents a perfect blend of traditional and modern life. The city is rich in music, being the birthplace of Mariachi music, the historic center of the city is dotted with colonial architecture, happening markets, and intricate murals. Living in this city to learn the language means diving into authentic Mexican culture, but also enjoying the relaxing pace of life.
Best School for Spanish: IMAC Spanish Language Programs
The Language Institute is well-known as a great place to learn Spanish in Mexico. With over 40 years of teaching experience, their programs provide an immersive way to learn the language. The Institute is fully committed to making sure students have a valuable and educational time while studying Spanish in Mexico. Instituto Mexico-Americano de Cultura A.C. is officially recognized and accredited by Mexican authorities and focuses on language education to promote international understanding.
Starting Price of Spanish Lessons:
A course for small group of 10 people with 25 lessons per week starts at $219.
Cost of an Apartment in the City:
The cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is $604.
Cost of Meals at Restaurants:
A meal for 1-person in the city at any inexpensive restaurant costs $9.87.
If you choose to go to McDonald’s, the McMeal (or Equivalent Combo Meal) will cost $8.07.
7. Sucre, Bolivia – Best Cultural City to Learn Spanish
Sucre, the capital of Bolivia, is less discovered a gem when you want to learn Spanish. Famous for its milky-white colonial buildings and rich culture, the city offers a culturally immersive experience for the people who come to learn Spanish. Although the city has a slower pace compared to other cities in South America, but it makes it a perfect place to learn the language at your own rhythm.
Best School for Spanish: Sucre Spanish School
The ‘Sucre Spanish School’ is located at just a 3 minutes walk from the city’s central square “Plaza 25 de Mayo” in the historical city center of Sucre, which is also known as South America’s most interesting and fascinating city. The school specializes in Private Spanish language instruction with a 1-on-1 student/teacher ratio, arranged in such a manner that each student gets individual hours per day whether in private or group lessons. The school offers free-of-charge services like Spanish placement tests, fast internet wifi zone, assistance in accommodation and travel arrangements, and more to make the learning more effective.
Starting Price of Spanish Lessons:
A course for small group will cost $5.2 per hour per person.
Cost of an Apartment in the City:
The cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is $152.
Cost of Meals at Restaurants:
A meal for 1-person in the city at any inexpensive restaurant costs $2.17.
If you choose to go to McDonald’s, the McMeal (or Equivalent Combo Meal) will cost $6.81.
8. Tamarindo, Costa Rica – Best Place to Learn Spanish and Surf
City Tamarindo, situated on the tropical Pacific coast of Costa Rica, is the best place for both language learners and surf enthusiasts. Famous for the astonishing sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and lavish rainforests, the city presents a different kind of mix of learning the Spanish language and being a pro at surfing! The cool and relaxing vibe of the city, and its friendly community make it an ideal destination for plunging yourself in the Spanish language and Costa Rican Culture
Best School for Spanish: Wayra Spanish School
The WAYRA Spanish School in Costa Rica offers Spanish classes to foreign students since 1996. This school, managed by Swiss and Latin Americans, is the oldest and most experienced Spanish school in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica. Having received accreditation by Instituto Cervantes, Wayra is the only international accreditation exclusively focused on the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language. It is centrally located in Playa Tamarindo Costa Rica, which is just 150 meters from the beach and is situated in a beautiful tropical garden.
Starting Price of Spanish Lessons:
A standard Spanish course for small groups (20 lessons per week) starts at $360.
Cost of an Apartment in the City:
The cost of a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is $1316.
Cost of Meals at Restaurants:
A meal for 1-person in the city at any inexpensive restaurant costs $11.14.
If you choose to go to McDonald’s, the McMeal (or Equivalent Combo Meal) will cost $9.10.
How to Get the Most from Learning Spanish in Another City?
If you have read about all these best cities to learn Spanish, calculated the total cost and expenses, and chose a place that suits you best. You will be excited to move and start your unforgettable journey.
As you will be going to embark on a transformative journey, it is better to make sure you make the most out of your time living in these amazing places and truly benefit yourself.
Here are a few tips and tricks from us to help you to get the most from learning Spanish in one of these 8 best cities to learn Spanish:
- Immerse in local culture: Spend time with locals to practice your Spanish. This can be through social events, cultural activities, or even just everyday interactions at the market or café.
- Apply your knowledge: Practice makes perfect. Ensure you use your newly learned phrases and vocabulary in real-life scenarios.
- Explore: Take advantage of being in a foreign city. Explore the local attractions, try the traditional food, and learn about the city’s history and culture.
- Study outside the classroom: While structured study is important, learning doesn’t stop when class ends. Use every opportunity to practice.
- Stay focused: It might be tempting to speak English when things get tough, but try to stick with Spanish. The more you use it, the more comfortable you’ll become.
- Be patient: Language learning takes time, so don’t get discouraged if you make mistakes. They are part of the learning process.
Follow these strategies, and you will surely return with an enriching experience!
Final Thoughts
Learning a language is not all about textbooks and courses, if you don’t immerse yourselves in the culture, people, and lifestyle of the language, you can’t truly master it. The cities mentioned above provide an excellent blend of everything, making them our favorite and the best places to learn Spanish.
The experience of traveling to these places and learning Spanish while making new friends, getting inspired, living in a different environment, and getting connected to the local community make it a totally remarkable adventure.
Choose a city that resonates with your preferences and goals and waste no time embarking on an exciting linguistic journey. Move abroad and experience the soul of Spanish, understand the native speakers, and become one of them.
Your journey in one of these best cities to learn Spanish will surely be an adventure you will never forget!