Looking to enhance your language skills and immerse yourself in a rich and diverse culture? Our Spanish immersion trip in Guatemala is the perfect opportunity for you! Our partner school in Lake Atitlan offers expert-led Spanish lessons taught by certified and native Spanish-speaking teachers in a stunning open-air setting. But our program is much more than just language classes. During your stay, you'll have the chance to practice your language skills with friendly locals and explore the region's charming towns and markets. You'll learn how to navigate the daily life of Guatemala, from taking tuc-tucs to getting on public lanchas and shopping for fresh produce and souvenirs. Our program goes beyond language proficiency, as you'll gain a deeper understanding of Guatemala and its people through cultural insights and experiences. Immerse yourself in the local way of life and explore the lush gardens, majestic volcanoes, and serene lake while enhancing your Spanish fluency. Our Spanish immersion trip is an unforgettable experience for committed language students. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain new language skills, make lasting connections with locals, and create unforgettable memories. Book now or send us a message, and we'll create a unique program tailored to your Spanish learning needs!

These are some of highlights of learning Spanish in an immersion trip in Guatemala:

1. You'll be surrounded by native Spanish speakers and immersed in the language, providing a more authentic and effective learning experience than traditional classroom-based Spanish courses.

2. You'll experience the local culture firsthand, providing an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the people, customs, and way of life in Guatemala.

3. In addition to classroom instruction, you'll have numerous opportunities to practice your language skills in real-life situations, such as ordering food at local restaurants, shopping at markets, and interacting with locals.

4. This program is tailored to your individual needs, allowing you to progress at your own pace and focus on specific areas of the language that you need to improve.

5. You'll explore new and exciting destinations,  local landmarks, and will meet new people while practicing your Spanish skills.

6. Learning a second language, especially Spanish, is becoming increasingly important in many industries, including healthcare, education, and hospitality. An immersion trip in Guatemala can help you develop the language skills necessary to excel in these fields.

7. This experience will often require you to step outside your comfort zone, which can help you develop increased confidence in your language abilities and other areas of your life.

8. It will be a life-changing experience, broadening your horizons, increasing your cultural competence, and providing memories that will last a lifetime.

Experience comfort and convenience at its finest as you settle into carefully selected standard hotels (2&3 stars) on your arrival. Our team has scoured the area to find hotels with prime locations, cozy accommodations, competitive pricing, exceptional service, and modern amenities, ensuring that you have everything you need for a comfortable stay. However, if you're looking for a more luxurious experience, we've got you covered too. Just let us know in advance, and we'll tailor your trip to include the most exquisite and high-end boutique hotels, providing you with an even more indulgent and pampered experience. During your time in Lake Atitlan, you'll be staying in a homestay with a host family in a private room with bathroom. 

Transfers will be in a registered and authorized vehicle by the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism and transportation authorities. Our drivers are highly experienced and speak Spanish. If you travel by shuttle, transfers will include other travelers and will have a fixed schedule and stops. If you travel by private transfers, there will be more flexibility. 

Indulge in the rich and vibrant flavors of traditional Guatemalan cuisine and freshly prepared meals throughout your journey. Our team will provide you with a curated list of our favorite food and drink spots in each destination you visit, ensuring that you don't miss out on any culinary delights. During your Spanish immersion holiday, you'll have the chance to taste home-cooked food prepared by your host family. Hosts will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner daily; except Sundays. We understand that dietary restrictions can be a challenge, but don't worry - we've got you covered! Simply notify us in advance, and our team will accommodate your needs, ensuring that you can savor every bite without any worries. 

We recommend you travel light and bring only what’s necessary. If you’re doing a volcano or

jungle trek make sure to consider all the recommended items to bring. Some of the essentials

you shouldn’t miss are:

-Warm fleece or wool sweater

-Windproof and rain jacket

-Swimwear

-Comfortable shoes for hiking with grip

-Sandals

-Comfortable and fresh clothes

-UV filter sunglasses

-Sun hat & sunscreen

-Insect repellent

-Daypack

-Reusable shopping bag

-Refillable water bottle

-Any medication needed

-Personal toiletries

-Hand sanitizer

-Hand fan

BOOKING AGREEMENT

Your booking is only effective and confirmed once a deposit has been paid by the customer/traveler. Once we collect your deposit or initial payment, we will proceed to confirm all offered services with our local partners and suppliers. 

We will only make room blocks and proceed to reserving hotels once we collect a deposit or full installment payment guaranteeing booking. All hotels mentioned in trip proposals are subject to dates and availability. If by any chance we are in the need to change hotels, we will notify you in advance and will choose an accommodation option that is the same category and pricing. 

Be advised we do not operate overnight transfers or do long transfers during nighttime. 

High risk activities such as active volcano hikes, paragliding, and other active adventures may require you to sign a liability waiver. If this is not signed we cannot be responsible for your participation in such activities and it will be your responsibility to book them.

Once we confirm your booking with the deposit or installment payment, we proceed to securing all offered services. All payment installments must be completed 15 days prior to your arrival date in Guatemala. 10 days prior to your arrival we will share your detailed travel program and pre-departure recommendations. 

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Each traveler / customer is responsible for acquiring a valid travel insurance that will provide coverage during their time traveling. We are not responsible for international travel delays, missing luggage or cancellations. 

ENTRY TO GUATEMALA

Check the validity of your personal travel documents and if you require a visa for visiting Guatemala. If this is the case, each traveler/customer is responsible for acquiring a valid travel visa before booking a trip and payment. We do not provide invitation letters or any documentation for such procedures. 

Guatemalan authorities may require upon entry:

-a copy of your itinerary (printed or digital)

-the trip payment receipt (itinerary or digital). 

CANCELLATIONS AND MODIFICATIONS

In order to cancel a package for which you have made a booking, please email us at hola@etnicatravel.com stating your order reference and “Cancellation” in the title of the email. You may telephone us to discuss your desire to cancel the package but cancellation will only be effective when we have received from the person who purchased the package a written confirmation of his or her decision to cancel the package. An email to us stating that you desire to cancel a package is an irrevocable notice and you cannot subsequently change your mind even if we have not yet acknowledged the cancellation in writing.

If you cancel your tour:

We will apply the airline’s cancellation policy to any flights in your package and reimburse your ground arrangements in accordance with the penalty timeline

For cancellation of ground-only arrangements:

(a) 90 days or more prior to the stated departure date, we will retain an administrative fee of $100 per traveler and reimburse the remaining amount;

(b) Between 30 and 89 days prior to the stated departure date, we will retain 50% of the total booking cost and reimburse the remaining amount;

(c) Less than 30 days prior to departure, we will retain 100% of the price paid by you for the package.

If you leave a trip for any reason after it has started, we are not obliged to make any refunds for unused services.

We may cancel a package at any time prior to departure by giving you notice by email, letter or (if very close to departure) by telephoning you, if, due to terrorism, natural disasters, political instability or other external events it is not viable or safe for our local partner to operate the planned itinerary. If we cancel a package prior to departure, in your sole and absolute discretion you may choose between (i) us applying the amounts paid towards an alternative trip, or (ii) receiving a full refund. We are not responsible for any incidental expenses that you may have incurred as a result of your booking such as visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights.

AMENDMENTS TO BOOKED PACKAGES

If you wish to change the date, route, services or itinerary there is a fee of

(a) $100 per traveler if done at least 90 days prior to the scheduled date of departure, subject to availability; and

(b) $300 per traveler if done between 30 and 89 days prior to the scheduled date of departure, subject to availability.

If you wish to change the name of one or several travelers of the trip, there is a fee of $100 per passenger if done at least 90 days prior to the scheduled date of departure. No name changes. are permitted within 89 days prior to the scheduled date of departure. No amendments are permitted to your booking within 29 days of departure. 

If changes are necessary while you are traveling they will be assessed by us and our suppliers beforehand and communicated to the customer. 

ALL CUSTOMERS ARE REQUIRED TO AGREE WITH THIS POLICIES BEFORE BOOKING. 

Updated January 2023.