Program Reviews

I would recommend Iguana Abroad to any traveller (or soon-to-be traveller!) planning a trip outside their comfort zone! The Spanish lessons are fun, creative and interesting, and really inspire you to learn much more effectively than if you were in the US. The Iguana Abroad program also has accommodation included in the course price which was really important for me when I was looking for which immersion program to choose. I chose the private accommodation option which I really recommend because the rooms were spacious and clean, and there was even a pool, garden and gym inside the accommodation. The accommodation was also just one minute walk from the Spanish school (literally across the road) which was perfect. I would highly recommend the Iguana Abroad program and would encourage anyone who has not yet done so to apply!

Iguana Abroad was a special experience for me. My sister came on the program in 2023 so I knew what it was going to be like before I signed up, but it was actually better than I expected! So many amazing people and memories it’s really hard to choose which ones to include here – I think maybe my most memorable experience was going to Las Estacas nature park and swimming through the jungle round the lazy river – it is such a beautiful location and still quite unknown outside of Mexico. I also loved the trip to Tepoztlan because of the traditional crafts and souvenirs as well as the Pyramid hike. The Spanish classes on Iguana Abroad are really useful and push you to the limit of your abilities, so that you improve quickly and learn to speak the language better even after the first week. I also loved the social aspect of the program because you really do make friends for life and share memories with unforgettable people!

One of the best things about Iguana Abroad was that there was always something going on. Apart from the culture immersion midweek events (like the rooftop skull painting workshop, Mexican cookery class, etc) and stuff happening on the weekend (the travelling events) I was thinking that probably not much else would happen the rest of the time outside of the classroom. But, this was really, realllyyy not the case! For a start, the program directors always had suggestions of things to do (for example they started the course by giving everybody the details of local group chats on WhatsApp etc where events and stuff happening from around the city was being shared all the time), and would organise little events basically every day for everybody to come along to during the week if they wanted to get involved (going to a secret waterfall; exploring the local markets; going to the museums, parks, events in the area etc). Plus there was always the option of doing language exchanges with the locals that the directors organised for everybody who was interested.

There was loads of stuff on the course that were highlights of the trip for me that weren’t actually ‘officially’ part of the course, if that makes sense - and that was one of the best things about it! I was really impressed by just how much was happening and how exciting it all was... There was also an amazing group of other students with me as well which made things even better - and it goes without saying that all the scheduled stuff (the weekend trips, culture events) were just incredible as well.

Iguana Abroad’s summer group course is such a unique program and has so much going for it. I’m sure it will go from strength to strength!

Before coming to Mexico, I’d tried learning Spanish on and off for years, but it never really clicked. Iguana Abroad completely changed that. This program isn’t just about sitting in a classroom—it’s about actually using the language in real life, and that’s what made all the difference for me.

From the start, everything was organized perfectly. The airport pickup, settling into Cuernavaca, and getting to know everyone on the program felt so seamless. Cuernavaca itself is such a cool place – it’s vibrant and full of culture, but also super relaxing, so you can really soak it all in. I hadn’t been to Mexico before, but it instantly felt like home.

The Spanish classes were next-level. The teachers didn’t just teach; they made sure we were constantly speaking, even if we messed up. They encouraged us to step out of our comfort zones, which made a huge difference. By the end of the course, I was having actual conversations in Spanish—something I never thought I’d be able to do.

What really stood out, though, were the cultural experiences. We weren’t just learning the language; we were living it. We cooked Mexican dishes, explored hidden gems like Las Estacas and Tepoztlán - a secret waterfall, plus even danced salsa with some local pros. One of my favorite moments was visiting a local festival—it was wild, colorful, and completely unforgettable. Every event felt like a chance to dive deeper into Mexican culture while practicing Spanish in a natural way.

The people I met on the program were amazing, too. We came from all over the world, but we all bonded over shared experiences and a love for learning. I left with new friends, incredible memories, and, finally, real progress in my Spanish.

If you’re looking for a program that mixes learning, adventure, and culture, Iguana Abroad is it. It’s not just a language course—it’s an experience that changes the way you see the world.

If I had to highlight one thing about Iguana Abroad, it would be how immersive the program is. The Spanish classes are fantastic—they focus on conversation and real-world use, which helped me finally gain confidence in speaking Spanish. But what made the experience truly unique were the cultural events and excursions. From cooking authentic Mexican dishes and salsa dancing to exploring stunning places like Tepoztlán and Las Estacas, every activity was designed to make us use the language naturally while diving deep into Mexican culture. This wasn’t just a course; it was a full-on adventure that made learning Spanish feel effortless and exciting.

My time on Iguana Abroad has been the first time I got some time off work for a couple of years - and I couldn’t be happier with my experience. It has always been a desire of mine to learn Spanish fluently, and this course seriously helped me improve to a level close to that - quickly. I have long used Duolingo and occasionally attend a language exchange event, although I have never truly gotten to a level that I’m really proud of. Part of the problem is when I am getting closer and closer to that level, my focuses might turn elsewhere for one reason or another, and some of my newest skills are feeling rusty a while after, and when I’m getting into practicing Spanish again. This is something that signing up to Iguana Abroad has really changed and helped me with. Ever since I have arrived back home I’ve been practicing Spanish pretty much everyday - I still talk with the Mexican friends I made whilst on the course over the phone, which is great.

It’s also worthing saying that after not leaving the country for a few years I was feeling a little concerned about the safety situation before arriving. I was worried that once arriving in Mexico I would feel quite nervous, but this wasn’t the case at all. Iguana Abroad did such a fantastic job of settling everybody into their new city and accommodation right from the start. Everybody felt really confident and safe which definitely did so much to creating that incredibly atmosphere we had during the course! I felt that by knowing so much about the city so quickly really helped me relax and explore a lot further than I was even expecting, and for everybody on the course to really connect with each other so quickly.

I couldn’t recommend this course more, after ages of searching for how best to use my time off - I’m so glad I chose Iguana Abroad!

My time with Iguana Abroad was my first time in Latin America and part of a longer trip (visited Mexican states of Oaxaca and Chiapas after Iguana Abroad and later went to Peru). This course has left me with so many beautiful memories, and located in one of the best places I saw on my whole trip. Cuernavaca, the location for the course is just so beautiful and somewhere I will definitely return to. To give you an idea, there is an amazing secret waterfall a short walk away from the city center that the course directors showed our group, also a park with a crystal clear river and a little lake with boats you can rent plus lots of other amazing parks around the city as well, and just really amazing trees and plants everywhere. And it is a beautiful city anyway. There is one of the oldest cathedrals in Mexico there, a palace in the city center, really amazing restaurants and cafes - even an ancient pyramid actually in the city! It was definitely important though to be on the course I would say as it was the directors who gave all the suggestions of the best places to go, and showed us around so well. Without them I wouldn’t have been so amazed by the city I don’t think. For example giving us WhatsApp groups to join where activities, events, workshops and those sort of thing are being shared. It was just really quick and easy to settle in and feel like I knew the city really well straight away. The accommodation (the private option one) was beautiful too with lots of amazing nature as well. There were tropical plants, banana trees, hammocks and a swimming pool there so was just super nice to hang out at. It was also really important to learn Spanish quickly before being on my own for the rest of my trip and the course helped me so much with my Spanish. I’m still not fluent but I started Iguana Abroad and my trip knowing almost nothing but ended the course feeling like I could ask for whatever I wanted and understand what people were saying to me a lot of the time. In just 4 weeks for me that was really amazing. I would highly recommend this course and I would love to return at some point in the future.

If you are even considering signing up to Iguana Abroad just do it!! I had the best summer of my life and I grew and learnt so much from it! I am so grateful to everyone who runs the course for making it such a memorable and lifechanging experience and I will never forget the friends I made on the program! The Spanish teachers were all really helpful and they always took the time to make sure that we understood the information. The house I stayed in was also amazing with views towards the volcano. Definitely recommend this program and I would do it again if I could!!

I found Iguana Abroad online and I was instantly attracted by the range of activities offered. The program offers a lot for the price as accommodation is included, as well as three hours of Spanish classes per day, immersion activities and travelling experiences on the weekends. You also get free airport collection when you arrive and free breakfasts on the course. I was really happy with the different locations available for the weekend excursions and the quality of the Spanish grammar and conversation-based classes offered.

One thing that really attracted me about the Iguana Abroad program was the choice of homestay and private accommodation available. I chose the private option and loved staying with Maru and Vito in their lovely accommodation! The room was private, spacious and comfortable, with a desk, bathroom and comfortable bed, with access to the pool, garden and gym. The garden had hammocks and was a perfect place to relax after class finished.

I also loved the options for authentic immersion events on the course. For example, when we did the cookery class, we went to the market together before the class and bought all the ingredients together which was really cool. Visiting the Mexican market and trying all the foods, speaking to the vendors and practicing Spanish was an amazing and memorable experience, followed by doing the cookery class and eating the meal afterwards! I also appreciated the 24/7 attention from the Iguana Abroad team who took care of every one of our needs. If you haven’t signed up yet for Iguana Abroad 2025, do it! It was an incredible Spanish course that was absolutely worth every cent.

Me and my friends were looking for programs to do in Mexico and after a lot of searching we found the Iguana Abroad course, and I am so glad that we did! Iguana Abroad was an awesome all round Spanish Immersion experience and a perfect introduction to Mexican daily life and culture! Studying Spanish in Mexico was such an enriching experience – the people you meet and the places you go were unforgettable, as well as the food, the music, the arts, the culture and the overall experience. I would highly recommend Iguana Abroad to anyone who wants to broaden their horizons and go somewhere outside their comfort zone in a new country. You won’t regret it!