Program Reviews

I would 100% recommend Iguana Abroad for anyone interested in a Mexican adventure! The course was a perfect mix of learning, travel and socializing with new friends from the program. You take Spanish classes in the daytime and then do different activities in the evening – some planned by Iguana Abroad and others independently with the group. We did some really fun events when we were on the course including salsa dancing, a cookery class with a Mexican chef and a pyramid tour! Overall a great experience and a really perfect course for the price.

Absolutely fantastic course. Everything was perfectly planned, went incredibly smoothly and I couldn’t be happier. I thought the Spanish classes at the campus were phenomenal and massively helped with my level of Spanish. The midweek events were an absolute blast - honestly enjoyed them so much. I loved them all, but perhaps the skull painting event on the rooftop terrace in the city center with the indigenous Mexican artist was the star of that show. So much about that event was just magical, especially talking to Ximena (the artist teaching us) in Spanish about the native Mexican language “Nahuatl” that her and her family use when they are together. I never thought my Spanish would be good enough to learn another language, even just a few words and phrases, whilst only talking in Spanish, but, after a few weeks on this course… It was! That was a really important moment for me.

Mexico is a beautiful country that I'd say everybody needs to visit at least once in their life, and Iguana Abroad did an absolutely perfect job of showcasing the very best that Mexico has to offer. There are some places we visited on the course, like Las Estacas, that is one of most beautiful places I’ve ever been to, but even some of the locals didn’t know about. The guys running this course seriously know what they’re doing, and know the area in and around where this course is located just unbelievably well, as I mentioned, even better than some lifetime locals it seemed. They always had suggestions of things to do, places to visit during our free time, and local WhatsApp groups to join to hear about upcoming events and workshops in and around the area. I was genuinely really impressed.

I'd happily give my honest 100% recommendation for Iguana Abroad and their courses, I couldn’t recommend the course that I did (the summer group course) any more - it was brilliant. I have even suggested to lots of my friends and family to sign up to one of Iguana Abroad’s 2025 courses in the new year. 10/10 from me!

As someone who’s been around Latin America a few times, I thought I had Spanish down pretty well – turns out maybe not really to be honest. Although I've trying to learn before, I guess I never really got to the level I wanted. So a few months ago I figured I’d give Iguana Abroad a go, and I'm so happy I did. From the moment I landed, everything felt pretty much effortless. For a start one of the much loved "two Harrys" came and picked me up at the airport and made sure I settled in comfortably – little things like that made a big difference to me I'd say.

I’d been to a fair few other places in Latin America, but Mexico was actually new to me, and Cuernavaca, where the program is, totally blew me away. It’s this beautiful, friendly little city that makes you feel like you're really getting a taste of Mexico. You won’t believe how perfect the weather is as well. Super good food, nice cafes, places to explore - I was definitely a big fan. Also, the Spanish classes were a game-changer for me. This program was different from anything I’d done before. The teachers were amazing, always encouraging me to talk and helping me practice in real situations.

By the end of the program, I was finally confident speaking Spanish and could understand things like local slang and cultural nuances that I’d never grasped before. But probably what really stood out was the immersion. The program went beyond just the classroom. We explored Mexico through excursions, cooking classes, and all sorts of cultural events that helped me connect with the language in a way I never could have imagined. From salsa dancing to historical tours, it wasn’t just about learning Spanish – it was about living it. This was what made Iguana Abroad different and better than the other options. I also met people from all over, and all of us with the same goal: to improve our Spanish and dive into a new culture, and this course was just perfect for that. I left the program with way more confidence in my Spanish and a ton of unforgettable memories and new friends.

Having traveled around Latin America before, I can honestly say that this program gave me a completely different experience. If you’re serious about mastering Spanish, this is the program that’ll finally break that language barrier. I couldn’t recommend it more!

I would wholeheartedly recommend the Iguana Abroad Spanish program for anyone who wants to learn Spanish in an interesting location, with amazing people and wonderful world-class teachers! I signed up for a 4 week course but I wish I had stayed for longer because I really wasn’t ready to leave after the 4th week (maybe next year?!). By the end of the course I had lots of friends in the city, my Spanish was so much better, and I was really enjoying the daily “Mexican routine”.

Mornings on Iguana Abroad are usually spent having a home cooked breakfast, either with your host family (if you are doing a homestay) or at the café near the school where Iguana Abroad provides a free breakfast for everyone. Then you go to the Spanish classes, which were always really interesting and informative. After our classes we would usually go into the town centre to go shopping, dinner in one of the restaurants or drinks at a bar. Some days we also went exploring other towns and villages outside of Cuernavaca after class. Mexico is so diverse with such a rich culture that you never run out of things to do.

The program was really well organized and I felt that it had a really good balance of Spanish learning and free time, so you are never bored and always able to improve your Spanish level in some way.

Ultimately, no matter what your age or background, I can promise you that you will have the best time on Iguana Abroad – don’t pass on this opportunity!

I’ve always wanted to travel and learn Spanish, but I never really got the chance until now. The classes were super helpful, but what really made the experience for me were the events and the weekend trips. The weekend trips were incredible. We went to some of the most amazing places I never would’ve thought to visit on my own, like Las Estacas, Taxco, Tepoztlán. They were so different from anything I’ve seen before, and I got to practice my Spanish while exploring these beautiful spots. It felt like I was getting the best of both worlds, learning the language and experiencing Mexico like a local. The events were also so much fun. We did cooking classes, salsa dancing, went to explore a local pyramid and I loved how everything was hands-on. It wasn’t just about sitting in a classroom all day – we were out there, interacting with locals and learning Spanish in real life.

The whole experience felt super authentic and immersive. I also made some amazing friends on the program. Everyone was so friendly and we ended up doing a lot of things together outside of the classes too. The staff at Iguana Abroad were always there to help us out and make sure we were having a good time. I came to Mexico to improve my Spanish, but what I’ll remember the most are the trips, the food, and the amazing people I met along the way. If you’re looking for a way to travel, have fun, and learn Spanish all at once, this is definitely the program for you!

My time on Iguana Abroad was one of the best travel experiences of my life. It was the perfect blend of Spanish immersion and fun while in Mexico. Everyone at the school was so welcoming and kind and really wanted to share their traditions with us and show us the best aspects of their country. I felt that even in such a short amount of time I learnt so much. We also went on so many fun excursions like Tepoztlán pyramids, the Las Estacas nature park and a Mexican cookery class! I only found Iguana Abroad recently before the program started but I was so glad that I went!

My time with Iguana Abroad was actually my fifth time in Mexico, but the first course I have ever done there, and I would be very happy to say, this trip has been easily the best one of the lot for quite a few reasons. I would say probably the main reason was the homestay that I did, which may not be for everyone, but has been one of the best and most memorable experiences of my life. Pablo and Nohemi, my wonderful hosts, made Iguana Abroad and my time in Mexico this summer incredibly special. They went above and beyond to share everything they love about Mexico, from its traditions and cuisine to its vibrant culture, warm hospitality and natural beauty. For me the homestay was one of the most “immersive” parts of the Iguana Abroad course which helped most with my Spanish and I will value forever. Mexico is a very special country.

A lot of the people on the course, including the program directors (the two Harrys), their friends from Cuernavaca and the other IA students on the course are people that I will stay in touch with forever, and are some of the friendliest, kindest and funniest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Every moment on the trip was so much fun and everybody did so much to help me with my Spanish. My time on the Iguana Abroad course truly showed me the best things about Mexico… and even after four previous visits to Mexico I didn’t realise that there was still so, so much more to learn and discover about this wonderful country and its culture.

Over the 4 weeks on the course I went from a fairly basic A2 level to a pretty much fluent B2 level which I’ve heard is really impressive, even on an immersion course, and by the end of the trip most of the conversations I was having at my homestay were in Spanish (even though they could both speak pretty perfect English).

Another reason this course was really special was because of the location. Cuernavaca is simply beautiful, full of nature, culture, cobbled streets, really beautiful architecture, great restaurants and cafes - the perfect place to learn Spanish, and I always felt safe exploring every corner of the city.

If you are thinking about visiting Mexico, the Iguana Abroad course is a really great option and one I’ve recommended to all of my friends and family. This was a really unique, perfectly designed course and an opportunity that if you have, you shouldn’t miss.

Exploring Mexico has always been a great interest of mine, and something that I have always wanted to do. Mexico’s culture, it’s history, amazing food and beautiful nature is something I knew I had to enjoy firsthand, rather than through the many YouTube videos I’ve watched, and I’ve got to say, Iguana Abroad did the most perfect job of showing me and immersing me in all those things.

I should say that I was already a fairly efficient Spanish speaker before signing up to Iguana Abroad, and decided to sign up more for the travelling, the culture events, meeting some new people and that sort of thing… and it was honestly amazing. There were actually some parts of the course I wasn’t even aware of until getting here like the daily Mexican breakfasts and how stunning the school campus is. There are about 5 swimming pools there, tropical trees, gardens with fountains, the building are really beautiful as well, a few cafes, loads of places to work outside… it is a really special place. And talking a little bit more about the school, the lessons were also brilliant. I’ve taken Spanish classes in many different places over many years and the ones on the Iguana Abroad course were top notch.

Signing up to the full four week course is something I would say is an absolute must and strongly recommend to anybody who is in two minds. There isn’t a single weekend trip or immersion event that I would have wanted to miss, every single one of them was incredible, so if you’re able to - get the full Mexican immersion experience and do the full course. 



For me this course had everything and more. I loved the days exploring Mexico’s nature, the chance to truly visit some “pueblo magicos” (magic towns), eat some of the best food of my life (plus learn how to cook it as well), discover more about Mexico’s history, which I’ve always been interested in. Iguana Abroad was the true immersion course and I've fallen in love with Mexico all over again.

The Iguana Abroad course offers a lot of different things to a lot of different people which is one of the best things about it. You can really make this perfect for your personal reasons for joining.

Signing up to the Iguana Abroad course turned out to easily be the best decision I’ve made all year. I was a bit unsure about signing up at first as there were a couple of other courses I was looking at (one in Spain, another in Chile etc), but I’m genuinely so glad I chose Iguana Abroad and Mexico. Learning Spanish was one of my New Year’s resolutions for 2024 (and I think 2023 and 2022 as well!), and I can finally say I’ve honestly done it! Without Iguana Abroad, I’m pretty sure I’d still be struggling with basic phrases and doing Duolingo (like for the last few years!!). I even went to Spanish classes in Minnesota about 2 years ago and didn’t feel they helped me too much. I kept thinking “why can’t I learn Spanish!!! Even when I’m actually trying!?”

I only really started practicing Spanish seriously again right before the course, so this signing up to Iguana Abroad made a really big difference for a few reason. It really got me started with learning Spanish again, and ever since the course ended I’ve practiced every single day (and a lot of the time with some Mexican friends I met on the course) To be honest there was really so much about the course I loved. The neighbourhood and school campus we were based in were way more beautiful than I imagined. It felt like a place that made learning really enjoyable - I really loved being there. The breakfast (which were really good) from the course was served there, and there was loads of places to study afterwards etc. This was a great part of the course. The teachers were fantastic—all were really professional and genuinely interested in helping us improve. The best of the best! And the small class sizes made such a difference too. It didn’t feel like we were just another group of students. The vibes in the classroom were incredible.

I guess one other thing that I really appreciated was how the course combined lessons with real-world practice so well. It was something really special about the Iguana Abroad course and what helped me learn so quickly. We were always encouraged to bring what we learnt during the lessons into everything else we were doing … plus the two Harrys live in the area and had loads of friends/practicing teachers/locals etc to practice with and explore the area - it was really amazing. And maybe that’s something else as well. I didn’t expect to connect with so many interesting people from all over the world, I made so many lifelong friends on the course - from all over the world.

I’m excited to start 2025 as a Spanish speaker and see where it will take me!

I give the Iguana Abroad Program 5-plus stars! My experience was absolutely top-notch. I’ve always dreamed of having the opportunity to spend an extended time in Mexico and truly immerse myself in the culture, music, food, people, history, language, and everything else the country offers. After extensive research on many programs, I’m so glad I chose the Iguana Abroad program.

The two leaders, whom I affectionately call “the Harrys,” made my experience unforgettable. They took the time to understand my goals and interests, ensuring the program was tailored to me. They were always quick to respond to my questions, using various methods of communication (video calls, emails, and texts), and their attention to detail made a world of difference. From the moment they picked me up at the airport to ensuring I met my host family, settled in comfortably, and got acquainted with my new neighborhood, the Harrys went above and beyond to make me feel welcome.

One of the program's highlights was the university campus where I studied Spanish. It was absolutely beautiful, with stunning architecture and vibrant surroundings that inspired learning every day. The teachers were incredible—patient, supportive, and creative. They not only helped me throughout the learning process but made it genuinely fun with engaging lessons and activities. The program’s design was brilliant in how it combined classroom learning with practical opportunities to practice speaking Spanish in real-life settings. From chatting with locals to participating in cultural activities, every moment helped me gain confidence and improve my skills.

Another highlight was the thoughtfully planned excursions to historical sites. I had the chance to explore iconic landmarks, ancient ruins, and museums that brought Mexico’s rich history to life. Additionally, I was able to participate in local festivities, from colorful street parades to vibrant cultural celebrations, which gave me an authentic glimpse into the traditions and joy of Mexican life. These moments created memories I’ll cherish forever.

The program also introduced me to some wonderful restaurants, and we shopped local markets to prepare chicken enchiladas from scratch. Everything was delicious. I truly appreciated how the Harrys made an effort to include activities that enriched my cultural understanding while ensuring I felt safe, supported, and fully engaged in every aspect of the program.

If you’re looking for a life-changing adventure that blends cultural immersion, education, and personalized attention, I cannot recommend the Iguana Abroad Program highly enough. It exceeded all my expectations and left me with a deeper appreciation for Mexico, its culture, and its people. Thank you to the Harrys and the Iguana Abroad team for an experience I’ll treasure forever!