Authentic Spanish or Maya Immersion with Na'atik in Mexico!

Studying at Na'atik was an experience I'll never forget! It was everything I'd hoped for in an immersion program. The staff was very supportive, and my teacher (Edwin) tailored my lessons to fit my level. My host family was very welcoming and I felt comfortable with them right away! The locals were happy to talk to me when I approached them, and I felt perfectly safe during my stay. I liked it so much, and learned SO much, that I'll be returning for a longer stay in just a few months!!!

Ma'alob k'iin!
I came to Carrillo to learn a little bit of Maya. I didn't expect to learn much in a week. But after an amazing time with my teacher (including a private trip to a Maya pueblito) and my host family (oh my god the tortillas! I'll never forget them) I was already picking out Maya words on the local radio station and able to ask a few questions of people I met. I have every intention of going back, and that doesn't seem too hard to do for the price. If you go for Maya though you need to know some Spanish already.
I gave 'fun' a 9 because of the way the question was worded. There isn't much of a social scene in Carrillo. (Apparently it's super expensive fpr restauranteurs to get permits because of how touristy the rest of Quintana Roo is.) If you wanna get drunk, go elsewhere. But I had a huge amount of fun, so maybe that's more criticism of the question than the program. That said, Naomi was one of my favorite tour guides. She gave this real sense of having as much fun and exploring as much as any of us, but at the same time I felt super safe and comfortable that she knew what she was doing.
The fact that the program costs go to help pay for English classes for young (and ridiculously cute) Carrillo residents certainly didn't hurt either.

After having considered other Mexico locations—like Merida, Oaxaca, and Puerto Escondido—for a week’s immersion to re-launch Spanish study, I’m very glad I opted for Na’atik in Felipe Carrillo Puerto. The instruction was top quality and involved a stimulating combination of grammar review and related drills, readings and discussion, and free forms conversations about life and past experience. During these discussions, the brain pressed up against its expressive frontier in Spanish; Pedro is a great teacher, and as necessary gently offered better expressive options and the grammatical reasons underlying them. Time passed quickly, and the sessions soon proved their short term value in a greater confidence in navigating the interesting and untouristed town of Carrillo. I wandered its streets on foot and bike with more confidence and sense of security than I would many neighborhoods in my hometown of Chicago. I am grateful to Catherine and Poppy for some orientation and a visit to a nearby clear and spring-fed lagoon. My home-stay host and hostess, Miguel and Dianela, were wonderful. Dianela was once a professional cocinera, and it showed. I dined well and avidly on chicken and vegetable stews, desayuno egg dishes and quesadillas, and warm fresh maize tortillas, among other things. Miguel’s commentary and a couple of Spanish language books he loaned me provided an introduction the history of this region, and the development of Mexico’s border with Central America. Although a sighting of American or European tourist is unlikely in Carrillo, the Na’atik school is a home away from home—the Mexican, American, and English staff were kind and welcoming, and “inclusive” in the natural convivial way, not the suffocating, politically correct way. On my trip home, I noticed that I missed the Na’atik folks I had gotten to know. I hope to visit Na’atik again at greater length, and I highly recommend the same experience to anyone wishing to take a deep dive into Mexico.

If you're even remotely considering going to Na'atik for an immersion experience, DO IT. I cannot say enough good things about this school, their staff, and the community. From the beginning of my search for an immersion program, the staff at Na'atik were extremely responsive, personal and accommodating to all of my questions and needs. I was lucky enough to be able to join them for two weeks. During that time I took private classes with Irene. Again, I also cannot say enough good things about Irene! My classes were adjusted to meet my specific level and needs. I was pushed and challenged in the best way. Learning a second language is an adventure but can be extremely hard at times. On the hardest days I found nothing but encouragement from Irene and the rest of the staff.

My host family was so warm and welcoming to me. Of course living in a new country can bring its own set of differences, but my best advice is to be open. Try everything. Eat everything that's put in front of you. Embrace the hammock sleeping. You won't regret it and you'll learn a lot about yourself in the process. My family took me in and showed me their community and invited me to be a part of their life while I was in Carillo and that's an experience I'll forever treasure. To this day I still talk to my family often. I can't stress enough how wonderful they are and how wonderful the home stay experience is! :)

I highly recommend Na'atik, no matter what level of Spanish you're on. I have studied Spanish for many years but being totally immersed took me to an entire new level. There's no greater way to learn something than to place yourself right in the middle of it. This school is a real gem in their community. I'm already itching to get back there! :)

Learning Spanish was a wonderful experience at Na'atik, they really look after you! Catherine the owner is very supportive, ready to assist with anything you may need and really passionate about the local area and language learning.

My teacher Pedro was very experienced and adaptable, able to tailor the lessons to my very novice level but ambitious study goals. I barely knew any Spanish when I arrived, but familiarity with another romantic language and the small class size meant that we could speed up and slow down to focus on specific areas as needed. The host family were great too, immersion is really the way to go if you want to learn a language - after two weeks at Na'atik I had enough Spanish to survive another three months solo travelling through Central and South America.

The host family was lovely, I still salivate a little when I think of the food they cooked for me! The room had both a bed and a hammock, which I ended up sleeping in the whole time because it was so comfortable.

The little town of Carrillo, with its rich culture and welcoming people, was such a delight. It makes for a great base to further explore the area, Tulum is an easy combi ride away and there are plenty of other ruins and cenotes around to explore in your free time.

This program was exactly what I as looking for. As short as it was, I feel I've added much to my life.
My family was simply lovely and I will be leaving my heart with them. I was seeking an authentic experience and this feels as real as it gets. On top of the absolutely amazing food, to be so graciously welcomed into their home was a gift.
The warmth and friendliness of the other teachers was also special. The invitation to socialize on their own personal time is another gift that I do not underestimate. The attitude of the teachers, the students,a and the family combine to make Na'atik an admirable, warm and beautiful community.
I am a brand new beginner in Spanish and came knowing extremely little. Edwin was very patient and provided me with just the right amount of content and presented it very clearly. I truly appreciated how he listened to me and worked to answer my questions. The most powerful learning, I feel, was outside the classroom with Edwin. The drive to the lagoon, the walk through town, and the personal time with Edwin and his family allowed me to use and understand the content in a meaningful, practical, and thoroughly enjoyable way. These were more than lessons in Spanish language. They were intimate cultural experiences that made my time at Na'atik very rich.

I would recommend this program if you have a desire to learn Spanish/Mayan and explore Mexico, the family I stayed with was very accommodating and invited me to do things with them, the staff was flexible as too what I wanted to learn (Mayan Legends, Poems, and Latin American History.) I was also able to visit many different points, via the bus and communicating with people around. I had a great time.

I am so happy I found Na'atik! Catherine, the school's owner, is so thoughtful and takes care of every detail. I have studied Spanish at 4 different schools (2 in guatemala; 1 in Honduras) and this is by far the best.

Why? The amount of attention given to your academic needs as well as the details for the homestay and outside of school activities. The families actually care to get to know you (that is above and beyond most homestay family setups which typically are more "business like").

The teachers at the school are great and the town is a really lovely place to stay as well as an easy place to explore the region. I have never gone back to a school twice but I would go back here!