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

I decided to travel from Australia to Carrillo to take some classes in the Maya language at Na’atik to complement my studies in archaeology and anthropology. I find the Maya culture particularly fascinating and felt I could learn a lot from this part of Mexico and its people by experiencing life as a local. My expectations were more than exceeded!
I chose Na’atik as it had some great reviews, inspiring, up to date photos of their activities, and was in touch with, and involved in, supporting the local community.
My Maya teacher Linda was above and beyond just a language teacher. Her knowledge and enthusiasm for the Maya culture was contagious. And my home stay was as authentic as it gets, being invited to take part in this wonderful family’s daily life was an enriching experience like no other.
The staff at Na’atik were (and continue to be!) so supportive and encouraging. They were flexible in providing me with a personalized program of study to suit my needs, and always available for a chat or to give advice.
For me this course was a great balance of language theory and culture. Some people may prefer a stronger focus on just language, but I know that the staff at Na’atik will happily tailor courses to suit the needs of individuals.
It has been a wonderful experience I will truly treasure and benefit from for years to come, definitely recommended!

My overall experience at Naatik was wonderful. Each day I had one on one training with my teacher; two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. All of the teachers were so friendly and in between classes we would speak in both English and Spanish about where we were from and how we liked Carillo. My host family was really nice and made sure I was as comfortable as possible. I wasn't used to taking cold showers, but the host most made sure I had hot water each morning to bath. I really felt like a part of the family. I was able to meet and have lunch with their friends. I enjoyed comparing and contrasting life in America and life in Mexico each evening. I definitely would like to return and bring my son.

Studying at Na'atik was a fantastic experience. You are in the presence of something special when you come to this school-- a community of people who care for each other. The school community was warm, welcoming, and eager to help language learners. The people of Carrillo were incredibly helpful and happy to engage in conversation, give advice, and curious about the teachers and students at the school. I stayed for a week and made day trips out to a few of the nearby "attractions"-- Laguna Bacalar is an especially wonderful place to visit.

Na'atik is a great school in a great location. I really enjoyed my Spanish course and I really felt welcomed by everyone in the town. I spent a lot of time exploring Carrillo by bike and loved trying the local food and fruit juices. The location was perfect for me as I traveled every weekend to places like Laguna Bacalar, Tulum, Merida and small local villages. I couldn't have asked for a more welcoming host family and I can't wait to see them again!

After three weeks in Carrillo Puerto with Na'atik I did not want to leave. My Spanish teacher was amazing, adapting the curriculum to fit exactly my level and the types of Spanish I wanted to learn (including bringing in guest speakers). My host family was truly amazing, welcoming me in like a new member of the family and being infinitely patient with my sometimes halting Spanish. And Carrillo Puerto was the perfect place to learn Spanish with very few people who spoke English and incredibly friendly locals who were open to having long and detailed conversations about anything from their families, to the history of the Mayan people, to Mexican politics. People were so friendly that I had several great conversations that were started by nothing more than saying "hello" to a stranger on the street - this gave me tons of chances to practice my Spanish!
I seriously can't recommend Na'atik highly enough. I think I learned more Spanish in three weeks there than in two years of classes in the US - not to mention it was a lot more fun! The teachers at the school were always happy to show me around the local sites and cenotes or to have me along on their trips around the region on the weekends.

Through my internship with the UMIQRoo University in Jose Maria Morelos this past summer, I found out about the Na'atik school in Felipe Carrillo Puerto about an hour away. Felipe Carrillo Puerto is a great town with plenty of things to do and a distinct character/culture. It is also on the main bus routes to places like Tulumn, Chetumal, and Valladolid (which is a big perk for weekend trips).
Upon entering Na'atik, the helpful staff and my welcoming host family (who were set up for me previous to my arrival) immediately made me feel at home. The 1 week Mayan-language intensive was challenging and rewarding. My instructor, Gustavo, was really dedicated to making sure that we got the most out of our time in the classroom: he prepared an array of learning materials, from songs, to poetry, class activities, and history lessons, in order to approach the material from multiple disciplines. It was really helpful in grasping different aspects of Mayan language and culture. He was both knowledgeable and patient and, from his lessons, I felt much more confident in practicing my language basics with my host family and friends in Felipe Carrillo Puerto. I still speak with my host family regularly as well as the staff at Na'atik. It's like a home away from home. I can't wait to come back to visit everyone and to continue my studies!! Thank you guys for everything.