Learn Spanish where it is spoken across a whole continent: tango in Buenos Aires, the Andes in Ecuador, the Caribbean in Mexico. Choose a destination to see its schools, courses and accommodation.
Three countries, three very different stays
- Buenos Aires, Argentina: a big capital with cafés, theatres, bookshops, tango and late nights. The seasons are the opposite of Europe’s: summer runs from December to February.
- Cuenca, Ecuador: a calm colonial city in the Andes at about 2,500 metres, whose historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mild days and cool nights all year.
- Playa del Carmen, Mexico: on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, with beaches, cenotes and Mayan sites such as Tulum within easy reach.
Accents and dialects in Latin America
A few features are shared across the continent:
- Seseo everywhere: z, and c before e or i, sound like s – never like the English “th”.
- Ustedes is “you” (plural) for friends and strangers alike; vosotros is understood but hardly used.
- Vocabulary varies: a car is a carro in Mexico, an auto in Argentina and a coche in Spain. And coger, harmless in Spain, is vulgar in Mexico and Argentina.
Argentina
In Buenos Aires (and in Uruguay) people use vos instead of tú, with its own verb forms: vos tenés, vos sos, vení. The letters ll and y sound like “sh” (or, for some speakers, like the “s” in “measure”), so yo me llamo sounds roughly like “sho me shamo”.
Mexico
Mexico has more Spanish speakers than any other country. Consonants and the s are usually pronounced clearly, which many learners find easy to follow. Although Playa del Carmen is on the Caribbean, people there speak Mexican Spanish – the Caribbean accent that drops the s is typical of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Ecuador
In the Andes around Cuenca people tend to speak fairly slowly and pronounce words fully. Usted is used a lot, even among family and friends, some words come from Kichwa, and Cuenca is known for its singsong intonation.
When to go and how to choose
Buenos Aires is most pleasant in spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May); January and February are hot and humid. Cuenca is good all year – pack layers, and give yourself a day or two to get used to the altitude. Playa del Carmen is driest from December to April; the hurricane season runs from June to November. Choose Buenos Aires for big-city culture, Cuenca for a quiet stay and a clear accent, Playa del Carmen for the beach.
Questions about learning Spanish in Latin America
Will people in Spain understand my Latin American Spanish?
Yes. The differences are similar to those between British and American English.
Do I need to learn “vos” for Buenos Aires?
You learn tú and usted in every course. In Buenos Aires you hear vos every day and pick it up quickly; your teachers will explain it.
Which destination is best for beginners?
Beginners are welcome in all three cities. Many learners find the Spanish of Ecuador and Mexico the easiest to understand at first.
Can I combine two destinations?
Yes. You can take a course at one school and continue at another. Tell us your plans and we help you with the dates.
Should I learn Spanish in Latin America or in Spain?
Both teach the same language: compare our destinations in Spain.