Having inked a peace accord a few years ago that stopped the seemingly endless civil state of war, this Latin American country, a little smaller than the state of Wisconsin, seems to be transforming into the next travel destination with a major amount of tourism. No longer just for the adventurous traveler, tourists all over visit South America for its promise of colorful diversity, many tales of folklore, natural wonders, Semana Santa parades and Spanish language learning.

Many people discover themselves beginning off their trip with Antigua as their base. Antigua is maybe one of the most enchanting colonial cities in Central America, and from there international study abroad students can love the many excursions that allow travelers to fall in love. This small and relaxed cobblestone city, found in a valley adjacent 3 volcanoes, Agua, Acatenango and Fuego, provides ruined and restored architecture, a colonial array of cosmopolitan restaurants, bustling bars, tons of shopping, and the tranquil central park. Latin America and especially, Antigua, is well known for its reasonably priced and dozens of Spanish language schools that pull in tourism who have decided to take an educational vacation to learn Spanish.

While in Guatemala, it is highly counselled that one Look into their Spanish language schools, where there are many opportunities for study abroad participants, young and old, to study Spanish, volunteer in the a lot of social, educational and healthcare organizations in need, take part in host families with local Guatemalan families, see the schools organized activities, and join the other students for excursions, salsa dancing or a beer.

Though Antigua is acknowledged to some as the Spanish school capital of Central America with as many travelers it attracts. But from time to time you have to look for additional chances to practice your Spanish language outside of the classroom setting. For instance, many participants stay with local Guatemalan families to practice speaking with them. Others volunteer in Guatemalan projects or accept volunteer positions at charitable organizations.  Or one may want to teach English as an ESL teacher in Guatemala. Or go to the open air marketplace on the west section of the town where the locals shop or ride in one of the many motorized “tuk tuks” that take you in and across Antigua. There is no shortage of methods to speak Spanish in this colorful and intriguing town!

In spite of the comfort and ease of Antigua, traveling all over Central America is a definite must for vacationers who would like to try all that Central America has to offer. One of the benefits of learning Spanish is that study abroad participants can venture out of the class to feel its innocent beauty while upholding the learning process. The Spanish language is the official language of Guatemala but there are about different Mayan languages.

On one hand, no trip to Guatemala would be complete without a trip to the fabulous Mayan buildings of Tikal, in the north of the country. Get ready to enjoy some of the greatest archeological wonders in the world even though the bulk of the structures remain unexcavated. Tikal, the largest and even the most ancient of the Mayan cities, has a couple of skyscraper like ruins straining toward the heavens, beyond the green jungle tree tops. However the ruins and jungle beauty are not sufficient, Tikal introduces an excellent chance for fauna and bird watching.

Traveling in Guatemala is an adventure in and of itself. Riding on a “chicken bus” and you are sure to learn Spanish in a brightly colored language lab. These brightly painted recycled U.S. school buses overflowing with religious artifacts and loud, festive music take local Guatemalans and travelers in and out of Antigua. Stopping anyplace a person requires to get on or off, there are always people crowded into the seats and aisles. This makes practicing the Spanish language a must.

So why not travel to Central America and live the Spanish language