Academia Colonial Spanish School Activities

Learn Spanish While Having Fun!

Here comes the fun part! It’s not just about studying; it’s about enjoying your time in Antigua and sucking the marrow out of life! Each day is a new opportunity to explore the rich culture of Guatemala, and particularly, Antigua. We are always creating new and exciting activities for our students, both day and night. Activities provide an excellent way for students to learn Spanish outside of class.

Activities Photo Gallery (Click on the Image to Open Each Gallery)

Climbing Volcano Pacaya

Guatemala is a country filled with volcanoes. The exact count is 33. Antigua itself is surrounded by 3: Agua to the south, and Acatenago and Fuego to the west. Agua is the closest to Antigua and with a height of nearly 3800 meters; it literally towers over the city.  Its hard to live in Antigua and not be facinated by volcanoes. For this reason, climbing another nearby volcano, Pacaya, which is active is a very popular activity. We leave Antigua in a private shuttle at 2:00; begin climbing at 3:00; and we reach the summit to view the lava up close right before sunset. The views are spectacular, and the experience is literally awesome.

Mayan Crafts: Women Weaving

We go to the town of San Antonio Aguas Calientes to visit a group of local women who make fabrics by hand to sell in the local markets. They begin by explaining the meanings behind many of their customs. They perform two Mayan rituals, one of worship and the other a wedding to give our students a window into their culture. They demonstrate the basics of weaving fabrics and other products such as hats and mats. They then teach our students how to make tortillas by hand, and we finish the day with a traditional dinner - Pepian. The students are transported to San Antonio and back by private shuttle. The activity is a hit among our students.

Hiking to the Foot of the Cross (Cerro de la Cruz)

An amazing view of Antigua can be found by hiking to the foot of the cross. The cross is a large concrete crucifix up in the foot hills above Antigua. The view of Antigua and the surrounding volcanoes is spectacular. Bring your camera! 

Guatemalan Festivals!

Guatemala is full of holidays and festivals! If there is something interesting going on locally, most likely we will be planning a class trip to see it. The most recent festival was Guatemala's famous "day of the dead," otherwise known as "All Saints' Day." The holiday is dedicated to honoring the lives of the dead.  Because death is seen as a continuation of life, it is a very colorful and joyous celebration. The day consists of decorating the tombs of loved ones, and most importantly for us, flying thousands of kites in the sky. The kites range in size from tiny to colossal!

Cooking Classes 

There's no better way to spend a beautiful afternoon then cooking in our courtyard. Frequently we host cooking classes that explore the wonderful world of Guatemalan cuisine as well as popular dishes from around the world. The cost is minimal, just the total grocery bill divided among the those attending, normally around $2-$3 per person.

Salsa Classes

Carlos Miranda, owner of La Salsa Dance Studio offers free salsa lessons to our students on Monday afternoons. Carlos’s school with 7 instructors is quickly becoming one of Antigua’s top salsa schools. Salsa music can be heard here almost every night and the dance scene is pretty lively. Students find these classes very helpful, and many of them end up signing up for private or small group lessons.

Make New York Style Pizza!

Make Pizza with Edgar Lopez owner of the Antigua’s Famous Sunshine Grill. Edgar has been making pizzas his whole life, starting in Guatemala City then perfecting his skills while living in New York and Canada. His pizzeria is a famous hangout among locals and tourists alike. Edgar will walk you through the process of making pizza from scratch, starting with the dough, then the sauces, and finally the toppings. The class with be in Spanish and English.

Coffee Roasting?

Ever wondered what coffee looks like before its roasted? Ever seen a coffee tree? Do you know the difference between a medium roast, and an espresso roast? Guatemala is famous for its coffee particularly in the area around Antigua which is known as the Panza Verde or (green stomach) due to its extremely fertile land. Starbucks is a major purchaser of Guatemalan coffee, particularly in the area surrounding Antigua.

Fernando owner of Fernando’s Kaffe will explain to you the nature of the coffee business: how coffee is selected, what it looks like raw, how it is roasted, and finally the best ways to enjoy this world famous coffee. Fernando’s shop has two roasting machines in the entrance that fill the street with the wonderful aroma of freshly roasted coffee. It’s a hot spot among coffee connoisseurs. The class will be in Spanish and English.

Farm Tours - Macadamia and Coffee

It’s always a pleasure to venture outside of Antigua's city walls to explore the lush fertile countryside that surrounds us. What better way to take it all in than visit a pair of typical farms. We will visit both a macadamia nut farm as well as a coffee farm so you can see first hand how these products are grown and cultivated. Its one of the more popular day trips among tourists.