Cusco is a fascinating city that attracts visitors from all over the world. Although most just pass by on their way to Machu Picchu, others come for professional reasons or fall in love on their trip and decide to stay.
Quick Tip: If travelling to or from Lima Airport, it is strongly recommended to use the luxury Airport Express Lima bus to get to or from your hotel. Safer and cheaper than a taxi with no baggage limit as well as free Wi-Fi and USB chargers onboard, it is ideal for travellers.
When staying in Cusco for longer periods of time it is important to learn more than just your basic ‘Hola’ and ‘Gracias’. Although you might be able to learn Spanish on the go, it is always beneficial to take some lessons depending on your level and background.
If you don’t want to leave for Peru without any prior knowledge of Spanish, you could always start practicing with online language tools, like Babbel, Busuu or Duolingo. These apps might not make you an expert in Spanish, but will familiarise absolute beginners really fast and are either free or really economic.
Finding a Spanish school or tutor that fits your specific needs and level can be challenging. Here you can find what the best-known Spanish schools in Cusco have to offer and where to find them.
Location: Calle Triunfo 374, right next to the Plaza de Armas
Size – A school with 5 classrooms that offer private or group classes in groups of maximum 4 people. They recently opened a new location to offer more classes.
Facilities and services provided – The students have access to free Wi-Fi, study material, coffee and tea. Every Thursday there’s a free weekly activity like salsa classes, cooking classes, movie night, local fruit tasting, etc.
Teaching Style – This Spanish school is all about the personal approach. The teachers adapt their classes completely to your level and your wishes. Koen and Karina the founders are amazing people and passionate about taking care of people.
Courses and Level of Study – The student can choose how many hours a week, private or in group, and what the main focus in the classes will be. The most common choices of students are:
Group classes 20 hours per week
Private classes 10 hours per week
4-week immersion program: 80 hours of group classes, 4 weeks of homestay and 3 tours included: Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca
Spanish online: prepare yourself for your trip or continue the classes afterwards through Skype classes
Volunteering: after or combined with the Spanish classes in a project of your choice, with no extra cost
Accommodation – They offer shared apartments for the students or homestays where you become part of a Peruvian family.
For information on booking a tour, comparing operators and reviewing prices we recommend to use FindLocalTrips.com a comparison website for tours and activities across South America.
PROYECTO PERÚ
Location: Calle Siete Cuartones 290, second floor. A few blocks from the Main Square.
Size – The centre has five classrooms that can provide individual and group lessons, with a maximum of five people per class. The building also has a patio for private lessons in case you want to study in an open and green area.
Facilities and Services Provided – Free Wi-Fi in all areas of the school, as well as coffee and tea. All students are provided with free study material. Every Thursday evening, the school organises a free activity (salsa lessons, Pisco Sour making, game nights, etc) for its volunteers and students.
Teaching Style – High quality, personalized, and interactive Spanish because all teachers are certified from the Cervantes Institute and have years of teaching experience. They are native Spanish speaking Peruvian teachers with a method which guarantees a steady progress. Depending on your course duration, you go on educational trips to museum and markets, to practice what you have learned.
Courses Offered – All our students can choose from our different packages, according to their availability. We are very flexible!
Group Classes: 20 hours per week
Individual Classes: 10 hours per week
Spanish For Special Purposes: 15 hours per week
Spanish Online: Proyecto Peru can help you be prepared for your trip in South America or continue your lessons afterwards through Skype lessons.
Volunteering and Language Immersion: Give back to the community by volunteering in one of our many projects in the city while learning the local language!
Accommodation – Proyecto Peru offers all participants the opportunity of immerse themselves in the Peruvian culture by living with a local family. All participants can also choose the shared flat.
Availabilty: – Group classes start every Monday at least. Individual classes start depending on the availability of our teachers. Just give us an email office@proyectoperucentre.org or visit us at Siete Cuartones 290 int 201 and we plan your Spanish classes!
Location: Carmen bajo 224, near the San Blas square.
Size – The school has 8 classrooms and it works in small classes of up to a maximum of 6 people per class.
Facilities and Services Provided – Students can have a mate or coffee in the breaks. There’s also free Wi-Fi, computers students can use and a book exchange.
Teaching Style – The school teaches as from 2003 Spanish as a second language. The courses are based on full immersion and handouts are used.
Courses Offered – All our students can choose from our different packages, according to their availability. We are very flexible!
Beginner to expert
Small group classes: 20 hours Monday until Friday
Individual lessons: 2 hours per day. Private lessons per week
Accommodation – The school offers shared apartment at the schoollocation and or homestays.
We can offer a discount to PeruHop users of 10%
Learning Spanish is a difficult but important part of surviving in Peru and it can also be extremely fun. The mistakes you make in Spanish might make you look silly but the Cusqueños (people from Cusco) will appreciate the effort you put in and communicating will become so much easier.
We hope our guide helps you in your search for the best Spanish schools in Cusco… One word you can start off with is “chévere” .. It means cool and you can use it for just about anything!
Lima and Cusco might be the most visited but Arequipa has style. Whether it is its spicy cuisine or its majestic architecture and fine people, Arequipa is to be discovered, tasted and enjoyed like a fine piece of art. Don’t miss out on the hidden gem of the South when you visit Peru.
