Spanish Schools:
While it’s true that people pass through Xela, visiting for a few days, often on their way to or from Mexico, the majority of extranjeros here are of the “I’m here to become at least conversational, if not fluent, in Spanish” variety. Many of the schools here, and the town itself, come highly recommended as a destination for learning Spanish. And if that’s your goal, we also recommend spending your time in Xela.
Celas Maya:
Celas Maya might be the best as far as Spanish Schools go, in our experience. The instructors are great, all with several years of experience, and lesson plans are created for each student, depending on their level of Spanish and the amount of time they will be at the school. There are some students who pass through quickly, but many who stay for a month or much longer. And the staff at the school takes an interest in the lives of students and their experience at the school. After just one week of classes, the group of staff and students that were at the school felt like friends and family, which is nice to find when you are far from home. The weekly activities also make for an easy opportunity to get to know and spend time with other students, and include volcano hikes, tours to nearby towns and villages, and dinners at the school.
Water and coffee are offered for free for students during classes. And WIFI is always available. Cafe Guru is attached to the school, and offers also an internet cafe, as well as coffee and tea for Q6-Q13. Classes online, via Skype, are also available for one-on-one long distance learning.
Check out the website for Celas Maya for information about home-stays, prices, and more.
Contact:
6a Calle 14-55 Zona 1 (just three blocks from Central Park)
Phone: (502) 7761-4342
Email: celasmaya@gmail.com
Hikes and Hotsprings:
Quetzaltrekkers:
Quetzaltrekkers, the non-profit hiking outfit based out of Xela, has an outstanding reputation: for their hikes, and for the work that the hikes support. Run completely by volunteers, the work being accomplished by this small group is impressive.
You can plan your trip to Xela around one of the hikes offered, as some are several days in length. Or, if just passing through, day-treks are offered as well. Several of the hikes, such as the three-day-trek to Lago Atitlan, a one day hike to Santa Maria, or two day trek to Tajumulco, which just happens to be the highest point in Central America, are offered every week. Others are interspersed throughout the month, along with benefit parties for the organization.
Check out their website to learn a lot more about who they are, the work they are doing, and the treks that are offered. Detailed information about each of the treks is available, as well as a schedule for the month. Or, if in town, stop by Casa Argentina to find their office. There should be staff around any time of day. Just ask for Quetzaltrekkers when someone opens the door for you at Casa Argentina.
Address:
Casa Argentina
Diagonal 12
8-43 Zona 1
www.quetzaltrekkers.com/guathome.html
Las Fuentes Georginas:
Check out more pictures of Las Fuentes Georginas
Whether you find yourself in Xela to study Spanish, hike volcanoes, or to explore the culture and history of el Sexto Estado, chances are you be happy that you spent a morning or afternoon relaxing in the thermal pools at Las Fuentes. Getting there is easy, as every school and travel agency in town offers tours for Q115 ($15 USD). Shuttles leave at 9am, returning at 12:30pm, or at 2:30pm, returning at 6pm.
The ride to Las Fuentes is less than an hour, leaving more than two hours for soaking or swimming in one of the three thermal pools in the park.
Weekends are great, but with more people, and so going on a weekday is recommended. Take a bathing suit, but don’t sweat it if you don’t have one. Shorts and a T-shirt are acceptable attire as well. You’ll be thankful if you bring water, as a half an hour in the hottest pool can leave you feeling a little dizzy. Or, there’s also a bar/restaurant on site.
The restaurant serves food, breakfast included, starting at Q25.
There are showers on site, and a changing room as well. No lockers, however. Though we haven’t heard any reports of theft at the pools.
Cerro El Baul
More photos of El Baul
Okay, here is what you should know about El Baul. Yes, in the park, there is a four-lane slide, which is a lot of fun, even if you are three times the size of everyone else that is participating.
However, no, you cannot slide all the way back to Xela from the top of the hill. (Though sometimes you can catch a ride in a car or truck on your way back to town.)
To walk to El Baul from Parque Central, it will take around an an hour and a half. It’s not a difficult walk, though if going for the first time, looking at google maps before will help you to orient yourself. There’s really only one sign on the way.
Also, going with others is way better than going alone. The walk seems faster, also feels safer, and is way less frustrating when you don’t know where you are. Also, it’s worth having a witness in case your landing at the bottom of the slide is laughable.
Cerro El Baul is a National Park (read=trees) just outside of the city of Xela. While there is not a lot of space for hiking in the park (I think it’s only around 1 square mile), it’s a fun walk from the city, and in the afternoon the park is active with families. There is a small playground, futbol field, places to eat, a giant monument, and the four lane slide.
So, to get to El Baul from Parque Central:
Walk past the Cathedral on Calle 6, heading away from the park. After about 8 blocks, you’ll run into Parque Bolivar. You can stay on the road to the Left of the Park, Diagonal 2. Where this road crosses Avenida Cirilo Flores / 3a Calle, turn right, and the road becomes 5a Calle, which heads uphill and away from town. There are several dead end roads that are off the right of 5a Calle, but keep your eyes open for a cement wall with a sign for El Baul. Follow this road to the entrance to the park, where you’ll continue walking uphill, winding along a road, until you eventually reach the park entrance. Along this road, it’s possible someone would offer you a ride. Same goes for the walk back down.
Also check out the photos above for pictures of the walk to El Baul.
GETTING // GOING • SLEEPING • EATING • DOING
Celas Mayas might be a good school but also the most expensive one by far! I studied at Sol Latino, a school that is a lot more affordable and I cannot else then say that they are professional. The classes are as well one-on-one and teachers work with a study plan. They also organize 5 activities per week which are also included in their price.