Spanish for Puerto Vallarta Residents

There is a growing number of snowbirds and full time residents in Banderas Bay who enjoy coming to Mexico and learning more than “Hola” and “una cerveza/margarita, por favor!” for their Spanish vocabulary. Indeed, learning at least some basic Spanish can make all the difference when choosing to make Puerto Vallarta your home away from home whether for a few weeks of the year or longer.

Tips for learning Spanish in Puerto Vallarta

There are a few ways to learn Spanish, depending on the level you wish to acquire.

Join In

The easiest way to learn some Spanish is to immerse yourself in the local culture in Puerto Vallarta not just within the comfort zone of your expat pals where English will dominate your conversations. Volunteer with local charities that visit the elderly, help out at the Los Mangos library, attend art openings and other cultural events, take a community yoga or zumba class (rather than the bilingual classes at your gym) and force yourself to communicate as much as possible in Spanish. Getting a maid that speaks very little English is also a great way to practice the basics.

Forget about getting it right

The key to learning is foreign language is not whether you are “good at languages” or not, but rather whether you are willing to get it wrong! The biggest block to speaking a second language like Spanish is feeling like a dunce as you mix your tenses, use words from other languages and try to imitate Speedy Gonzalez with your accent. Let go of the desire to get it right and use all the words you know in Spanish in the order that they occur to you. Communication is not about correct grammar but a willingness to express yourself and the patience to listen to what the other person is trying to say.

Take a Class

Whether private, a group, online or self-taught with CDs or a book, getting a formal basis for your Spanish will make all the difference to your confidence, vocabulary and grammar. In Puerto Vallarta there are a number of affordable options to learn Spanish, from language schools to private tutors. Small groups are perhaps the best place to start if you are an absolute beginner as the pace is slower and you learn from your classmates, both their successes and their mistakes. Private tutors are great if you want fast results, but will cost a little more than group classes. Sometimes it is better to spend the same money on three group classes per week than one private class, especially at the beginning as more regular exposure and practice will help you get a grip on the Spanish language.

How to find the right Spanish class for you in Puerto Vallarta

There are a number of language schools that offer Spanish classes in Puerto Vallarta. The list below are just some suggestions and is not a complete list:

The Spanish Experience Center

This is a local school just a couple of blocks from Parque Hidalgo that offers more than just Spanish language classes, you can also enjoy cooking classes and art lessons.

Solexico

This is an immersion Spanish language school located in downtown Puerto Vallarta that is a member of a variety of international and Mexican language organizations.

Centro Internacional De Lenguas Extranjeras

This language school in Puerto Vallarta’s Plaza Caracol offers a number of foreign languages in addition to Spanish. You will find the classes very economical in small groups.

Spanish School Vallarta – Melchor’s Spanish Language School

Offers four levels of Spanish classes with a follow-up conversation class using the Warren Hardy Spanish School Materials. Located in Colonia Versalles.

Don Quijote Language School

This Spanish language school in Puerto Vallarta promises a maximum of 5 students per group and the option for intensive courses and private tutors.

Private Tutors in Puerto Vallarta

There are no end of private tutors offering Spanish classes in Puerto Vallarta. One way to find a suitable tutor is to post a request on Facebook or other forums for a recommendation. Alternatively, ask at a language school. Beware that just because someone is a native Spanish speaker does not mean they will make a good teacher. Be sure to ask for recommendations. For conversation, teaching ability is not so important, so head out for a coffee with your favorite Mexican friend and start rolling your “rrrs!”