If you want to learn Spanish in Mexico, Puebla should be at the top of your list.
In 2010 I arrived in Mexico not knowing any Spanish. It was before smart phones and google translate. Yet somehow I found a way to communicate through hand signals and sometimes drawings!
Over time I took Spanish classes haphazardly, first in Oaxaca then Nicaragua, Peru and in the Mayan Riviera.
Some places were better than others but by far my best experience was in Puebla at the Spanish Institute of Puebla, one of the most respected language schools in Latin America.
Learning Spanish in Mexico
Safety and Comfort
Although I have been to Mexico many times and feel comfortable traveling the city, this time I was not alone. I brought my partner Alan, who is Indonesian and had never been outside Asia before. He was very hesitant about visiting Mexico for safety reasons.
This is why I knew Puebla would be the best city to start in. We flew 30 hours from Asia and took a bus directly from the Mexico City airport to Puebla.
Puebla is considered one of the safer cities in Mexico. It has a relaxed pace that makes it easy to get around. You can walk through colonial streets or take short rides across the city without worry.
It reminds me a lot of Cuenca Ecuador for these reasons, another city I really love.
Puebla is a City Built for Learning
Puebla is not overrun by international tourism. That means English is less common, and you get to practice Spanish in everyday life. Ordering food, asking for directions or chatting in the market all become part of your learning experience.
Locals are friendly and patient, which makes it easier to practice. I’ve taken Spanish in other cities in Mexico, but Puebla stands out. It is smaller, easy to navigate, and filled with opportunities to speak Spanish in real situations.
As a student we enjoyed walking to class or exploring on foot because the historic center is compact. Safe streets and welcoming neighborhoods gave Alan confidence to explore, which is key when you want to practice Spanish outside the classroom.
The Beauty of the Historic Center
The Spanish Institute of Puebla (SIP) is located in a restored 17th century convent just four blocks from the zócalo. The building itself inspires learning with high ceilings and old stone walls. Outside the classroom you are surrounded by colorful streets, tiled churches and views of the Popocatépetl volcano.
Personally I think Puebla is one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico. The historic center of Puebla is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so you learn Spanish while surrounded by living history.
Structured Programs with Results
The Spanish Institute of Puebla has been teaching for over 35 years. Their program follows both the European Framework of Reference and ACTFL standards.
With eight levels of instruction you can start as a beginner or sharpen advanced skills. Alan is a complete beginner so it was an easy placement. I took an oral and written test and landed in group 3.
My situation is a bit unique as I have been traveling Latin America so long I have a lot of vocabulary and people understand me even though I conjugated verbs horribly. It was helpful to see where I really stood before starting classes.
I like to say I am functional but messy.
Because it was low season our group classes ended up being private as we were the only ones at our level. I really appreciated that SIP didn’t put us in other groups where we would have struggled.
Intensive programs give you about 30 hours of structured lessons each week. And it was intensive but also I could see each day I was fixing my bad habits.
Experienced Teachers
All teachers have university degrees and years of experience teaching Spanish as a second language. Even group classes are small and include private conversation sessions. This balance of group work and one-on-one practice means you get personal attention and plenty of feedback.
My teacher Laura was fantastic. She tailored our four-hour daily sessions to topics I was interested in, like women’s rights in Mexico, gentrification, and even cultural appropriation in fashion.
I not only improved my Spanish but also learned so much more about life in Mexico.
Immersion Beyond the Classroom
Learning Spanish in Puebla goes far beyond books. SIP includes afternoon conversation guides who practice with students outside the classroom. You might go to a café, museum or market and use Spanish in real life situations. The goal is to live the language for up to 16 hours a day.
I also appreciated how the school encouraged open conversations, even about controversial issues. It helped me learn not only new vocabulary but also how people in Mexico view different topics. That cultural immersion was just as valuable as the grammar lessons.
SIP also includes day trips and I loved our trip to Cholula, which included some interesting visits to a including Santa María Tonantzintla, that blends Catholic icons with Indigenous Mesoamerican symbolism.
Cultural Learning Through Food and Traditions
Puebla is famous for its food, and every meal is a chance to learn more Spanish. Classic dishes like mole poblano and chiles en nogada were created here. Markets are full of fresh tortillas, tropical fruit, and street snacks like chalupas and molotes.
SIP even includes a buffet lunch each day. After class I could relax, try different Mexican dishes and keep speaking Spanish without the burden of thinking where am I going to eat lunch, I’m starving!
It was a small detail but it made a big difference, especially when I was tired after four hours of class.
Affordable Living
The Spanish Institute of Puebla offers a homestay option, which is absolutely the way to go. I have done this in the past when taking Spanish classes and it’s a great way to stay in the zone for learning Spanish.
Host families are an important part of the Spanish Institute of Puebla. You live with locals, share meals, and practice Spanish at home every day. Families are carefully selected, and many have hosted students for years. The home setting helps you learn words and expressions that do not appear in textbooks. It also gives you a sense of community while you are away from home.
We had already booked an apartment before deciding to take classes and it also was a great fit.
Compared to Mexico City or Oaxaca, Puebla is easier on the budget. Food, housing and transportation cost less, and daily life is affordable. That means you can stay longer and focus on learning without stretching your wallet.
Affordable living also gives you more chances to explore. You can visit nearby towns like Cholula or Tlaxcala and take short trips to mountains and archaeological sites without spending much.
Flexibility for Every Student
The Institute offers courses from one week up to 24 weeks. There are also specialized programs for business, medicine and other fields. Whether you want a short introduction or a long stay, you can find a program that works for you.
Alan was a complete beginner. His program was very straightforward, while mine was more advanced. It showed me how flexible the Institute can be for different levels.
Positive Reviews from Students
Many former students say they learned more in a few weeks here than in months elsewhere. They praise the teachers, host families and the chance to live in a real Mexican city.
When I started looking for Spanish classes I knew there were a few options that looked good. As the Spanish Institute of Puebla is a formally recognized organization the website looks formal and I worried it would be too academic or too formal.
But I reached out for recommendations on Facebook in local groups and the responses for the Spanish Institute of Puebla were overwhelmingly positive. And so I was thrilled when they agreed to host us for two weeks so that we could share our experience.
This is my honest opinion and they have not reviewed creative in advance or requested specific things to be included, only for us to share our own thoughts.
I think this really speaks to an organization that knows they are providing a high quality service.
For me, I can say I loved my teacher so much that the last day felt a little sad. After spending hours together each day, I felt like I was leaving a friend. That kind of connection makes learning Spanish even more meaningful.
And I’m still working to fix all of my little imperfections on my Spanish journey!