Frequently Asked Questions

According to our policy, for one-week stays, we kindly request payment upon arrival in local currency (Quetzales).

Yes, we strongly recommend this if you want to secure your morning classes for your entire stay. If you wish to add more weeks once you are here and we are not fully booked, it is usually easy to do so.

Additional class hours cost $10 USD per extra hour.

Classes with two students and one teacher have an additional cost of 50% over individual tuition.

Yes, we can offer you an oral or written placement test at the beginning of your course. Based on your result, we will suggest where to start with your teacher.

Yes, you can arrive a day earlier (Saturday), and pay for the extra day of accommodation with the family (Q150), before your course begins. Please ask for availability in advance.

We currently coordinate for students to go straight to their host family’s house upon arrival. All information will be provided via WhatsApp.

We will send you all the information on how to get to your host family’s house closer to your arrival date.

The closest house is about 5 minutes walking from the school, and the farthest is about 15 minutes.

The maximum is 4 students, although we normally accommodate only 2 or 3.

We cannot promise that you will be the only student, as our policy allows for a maximum of 4. Placing multiple students allows us to fulfill our ethical purpose of supporting the family more effectively.

No, the cost is charged per person, as food represents the greatest expense for the family.

Yes, we do. Please advise us in advance so the family can prepare.

Our showers provide warm (not hot) water. This water temperature is common in the area and has not been an issue for our previous students.

Yes, all our host families have WiFi. Students are also free to use the Orbita Spanish School WiFi anytime. If you need higher internet speed for work, please inquire at our office.

Unfortunately, we do not allow dogs in our housing due to allergies some students have to pet hair. We encourage you to explore other pet-friendly housing options in the area, and you are welcome to attend classes with us.

We currently offer programs for children aged 7 and older, preferably those who are already able to read and write. We regret not having the resources or materials for younger children.

Yes, it is possible, but we still recommend starting on a Monday or Tuesday. If you choose to start on a Wednesday, we recommend booking extra afternoon classes, meals with your host family, and accommodation nights (if applicable) until Sunday, when you would begin your regular package and morning classes on Monday.

We recommend bringing the following: Layered clothing (Sweater or hoodie, shorts, light jacket), comfortable footwear (Sneakers for walking/hiking), essential gear (Flashlight/headlamp, sunscreen, first aid kit), and for the Rainy Season (May-October): Raincoat or umbrella and mosquito repellent. A small towel (for travelers) and a translator/dictionary are optional.

No, the yellow fever vaccination is not needed for travel to Guatemala.

Activities are decided each week based on the type of students we have present. Therefore, we cannot provide the list of activities for a specific week too far in advance, but we assure you there will always be interesting options.