Miguel de Cervantes Guest House
Miguel de Cervantes Guest House
12 Avenida 8-31, Quetzaltenango 09001 Guatemala
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About
4.5
#2 of 10 guest houses in QuetzaltenangoLocation
4.9
Cleanliness
3.6
Service
4.7
Value
4.7
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HOTEL STYLE
Business
Budget
Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Wifi
Non-smoking hotel
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Kitchenette
Location
12 Avenida 8-31, Quetzaltenango 09001 Guatemala
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Grade: 60 out of 100
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Detailed Reviews
I stayed one month at Miguel de Cervantes, taking classes and living in one of their bedrooms at the school itself. I had made a lot of online research about the many schools in Xela before making my choice. I picked Miguel de Cervantes based on their price (unbeatable!), their smaller size and the absence of a general curriculum.
I truly had a great time studying there: Pedro, my teacher, was really nice and stayed in touch with what I was looking for in terms of lessons : there is no set course that all the teachers follow, so I could really focus on what I wanted to improve (conversations mostly and some specific grammar points).
The activities were interesting and diverse (salsa classes, visit of the surroundings villages, cooking classes, Laguna Chikabal on a Saturday, even zip-lining and of course, the potluck every friday) and a real effort was made to accommodate both the students in short stays and the ones that were here long terms.
I chose to stay at the school itself, as it's more in synch with my character. However, you still get the benefits of speaking plenty of Spanish with Ilsy, the best hostess/manager there is! Staying one month also allowed me to benefit from a cheaper price for the room (even though the weekly rate was already quite cheap!). There's wifi, hot showers, a TV room and the location is great.
I truly had a great time studying there: Pedro, my teacher, was really nice and stayed in touch with what I was looking for in terms of lessons : there is no set course that all the teachers follow, so I could really focus on what I wanted to improve (conversations mostly and some specific grammar points).
The activities were interesting and diverse (salsa classes, visit of the surroundings villages, cooking classes, Laguna Chikabal on a Saturday, even zip-lining and of course, the potluck every friday) and a real effort was made to accommodate both the students in short stays and the ones that were here long terms.
I chose to stay at the school itself, as it's more in synch with my character. However, you still get the benefits of speaking plenty of Spanish with Ilsy, the best hostess/manager there is! Staying one month also allowed me to benefit from a cheaper price for the room (even though the weekly rate was already quite cheap!). There's wifi, hot showers, a TV room and the location is great.
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Date of stay: October 2016Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed here for 5 months and took Spanish lessons for 4 weeks. The teacher was very intelligent, had a balanced approach and used great materials. He helped me translate lyrics and it was fun as well as informative. The atmosphere is easygoing and homely in the hostal. There's a nice shared lunch every friday with a family feel. The manager Ilsie is very helpful, charming and good fun. Dont pay more in other schools when the same quality or better can be found here.
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Date of stay: May 2016Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mi novio y yo hemos visitado Nicaragua, El Salvador, y Panama para tomar clases de espanol, y esta escuela en Xela es el mejor de todos. Los maestros tienen un profundo conocimiento de la gramatica, las reglas, y el lenguaje 'de la calle'. Antes de decidir en Miguel de Cervantes, leimos de muchos diferentes escuelas en Xela, y la mayoria utilisa una systema de niveles (A-B-C) para determinar que tipos de cosas necessitas aprender. Por la superficie, esta systema es buena, pero aprendiendo una lengua es mucho mas complicado que esta, y las personas de MdC saben esto. Es mucho mejor tener maestros que son flexibles y pueden utilisar esta systema, pero tambien pueden ensenar otras cosas especificas que la estudiante quiere. Esta es la meta de MdC, y ellos la consiguen, y mas. Para mi, soy doctora, y es muy importante que puedo entender historias o eventos en el pasado de mis pacientes. Entonces, mi maestra maravillosa revisaba estas reglas y las practicaba conmigo por el tiempo que queria, incluyendo otras explicaciones de las cosas/reglas que, en platicando, ella vio que necesite ayuda con. Recomendo esta escuela mucho a todas.
I have taken spanish classes in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Panama, and this school was the best of them all - by far. The teachers have a deep understanding of the grammar and rules of the language, and 'street spanish' as well. Before choosing Miguel de Cervantes, we researched pretty much all of the other schools in Xela and found that most of them put students into categories/levels (A-B-C if you're familiar with this system) and then their classes are based on that level. On the surface, this seems like a good system, but learning a language is more complicated than that, and the people at MdC know this. Having teachers that can use this system but who can also be flexible and adapt to the student's specific desires is much better. This is the goal of MdC and they achieve it and surpass it. I'm a physician, and for me (at my level) it's most important to be able to understand stories and events in past tense from my patients (leading up to their current illness). Therefore, my wonderful teacher reviewed these past tense rules and practiced them with me for as long I felt I needed, including, along the way, other explanations of items that she saw I needed help with. I highly recommend this school to everyone.
I have taken spanish classes in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Panama, and this school was the best of them all - by far. The teachers have a deep understanding of the grammar and rules of the language, and 'street spanish' as well. Before choosing Miguel de Cervantes, we researched pretty much all of the other schools in Xela and found that most of them put students into categories/levels (A-B-C if you're familiar with this system) and then their classes are based on that level. On the surface, this seems like a good system, but learning a language is more complicated than that, and the people at MdC know this. Having teachers that can use this system but who can also be flexible and adapt to the student's specific desires is much better. This is the goal of MdC and they achieve it and surpass it. I'm a physician, and for me (at my level) it's most important to be able to understand stories and events in past tense from my patients (leading up to their current illness). Therefore, my wonderful teacher reviewed these past tense rules and practiced them with me for as long I felt I needed, including, along the way, other explanations of items that she saw I needed help with. I highly recommend this school to everyone.
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Date of stay: November 2015Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I came to Guatemala to study Spanish. I started in Antigua and after two weeks I decided I wanted to be more fully immersed in Spanish. Quetzaltengo is fantastic for this. Though there is still tons of extranjeros, it is possible to speak only Spanish if you really work at it. Once in Xela, I started my classes at a different school, Miguel Asturias School based on recommendations of a friend of an acquaintance.
The week I started classes in Xela was the week of Christmas 2014 and my school was not having any activities that day and my host family also did not invite me along to celebrate with me. This was my first interaction with Miguel Cervantes. A friend I'd met in Antigua invited me over on Christmas Eve. When I'd gotten to the hostel, my friend was not there, but the overseer of the hostel/school, the amazing Ilsy, immediately invited me in and helped me to feel welcome. They invited me to also take part in their Christmas celebration the next day and everyone there was so amazingly welcoming!
Needless to say I switched schools the next week to Miguel Cervantes, moved into the hostel, and started taking classes with Ari! Ari is a fantastic teacher! He loves learning languages and also knows how to teach them. He is fluent in English but knows not to use it unless it is absolutely necessary in his explanations of the grammar.
The hostel was nice and clean and very chill! Plus, there are only private rooms there but at the price of dorm rooms. There is also a clean kitchen for your use as student or hostel guest. The amazing Ilsy, continued being a fantastic hostess, making sure everyone was happy in the hostel. She is also great about inviting the guests on different activities throughout the week and weekends. The beds were not the most comfortable but when I left for the second time in August 2015, they were just getting new mattresses in. Also, the showers were only slightly warmer than the typical shower in Guatemala, though that was also being fixed when I was headed out.
Unfortunately, I had to leave after two weeks to meet a friend and travel to Costa Rica. But I was back again in just a month's time. This time I decided to do a homestay since these are better for true immersion. I was placed with the amazing Koppler family arranged through the school. They are an amazing family and invite their students on nearly every family outing. After 6 months living with them, I truly feel like I am part of their family. Plus, they make fantastic lunches!
Though I cannot say enough great things about the homestay I had, I also know that Miguel Cervantes screens all their families extremely well and will not place you in a bad homestay placement. If you are in one that does not work well for you Ilsy will work with you to find a better fit.
This goes for finding a teacher as well. Though I returned to Miguel Cerventes to work with Ari, after I'd learned all the grammar from him I began taking classes with the other teachers at the school. And honestly, there is not a bad teacher there. All the teachers there have to take a screening test to make sure they know the grammar inside and out. They all have their quirks and different interests making classes extremely fun and engaging!
The week I started classes in Xela was the week of Christmas 2014 and my school was not having any activities that day and my host family also did not invite me along to celebrate with me. This was my first interaction with Miguel Cervantes. A friend I'd met in Antigua invited me over on Christmas Eve. When I'd gotten to the hostel, my friend was not there, but the overseer of the hostel/school, the amazing Ilsy, immediately invited me in and helped me to feel welcome. They invited me to also take part in their Christmas celebration the next day and everyone there was so amazingly welcoming!
Needless to say I switched schools the next week to Miguel Cervantes, moved into the hostel, and started taking classes with Ari! Ari is a fantastic teacher! He loves learning languages and also knows how to teach them. He is fluent in English but knows not to use it unless it is absolutely necessary in his explanations of the grammar.
The hostel was nice and clean and very chill! Plus, there are only private rooms there but at the price of dorm rooms. There is also a clean kitchen for your use as student or hostel guest. The amazing Ilsy, continued being a fantastic hostess, making sure everyone was happy in the hostel. She is also great about inviting the guests on different activities throughout the week and weekends. The beds were not the most comfortable but when I left for the second time in August 2015, they were just getting new mattresses in. Also, the showers were only slightly warmer than the typical shower in Guatemala, though that was also being fixed when I was headed out.
Unfortunately, I had to leave after two weeks to meet a friend and travel to Costa Rica. But I was back again in just a month's time. This time I decided to do a homestay since these are better for true immersion. I was placed with the amazing Koppler family arranged through the school. They are an amazing family and invite their students on nearly every family outing. After 6 months living with them, I truly feel like I am part of their family. Plus, they make fantastic lunches!
Though I cannot say enough great things about the homestay I had, I also know that Miguel Cervantes screens all their families extremely well and will not place you in a bad homestay placement. If you are in one that does not work well for you Ilsy will work with you to find a better fit.
This goes for finding a teacher as well. Though I returned to Miguel Cerventes to work with Ari, after I'd learned all the grammar from him I began taking classes with the other teachers at the school. And honestly, there is not a bad teacher there. All the teachers there have to take a screening test to make sure they know the grammar inside and out. They all have their quirks and different interests making classes extremely fun and engaging!
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Date of stay: December 2014Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â The Koppler Family for homestay is the best!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I keep the best memories of my 3 nights there in April. Ilsy is just incredibly involved and friendly, while studying in the evening like a lot of courageous young guatemalans. She made my stay so pleasant. The kitchen is big and well equipped. Fridge was clean as everything, bathrooms comprised. I slept in a small room upstairs behind the kitchen. Bed was a bit hard and I was a bit concerned about safety of my belongings because of the weak lock on the door but everything went ok. No bed bugs, and no one complained when I was there so I guess issue mentioned below is solved. Safety is good with 2 locked doors before reaching the lobby. If you dont have the keys or are not opened from staff member you cannot access. So take keys with you. There was free water and coffee. For 50 quetzals a night for a single room, I really dont see what you can ask for more. But the best was my 5 hours general review of my spanish with Linda Gramajo. Such an amazing teacher. She joined me at my favourite restaurant in Xela (Casa Verde, vegetarian) and we had such an efficient lesson there that I feel today it has been a shift for me, showing where I hard to work and what I had to do to speak a better spanish. Linda is very organised and experienced, she was able to adapt to my need in seconds. She even slipped a few exercices for me under my door later because I was leaving the day after. Don't hesitate to tip generously, prices are so cheap for such a quality teaching.
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Date of stay: April 2015Trip type: Traveled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This my second time at the school ( I was here last year) and I would like to recommed about the scholl and the hostel. The hostel is very cheap- a single room for a month costs 80 Q about 100$. The hostel is very clean and quiet. Ilsi who works here ia alaways happy to help and to give informataion. The Spanish school is also cheap and the teachers are very good. 25 hours cost 800 Q about 105$ and 20 hours cost 640Q about 80$. The school is very closed to Parque Central . The ar lots of activities at the school like potluck, trips and cooking lessons. I highly recommend staying at the hostel and studying Spanish at the school!!!
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Date of stay: August 2014Trip type: Traveled solo
Rooms
Location
Service
Room Tip:Â The hostel is cheap
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stumbled on this great little place after starting salsa classes at Salsa Rosa. It is right behind the dance studio and includes free group classes on tuesdays! Rooms are comfortable and affordable ($5-7 per day), showers are hot, and kitchen is functional. The owner is very attentive and keep the place nice and clean. There are only six rooms total so it never gets too noisy compared to other hostels in Xela. WIFI included! Conveniently located just around the corner from Mercado Las Flores, which is about a 10 minute walk from Parque Central.
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Date of stay: July 2014Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Â Our room was the second one from the dance studio and it was fantastic!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My partner and I spent 6 weeks studying here around August this year. We had a lovely double room upstairs that had it's own toilet. Definitely the best room in the place. The kitchen was good most of the time. Ilsy was an amazing host and always did her best to keep the place clean. This is sometimes hard when people don't clean up after themselves. The school was friendly and my teacher fantastic. My partner didn't have as good an experience as I did, but I guess it depends on the teacher you get. There as a small lounge with tv and plenty of tables to sit at inside and outside. The courtyard is small, but nice. The shower was hot as long as you didn't turn the tap to much. There was the occassional problem with water and electricity, but that was more to do with Xela than the guest house.
I would stay here again and the prices are particularly good for long term stays. I felt like I was in a home.
I would stay here again and the prices are particularly good for long term stays. I felt like I was in a home.
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Date of stay: August 2013Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I was looking for a cheap place and don't need luxury so I thought this would fit the bill. However, I would wake up each morning with more and more bug bites (not sure if it is fleas or bedbugs but they itch and hurt). The kitchen is really dirty, especially the fridge which made the whole kitchen smell. The wifi is pretty good and the people working there are nice, but I wouldn't recommend. Also some reviews say it provides breakfast, but it does not.
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Date of stay: July 2012Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I spent two weeks at the Miguel Cervantes Language School hotel and had a great time. The rooms are clean and with four blankets, we were never cold. We made breakfast in the kitchen and went out for other meals. It is very close to everything in Xela. The mini buses stop out side the door. The Parque Central is three minutes away and the supermarket with a safe ATM is a block from the park. The staff was warm and welcoming and fun. Our rooms cost about $20 for the WEEK! This is not a palace but it is adequate, very clean with hot water for showers when you want them. There is a TV in the salon. The school was also good with fun teachers who took us on many excursions and classes in the park or at a local coffee house. Bring a sweater-bring two: Xela can be cold at night and in the morning.
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Date of stay: December 2011Trip type: Traveled solo
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello!,
thank you for contacting us.
Yes, it is possible to study for one month. We have various types of classes on offer, depending on how many hours you would like, we offer classes of:
25 hours a week (5 hours per day) - Q950
20 hours (4 hours per day) - Q800
15 hours (3 hours per day) only available in the afternoons - Q600
The weekly price is for 5 one-to-one classes. All our teachers are experienced, motivated and qualified. You can choose which environment you wish to study in; in the courtyard, in our classroom or in the common area. All necessary materials are included in the price and we offer free tea/coffee/drinking water to our students, as well as complimentary wifi. We also run various types of acitivies throughout the week, if that may also be of interest to you.
We have accommodation at the school which costs Q800 for 1 month. We also offer homestays with a Guatemalan family and the cost is Q350 for 7 days, including 3 meals a day.
If you need any further information, please don´t hesitate to contact us, or check out our website:
Best Wishes.
"The single rooms upstairs in the back might be your best bet (if you're alone)."Read full review
LOCATION
GuatemalaWestern HighlandsQuetzaltenango DepartmentQuetzaltenango
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Frequently Asked Questions about Miguel de Cervantes Guest House
Which popular attractions are close to Miguel de Cervantes Guest House?
Nearby attractions include Central Plaza (0.7 miles), Museo Ixkik' del Traje Maya (0.7 miles), and Chocolate Dona Pancha (0.5 miles).
What are some restaurants close to Miguel de Cervantes Guest House?
Conveniently located restaurants include Sabor de la India, Tertulianos Restaurante & Museo, and El Pasaje Mediterraneo.
Is Miguel de Cervantes Guest House located near the city center?
Yes, it is 0.7 miles away from the center of Quetzaltenango.