tamarapearson Last updated: December 19, 2022

Want to Learn Spanish in Colombia? 4 Local Immersion Programs You Should Know

There are many vibrant cities in Colombia for Spanish learners to explore, which are home to formal language programs that’ll help you take major steps toward fluency.

We’ll show you four such programs that aren’t just great for learning, but also for getting to know this exciting country.

But first, what makes Colombian Spanish what it is?

Features of the Local Language: Clear Accents, Creative Slang and More
Quick Facts for Visiting Colombia
Great Cities and Regions to Study and Pick Up Spanish
4 Spanish Immersion Programs to Learn Spanish in Colombia

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Features of the Local Language: Clear Accents, Creative Slang and More

Though the Colombian accent varies between the coast and the center of the country, and between rural areas and cities, it’s generally among the easiest accents for Spanish learners to understand.

As a bonus, once you’re away from the tourist hotspots, most Colombians don’t speak English, so your Spanish skills will be put to the test. And, unless they’re hard at work, they’re usually really happy to have a chat.

Latin America rocks creative slang, and Colombia is no exception. While in Colombia’s close sister country Venezuela, a mate or friend is a pana—short for panaderia (bread shop)—in Colombia a pal is mi llave or mi llavero (my key, or my key chain).

Meanwhile, your group of friends is your parche (patch). On the romantic side of things, Colombians say they were “swallowed” (Estoy tragada) to say they’re head over heels for someone.

And in both Venezuela and Colombia, you’ll hear the word vaina all the time. It’s a substitute word for when people can’t be bothered to express themselves more clearly (sort of like “thing” in English).

So they’ll say, “Pass me la vaina,” and “How’s la vaina?” and “¿Qué es esa vaina?” (What’s going on?) or even just vaina to show a strong emotion.

Quick Facts for Visiting Colombia

If you have the funds, Colombia is a great launch pad for a long trip around the continent. It’s not uncommon to start there, pick up some decent Spanish, then catch buses north through Central America and up to Mexico, or south along the western coast of South America, through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile, then perhaps on to Argentina or Brazil.

As an airport hub, Colombia can also be one of the cheaper countries to fly to.

Climate: Because Colombia is located close to the equator, it tends to have a warm, tropical climate, though it gets cooler as you move into the center and up the Andes to cities like Bogotá.

Temperatures tend to be fairly constant year round, though they’re a little cooler around December to March.

Culture: Colombia is a very culturally rich country, with indigenous, African and Spanish heritage. Catholicism is dominant, but carnivals, which tend to incorporate all three ethnic elements, are popular.

Note: tipping isn’t common in Colombia.

Cost of living: When studying in Colombia, monthly expenses are pretty low, though they’ll obviously vary depending on your lifestyle. If you cook a lot, you’ll only need 100 to 250 USD per month for groceries.

Accommodation: Tourist cities are full of hostels that include breakfast, internet and often leisure, tourist or social activities. There’s also the full range of hotels and it’s not too difficult to rent an apartment for longer stays.

A one-bedroom apartment in Bogotá could cost 400 USD per month, and a hostel dorm bed is typically around 10 USD a night.

Transport: In most cities, and even between cities, you’ll get around by bus. Buses are very cheap, and the interstate ones tend to be huge and comfortable. You can check out other cities for just 10 to 30 USD.

For the longest distances, however, sometimes catching a plane can be almost as cheap as going by bus.

Great Cities and Regions to Study and Pick Up Spanish

Medellín

Medellín is one of the most popular cities to study Spanish in. Because lots of people go there for tourism or study, there are plenty of accommodation options and a vibrant nightlife.

Medellín is a dense city, with plenty of city sights and great day trips on offer to lakes, colorful towns and to Colombia’s coffee region. Set in the mountains, Medellín is comfortably warm, year round.

Bogotá

Colombia’s capital is a cultural and historic center, featuring the clearest accent of the various regions of Colombia. People who study Spanish in Bogotá will often participate in more long-term study programs through universities.

Bogotá has a fresh, cool climate, and is the third highest capital city in South America at about 8,675 feet (2,644 meters). With a population of 8 million, the city is packed with museums, interesting sites and shopping malls.

Cartagena

Cartegena is a beautiful city, and it has great weather—if you like it hot and humid. Located on the coast, it does attract a lot of tourists, meaning that the city has all the necessary facilities, but also a good proportion of locals speak English.

Cartagena’s colonial walled city and fortress are a World Heritage Site.

Bucaramanga

This city is warm, modern, clean and less overwhelming than some of the other bigger cities. It’s also off the tourist and Spanish student beaten track, and surrounded by impressive waterfalls and valleys. The lack of foreigners means less Spanish class options, but a great deal more immersion.

You can study at one of the few universities (as you’ll see below), or hostels will often offer packages of classes. Bucaramanga is one of the best places to go paragliding.

4 Spanish Immersion Programs to Learn Spanish in Colombia

The great thing about studying in Colombia is that there’s a range of methods available that we’ll touch on below.

Longer university programs can see you walking away with some solid skills and a certificate, and the teachers are more rigorously vetted and qualified. Those courses tend to cost a little more though, and if you want to stay in Colombia for more than six months, studying can help you with a visa.

Shorter private language classes and tutoring on the other hand tend to be more flexible and embody more opportunities for tourism and fun.

To prepare for your study abroad experience, it’s a good idea to review your Spanish skills. Using apps and online programs can help you prepare beforehand. Here are some resources that can help you to prepare for your trip.

Duolingo: A well-known app that you can use to practice vocabulary by completing various exercises. Duolingo gamifies learning to keep you engaged while you progress through various topics and themes of vocabulary.
FluentU: This program (and app) immerses you in the Spanish language and culture through authentic Spanish videos with interactive subtitles. You can create flashcards from words you find in the videos and practice your vocab with exercises.
Busuu: This app brings Spanish lessons straight to your phone. Their lessons go through various grammar aspects and vocabulary topics. They have a range of skill levels available. You can even get feedback from other users.

Universidad del Rosario (Bogotá)

Despite being a university, Rosario actually offers a range of programs for study, including intensive programs with a stronger academic focus and courses with just 10 hours a week and cultural trips.

Tourists, those planning further study and business people often study here, and students have access to university facilities like the library, gym and rest areas.

Sixty hours of study will cost around 300 USD, making this university one of the most affordable options.

Toucan Spanish School (Medellín, Bogotá, Cartagena)

Toucan Spanish School has a number of schools around Colombia, and its Medellín one is particularly popular.

The school offers intensive classes with 20 hours per week, or a more flexible option of private classes, at 10 to 20 hours per week, as well as classes over Skype—for only a fraction cheaper.

The Medellín school includes 14 class rooms and modern facilities like air conditioning and projectors. 20 hours of intensive classes cost around 215 USD and include daily cultural and social activities.

Centro Catalina (Cartagena)

The Centro Catalina school is based in Cartegena, and they have a new school in Medellín as well. The school specializes in combining learning with other excursions and activities like water sports, ecotourism, cultural visits and Colombian dance.

It also organizes accommodation with families or in apartments, and the school states that it’s the only school in Cartagena that offers preparation for the DELE (Diplomas of Spanish as a Foreign Language) exam.

You can also study standard Spanish courses, intensive ones or take private classes. A set of 20 lessons at 50 minutes will set you back 239 USD.

Universidad Santo Tomas (Bucaramanga)

Apart from short courses taken through hostels, this is one of the few places where you can study Spanish in Bucaramanga. However, the university also has a campus in Bogotá. Courses are focused on communication and on preparing students for employment, academia and social situations.

The Bucaramanga campus includes libraries, computer labs, sports areas and a cafeteria, and you could study here through an exchange program, if you’re currently enrolled in university and that university has a cooperation agreement with Santo Tomas.

So mi llave, it’s time to head over to this amazing country and get to really know it, while improving your Spanish at the same time!