Learn Spanish in Cusco

Perhaps the most important thing to know, if you're thinking of going to learn Spanish in Cusco, is that the city is situated at a great elevation: 3,360 metres, to be exact. This means that, on arrival, you'll find that the air is thin and clear, but, if you try to be too energetic at the beginning, you may find yourself experiencing altitude sickness, caused by a lack of oxygen in the air. The best thing to do is to take things easy for the first three days or so.

Cusco has a population of 325,000 inhabitants, and is now known as the "Archaeological Capital of the Americas" - formerly it was known by the Incas as the "Navel of the World". That sounds a pretty compelling reason to learn Spanish in Cusco, doesn't it? The history of the city goes back to the thirteenth century, but its heyday was in the 15th century, under the leadership of Pachacutec, who led the Incas to conquer much of present-day Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and Colombia. It was conquered by the Spanish conquistadors, under Pizarro, in 1534 and now it's a mix of indigenous and colonial styles, and of Indian and European peoples.

If you're going to learn Spanish in Cusco, you'll no doubt visit all the main points of interest in and around the city. The Plaza de Armas is the main square and is now the heart of the city, as it has always been. The major colonial buildings of Cusco are all built on the foundations, remains, or walls of former Inca buildings. For example, the Cathedral, begun in 1550 and finished 100 years later, was constructed on the foundations of the Inca Viracocha's palace. The Triunfo church, the first Christian church in Cusco, was built to commemorate the Spaniards' lifting of the Inca siege in 1536. And the nearby Compañía de Jesús church, originally built in the 1570s, was then rebuilt between 1650 and 1668 after being destroyed by an earthquake. Finally, Santo Domingo church was built, in the 17th century, on the walls of the Koricancha, or Inca Temple of the Sun. Part of the building has now been pulled down to reveal the original Inca stonework. Just outside of Cusco you'll also find a host of wonderful Inca spots or ruins, including Sacsayhuaman, a magnificent Inca fortress that overlooks the city, Q'enko (Zigzag), Puca Pucara (Red Fort), Tambomachay (Cavern Lodge) and the Sacred Valley.

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Most people who go to learn Spanish in Cusco take advantage of their visit to follow the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu at the end of their course. This is a 4-day hike surrounded by beautiful mountainous and jungle scenery, and passing several Inca ruins. There's a shorter, 2-day version of the Inca trail, but this misses some of the most beautiful scenery. Or, if you don't have much time, you can take a day visit by train and bus. So, come to learn Spanish in Cusco and learn all about the Incas at the same time!

Spanish Language Schools in Cusco

At the moment ABT does not have a recommended Spanish school in Cusco.