Centro Catalina Spanish School

Learn Spanish & Live the Culture in Colombia

Centro Catalina Spanish School offers immersive Spanish courses in Cartagena. The centre has 6 spacious classrooms, a private patio, and plenty of areas for students to study and relax. The school is located in a charming colonial house near the Caribbean Sea, featuring a cafeteria, 6 furnished apartments, 5 rooms in a residence, and 16 host family options. With over 10 years of teaching experience and IALC accreditation, Centro Catalina provides high-quality education in small groups, taught by native speakers. Daily cultural activities, warm hospitality, and personalized attention ensure students truly live the language while exploring Colombia’s vibrant culture.

  • School size: Small
  • Class size for Junior programs: 8
  • Age Group: Adults (18+)
  • Class size for Juniors: 2
  • Levels: All levels welcome, including those with no prior knowledge
  • Accommodations: Homestay, Residence, Shared Apartment, Studio

Highlights

  • Ideal location: Cartagena by the sea.
  • Stay with local families, in student housing or fully equipped apartments.
  • Small classes with native-speaking teachers and a communicative approach.
  • Daily cultural activities for full immersion beyond the classroom.

Programmes Offered

Centro Catalina Spanish School offers a wide range of Spanish courses tailored to different levels, learning styles, and goals. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced speaker, our native-speaking teachers will guide you through dynamic, interactive lessons that focus on communication and real-life use of the language.

Intensive Spanish Course

Includes 20 group lessons per week.

Super-Intensive Course

This course adds 5 or 10 extra individual classes for faster progress.

Private Lessons

Perfect for professionals or students with specific needs.

Specialized modules

Specialized modules include Spanish for Travelers, DELE Exam Preparation, and Business Spanish.

Volunteering

Students can also combine their lessons with volunteering opportunities, salsa classes, or cooking workshops for a truly immersive experience.

Programmes are available year-round and can be adapted for short-term or long-term stays. We welcome individuals, families, and groups, and can also host interns and university partnerships. All courses follow the CEFR standards and include placement tests and completion certificates.

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Centro Catalina offers a variety of comfortable accommodation options to suit every lifestyle and budget. Whether you prefer the warmth of a homestay or the independence of student housing, we’ve got you covered.
Homestay
Stay with one of our 16 welcoming homestay families.
Private Apartments
Choose from 6 fully furnished private apartments.
Residence
Stay in one of the 5 rooms in a residence.
The school also features a cozy cafeteria and a spacious patio ideal for socializing. All options are within easy reach of the school and offer free Wi-Fi, clean and safe environments, and local support.

  • Homestay
  • Residence
  • Shared Apartment
  • Studio

Our Cartagena school is located in the heart of the historic walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Surrounded by colonial architecture, cafés, and vibrant street life, students enjoy a coastal lifestyle just steps from the Caribbean Sea. The city offers rich culture, friendly locals, and unforgettable weekend adventures—from beaches to mountains.

Exams

Centro Catalina offers dedicated DELE exam preparation courses, designed to help students achieve success in the official Spanish proficiency exams. These courses include targeted grammar review, practice tests, and oral exam simulations. Our teachers are trained to guide students through the exam structure and provide personalized feedback. Whether you’re aiming for A2 or C1, we tailor lessons to your level and goals. Beyond exam prep, all students receive a placement test, ongoing academic support, and a completion certificate aligned with the CEFR framework. We also provide assistance with visa documents, travel planning, and general student wellbeing during their stay.

More Features

Centro Catalina brings together students from all over the world, creating a multicultural and welcoming environment where learning Spanish becomes a shared adventure. We organize daily cultural activities, from cooking classes to guided city tours, to deepen language immersion and build friendships. Our community spirit makes every student feel like part of a family—whether they stay for a week or several months. With a strong focus on personalized attention, we limit class sizes and maintain close contact with each learner. Many of our students return or recommend the experience, making our school a top-rated choice for immersive Spanish in Colombia.

Testimonials

Centro Catalina is a great place to study. They truly consider the different skill levels of their students and were extremely accommodating and flexible with the course content. This matches the informal and friendly atmosphere of the school; the teachers and staff really make an effort to connect with the students, and it feels like they genuinely care about making each student’s experience special—something especially noticeable in their social program. The facilities are excellent, very central, and include a beautiful sunlit patio. Highly recommended.

Frances England

I had one of the best times of my life with Centro Catalina Spanish School. I arrived in Cartagena without speaking a word of Spanish and stumbled upon Centro Catalina while walking down the street. I signed up for a two-week course and ended up staying over two months. Everything about the school is fantastic—from its location and amenities to the classes and excursions. And most of all, the people. Everything they do is professional, well organized, and done with genuine love for their students. I probably couldn’t say this about any other place. Plus, Cartagena must be one of the most charming cities in the world. Honestly, I couldn’t have learned Spanish more effectively—or had more fun doing it—than at Centro Catalina. Highly, highly recommended, and I’m happy to personally answer any questions.

Brett Canada

I was just passing by when I saw Centro Catalina, and the staff were so kind that I didn’t even want to look at other schools. I’m a language school owner, teacher trainer, and language teacher in Germany, so I have very high expectations for what makes a good language school and what effective language teaching should be like. I was completely satisfied with the teachers, staff, and facilities at Centro Catalina. I had two teachers for my private lessons who clearly love Spanish and teaching. They answered all my questions with great examples and adapted the classes to my specific needs (getting around Cartagena, shopping, ordering in restaurants, etc.). They were warm and personable, and time flew by. I’d love to have teachers like them on my team back home. The office staff were also incredibly friendly and helpful, greeted me by name, and supported me in English when I got stuck in Spanish. The classrooms are air-conditioned with nice whiteboards, and there were plenty of free daily activities like dance classes, food tastings, movie nights, and excursions. They also work with a local travel agency to organize trips to nearby attractions. I would highly recommend Centro Catalina both professionally and personally. I’m truly sad to leave and not continue studying here.

Tia Germany
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