Go to Mexico City. I had the best time there at Casa de la Condesa and in San Angel. They have a huge market of art and crafts and it not a tourist trap at all. Very few people know English so we definitely used our Spanish and didn't have those awkward moments when the person responds in English. It looks sometimes grungy and "dangerous" but I never felt in danger. If we were lost families and people would come up to us and actually go out of their way to guide us to where we were going. There's a thriving art scene and delicious food. If you need help if you go, I can give you a lot of tips and places to go. Good Luck and have fun!!

Posted Jan 25, 2011

Looks like folks hit the major ones except Cuernevaca...just outside of Mexico City.  Antigua, Guatemala; of some schools in Costa Rica are the traditional ones in N. America. 

Posted Jan 30, 2011

Hey James, I just answered another question the same way, but a friend just found a ticket to Nicaragua from NYC for $400 -he is going soon though, not sure about rates for March, but I would guess not many Spring breakers heading there....I have heard it is awesome.

Posted Feb 01, 2011

Merida, Mexico (the capital of Yucatan state, the state where Cancun is located) is an easy trip from the east coast and a quaint city with some fascinating Mayan history.

Posted Jun 25, 2011

I loved Costa Rica and thought everyone there was so friendly.  The trick, however, is many of them want to practice English.

When I went to Puerto Rico, everyone spoke english.

Posted Jan 25, 2011

Another option would be to go to Antigua, Guatemala - a beautiful little colonial city in the mountains (well, actually between a couple of volcanoes: Volcan de Agua; Volcan de Feugo) away from the urban craziness of the capital, Ciudad Guatemala. I spent a week or so in Antigua and loved it.  And FYI Cafe Condesa is a fun place to get your morning coffee....

Posted Jan 27, 2011

I'd second Costa Rica. Super friendly, affordable, stunning country.

Posted Jan 27, 2011

Oaxaca, Mexico.  Great place to study Spanish, Mexican culture, THE BEST CUISINE in all of Mexico.

Posted Jan 27, 2011

The first place that came to mind was also Puerto Rico. Other ideas are: Costa Rica (like a few people have already suggested), Belize, and the DR.

Posted Jan 27, 2011

Monterrey, Mexico - great people, superb cuisine.   Getting bad press with the violence but was there in November when it was real bad and we had no problems.   The key is the time of the day for travel.  Great place to learn Spanish

Posted Jan 28, 2011

San Juan is your best bet.....from those cities

Posted Jan 31, 2011

I just got back to Costa Rica, and a good number of the people who live/work in tourist areas speak English, but they got excited when my cousin and I spoke Spanish to them. I think it's a good place to practice. 

Posted Jan 31, 2011

Check out Costa Rica which isn't a huge spring break destination.  March is its dry season so the weather should be beautiful for you to take your pick of exploring Arenal, Monteverde, Manual Antonio, Quepos, Guanacaste, among others. 

Posted Feb 02, 2011

Se Habla La Paz is a great language school in Baja. http://www.sehablalapaz.com/  They have homestays or can help arrange for hotels. I've used homeaway.com to find great apartments to rent while there. There is great kayaking and snorkeling there.

It can be expensive to fly into La Paz, but pretty cheap to fly into Cabo and then take the express bus up to La Paz. The bus picks you up right at the airport and goes directly to La Paz without stops. A great option if the flights to La Paz are outrageous.

Posted Feb 03, 2011

There are tons of Spanish schools in Antigua and Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, as well as Granada, Nicaragua. Reasonably priced flights (especially from NYC) and cheap costs once you are down there. Few people speak English (unlike in Puerto Rico), so you will get a great immersion experience.

Posted Apr 13, 2011

I'm a fan of Merida, Mexico too. A lovely, clean and friendly city, 20 minutes from the beach in Progreso, and close to several of the best Mayan ruins. Beautiful parks, good food, very safe too. Also a good number of American expats and an English library. Check it out.

Posted Aug 22, 2011

Check flights to Liberia, Costa Rica in the Guanacaste province in the northwest.  You can dive there in Coco, surf a little bit south toward Tamarindo, or bus a couple hours north to Nicaragua.  In Nica, you can surf at San Juan Del Sur or go to Ometepe, the island made of 2 volcanoes in Lake Nicaragua.  You'll need your Spanish much more in Nica than CR.  Depends how much you want to practice.  March is the end of the dry season in that northwest CR area.

Posted Sep 29, 2011

James, I agree with those who say everyone in Puerto Rico speaks English. Particularly if you stick to the San Juan area. I would say Costa Rica all the way. They will enjoy teaching you Spanish in exchange for some English phrases. Pura Vida fellow traveler!

Posted Aug 13, 2012

I would say Merida too. Mexico has such amazing culture and a towns like Merida often have a vibrant zocalo (town square) with side walk cafes where you can while away the hours. Oaxaca could be a bit cold at night as it's up in the mountains (and that's the other side of Mexico). The spring break crowd is going to head to beach locations so those flights will probably be higher.

Posted Nov 01, 2012