After spending the summer in Canada, we resumed our travels in September. But this wasn’t a typical travel month for us. First, I travelled to Guatemala on my own, so all expenses this month are for one person. Second, I spent four weeks studying Spanish at Utatlán Spanish School, which added a significant expense to the budget.

If you’re new here, our first budget post explains our approach and what’s included in these numbers.

Currency note: All amounts below are shown in Canadian dollars (CAD) and reflect conversions at the rate used by our card providers at the time of purchase.

Where I was

• 1 night in an Airbnb, Xela, Guatemala
• 29 nights in a homestay, Xela, Guatemala

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At a glance

• Total spent: CAD 2,254.09
• Monthly budget: CAD 2,500.00
  • Under budget by: CAD 245.91

All expenses below are for one person.

Running trip total (September–November 2026)

• Total spent: CAD 2,254.09
• Total trip budget: CAD 10,500.00
• Remaining trip budget: CAD 8,245.91

Budget note: Our usual travel budget for 2026 is CAD 4,000 per month for two people. Since I travelled solo in September, I adjusted that month’s budget to CAD 2,500. The total budget for our three months in Guatemala (September–November) is therefore CAD 10,500.

Expense breakdown for September

Accommodation — CAD 567.92 (25%)

• Average per night: CAD 18.93
  • 1 night in Airbnb in Xela — CAD 36.44
  • 29 nights in homestay, Xela — CAD 531.48
    • CAD 18.32 / night

Staying in the school’s homestay was extremely economical, but the accommodation was quite different from what we usually rent: a room with a shared bathroom rather than a separate apartment or house.

Food — CAD 335.95 (15.25%)

• Eating out — CAD 73.34 (3.25%)

• Groceries — CAD 262.61 (12%)

This amount is unusually low because most of my meals were included in the homestay price. I ate out only once or twice a week and bought some groceries, such as fruit, nuts, yogurt and cheese, to supplement the meals provided by my host family.

Activities — CAD 1023.72 (45%)

This is the largest category this month, as it includes four weeks (95 hours) of one-on-one Spanish lessons at Utatlán Spanish School. At less than CAD 11 per hour, it was an amazing deal for individual instruction!

Transportation — CAD 104.16 (5%)

Includes buses and Uber rides.

Health & Care — CAD 57.21 (2.54%)

Includes a top-up to the travel insurance provided by my credit card and one massage.

Sightseeing — CAD 110.15 (5%)

Includes museum and sites entries for school activities and a walking tour in Xela.

Laundry — CAD 14.59 (0.65%)

I used local lavanderia twice this month.

Shopping — CAD 17.54 (0.78%)

Includes a notebook for my classes and shampoo and conditioner bought at an artisan fair.

Coffee — CAD 22.85 (1.01%)

I usually had coffee at school but also treated myself to coffee or hot chocolate at local cafés a few times.

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The Real Value of Spanish Immersion in Xela, Guatemala

September was a rather unique month, so comparing its costs with our months in Asia or even the following months in Guatemala wouldn’t be particularly meaningful. Travelling solo, staying with a host family and taking intensive Spanish lessons made this a very different experience from our usual slow travel.

But I think I got excellent value for my money. The budget covered 95 hours of individual Spanish instruction, a homestay with meals included, and five or six school-organized activities every week. These activities gave me opportunities to explore Xela and its surroundings, visit local attractions and experience Guatemalan culture alongside my fellow students.

Considering the number and variety of places I visited through the school, my sightseeing and transportation expenses were remarkably low. And beyond the financial side, I came away with much more than improved Spanish: a better understanding of everyday life in Guatemala and many memorable experiences.