About Instituto Tonali

     Come to Guanajuato, "Patrimony of Humanity" in beautiful central Mexico. TONALI offers courses in Spanish and Mexican Culture any week of the year, Monday through Friday.
     Guanajuato is a perfect place to study. It is safe, with a temperate climate, and only two hors by plane from several cities in the U.S. This colonial jewel is the starting point for many who study with us. They then continue on to experience the rich diversity of Oaxaca, Chiapas, Central America, and beyond. Fascinating Mexico City and Guadarajara are only five hours away.
     At TONALI, you will strengthen your Spanish within its cultural context, If you are a beginning, intermediate, or advanced student, TONALI will custom-design a program for you, placing you in one of twelve levels according to a brief, initial interview. Our method is structured to advance you to the next levels as quickly as possible. Your stay with us will open the door to one of the four major world languages of the coming century.
     Each class has a maximum five students, assuring you of personal attention from a team of some of the city's finest instructors. Students come to TONALI from all over the world, creating an exciting learning environment. Guanajuato City and the surrounding region offer an eye-opening glimpse into the Mexico of today: Colonial, Modern, Rural, Traditional. Opportunities to practice your Spanish abound.
     You can live with a Mexican family during your stay at TONALI, thus immersing you in the language and culture. Three delicious meals a day are served.

GUANAJUATO

     Guanajuato owes its fame and fortune to the discovery of rich veins of gold and silver. Buildings from the colonial and Neo-Classical eras dominate. In 1988 UNESCO declared the city, "Cultural Patrimony of Humanity".

     This city played a decisive role in the independence of this nation from Spanish in the early 1800s. Local singing groups called "Estudiantinas" lead visitors through narrow. Cobble-stoned streets and quaint plazas in joyous singing.

     In earlier times, the region was inhabited by nomadic groups given the name "Chichimecas". Neighboring nations occasionally conquered the area. "Quanax-Huato-Hill-of Frogs" was named by the "Purepechas" to the south.

     Takeover of the area by Spaniards began in 1541, and in 1550 a former named Juan Rayas discovered a mine that today bears his name.

ARRIVING

     Leon (Bajio) International Airport is only thirty minutes from Guanajuato. There are direct flights from several cities in the U.S., plus flights to Mexico City, Guadarajara and popular resorts. Taxi service will deliver you to TONALI, in the heart of the city.