Why This Is The Spanish Immersion in Mexico City

By Olaf Morales

Reading Time: 12 minutes

Olaf Morales Language Coach | Live Spanish

Beyond Words — A Journey into the Soul of Mexico

Language is more than just speaking—it's a way of seeing, tasting, and feeling. As a language coach, I’ve long believed that true fluency can only happen when language is connected to life itself. This is why I created my Spanish Immersion programs—not just to teach vocabulary and grammar, but to guide learners through a full-bodied experience of culture, art, history, and people.

Recently, Liliana and I traveled to Mexico City to prepare for our upcoming Spanish Immersion Mexico City Summer 2025, and although I’ve visited this vibrant capital many times before, this trip was different. It was special—because it was personal. This wasn’t just another visit. This was an intentional journey to design a program that captures the essence of Mexico for my students. And what I discovered during this trip reminded me why Mexico City is one of the most powerful classrooms on earth.

Kicking off this immersion adventure at one of Mexico’s most powerful places: Teotihuacán. With the Pyramid of the Moon behind us

This article is a reflection of some of the experiences that made an impact on me—and just a glimpse of what awaits you in the immersion experience this summer.

Walking Through Time: The Zócalo and Historic Center

I began my journey in the heart of the city: El Zócalo, the historic main square, where the stories of ancient civilizations and colonial rule coexist. Here, the stones speak. From the Aztec ruins of the Templo Mayor to the grand Metropolitan Cathedral built atop them, the plaza pulses with a layered history you can feel as you walk.

It was here that I was reminded of how place and language are intertwined—how Spanish in Mexico is not just a tool for communication but a vessel of memory. We’ll explore this deeply during the immersion.

Echoes of the Ancients: Teotihuacán

A short drive from the city took me to Teotihuacán, the ancient “City of the Gods.” Observing the Pyramid of the Sun as the morning light revealed the full expanse of this ancient city was one of the most humbling experiences of this trip.

From the heights of Teotihuacán, you see the grandeur of ancient civilizations that still shape Mexican identity | 📷 Photo by Liliana Salgado Fotografía [@lilianasalgadofotografia]

Our expert guide, Alejo, brought the site to life—explaining the significance of its architecture, the cosmology of the Teotihuacanos, and how these structures align with celestial patterns. This wasn’t just a history lesson; it was a living connection to Mexico’s pre-Hispanic past.

We’ll visit this sacred site during the immersion and reflect on how these foundations continue to shape Mexican identity today.

Xochimilco: A Floating Legacy of Resistance and Life

Another highlight was our colorful ride through the canals of Xochimilco, one of Mexico City’s most iconic and sacred spaces. This isn’t just a festive experience (though the colors, and flavors certainly delight the senses)—it’s also a deep journey into an ancient and still-living agricultural and spiritual system.

Our visit was led by Ana Karen Díaz our local guide, whose knowledge, passion, and connection to the local community transformed the entire experience. Through her guidance, we understood how Xochimilco is more than a postcard scene—it’s a site of cultural resilience, where traditions like the chinampas (floating gardens) continue to sustain both people and biodiversity.

Xochimilco's canals are more than scenic—they’re a living heritage of indigenous agriculture and resistance. 📷 Photo by Liliana Salgado Fotografía [@lilianasalgadofotografia]

🌿 During the immersion, we’ll return here—not just to float, but to listen, to ask questions, and to meet the people who keep these ancestral systems alive. You’ll see how language is interwoven with nature, ritual, and history.

Artists Who Tell Stories: Nicolás Guzmán & Sophie Simone

Art is another language—and in Mexico City, it speaks boldly.

Meeting Nicolás Guzmán in his studio was a powerful moment. His mixed-media work, rooted in performance, printmaking, and installation, explores themes of memory, identity, and transformation. You can learn more about his work through The Mexican Museum.

I also met Sophie Simone, whose handcrafted jewelry merges natural materials with powerful stories. Her pieces reflect her French-Mexican heritage and a deep connection to feminine power, tradition, and modernity. Her studio will be one of our optional creative stops. Learn more about her vision here.

In this immersion, you won’t just admire art—you’ll understand its context and converse with the artists behind it.

Tasting Mexico: A Culinary Lesson in Every Bite

Mexico City is a food capital—and during this trip, I tasted my way through tamales wrapped in banana leaves, mole poblano, tacos al pastor, tlayudas, and more. Each dish is a dialogue between ingredients and heritage.

One of my biggest joys was speaking with vendors, chefs, and home cooks, learning the vocabulary of flavor. During the immersion, we’ll not only eat Mexican food, we’ll learn from it. You’ll pick up regional expressions, ingredients, and culinary terms that will enrich your Spanish—and your palate.

Photography as Memory: Bob Schalkwijk & Manuel Álvarez Bravo

One of the most emotional moments of this trip was visiting the former home of legendary photographer Manuel Álvarez Bravo in Coyoacán and attending the stunning exhibit Visiones de México y Holanda. This show paired his work with that of Dutch-born Mexican photographer Bob Schalkwijk, who has spent over 60 years photographing the spirit of Mexico.

I had the honor of speaking with Bob (@bobschalkwijk), who shared his thoughts on documenting Mexico’s transformations through the lens of daily life. His work is breathtaking, and you can explore his biography here. Learn more about Álvarez Bravo here.

Through the lens of legends, we see Mexico in motion—raw, poetic, and beautifully human. 📷 Photo by Liliana Salgado Fotografía [@lilianasalgadofotografia]

This visit reminded me: learning a language means learning to see. And through photography, we’ll reflect on how images shape the stories we tell.

La Casa Azul: Art, Identity, and the Lives of Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera

One of the most emotionally rich moments of my journey was visiting La Casa Azul—the iconic Blue House in Coyoacán, where Frida Kahlo was born, lived, and eventually passed away. Today, it stands not only as a museum but as a sanctuary of personal and political expression. Walking through its vibrant rooms, surrounded by her clothing, sketches, journals, and paintings, I was reminded that art in Mexico is not just creative—it’s defiant, intimate, and deeply autobiographical.

Frida’s legacy is inseparable from her physical pain, her political beliefs, and her unwavering pride in Mexican identity. The house she shared with Diego Rivera reflects their creative partnership and influence on national and global art movements. The garden is a peaceful space filled with pre-Hispanic artifacts, while the walls tell stories of resistance, feminism, and resilience. As we explore this house during the immersion, we’ll reflect on the language of art, self-expression, and the powerful vocabulary that shaped their lives—and continues to shape how Mexico is seen around the world.

🎨 Frida’s voice, Diego’s murals, and their shared vision are all part of the story of Mexico. And during our visit, that story will become part of yours.

Lucha Libre: The People's Theater of Mexico

Growing up in Mexico, Lucha Libre—our unique form of professional wrestling—was always part of the cultural backdrop. But on this trip, attending a match at Arena México, I saw it with new eyes.

Lucha Libre is more than a sport; it's a vibrant expression of Mexican identity. The masked wrestlers, or luchadores, embody archetypes of good (técnicos) and evil (rudos), engaging in dramatic battles that resonate deeply with the audience. The arena becomes a space where social boundaries blur—where everyone, regardless of background, unites in passionate support or playful jeering.

Lucha Libre at Arena Mexico 📷 Photo by Liliana Salgado Fotografía [@lilianasalgadofotografia]

Declared an intangible cultural heritage of Mexico City in 2018, Lucha Libre reflects the country's rich traditions and contemporary struggles. The masks harken back to pre-Hispanic rituals, symbolizing transformation and anonymity. For many, attending a match is a cathartic experience—a release of the week's tensions through collective storytelling and shared emotion.

In the arena, everyone belongs—Lucha Libre is where Mexico's boldest stories come alive. 📷 Photo by Liliana Salgado Fotografía [@lilianasalgadofotografia]

During our immersion, we'll experience this firsthand, delving into the language, symbolism, and societal impact of Lucha Libre. It's an opportunity to understand a facet of Mexican culture that is as entertaining as it is enlightening.

This Is Just the Beginning…

Local market in Xochimilco

As rich and moving as these experiences were, they represent just a portion of what we will do, see, taste, and learn together during our Spanish Immersion in Mexico City this summer.

Even though I’ve traveled to Mexico City many times, this trip has been unlike any other. It was personal, intentional, and deeply inspiring—because it was crafted for you. For our community of lifelong learners. For those who know that learning Spanish means connecting to something bigger: to people, stories, flavors, and roots.

I hope this reflection sparks curiosity in you. I hope it excites you. And most of all, I hope it prepares you to live the language in ways you’ve never imagined before.

We’re not just going to Mexico City. We’re going to see it, taste it, speak it—and feel it.

¡Nos vemos pronto!

— Olaf Morales Language Coach | Live Spanish

olafmoralescoaching.com