Study Spanish in Ecuadorian Communities
A primary goal of Yanapuma Spanish School is to offer foreigners the opportunity to learn about Ecuador; its culture, its history, its traditions and the challenges it faces. We also encourage our students to participate in the work of the Foundation through volunteering, giving them the chance to work towards offering members of the communities we work with the chance for a better future. As part of these goals, we have developed optional intensive Spanish programs offering a combination of Spanish study and community experience, including the opportunity to help the communities with their daily work if desired. Your Spanish learning will progress remarkably fast in these programs, since you will be accompanied by your teacher and will be staying in communities where little English is spoken. Of course, these programs are also designed to include plenty of tourist-style activities as well.
To make the most out of the experience, we recommend a minimum of two weeks Spanish study at our school or a basic knowledge of Spanish before beginning these programs.
Pricing for these trips can be found on our pricing page and in the downloadable information linked below. Each program offers 4 hours of Spanish instruction per day, plus plenty of additional time each day with your instructor to practice your Spanish. Our prices include nearly everything except transportation to the community and optional activities. Most meals are included in both programs. See program details for specific information.
Study and Explore the Ecuadorian Coast
This two week program is located on the Central Coast of Ecuador in and near the town of Puerto Lopez. The program includes one week of study in the town of Puerto Lopez, which offers numerous tourism activities with some of Ecuador’s most beautiful beaches nearby. The second week is in the small community of Agua Blanca. Here, you will stay with a family in the community, and will have the opportunity to learn how the community operates while participating in some of its daily activities, including making handcrafts, learning about their agriculture and apiculture projects, and visiting areas of interest including their volcanic lagoon, Los Frailes beach, and an optional 2 day hike at the end of the program. Price includes 4 hours per day of Spanish classes with one of our own teachers, all accommodations, included activities, all breakfasts and lunches in Puerto Lopez (except on your weekend where only breakfast is included) and all meals in Agua Blanca. Your teacher will accompany you on most activities. Price does not include optional activities or transportation. Details of the program can be found here.
Study and Explore the Sierra
You can also spend one week (or more) studying in the high Sierra in the beautiful community of La Chimba. Like our Coastal program, your teacher will accompany you most of the day, giving you plenty of opportunity for learning Spanish rapidly through interacting and communicating in the language.
La Chimba is located close to the town of Cayambe at the foot of the 5,790 meter Cayambe volcano. The town and its surroundings are stunningly beautiful, and the program includes a visit to natural hot springs and an optional hike to the snow line of the volcano. You will also have the option to participate in daily community work, such as milking dairy cows in the mornings or other community projects as needed. Also included are guided walks around the local area and to other nearby communities. The Cayambe-Coca reserve is a short trip away from the community; visits to this park can be arranged as well. All meals and accommodations are included in this package. Details are available here.
General Information
In Agua Blanca and La Chimba, local families provide accommodations. In Puerto Lopez, you will stay in a local hostel. Your teacher will be one of our own professional instructors. There is little English spoken in these communities, thus your Spanish learning process can progress remarkably fast. But classes and language experience are only a part of the learning process; you will also experience community life and Ecuadorian culture like few tourists ever do.
