Discover Ecuador, its language, culture, and customs. Visit the Galapagos islands, one of the planet's most unique natural paradises. With this program you have the opportunity to travel around the country and study Spanish at the same time. It is designed or people who want to know more about our fantastic country without having to worry about safety as they participate in a variety of excursions and trips to some of Ecuador's most interesting locations.

You will be able to travel along the Avenue of the Volcanoes, taking in the beautiful scenery of the Andean Mountains, or you can visit beautiful beaches and taste typical food from every region. All that in a well organized trip that guaranties safety. At the end of this quest, you will have experienced a "taste of Ecuador", its people, its cuisine, and its beautiful scenery. All this while gaining a strong command of the Spanish language, will give you an unforgettable experience to begin your travels through South America.

The program consists of taking one-on-one Spanish classes from Tuesday to Friday, 4 hours per day, and excursions every weekend. Monday is free. Every week you will get the chance to visit a different city that is steeped in its own unique experiences, customs, and traditions. Some of the places you will get to visit include: Quito, Cuenca, Baños, Manta, and Otavalo. You will take classes during the week in our schools in each one of these cities. During the weekends, you will be able to take part in a number of different kinds of activities, excursions, and trips which we plan.

Due to the fact that the main goal of this program is to let the students get a feel for what Ecuador is all about, students will stay with local families. This way, you will get the chance to get a glimpse of every day life in Ecuador while practicing your newly acquired skills.

To learn more about the cities please see the last part of the program.

Programs

Note: This program begins every Monday, all year.
The prices don't include: Park entrance fees and intercity travel.

Cost:

Prices Include:

1. Airport pick-up.
2. Spanish lessons.
3. Accommodation.
4. Activities at the school.
5. Professional guides.
6. Trips and excursions.

Accommodation:

These prices are calculated with homestay accommodation, for different housing possibilities please contact us.

Activities at School:

Includes Spanish conversation club to practice your skills, videos and documentaries in Spanish, tropical dance classes, Ecuadorian cooking classes, sports, movies, etc.

Only for groups:
Study in the jungle or in Andean Hacienda. (Ask us for information).

Cities:

Quito:
San Francisco de Quito was founded in 1534 by Sebastián de Benalcázar. The city was built upon the old city of Quito, one of the capitals of the Inca Empire. It is situated at an altitude of 2.820 m. / 9.200 ft above sea level.
Located in the middle of the Andean Mountains in the Northern part of the Highlands. It is surrounded by several volcanoes, some of them are covered by snow. This beautiful city keeps colonial treasures such as paintings, sculptures and woodcarvings, that can mostly be found in the old center. The excellent workmanship of colonial artists combine the European Renaissance with the style and feelings of the Indians. Therefore it was declared in 1978 a Cultural Heritage Site by the UNESCO. In contrast, the modern part of the city reflects the image of progress with nightlife, restaurants and luxury hotels.

Baños:
Baños is a small city of pilgrims. The faith fill the streets and the church, where they worship Our Lady of the Holy Water of Baños. The church is always full of people and lit up by candles. The pilgrims then go to the hot springs in whose prodigious curative properties they believe as much as they do in the Virgin's mercy. You can relax in the hot springs or if you prefer you can rent a bike and explore the beautiful sceneries surrounding. You can visit the zoo or rent a horse to look around this beautiful town, which acts as the gateway to the central Amazon from the Andean Highlands.

Cuenca:
Surrounded by four rivers and considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the country, Cuenca is the perfect place to feel peaceful, relax, and soak up the taste of a colonial town which stills fills the air. Cuenca's cobblestone streets, winding rivers, graceful ironwork balconies, and beautiful gardens are all part of the pleasant atmosphere of this historic city. Cuenca was declared a Cultural Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1999 and it is located along the Inca Highway that joined Cusco and Quito during the pre-Columbian Empire, making it a perfect location for those who would like to learn more about local pre-Columbian and colonial culture.

Manta:
Located in the Central coast in the Pacific Ocean, this city is very well known for its port and beautiful beaches.
Very close to Manta is the little town of Montecristi, the place where the "Panama hats" are made from natural raw hay called " Paja toquilla ". They are made in Montecristi, however, because they were first sold to Panama during the construction of the Panama Channel and were widely used there, they received this name.
From Manta you also have easy access to Machalilla National Park with its exotic and rare dry forests and the Isla de la plata, an island which, because of its populations of such rare species as the blue footed boobies, has been nicknamed "the poor man's Galapagos." From there, you can also enjoy the whale-watching form June to September.

REGISTER NOW

Please contact us for further information: info@apf-languages.com