Academia de Español Surpacifico allows you to enjoy learning Spanish in a relaxing, fun yet professional atmosphere. Their teachers are professionally qualified with years of creative teaching experience. The Spanish Immersion Program is approved by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education and has Bildungsurlaub recognitions for German students. Study Spanish with Surpacifico in one of the more renown Spanish schools in Ecuador, located in Quito and Manta, the capital of Ecuador and a coastal town 30 minutes by plane and 8 hours by bus from Quito. The combination of tropical beaches, climate, and people who are warm and friendly by nature will make your stay unforgettable.

Volunteer Program

SurPacifico Ecological Volunteer Program (minimum 6 weeks)  

• 2 weeks of Individual Spanish classes, 6 hours per day.
• 4 weeks working as a volunteer on an ecological farm with full immersion in the Manabí farming community doing reforestation, nursery work, sowing seeds, picking fruit, creation and maintenance of vegetable gardens, compost making and working in the environmental school giving classes (optional).
• This is a great opportunity to experience life with a rural Ecuadorian family and learn ecological farming practices.

TAURO is a Coastal Organic Farm (3 hours by bus from Manta) which is dedicated to ethical tourism, and at the same time environmental work. It is owned and run by an Ecuadorian and a New Zealander. The activities of the program are under the umbrella of the Stuarium Foundation. The program provides authentic ecotours partly as a way of supporting the many environmental projects it has created. These include the Environmental primary school and Tauro organic Farm in Rio Muchacho, a paper recycling project in Bahía de Caráquez and a scheme to conserve areas of mangroves within the estuary of Bahia.Rio Muchacho is a valley on the mid coast of Ecuador. The entrance is situated 30 kms north of Bahía de Caráquez on the San Vicente Pedernales road. Tauro farm is 8 kms inland from this road (two hours walking, one and a half by horse). The area once was dense and has been largely cleared for cattle farming and cropping. Some nice areas remain however, with food forest and wildlife.

The farming practices are conventional using clearing, burning, and monocropping with the use of chemicals. Tauro farm was no exception until 15 years ago when Dario bought the property and began converting it to a non polluting system. It is now not only being developed as a productive organic farm but is a model for the community. It demonstrates reforestation, permaculture and organic farming techniques. Tourism is another aspect of the farm, nationals and foreigners are fascinated by the cultural experience and the alternative farming techniques.
Five years ago there was a crisis situation with the education of the children of the valley, and so with community participation we created a primary school. The aim of the school was to provide not only a better education than in most rural schools but to teach environmental education. The school was built with natural materials donated by each of the parents. It has been running successfully for 5 years supported partly by the parents and partly by the agency with help from tourists, friends and family.

Gonzalo and Margarita are a couple who have been involved in the school and in the workshops since we began. They, with their family of three boys and a girl now live on Tauro farm. Volunteers will be guided and cared for by them.

Volunteer options:
Volunteers at Tauro participate in the general activities of the farm and are expected to work an 8 hour day. Some of the activities will include:
1. Nursery work, sowing seeds and filling bags.
2. Reforestation work, planting, weeding, mulching, staking and pruning.
3. Creation and maintenance of vegetable gardens.
4. Compost making.
5. Planting and harvesting crops.
6. Work in the environmental school, giving classes (optional) and doing maintenance during the school year.
7. Planting bamboo.
8. Care of saddlery.
9. Help in preparation of food (if you are interested you can learn about local cuisine)
Two days free are given per week which can be taken in block or as desired (8 days total a month). We provide access by horse once a week. This day must coincide with the day that Gonzalo leaves for supplies.
The office in Bahía offers phone, fax and e-mail services.

Accommodation is provided in one of the sleeping areas. We supply sheets, blankets and towels. Food is prepared for you and is largely vegetarian, occasionally chicken and river shrimp. The food is typical (very tasty) and usually cooked over a wood fire. The local diet is heavy on rice, green banana and cassava (yucca); you can arrange any personal preferences with Margarita.
What will you get out of volunteering?
You will be able to contribute to a valuable environmental model for the coast and you'll have the opportunity to learn about organic farming, permaculture and reforestation.
It will probably be one of the most authentic experiences you'll have with an Ecuadorian "native" family.
There may be other volunteers when you go or you may be alone, in which case you will have to practice your Spanish a great deal. The family only speaks Spanish. No other languages are spoken at the farm.

Note:
This is an isolated rural area where electric power and TV have only been installed for several months. The people have lived a simple but rich life without access to or knowledge of the conveniences of the 20 th century. Be sensitive to them and their customs. We insist that no drugs or alcohol are consumed in Tauro Farm except in the case of the typical drinks which you may be offered by the family.

What to take?
· Insect repellent (there are no mosquitoes but some small biting flies).
· Light weight old clothes.
· Flash light and batteries.
· Binoculars, if you are interested in birds.
· Rubber boots - in the rainy season (check first)
· Sun screen.
· Wide rimed sun hat.
· Rain poncho (only in the rainy season).
· Sturdy shoes for working in
· Good books, letter writing paper
· Walkman?

If you would like to take something for the children of the family we suggest that it be educational. Any contributions of materials etc. for the school are also very welcome.

Spanish Class Information

Surfing Classes

Learn Spanish Language (individual or group lessons) and enjoy our surfing classes in different beaches in Manta: Murcielago Beach, San Lorenzo, Las Pinas and more.

The program includes 20 hours per week of Individual/group lessons + 10 hours of surfing classes per week (qualified instructor and surf board provided).

Lodging avalaible with host families (private bedroom, all meals, laundry service) or students flat (full furnished aparment to be share with other 2 -3 students, kitchen and laundry facilities).

Lodging

With a Host family: Spanish students have the option of staying with an Ecuadorian family that will receive them as a member of the household. With the home-stay the student can expect: Private room inside the house of the family. All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Laundry: minimum once per week.

Participation in the family life, having the opportunity to consistently practice the Spanish that is learned in class.

Student's apartment: The school has a fully furnished department (with hot water, tv cable, etc.) where the students who want more independence has an excelent choice. Meals or laundry service are not included.

In Quito: We will gladly greet you at the airport provided we have a minimum of one week's notice. This should include your flight number, airline, date and time of your arrival. A representative of the Institute will wait for you at the exit for international flight arrivals with a sign bearing your name. We will then drive you to your chosen hotel. The next day a correspondent will drive you from your hotel in Quito to the airport for your connecting flight to Manta or to the Bus Terminal. This is a free service for our students.

In Manta: A daily flight exists from Quito to the port of Manta on TAME Airlines:

Quito-Manta:
Monday to Saturday: 6.30 am (Tame airlines)
Sunday: 7 pm (Tame airlines)

Manta-Quito:
Monday to Saturday: 7.45 am (Tame airlines)
Sunday: 8.15 pm (Tame airlines)
Cost of the flight Quito-Manta-Quito: US$ 98

There is also the possibility to take the bus from Quito to Manta (9 hours). We suggest you take Panamericana Buses. Panamericana Bus Station is located in Quito at: Colón and Reina Victoria Aves. The cost of the ticket for the bus is US$ 9.

The reception in Manta is a free service that is offered by the SURPACÍFICO SPANISH SCHOOL to its students. Previously we should be notified of the flight/bus, date and time of your arrival in Manta. A representative of our Institute will wait for you in the exit of the airport/Bus Station with a sign bearing your name and you will be driven to the house of your Ecuadorian family.

Manta is a picturesque and important port on the Pacific Ocean, located in a dry tropical forest with an average annual temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (77° F). Because it has some of South America's most breathtaking beaches, Manta was selected as the site of the sixth South American Windsurfing Championship. It is reknowned for its diving and sport fishing. It also serves as the primary industrial port of Ecuador's tuna industry.

In addition, Manta hosts an International Theater Festival in September. Sporting events take place in November, and also from January through April. In the city one also finds a selection of first rate night clubs, amusement parks, and casinos.

Manta has a rich history: it was originally settled by the pre-Hispanic Manteña culture. Today it is a primary city in the province of Manabì.

Nearby in the province is the famous Isla de la Plata, which has flora and fauna similar to that found in the Galápagos Islands. On Isla de la Plata one finds such unique species as blue-footed boobies and frigate birds. One can also see whales there from June through September.

Produced in Manabì and known throughout the world are the original and official "Panama" hats, which are made just outside of Manta in the town of Montecristi. Manabì is also famous for its delicious cuisine, much of which is the best in the country. For those who enjoy seafood Manta is second to none.

Manta has its own airport with direct flights to Quito and Guayaquil. From Manta one can easily and quickly access other destinations of interest in this small but diverse country. Ecuador contains four entirely distinct regions, each unique inits climate and traditions; they are the Oriente (jungle), Sierra (mountains), Costa (tropical coast), and the Galàpagos Islands.

Beaches

• Crucita: Hang Gliding and parasailing are available 1 ½ hours from Manta.
• San Jacinto and San Clemente. (2 hours from Manta)
• San Vicente and Canoa. (3 hours from Manta)
• Puerto López and Puerto Cayo. (2 ½ hours from Manta)
• Los Frailes. (2 ½ hours from Manta)

On Arrival

FROM QUITO: We provide pick-up service in Quito without extra cost. There are two options to reach Manta from Quito

By bus: (9 hours, $ 9 USD) We can pick up the student at the bus station in Manta and bring him/her to the host family/apartment. We suggest taking a bus from "Flota Imbabura" Bus Company, who runs several times a day everyday from Quito to Manta at 11.30 am. The Flota Imbabura Bus Station in Quito is located at the following crossroads: Manuel Larrea and Portoviejo Streets.

By plane: (30 minutes, $ 68) We can book a flight ticket for the student from Quito to Manta. If he/she wishes, we can also adance the price of the ticket and he/she can repay us on the first day of school in Manta. We can also pick up the student at the airport in Manta and bring him/her at the host family/apartment too without any additional charge.

Airlines flying from Quito to Manta:

Tame www.tame.com.ec (one flight per day)

Icaro airlines www.icaro.com.ec (three flights per day)

Aerogal www.aerogal.com.ec (one flight per day)

Bus companies (from Quito to Manta):

Reina del Camino (executive service): bus Quito-Manta every hour

Flota Imbabura: bus Quito-Manta (runs several times a day)

Panamerica: bus Quito-Manta (runs several times a day)

FROM GUAYAQUIL: Academia Surpacifico does not provide pick-up service in Guayaquil. Students arriving to Ecuador through Guayaquil need to travel on their own from Guayaquil to Manta by bus. There are several bus companies such as Reina del Camino, Coactur, Carlos Alberto Aray. We can provide pick-up service at the bus station in Manta for those students. Students need to call before leaving from Guayaquil to Manta (there are many public telephones at the bus station in Guayaquil) in order to arrange the pick-up service. Cell phone number for arranging pick up service in Manta: 099 184735.

EMERGENCY PLAN FOR PICKUP SERVICE: In the unlikely event the student's pick-up service does not arrive, please give to costumers the following back-up cell number (09) 9184-735. The school is quite reliable with this service, but wise travelers always have a backup plan. A school representative will be holding a school sign with the student's name at the airport in Quito. (If the student arrives and doesn't see someone from the Surpacifico holding a board with the name on, please wait for 30 minutes. The airport in Quito is very small and therefore it should be easy for the student to see if someone is looking for them)

What to Bring

-Copies of travel documents - passport, visa, insurance etc..

- Sun protectective gear

- Insect repellent (there are very few, and we provide mosquitoes nets for the bed- but just in

case it is always good to bring some!)

Registration Fee included

Book Now!

Reserve your place on the Manta program with an online deposit with SWAP (20%). Pay the remainder on arrival at Surpacifico School