Costa Rica & Mexico

For the summer of 2006, we will have three camp locations. In Costa Rica , we will have three program sessions in Playa Dominical and two program sessions in Playa Tamarindo. In Mexico , we will have one program in Puerto Escondido. Students will be able to choose from each location or can choose to attend two programs consecutively. In Costa Rica , Playa Dominical is located on the central Pacific coast in the rain forest and Playa Tamarindo is on the northern Pacific coast in the dry forest. Both locations have a great deal of adventure activities and are great surf destinations. Puerto Escondido, or the Mexican Pipeline is located on the southern Pacific coast on the Mexican Riviera.

The price of this progra includes all of the following: Airfare from any of the major US hubs listed below, all adventure activities and tours, three two hour surf lessons, use of surfboards, lodging, meals (3 per day), Spanish instruction, materials, transportation, health/travel insurance and bilingual guides. Students will need very minimal spending money as all essentials are covered. Enrollment is limited. The US hub cities are: Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia & Miami. Students not in a hub city or outside of the United States have two choices. They can have us book the flight, which may incur an additional cost or they can receive a $400 discount and purchase their own tickets.

This year we are offering an early sign up discount of $200 per student. This means that students signing up and paying their deposit prior to December 31st will pay a discounted price! Conversely, students signing up less than eight weeks in advance of their chosen program will have to pay a $100 late sign up fee. All students signing up for a program less than four weeks in advance must purchase their own airline ticket. The camps fill up completely, so it is a good idea to reserve your slot as early as possible.

There are six programs for the summer of 2006 and the start dates are as follows; Playa Dominical; June 18th, July 2nd and July 16th. Playa Tamarindo; June 18th and July 2nd. Puerto Escondido, July 22nd. The length of each program is two weeks. Students can participate in two consecutive sessions in Costa Rica . This two-session option is available for a discounted pric.

Each camp location has a different arrival city. For the Playa Dominical camp, students will fly into Costa Rica ’s capital city, San Jose . For the Playa Tamarindo camp, students will fly into the city of Liberia , the northern provincial capital. For the Mexico camp, all students will fly through Houston directly into Huatulco, which is a beachside Pacific coast resort town an hour south of Puerto Escondido.

Each arrival destination offers students unique and interesting activities as well as places to stay. In San Jose , students will stay in a very comfortable and well maintained boutique hotel.

This local jewel is an old Victorian mansion located in the west part of the city. In Liberia , students will stay at the hot springs resort. Located on the slopes of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park, this 2000 acre preserve has hot springs , swimming pools, water slides and numerous waterfalls. In Huatulco, students will stay in the beach side resort. Located only a few meters from the beach on Tangolunda Bay , the hotel offers stunning
views of the Pacific. There are two swimming pools, a spa, gym, tennis court, beach club and three restaurants.

Upon arrival at all three locations, students will be met at the airport by the camp directors and counselors. They will be transported to the hotels by minibuses and given time to settle in and relax. Rooms and roommates will be assigned at this time. Once all the students have arrived, they will gather for the Welcome Dinner. Here students will get to know one another and the staff. The next day, the Spanish and adventure activities begin!

The main part of this adventure Spanish program takes place at our three beach destinations, Playa Dominical and Playa Tamarindo in Costa Rica and Puerto Escondido , Mexico . Students will be transported from their arrival cities down to the beach in private air-conditioned motor coaches. The two trips in Costa Rica are about 4 hours each in length with a stop in the middle for lunch. In Mexico , the drive is two hours and students will be taken along the coastal Pan-American Highway . Each route is an amazing passage through some of the most diverse lands in the entire world. Student will have a chance to see mountains and valleys, rainforests and coast line.

Playa Dominical is located on the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the tropical rainforest. There are toucans in the trees, iguanas on the beach and monkeys in the forest surrounding the small pueblo of no more than 800 permanent residents. The town is very safe and it is possible to walk from one end to the other in less than 15 minutes. The locals are friendly and the students will get to know just about everyone in town by the time the program is through. Many of the locals speak English, but are more than willing to help students practice their Spanish.

In Dominical students will be housed in the resort which is the nicest hotel/resort in the area. There are two students per bungalow, with four bungalows grouped together. The resort has a full service restaurant, where many of the programs' meals will
be served. There is a large pool, tennis court, tropical gardens and every bungalow has at least one hammock.

Playa Tamarindo is located on the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the tropical dry forest. This is one of the last remaining dry forests in all of Central America and is teaming with wildlife. The northwest region of the country gets markedly less rain during the year and the flora and fauna are very different from the rest. The town is one of the most popular destinations in the country and has a population of about 2000 residents. Although the town has grown a great deal in the last few years, it still has the feel of a small beach pueblo. With the howler monkeys in the trees, iguanas on the ground and the long white sandy beach, it is a great destination.

In Tamarindo, students will be housed a hotel situated literally right across the street from the beach, it is centrally located to everything in town. There are two students per room and each room has air-conditioning and a private bath. The camp has one complete section of rooms facing the large swimming pool and recreation center. There is a very nice restaurant where breakfast and one other meal per day will be served.

Puerto Escondido is located on the southwestern Pacific coast of Mexico at the far end of the Mexican Riviera. It is a small, sleepy beach pueblo that is a bit off the beaten tourist path. The town is famous for it fresh seafood as well as for its surfing. The Mexican Pipeline, as Playa Zicatela has been nicknamed, is arguably the best surf break in Mexico . Besides Zicatela, there are 7 other beaches and coves along the 10 miles of coastline that make up Puerto Escondido. The crystal blue waters and warm temperatures make it the perfect place for water sports and adventure activities.

In Puerto Escondido, students will stay at a historic hotel. This Mediterranean style beach resort is perfectly located at the
south end of town, right on the sand and facing Playa Zicatela. This four star hotel has all the amenities and students will stay in air-conditioned junior suites with cable TV, telephones and balconies. There are three swimming pools and two restaurants, all with stunning views of the beach and the tropical sunset.

While in Dominical, Tamarindo and Puerto Escondido the programs will focus on three specific aspects; Spanish classes, Surf lessons and Adventure activities. Local professionals and organizations will handle each of these equally important parts of the overall program. The Spanish classes will be taught by Costa Rican teachers who have years of experience in teaching Spanish as a second language.

In Playa Dominical, the surf school will handle surf instruction. The adventure part of the program will mainly be handled theNational Wildlife Refuge. This nonprofit and private organization is very involved with saving the tropical rainforest and in educating the local populace as to the importance of conservation.

In Playa Tamarindo, the surf school will handle the surf lessons. They have handled our students' surf needs for the past two summers and have done a wonderful job.

In Puerto Escondido, the surf school will handle the surf lessons. They work with language students and surfers alike so they understand our specific needs. They will also be helping to handle all of our tour options while in Mexico . They have worked with numerous groups and are very professional and proficient.

The overall goal of the Teen Spanish Program is to give teenagers from all over the world the opportunity to learn Spanish, understand a new culture and have an adventurous and fun time. With this program, we believe that the student will not only learn a great deal of Spanish, but will also come away having had an experience of a lifetime.

For additional information, contact us at (718) 631-0096 or e-mail mgiamma@verizon.net