Special-Interest Vacations

Spanish-Language Programs

Ecuador is one of the most popular places to study Spanish in South America. It is also one of the least expensive. A vast majority of the schools are found in Quito, although many have sister institutions in other cities and tourist towns around the country, such as Baños, Manta, Cuenca, and Otavalo.

If you are just looking to brush up on your existing knowledge of the language or to learn the basics to get by during your stay, most schools are happy to tailor their programs according to your requirements, offering courses ranging in length from 1 week to a year, from 2 to 8 hours a day. The majority of Spanish institutes also offer programs combining home-stays with local Ecuadorian families, as well as volunteer placements, workplace internships, cultural activities, and/or excursions to Ecuador's coastal, Amazon, and Andean regions included with the language tuition. The home-stays include a private room and either two or three meals daily taken with the family. One-on-one tuition or group classes, always with native speakers, cost approximately $5 to $10 (£2.75-£5.50) an hour depending on the institution and the specific program.

Qualifications obtained on completion of courses range from diplomas accredited by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education and Culture, to those recognized on an international level and accredited by Spain's Instituto Cervantes. Some of the schools have reciprocal relationships with U.S. and European universities, so, you can even arrange for college credit.

Listed below are some of the better established Spanish-language institutes in Quito, many of which have sister-schools in other popular tourist destinations. Study programs in such destinations are usually organized through their Quito offices. Guayaquil has very few Spanish institutes, primarily because most tourists head for Quito, and the castellano spoken in Guayaquil is generally more difficult to understand, particularly for the beginner.

The popular Amazonas Spanish School, Jorge Washington 718 and Avenida Amazonas, Edificio Rocaforte, Quito (tel. 02/2504-654; www.eduamazonas.com), was established in 1989. This academy boasts that all of its teachers have a minimum of 6 to 7 years of teaching experience. They emphasize language study combined with travel, offering home-stays, tours, and voluntary programs.

Beraca Spanish School, Av. Amazonas 11-14 and Pinto, 2nd floor; in Quito's New Town; and García Moreno 858 no. 3, between Sucre and Espejo, in Quito's Old Town (tel. 02/2906-672; www.beraca.net), has been operating since 1993. They provide the option of studying at either of their well-located campuses. Courses usually run from 9am to 1pm or 2 to 6pm, but personalized schedules can be organized. Home-stays with Ecuadorian families, or in private apartments, can also be arranged.

Bipo & Toni's, Carrión E8-183 and Leonidas Plaza, Quito (tel. 02/2556-614 or 02/2500732; www.bipo.net), is a Spanish academy with small-group and private classes for $100 (£55) for 20 hours per week of classes. They also offer organized excursions, Latin dance classes, volunteer work opportunities, and home-stays. The institute has a good library, a garden with BBQ, and its own restaurant-bar, providing a friendly and interactive environment for its students.

Cristóbal Colón Spanish School, Colón 2088 and Versalles, Quito (tel. 02/2506-508; www.colonspanishschool.com), offers classes from $5 (£2.75) per hour; it's one of Quito's most popular modern Spanish schools. They only offer one-to-one classes, but they also have organized excursions, volunteer work opportunities, and the option of studying in several sister schools located around the country. Classes usually last 4 hours, but more flexible schedules can be arranged.

Escuela de Español Atahualpa, Pinto E5-08 375 and Juan León Mera, Quito (tel. 02/2545-914; www.atahualpa.com), with a pleasant, family-like atmosphere, school offers volunteer opportunities, home-stays, and cultural and tourist activities. Teachers possess a minimum of 5 years of experience, and courses cost $230 to $280 (£115-£140) per week including 20 hours' tuition and accommodations with local families.

Galápagos Spanish School, Av. Amazonas 1004 and Wilson, Quito (tel. 02/2565-213; www.galapagos.edu.ec), offers one-on-one instruction through 10 levels, or personalized courses, with the option of completing the Ministry's diploma. Classes cost around $5 (£2.75) an hour. Private accommodations with 20 hours' tuition costs from $120 (£66) per week; a variety of optional tours and activities are also available.

Instituto Superior de Español, Darquea Terán 1650 and Avenida 10 de Agosto, Quito (tel. 02/2223-342; www.instituto-superior.net), has been in business since 1988 and offers flexible Spanish courses in six locations around the country. They emphasize the importance of extracurricular activity through an extensive program of excursions and events. Specialized courses in business Spanish and Latin American literature and history are also on the agenda.

Quito Spanish Institute, Av. Orellana 1515 and 9 de Octubre, Quito (tel. 02/2550-377; www.quitospanish.com), is the only institute in Ecuador offering the internationally recognized DELE qualification from Spain's Instituto Cervantes. One-on-one or group classes can be combined with home-stays and volunteer placements. The institute also runs internship programs and organizes excursions. The school is extremely flexible and willing to adapt courses to students' needs. Prices start from $170 (£94) for a 20-hour-per-week program; home-stays cost an additional $16 (£9) per day, including three meals daily and laundry service.

Simón Bolívar, Mariscal Foch E9-920 and Avenida 6 de Diciembre, Quito (tel. 02/2234-708; www.simon-bolivar.com), advertises that it is rated as "one of Ecuador's top schools" by members of the reputable South American Explorers club. They offer home-stays and volunteer placements, a "Discover Ecuador" program, and various excursions. Courses start at around $120 (£66) per week. The institute also has schools in Cuenca, in El Oriente, and along the Pacific coast.

Ecologically Oriented Volunteer & Study Programs

Below are some institutions and organizations working on ecology and sustainable-development projects.

Earthwatch Institute (tel. 800/776-0188; www.earthwatch.org) organizes volunteers to go on research trips to help scientists collect data and conduct field experiments in a number of scientific fields. Expeditions to Ecuador range from studies of cloud-forest birds to aiding efforts to eliminate the exotic species that threaten the ecological equilibrium of the Galápagos Islands. Fees for food and lodging average around $2,200 (£1,210) for a 2-week expedition, excluding airfare.

Ecuador Volunteer (tel. 02/2564-488; www.ecuadorvolunteer.org), a Quito-based organization that connects volunteers with nonprofit organizations, usually has positions available at local environmental organizations.

The Idealist (www.idealist.org), a Web portal of volunteer and employment opportunities with nonprofit organizations around the world, often lists more than a dozen environmental volunteer positions in Ecuador.

Jatun Sacha (tel. 02/2432-240; www.jatunsacha.org) is an Ecuadorian environmental foundation that manages private biological reserves in various parts of the country, and works with local communities to involve them in conservation. They accept a steady flow of volunteers who help with field research, teach English, and perform other tasks for fees that are a fraction of what big U.S. volunteer programs charge.

Maquipucuna (tel. 706/542-2923 in the U.S.; www.maqui.org) is a private biological reserve and ecotourism lodge in the northern Pacific lowlands that is administered by the University of Georgia. They accept volunteers to help with conservation and research projects; volunteers must pay $450 (£248) per month for food and lodging. The reserve protects an important expanse of the endangered Chocó rainforest.