Surfing and Spanish is a wicked combination if you are heading out on a South America Gap Year. No boring classrooms, but learning Spanish on the beach. You will be staying in Montanita, a funky beach town and the capital of surfing in Ecuador. You become a great surfer as you will be taught by worlds best competitive surfing champions. No surf experience is needed.

 

Spanish And Surfing In Ecuador

  • Learn Spanish at an award winning language school
  • Learn to surf from world known surf professionals
  • You do not need to have experience in surfing or Spanish
  • Stay in the most popular surf spot in Ecuador, Montanita
  • Surf trips down the coast when your skills are well developed
  • Very social seen: surfing, activities etc. are organized in groups
  • Great trip to make new friends and travel onwards with them
  • Perfect start for your South America Gap Year Experience


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Full Details Spanish and Surf Ecuador

Award winning Spanish language school

Imagine hearing the crash of the Pacific ocean as the waves hit the beach, while you grasp the basics of Spanish. Besides that learning the language is essential if you plan to take a gap year in South America. So what better way to prepare yourself or improve your Spanish, than by doing it is a fun environment?

Our partner Spanish School in Ecuador, is one of the most original and exciting Spanish academies in South America. They are winner of numerous awards, including the language star awards (being nominated as one of the top 5 language academies in the world).

We particularly love this language school as it is the way the classes are delivered that adds a little spice to the whole learning process. When you add this to the fact that the language school is based in Montanita, one of the most popular backpacking beach towns in Ecuador it is a great chilled out place to hang out learn Spanish and get into the South American swing.

Intensive Spanish

The Spanish School provides small mini-group Spanish. We pride ourselves on the quality of these courses. You can expect to receive plenty of help with your Spanish with 4 lessons per day, 5 days per week. With 6 different ability groups you will be with others also keen to learn, at the same level. The levels follow the standard European Educational system of A1 to C2. By having others in your class it is an excellent way to stay motivated, practice what you are learning and to meet other students, many of whom travel onwards after the course.

Classes consist of 2 hours of largely Grammar based learning. We make it fun! Then there is 2 hours of more conversational or activity based Spanish, to put into practice what you have learned. We have found this approach to be extremely effective.

Small groups for effective learning

The groups are very small, normally 2-6 persons. So you will get lots of attention, and your learning needs are catered for. Occasionally we will not meet our minimum numbers per class in your ability group. In this case your lessons will be replaced with 15 hours of private one on one lessons.

The amazing surf lessons

Every day (from Monday to Friday) you will have 1.5 hours surf classes. You will practice in small group so you learn to surf quickly. The quality of the surf instructors teaching you how to surf are amazing! Instructors and surfers from Montanita are (comprise half of the Ecuadorian National team) placed in the TOP 10 in Billabong ISA World Surfing Games 2011 in Panama! And you get learn to surf with these guys! Unbelievable! So then once your surf skills are a little more established, we will hit the road: Every second weekend we load up the surf truck and make a short surf trip up or down the coast. This is the perfect occasion to practice those new moves you have been learning in class and explore some of the more secret surf spots which are usually guarded as local knowledge.

No experience needed

Most people on this programme are in the same boat. Montanita is perfect for beginners and advanced surfers alike. The waves at low tide are a little more relaxed for beginners. When you are feeling confident, grab your surf board and get out there at high tide, where the biggest waves are waiting to challenge your new surf skills. You will certainly gain some impressive surfing ability, with one of Ecuador’s top instructors who came an impressive 17th in the World Championships on hand to get you moving through the water like a surf crazed torpedo!

Extra programme activities

It’s not just surfing you could combine with Spanish, there are other options available locally to add some more thrills or chills to your language course.

  • learn salsa
  • learn yoga
  • learn kitesurfing
  • or do the surf and scuba combo!

Accommodation

Our accommodation is a perfect combination of location, quietness and luxury! The accommodation will be shared with maximum 4 other travellers. You will stay with four other in a dorm or you can upgrade to a Cabana. This all is located in a stunning Eco Resort.

About the Eco Resort

Eco Resort means, recycled water to feed our large and growing garden (please bring biodegradable soap and shampoo if possible), solar powered outside lighting, rainwater collection for the large and tempting swimming pool (and Jacuzzi – a life saver to soothe the aching muscles – the ones you never knew you had – after an afternoon surfing), and a recycling system. Do you wish to see more picture? Please visit our blog with this link.

Trip Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to go
It is hard to tell when is the best time to go. It also depends on what you prefer. The average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius. The period from December to May is the rainy season. During this period the temperature is higher, there is more sun, but also some (heavy) afternoon rain showers. From June to November it is much dryer, but also a bit cooler, even chilly in evenings. If you prefer higher waves you should go from December to May. The waves are around 1.5 meters, now and then up to 2 meters. The waves from June to November are between 0.5 and 1 meters. The peak season is from June to August and in December and January when many tourists visit Ecuador. Please book early (also your flights) if you wish to go in this period to make sure you get a good deal.
I am travelling alone. Will I be lonely?
You will absolutely not be lonely on this programme. Therefore it is best to start on the first Monday of the month as many more participants will starts at the same time. One of the reasons we set group starting dates. But if you wish to start another date, no worries, there are always people surfing and learning Spanish at the location you are staying at! So, you will make lots of new friends and have an amazing experience!
What if you have never surfed before?
No worries, most people on this program are in the same boat. Montanita is perfect for beginners and advanced surfers alike. The waves at low tide are a little more relaxed for beginners. When you are feeling confident, grab your surf board and get out there at high tide, where the biggest waves are waiting to challenge your new surf skills. You will certainly gain some impressive surfing ability, with one of Ecuador’s top instructors who came an impressive 17th in the World Championships on hand to get you moving through the water like a surf crazed torpedo!
Are the surf instructors that good?
Yes, the quality of the surf instructor teaching you how to surf are amazing! Instructors and surfers from Montanita are (comprise half of the Ecuadorian National team) placed in the TOP 10 in Billabong ISA World Surfing Games 2011 in Panama! And you get learn to surf with these guys! Unbelievable! So then once your surf skills are a little more established, we will hit the road: Every second weekend we load up the surf truck and make a short surf trip up or down the coast. This is the perfect occasion to practice those new moves you have been learning in class and explore some of the more secret surf spots which are usually guarded as local knowledge.
Can you tell me more about the Spanish classes?
Its is not just any language school. It is set right on the beach a stones thrown from the Pacific and you will be enroll in a multi award winning language school. There are 4 lessons per day (1 hour duration), 5 days per week. With 6 different ability groups you will be with others also keen to learn at the same level. By having others in your class it is an excellent way to stay motivated, practice what you are learning and to meet other students. There are a maximum of 6 students per class so you learn pretty fast.
Are Spanish crash courses also available?
Yes, if you want to have a crash course, we can also offer one to one lessons – 20 hours a week. Please contact us for additional costs.
What is Montanita like?
Montanita is the place where you will be staying. It is a small coastal town where around 1,000 people live. It is a multicultural beach town and worldwide know within the surf community. But the surf is not only in Montanita. There are hundreds of miles of other breaks all throughout the coast. If you want a deserted first class break, you can easily find it! And surf boards are allowed in local buses.
Are there more things we can do there?
Also other water sport can be done here, like water skiing, scuba diving and wind surfing. Montanita is one of the most liberal places in Ecuador and the atmosphere is very relaxed. You will hear a lot of reggae and hippie music and see many portraits of Bob Marley, Che Guevara and John Lennon while walking on the streets. Montañita is filled with bars, restaurants, and cafés that cater to all the budgets and tastes. During the peak season, there are many electronic and house music festivals on the beach.
Why should I join this programme?

If you are not convinced by now… Here are some more reason why you should join this programme:

  • People do not generally speak English in South America. Spanish is required.
  • Learn Spanish at an award winning language school.
  • Montanita is one of the coolest surf towns in South America.
  • You will have lots of fun and learn a language at the same time.
  • You have surf lessons world pro surfers and you live in a cool place!
  • You spend your gap year constructively! Learning a language and a new skill (surfing).
Why is this programme perfect for the start of my South America Gap Year?
Lots of people come to Montanita to learn Spanish and hang out before heading on with their travels to South America. If you are a little nervous about travelling or going alone, this is a great program to ease yourself into South America, and get you set up before you head off on your travels. It is not uncommon for our groups to travel together after the program and people often meet others wanting to do the same adventures.
How much money do I need for meals?
With regards to money its quite difficult to say how much you will need. Really depends on your choice of food. At the restaurants around town the meals are between 1.50 and 5.50USD. What you spend has also to do with how much you will be drinking and partying, how active you are with the activities throughout the town etc. It really depends on the student how much they spend in Montanita. You can live off as little as $5.00 daily if you cook all meals, and spend up to $30 if you eat out and go out more often. A realistic daily budget if you live aware of money and don’t go out to eat every day is $15-$20. I hope this helps, but please do not complain when you spend more because you love to party!
What do flights costs to Ecuador?
Flights from London to Quito or Guayaquil, which is only 2.5 hours away from Montanita, will start from 650GBP. But it really depends on the date of flying and how much in advance you book your flights. Please note that this is an indication.
I already speak Spanish. Can I do the programme without the Spanish lessons?
Unfortunately not, as this program is called Spanish and surf for a reason! However we have plenty of other fantastic surfing programs which do not require Spanish lessons, so contact us and we can talk you through your options.
Are there any cash machines?
There are two cash machines and a small bank where you can withdraw money from while you are there. If ATM’s not work? There are two ATM’s in town, and there are issues sometimes due to electricity shortages or errors in the system or sometimes they are simply out of money (especially at busy times like with the surf championship going on). However, these issues are usually solved within a day. There is always the option to go to the bank teller and withdraw money there with a bank-/ credit card and the student’s passport they can withdraw up to $1000. So if the ATM’s don’t work, this is always an option (except for Sundays where it’s closed).
Are there any extra costs involved?
Extra costs: From the airport (Guayaquil) we offer transfer, however they are not inclusive. The transfer from Guayaquil to Montanita costs £80, the return trip costs £70 . Most people opt for the bus, only 6 or 7 dollars and very easy. Other extra costs are if you wish to hire a surf board for when you have no activities planned. Its 80 USD a week, to be arranged and paid locally.
I am a vegetarian. Is there any good food for me?
Meals are great and there are plenty of restaurants. There are lots of meals with fruit, veggies and rice here!  There are even veggie ‘fast food restaurants’: vegetarian fast-food joint offers soy hamburgers, organic tofu, natural yogurt and a long list of delicious fruit and vegetable extracts. So for vegetarians there are a lot of choices too!
Is surf equipment available outside of the scheduled lessons?
The board rental usage is included during the classes, but not outside of these times. If you wish to use boards after class you can rent one by the week:  $60 for the first week and $30 for every week thereafter. this is paid locally.

 

Duration Standard Shared Luxury Cabana – Single Occupancy Luxury Cabana – Double Occupancy
2 weeks 529 719 609
4 weeks 999 1389 1179
6 weeks 1489 2059 1739
8 weeks 1879 2599 2199
10 weeks 2339 3259 2759
12 weeks 2699 3829 3189

Included

  • Pre departure information before you leave
  • Surfing lessons (Monday to Friday and 1.5 hours per day)
  • Spanish lessons in an open air environment (Monday to Friday and 4 hours per day)
  • Accommodation
  • All Spanish course materials
  • Other excursions as mentioned in the itinerary

Excluded

  • Flights
  • Internal flight from Quito to Guayaquil (30 minutes and around €38)
  • Meals and drinks
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas
  • Transfers to Montanita (private pick up can be arranged for a £80 fee)

Dates

Start dates are the first Monday of the month. Bespoke dates available on request. Please contact us for flexible start dates.

 

“Yeah its been great thanks. The trip to Montanita was absolutely incredible, without a doubt two of the greatest weeks of my life. More reviews here.”
Matt, UK
“Thank you for everything that I have learned here: the stories, expressions, grammar, vocabulary, verbs, the delicious coffees. the ambiance, interesting conversations, photos, songs, jokes, and everything else”. More reviews here.
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