The Xtreme Venezuela Experience. A perfect mixture of up to 5 weeks pure adventure and Spanish lessons, set in one of South Americas most stunning countries. Swim with dolphins, live in the jungle, chill on the beach, go rock climbing, learn about Indians and the culture of the Venezuelans are just a few elements of this amazing group based programme!

 

Xtreme Venezuela Experience

Venezuela has epic proportions, it has South Americas largest lake and third longest river, the highest waterfall in the world and the longest of all snakes. It has Jaguars, armadillos and some of the most spectacular landscapes on earth. There are the snow capped peaks of the Andesin the west, steamy jungles in the South, the hauntingly beautiful Gran Sabana plateau, with eerie flat topped mountains, in the east, and miles and miles of white sandy beaches fringed with coconut palms on the Caribbean coast. There can be no better country to offer adventure and exploration. This is exactly what our adventure classroom offers, all the while you will be learning to speak Spanish and developing personally through countless interactions with another world. Our award winning travelling classroom programme is a unique blend of learning Spanish and travelling adventure. Based in a beautiful country of huge diversity with golden palm fringed beaches, exotic jungles, spectacular and mysterious mountains, ancient indigenous cultures and the beat of exotic Latino! Based at our Caribbean Lodge on one of Venezuela´s best beaches, Playa Colorada (the coloured beach!), in Mochima National Park, you take adventure travel expeditions while learning Spanish.

Xtreme Venezuela Experience Highlights Include:

 

  • Spanish classes in style – there are approximately 60 hours included (5 week programme)
  • Leisurely sea kayaking amongst pristine Caribbean islands and the exotic Orinoco Delta Jungle, and remote untouched areas
  • Swimming with Dolphins, rock climbing & abseiling and waterfall treks
  • Serious beach time in the Caribbean
  • We will introduce you to the culture of the Warao and Pemon indigenous Indians
  • You will live in lush primary jungle and savannah terrain
  • Your Spanish classes won´t be in stuffy classrooms but in the open air of the real South America!
  • You do not have to be super fit just have a sense of adventure and want to experience life!

 

 

 

 

 

Photos

Itinerary by the week

Week 1 and 2

  • Location: Playa Colorada
  • Culture: Intro to modern Venezuela with emphasis on etiquette and safety. Cassava preparation
  • Activities: Intensive Spanish classes. Trips to islands,waterfalls and neighbouring villages. Introduction to culture including Salsa and Merengue dancing. 3-day Kayaking expedition and Dolphin encounter. Introduction to rock climbing/abseiling.

 Week 3

  •  Location: Caripe. Camping in tents
  • Culture: Coffee plantations and local fruit and vegetable farming culture
  • Activities: Intensive Spanish lessons. Trip to Caripe including Study of Guachero cave and its inhabitants. Visits to coffee plantations, fruit and veg farms, and great local markets. We also do mountain trekking to stunning waterfalls, caves and camping.

Week 4 and 5

  • Location: Orinoco delta Kayaking expedition. Sleeping in hammocks.
  • Culture: Ancient Warao Indian Culture
  • Activities: Now these are exiting weeks! 10 to 12 day kayak trip deep into the Orinoco Delta. Visiting remote Warao families and settlements. Exploring the waterways, jungles and sabanas, and there amazing abundance of wildlife and flora. Fishing, gathering and indeed traveling and living as the Warao have done for over 20,000 years. Learning how to survive in the jungle as the Warao do.

 

Spanish language programme

There are approximately the 60 hours of Spanish included with the 5 week programme

Activities & Adventures Included

The programme includes so many adventures, travel after this experience will never be the same again!

We are talking about sea kayaking amongst pristine Caribbean islands with Dolphin encounters and amazing beaches. The adventures continue with the exotic Orinoco Delta Jungle: remote untouched areas where tourism is non existent, you will meet local Indians: we will introduce you to the culture of the Warao and Pemon indigenous Indians, and you will live in lush primary jungle and savannah terrain.

Other activities like cultural immersion projects are included as well as more active adventures like rock climbing and beach volley ball tournaments, if that is not your thing you might get your body moving in some Latin dance classes! Trips to national parks, guided by local guides and Indians set against some of the most beautiful backdrops in South America will give you a lasting impression of just how amazing the real world can be.

All the while you will be learning, practising and improving Spanish, one of the worlds most widely spoken languages, classes won‟t be in stuffy classrooms but in the open air of the real South America!

By the time you return home your experiences, knowledge and social skills will have advanced way beyond your expectations, getting you prepped for what ever lies ahead.

Accommodation

Accommodation will be split between a beautiful Lodge on Playa Colorada and a cool Jungle Camp in the Orinoco Delta and depending on the length of stay also at Posada.

Playa Colorada

The beautiful Lodge on Playa Colorada has been developed over a number of years and the main accommodation and recreational space comprises a magnificent ‘Chawata’ (in the style of a Warao Indian commune).

Students have a choice of sleeping in specially designed sleeping hammocks (recommended as it is hot here!) or in beds. This is a stunning location and a stunning traditional styled lodge with many open communal areas all in traditional tropical gardens.  It has a 12 metre high climbing wall and is a front line property to the beach.

Jungle Camp, Orinoco Delta

The Orinoco Delta is a vast unspoilt ecosystem of some 25,000kms. Home to some 20,000 nomadic Warao Indians, these peoples live simply by the water, travelling by dugout canoes and have had very little contact with the outside world for over 20,000 years. The wildlife and scenery is simply spectacular and encounters with wildlife including River Dolphins, Jaguars, Pumas, Perro de Agua, Anacondas, Pythons, Howler and Cappuccino Monkeys and prolific bird life including, Macaws, Tucans, Parrots, Storks, Kingfishers and Woodpeckers are virtually the norm.

Whilst Kayaking

Our Partners have pioneered kayaking in the delta and there really is no other way to immerse yourself in the world of the Warao. During your expedition to the Delta – during which you will continue to receive daily language classes (‘travelling classroom’) – you’ll stay in a Warao home, construct your own bush camp and even stay at a luxurious lodge. Sleeping is in hammocks in true expedition style!

Free Time

Free time – lots of free time which is why we have a beach side location. Would be rather cruel of us to not factor this in! Certainly there will be regular trips into town (Puerto La Cruz is quite a big city for those who need their city fix!)

Trip Frequently Asked Questions

When is the rainy season? And how much does it rain?
Venezuela enjoys a tropical climate. The temperature dipping slightly in the mountains and also in the rainy season. The rainy season is from June through to September, when it usually rains for a couple of refreshing hours in the afternoon.
I already speak Spanish. Can I join the programme without the Spanish classes?
Yes you can. We have had some folks join our before who have opted out of Spanish classes. There are lots of things to do in and around our home base of Playa Colorada – where most of our Spanish lessons take place. When travelling, though we continue lessons in some destinations, again there will be plenty of diversions. N.B. You will get a discount on this programme if you opted out the Spanish classes.
Is Venezuela dangerous?
Yes, there are dangerous places to be found in the cities and dangerous things to be found outdoors, like anywhere else in the world. If you want danger we can take you there. We prefer the safer location of Playa Colorada where our partner is based.
Is the political situation dangerous?
No it is not really dangerous. It is like it has always been, comfortably corrupt. If you are in doubt please do contact us
How do I stop mosquitoes biting me?
You cannot really. It is best to take good precautions against getting bitten. Long clothes, mosquito nets at night and plenty of good repellent (with a high concentrate of deet), but they will get you eventually somehow. N.B. Accommodation at the lodge is mosquito proof.

Are there poisonous spiders and snakes in Venezuela?
Yes there are. Seldom a problem unless provoked or disturbed while mating as you would expect.
And what about shark?
Yes, there are sharks in Venezuela, but in these water there are no dangerous sharks.
Can I sunbathe topless?
Yes off course you can. (Though strictly after the hours of daylight). But take into account that some local Venezuelans may get offended so best go and find yourself a quiet part of the beach.
Is Venezuela expensive?
No, Venezuela is not expensive at all. Right now it has never been cheaper. It’s cheap, cheap, cheap…
Do we have to pay airport tax?
Yes you have to pay airport tax. It will be between $10 and $40 depending on how long you have been in the country.
Is it easy to sleep in a hammock and is it bad for my back?
Yes, it easy to sleep in a hammock and no, it is not bad at all. Sleeping in hammocks is by far the most comfortable and convenient way of sleeping out here.
Why can’t I flush toilet roll down the toilet?
You cannot flush the toilet, because the plumbing is sub-standard and having to clean up big blockages of poo and paper is no fun at all. So, toilet-paper in the basket please.
Can I drink the water?
No you cannot drink the water. We filter all the water for drinking and if we cannot filter we sterilise or boil it.
Can I catch Malaria?
Yes there is a possibility, but we have had no cases of tourists catching Malaria.
Do I need to be fit?
No not really, though the fitter you are the more you will benefit.
What is a gringo?
The expression Gringo was developed by the Mexicans for the invading American Army in ‘green’ being asked politely to go’.

Price in GBP

Duration Standard Shared
3 Weeks 899
4 Weeks 1199
5 Week 1325

 Included

  • Pre departure information
  • Spanish language classes:
  • 60 hours (5 week program),
  • All trips (here) depending on the programme duration (see below)
  • Accommodation
  • Breakfast and dinner (plus lunches when travelling)
  • Pickup from Barcelona airport and transfer to Caribbean Lodge upon arrival
  • Use of kitchen facilities at Playa to prepare own lunches and snacks
  • Guides and Equipment

Trips included

5 Week Programme

  •  Playa Colorada excursions to Islands, waterfalls and villages
  • Introduction to local culture
  • Salsa and Merengue dancing classes
  • 3 day Kyacking and Dolphin Encounter
  • Rock climbing and Abseiling.
  • Trip To Caripe and Guachero Cave
  • Visits to coffee plantations and local markets
  • Orinoco kayak Expedition
  • Visiting Warao tribes
  • Trips to cultural sites to learn about the history and culture of Venezuela

 Excluded

  • Flights
  • Lunch except on travel days
  • Visas
  • Insurance
  • Spending Money
  • Airport tax when leaving the country. It will be between $10 and $40 depending on how long you have been in the country.

Dates

Pickup from Barcelona airport in Venezuela and transfer to Caribbean Lodge upon arrival are included. Please let us know if you want help with flights.

There are set start dates but these dates are flexible – students are welcome to arrive a day or two early for free if this helps with international flight arrangements… we are open 365 days a year and will arrange pick up from our local airport – Barcelona – for free!

Start Dates 2014

  • January 13, 2014
  • March 10, 2014
  • April 5, 2014
  • May 5, 2014
  • June 30, 2014
  • July 28, 2014
  • October 6, 2014
  • December 1, 2014

Please note if you start in a group we can make exceptions to the start dates!

Start Dates 2015:

  • Jan 12th
  • Mar 9th
  • 4th May
  • 29th June
  • 27th Jul
  • 5th Oct
  • 30th Nov
“I had a blast there. We had an amazing group of people from all over the world and together we’ve been kayaking, hiking, and done loads of road trips.”
Ramon
” Hi Debby! The trip was absolutely incredible! more reviews here.”
Alice Horsfield

 

” Hello, Im now home from the trip of a life time!! See more reviews here.”
Eddie UK