Spanish Immersion

Other Courses: Baja | Denali | Lake Clark

•	Course Overview
•	About Chacala
•	Course Description
•	Course Schedule
•	General Info
•	Photo Gallery
•	Tuition

Climate
Chacala has a mild climate in the winter. Days are hot in the 80's and mostly sunny. Nights are milder in the 60's and 70's. The sun is very strong during the day and the ocean water is a perfect temperature for swimming. Rain is almost unheard of in the winter.

Travel
We fly all together on a group reservation. It is much safer than traveling on individual reservations. Since we are on a group reservation, we cannot use airline miles to purchase tickets.

Students must travel with a valid passport. Visas are issued in customs in the Puerto Vallarta airport, so you don't need to worry about getting a visa ahead of time.

Student Equipment List
Once enrolled in the course, students are provided with a detailed packing list.

Accommodations
There are many accommodations to choose from in Chacala. We will stay in a central location that is reasonably priced, comfortable, and clean. The instructors know most of the landlords in Chacala, which makes even the housing an experience in cultural immersion and a chance to practice Spanish. The housing includes kitchen space so we can cook at home as well as eat out. Fortunately Chacala has no chain hotels or resorts - adding to the personalized experience we desire.

Boys and girls have separate rooms. Students do not have to share bedrooms with instructors. We have enough houses/rooms reserved in order to accommodate everyone comfortably.

Safety
Provided below are safety details specific to the Spanish Immersion course. For aspects of safety planning that apply to all courses, visit the SAFETY page.

All students receive a safety orientation from the instructors on the first day. They are briefed on the rules and procedures of the field course. No student is allowed to be out alone. If students wish to go somewhere, they must get permission from an instructor who will know where they are going, with whom, and time of return. They also receive a safety orientation on the beach for safe swimming. They are given a health orientation which includes things like what water to drink, how to avoid diarrhea, how to prepare foods, first aid kits contents, heat exhaustion, sun exposure, dehydration, etc. The safety orientation also includes an orientation to the town. Students are introduced to locals whom the instructors already know and trust.

Prior to the field course, parents are asked if they give permission for their child to swim in the ocean. While swimming, students use the buddy system in which they go in with someone else. Students may only swim when instructors are present.

We have a satellite phone that works from anywhere in the world. It is for emergency use. However, we also budget for students to call home twice from Chacala.

The group brings two first aid kits so we can treat anything that doesn't require seeing a doctor.

Students are allowed to travel in pairs or small groups at the discretion of the instructors. Students are briefed on how and when to travel safely around town.

Clinic
Six miles away in Las Varas is a health clinic. Sixty miles away in Puerto Vallarta is a hospital. People refer to it as the "American style hospital." Puerto Vallarta has a large population of Americans and hence there is a hospital that Americans frequent because it provides high quality service. We have a rental car in case we need to get someone to the clinic or hospital.

“Spanish was just another thing I had to do before I came. Now, I can't wait to learn more Spanish and have it as my second language.”
- Student, Spanish Immersion '05

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