Destination Huatulco

Spanish Language Immersion in a Sustainable Paradise Huatulco Oaxaca, Mexico January 30th – February 6th, 2016 Full Itinerary   Day 1 –  (This is an organic market day so anyone interested in coming a day early or arriving early Sat. is welcome to add on an extra night.)

• Arrive Huatulco International Airport.
• Transportation to hotel Posada Santa Clara. http://posadasantaclara.com/
  • small family run “posada” and restaurant
  • private bathroom, cable TV, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi in lobby and restaurant
  • located 15 minute walking distance to classroom, beach, and town
• Welcome margarita reception
• Dinner at the posada at 6pm
• 7pm-8pm Evening orientation, get acquainted meeting (Spanish and English to make sure they understand general rules/guidelines)
• Walk to town to Café Mayor in the town square of La Crucecita.

Day 2 –

• Breakfast at 7:30
• Boat tour of the Bays of Huatulco.
• Swimming, snorkeling
• Lunch at beach restaurant with hour round table discussion in Spanish in language groups refining our understanding of Huatulco
• Dinner at Terra Cotta restaurant
• Walking tour of La Crucecita

Day 3 –

• Breakfast at 7:30
• Intensive Language Study 8:30-10:00
• Transportation to Hagia Sofia Agro-ecological Development in the foothills of the Sierra Madre del Sur .   http://www.hagiasofia.mx/ingles/
• Local organic fruit and juice tasting
• Walk and observation of plants, flowers and birds
• Visit to and explanation of orchard, apiary, and composting
• Cool off dip in waterfall and time to relax.
• Lunch made from local organic ingredients prepared on wood burning stove
  • Discussion in Spanish expanding vocabulary and communicating in the context of our day’s experience.
• Afternoon presentation in Spanish and discussion in preparation for evening demonstration by local artisans.
• Dinner at La Tasaja
• Optional visit to artisan shop in La Crucecita for demonstration of handmade traditional folk art. See how artisans card and dye wool then demonstrate weaving colorful rugs on a loom. Watch and listen as artists explain what are known as “alebrijes” – colorful Oaxacan sculptures

Day 4 –

• Breakfast at 7:30
• Transportation to Barra de la Cruz Beach 45 minutes east of Huatulco.
• 9:30- 11:30 2 hour Intensive Language Study will be held at tables on the beach under the shaded “palapa” area
• Break to enjoy the sun, go for a swim, watch the surfers or spend time under the “palapa”
• There are also rocks to climb, long stretches of deserted beach to walk and contemplate.
• Lunch at the community run restaurant on the beach where the morning’s catch is the preferred dish.
• Presentation in Spanish on organic shade grown coffee produced in the region.
• Dinner at Café Huatulco. Meet the coffee grower and owner of the café and ask questions related to the presentation.
• Walking tour of Santa Cruz

Day 5 –

• Breakfast at 7:30
• Transportation to “Las Cascadas Mágicas” (Magic Waterfalls)
• The trip includes an explanation of the customs of the mountains we pass through on our way, a coffee tasting, and optional mud bath, a swim in the 30 meter high waterfalls and a traditional lunch with local ingredients served on site. We’ll stop on the return trip and see a demonstration of local herbal medicines used for centuries by indigenous people of the region.
• Spanish language practice as we go – this hour and a half drive will allow for plenty of practice in language groups as we observe our surroundings and reflect on our experiences.
• Intensive Language Study depending on time of return.
• Options:
  • Salsa lessons with local dance instructor 7:30-8:30 Plaza Chaue with dance instructor Yanicey
  • Demonstrations – traditional Oaxacan cotton bedspreads and table cloths woven on a traditional loom.   Then, a block away, we will have a mezcal and chocolate tasting. (La Crucecita)
  • Time to shop and explore
• Dinner at Alfredo’s restaurant/bar

Day 6 – Breakfast at 7:30

• Intensive Language Study 8:30-10:00
• Transportation to Eco-Archeological Park where the National Institute of Anthropology and History has begun excavation work. http://huatulcolife.blogspot.mx/2011/07/copalita-eco-archeological-park.html
• Tour ruins, visit museum, hike to overlook of Pacific coastline.
• Visit La Bocana beach below
• Lunch at family run beach restaurant Santa Cruz en La Bocana
• 1 hour Intensive Language at restaurant by the beach
• Dinner at Teresina
• Optional: Visit Bioamigables store for talk about sustainable initiatives in Huatulco, Visit fruit and vegetable market, grocery store, silver stores, market for souvenirs, shopping, time to explore and shop in town.

Day 7 – Breakfast at 7:30

• Intensive Language Study 8:30-10:30
• Coffee at Café Huatulco or at beach restaurant
• Cooking class and Lunch – We’ve seen Huatulco’s mountains and beaches and learned about its history. But no cultural study is complete without learning about the preparation and tasting the ingredients of foods unique to this region of Oaxaca. Our hosts at La Posada Santa Clara will explain the rich history behind each traditional element of the meal you will prepare and taste.
• Optional beach time, shopping, and exploring
• Closing fiesta dinner 8-10pm

*Please note that we will offer 2 hours of intensive language instruction per day. The time of day will depend on the location of the activity for that day. Your language study continues throughout the day with our two experienced language teachers. We expect to keep the Spanish language immersion experience continuous even between participants. Don’t worry, we will assist you at the level at which you are comfortable. It can be done! Also note that the times and the order of this schedule are subject to change. Being flexible is of utmost importance. This is a cultural practice. There are so many beautiful places to see from the beaches to the mountains and in between. Please note that this is a rigorous schedule in a rustic setting. Be prepared to do some walking! Day 8 –

• Breakfast at 7:30
• Final practice in Spanish as we say our goodbyes and thank you to our hosts at the Santa Clara Posada
• Transportation to Huatulco International Airport with plenty of time to make your connections in Mexico City and back home according to your individual flights.

By now you will probably be convinced that Huatulco is very much a Sustainable Paradise. You can see why so many people are working hard to keep Huatulco’s sustainable practices in place where conscious development recognizes the importance of maintaining this paradise for generations to come. We hope you’ll pass the word and be back to visit soon!   Instructors: Sue Rivell McClam is the Founder and Director of Huatulco Intensive Language Courses. After teaching for 22 years at Columbia College, in Columbia, SC, she retired in 2009. Sue has a Masters in Teaching Spanish. Her focus is on communication, giving plenty of time for practice in a comfortable and supportive environment so that students then gain the necessary confidence to take the language out into the community to connect and communicate in Spanish. Sue and her husband divide their time between Huatulco and Columbia, SC where Rob tends to his own project, a sustainable organic farm called City Roots. Maru Cortés Ramos is the Founder and Academic Director of ASLI – Spanish Language Institute of Cuernavaca. She has widespread experience in the teaching of Spanish, in Canada and throughout this hemisphere, to students of all ages and backgrounds. Maru has experience with group travel to wonderful places through México and South America with quality and professionalism. With her husband Paco Ramos she happily lives in Cuernavaca, Mexico.