About Spanish courses (same at all schools)
Is it possible to start on any given day?
Group classes start every Monday. Sometimes it is possible to fit in a group, even if you start on a different day then Monday, but you will need to arrive at the school the day before and do an intake test. If you don't fit in, you will be advised to take first some private lessons until it is possible to join the group. Private and mini-group classes can start any day of the week.
When are classes available?
We teach any day of the week, from Monday till Friday, from 8:00 till 12:15, from 13:00 till 17:15 and from 17:30 till 19:30. In the weekend, we only teach from 8:00 till 12:15.
Which is my current "level" and what can I learn?
It is hard for us to determine your current "level" without having spoken to you. Some students that have followed the exact same course for the same amount of time in a Spanish speaking country, still have different "levels". At the latest a day before your arrival, we determine your "level" based on a written test and a short oral evaluation. After having evaluated the test, we try to place you in a group. Our estimation will be more based on comprehension and conversation skills, than on reading and writing skills.
Are your teachers native speakers?
Yes, all our teachers are native teachers. They are from all over the Spanish speaking world. We like to have different accents and cultures in the classrooms. You can have a teacher from Costa Rica and Panama, but also from Mexico or Argentina …
Most speak some English, but will only use English in moments of "frustration" or if it helps to quickly explain something in not-Spanish.
How can obtain academic credits for the course that I take at your school?
We are a private institution and not directly affiliated with any university. Therefore, we can't issue academic credit directly. However, most universities have various mechanisms that allow students to obtain credit for field courses taken away from campus. These are often called "independent study" courses. If you are going to take the course for credit you must arrange this through your professor or academic advisor and university. We recommend you do this prior to coming to Costa Rica or Panama. Our School Manager will provide an official grade transcript to your academic institution or advisor. You will be responsible for providing direct evidence of participation such as lecture notes, proposals, reports, exams, etc. Normally, up to three units of credit are awarded for 40 hours of study at our schools. On the Registration Form can mark if you want obtain credits.
How do they know at the next school where I am in the program?
The subjects of our course are defined as a "step-by-step". We have 3 basic levels: beginners, intermediates and advanced. Each level has 5 steps. Each step contains certain verb structures, vocabulary and other structures. Every day the teachers keep a record of what you are studying, what your homework is and other specifics. At the end of your study period at a school, you receive this record and you can keep it if you don't travel to another school, but need to take it with you to the following school, if you continue. The School Manager of the school that you leave also sends information about your progress to the School Manager of the school where you will continue.
Can I take some time off between studying at another school ?
Yes, you can and actually, we recommend it! it is great to study (at least) two weeks at one school, take some time to "let it sink in", travel a bit, practise a bit, study vocabulary and then after (at least) one week, arrive at a next school. If your time "off" is longer than a few weeks, you might have to do a new intake test or a shorter, oral evaluation.
Can I make changes while studying at your school? how does that work?
Once you made a reservation and we confirmed lodging, we can't to make changes in lodging options. If necessary anyway, please consult with the School Manager, he/she will tell you what possibilities there are. Same concerning classes. You can request extra (private) classes, but take we can't accept cancellations (see cancellation policy under "Registration Form").
If we do make changes, a $15,- administration fee can be charged.
What do I need to bring for the classes?
Don't forget to bring a notebook, pen & pencil. A dictionary (especially if you want a translation from Spanish to Swahili (!) and (empty) flashcards (so you can make them during the classes) are great as well!
School: What is special about the Bocas school/area?
Bocas is a place with an interesting history and nowadays an area with a blend of nationalities and cultures. It is becoming a bit touristier than in former years and that causes that you can find lots of goods restaurants and places to socialize. Also, the tourist infrastructure is continuously improving and nowadays diving, nature hikes, sailing, etc, is organized very professionally. The school is conveniently located in the centre of time and shops, restaurants, home stays and hotels are all at walking distance.
School: When are the national holidays on which the school in Bocas is closed in 2008?
01.01 (tuesday): Año Nuevo
09.01 (wednesday): Día de los mártires
19.02 (tuesday): Carnaval (Martes)
21.03 (friday): Viernes Santo
01.05 (thursday): Día del Trabajo
03.11 (monday): Separación de Colombia
10.11 (monday): Primer Grito de Independencia en la Villa de los Santos
28.11 (friday): Independencia de España
08.12 (monday): Día de las Madres
25.12 (thursday): Navidad
On these days the Panamanian people celebrate national holidays and don't work. What we normally do on these days is that we offer an educational excursion instead, mostly on a different day, so our students can also be part of the festivities. A lot of times we can also reschedule the classes to another day, like Saturday or Sunday, but we don't promise this as it depends on how many students there are and how many teachers are available.
Accommodations: How are the accommodations at the school?
There are 3 double bedrooms and one room that can be shared by 3 persons. One bedroom has a double bed. There are shared bathrooms with hot water. There is a good, fully equipped kitchen where you can prepare your own meals. You can also order a breakfast at school for $2.50. The balcony with hammocks and places to sit is perfect for study and socializing.
Accommodations: Can you describe the B& B with a local family?
In Bocas you can live with a local family, have a private room and eat breakfast at the house. The families offering lodging to the students don't promise lots of conversation everyday. That's why we don't call it a home stay. You will always receive a private room, but you might share the bathroom with the family. You will stay with other students at the B&B (another difference with host families: there you will be the only student, unless you request to share with other students).
Accommodations: Can I stay longer with my family?
Yes, if there is no reservation from a new student at your host family, it is possible to prolong your stay, paying $12.- per night extra. You can also travel in the country and come back for a few days to the host family. In this case, please let the school know about your plans and contact the school once you are back so we can take care of payments.
Accommodations: Do you have any suggestions for presents that I could bring for my Panamanian family?
When we ask this to the host families, of course they answer that the students don't need to bring anything, we have experiences though, that they mostly appreciated the presents that were brought from your own country. That is to say something typical, a souvenir with the name of the village or the country you're from.
Accommodations: Can a friend of a family member that is not taking classes at the school use the school's accommodations?
Yes, family members and friends are also welcome to make reservations for staying at the school, the apartment or at the B&B with local families. It is not necessary to study Spanish. They are welcome to join the excursions and other activities that the school organizes. In this case, please let the School Manager know, so arrangements for payments can be made.
Accommodations: Is it also possible to stay at a hotel while taking classes at the school?
Yes, it is no problem to stay at a hotel while you take classes at the school. If you let us know what you expect of the hotel (facilities) and what your budget is, we can help find and make reservations for a suitable hotel.
Travel: How do I travel from San José to Bocas ?
You can take a flight from San José to Bocas Island with nature air. You can make an online reservation: www. natureair.com
Once at the island, the easiest is to take a taxi for $1,- to get to the school and just say "Spanish by the Sea", justo detrás del Hotel Bahía" (right behind hotel Bahía).
Or you can travel by bus. There are mainly two options:
1 .From the Gran Terminal del Caribe, in front of Ulacit University, at 6:00/ 8:00 and 10.00 a bus leaves for the border town (Sixaola). (Transportes Mepe at 257-8129). This trip till the border takes about six hours. At the border you can either take a bus or a taxi to Changuinola, to be precise: to finca 60 where you can take the 2:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. (last!) "water taxi" to Bocas. This water taxi costs $5,- and takes about 1 hour, it is a beautiful ride.
You can also take a taxi or a bus to Almirante, where there are more frequent water taxis leaving for the Island. The last watertaxi leaves at 18.30.
2.The other option is to take the 9 a.m. bus from San José till Changuinola. This bus leaves at 9 o'clock in the morning from the a place a little north of the "Coca Cola Terminal", opposite from the Cocori Hotel. The trip takes 7 hours and cost about $9. From Changuinola you need to go to either finca 60 or to Almirante, just like described in 1.
Once in Bocas, you walk to the Southern end of Main Street, you'll see a nice wooden, green building, Hotel Bahía, we are right behind it.
Travel: How do I travel from Turrialba to Bocas ?
There are different possibilities to travel from Turrialba to Bocas, it all depends on what time you leave, but you will always be taking different buses and follow the trayect:
Turrialba - Siquirres - Limón - Sixaola - Changuinola (and then either continue to Finca 60 or Almirante to take the boat to Bocas).
At 8.00 a.m., you leave the bus station of Turrialba. It's not possible to buy your busticket for this route in advance. At 9.30 a.m., you will arrive in Siquirres. You do have to walk around the soccer field to the bus station At 9.45 a.m., the bus leaves to Limón. At 10:45, you arrive in Limón. Again you need to go to another bus station (it's best to take a taxi and tell the taxi driver to go to the bus station where the buses leave to Sixaola. At 12.00 a.m., the bus to the border (la frontera) Sixaola, leaves Limón. At 4.00 p.m. the bus arrives in Sixaola (the trip takes about 3 hours, but it's 1 hour later in Panama). At the border you can either take a bus or a taxi to Changuinola, to be precise: to finca 60 where you can take the 2:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. (last!) "water taxi" to Bocas. This water taxi costs $5,- and takes about 1 hour, it is a beautiful ride. You can also take a taxi or a bus to Almirante, where there are more frequent water taxis leaving for the Island. The last watertaxi leaves at 18.30.
Travel: How do I travel from Boquete to Bocas ?
The total trip will not take more than 6 hours. First you take the bus from the Boquete to David. You can take the bus from the main road, 180 mts from the school. Once at the busstation in David, you take the bus to "Changuinola", but you will get off the bus before, in Almirante. From where you get off the bus, you need to take a taxi ($0.50) to where the watertaxis leave for Bocas. The boat will take 30 minutes, costs $3,- and the last one leaves at 18:30
Miscellaneous: Can I have mail sent to me while I am studying in Bocas ?
Yes, you can receive mail at the local post office, although it may take a week or even two weeks to travel from the United States, Canada or Europe to Turrialba. Have it sent to:
Spanish by the Sea Corp./ your name
Apartado 0101- 00005
Bocas del Toro/ Isla Colón
Bocas del Toro/ Panamá
América Central
Miscellaneous: I need to stay in touch with my business while I am in Bocas; can I receive and make calls, faxes and emails?
Yes, you can receive calls and faxes at the school. The international number is: 00507 - 757 9518. Make sure the callers and faxers know about the time differences, so we don't receive calls and faxes in the middle of the night. E-mails can be checked at the school at $1.00 per hour or $5.00 per week for unlimited use. We have Wireless Internet at the school, so you can also decide to bring your own laptop and use the Internet without extra costs.
Miscellaneous: Are there any special shots or vaccinations needed before I come to Panama?
We recommend contacting your local health organization. We have the experience that although malaria pills are often recommended, they aren't necessary. Nevertheless, we prefer you to take your own decision based on information you will obtain in your home country.
Miscellaneous: How long can I stay in Panama?
We recommend you to obtain this information from the Panamanian embassy in your home country. At this moment, most tourists can stay as long as three months without leaving the country. If they wish to stay longer, they need to leave the country for 72 hours. It is easy to go for the weekend to Puerto Viejo, on the Caribbean Coast in Costa Rica.
Miscellaneous: How should I bring money to Panama?
You can pay with traveller's checks or use the local ATM´s. Be aware of the fact that you can't pay with traveller's checks at the school and that you always have to pay a certain amount to the back to exchange them (but not much!). You can also bring a small amount of $.
Miscellaneous: What should I pack?
Pack light, cotton clothes. It is also recommendable to bring some long sleeved shirts and long pants for places with mosquitoes. It is best to wear light colours, however, if you plan to go to Tortuguero, bring some dark coloured clothes as well. Bring sunscreen, insect repellent, a raincoat or umbrella, although you can also buy these items in San Jose or in Turrialba. For most excursions you want to bring: comfortable walking shoes, teva´s, daypack (small backpack), water bottle and pocket knife. You can also bring: a camera, discman, etc. but be aware that you will need to look after it well.
Miscellaneous: Can I drink the water in Bocas? and other places in Panama?
No, you can't drink tap water in Bocas del Toro, you can buy bottled water at the school. For the rest of Panama, , yes it is drinkable in most places, although at some beach places is recommendable to drink bottled water.
Should I bring a mosquito net?
At the school in Bocas, all the rooms have ventilators that keep the mosquitoes away during the night. It is recommendable to bring repellent against the chitras ("nee see-ums") that you can find at lots of places. You can also buy a good repellent in Bocas, it is called "off in the woods" (for if you would forget it!)..
Can I stay longer than I originally planned?
Yes, you can always continue with your classes. We can't guarantee the preferred accommodations because a reservation for those might have been made, but we will do our best to accommodate you well.
