Ruta Del Sol
Spanish classes while you explore the Pacific coast of Ecuador!
This Study and Travel package explores the Pacific coast of Ecuador in the provinces of Manabí and Santa Elena, often known as the "Ruta del Sol" or "Ruta del Spondylus" after a local conch shell that is much used for crafts.
You will travel by overnight bus on Sunday night to Puerto Lopez where you will be met by your teacher who will escort you to your accommodation. After breakfast you will start classes, and for the rest of the week there is a full program of activities, beginning with a visit to the village of Agua Blanca in the Machalilla National Park, a dry forest reserve, and home to an important archaeological site and museum as well as a picturesque sulphur lagoon for swimming and also the spectacular Los Frailes beach. Pueto Lopez itself is a sleepy fishing village where you can watch them bring in the catch each morning, and enjoy the juice and cocktail bars on the sea-front. You will also visit other small towns along the coast including Montañita, a small village best known as a surfer's paradise and party town!
From July to September there is the added bonus of being able to go on a whale-watching tour as thousands of humpback whales migrate along the coast.
The program finishes on Friday after classes in the morning, and you can either return to Quito by overnight bus or stay on to enjoy other options like an all day visit to the Isla de la Plata, known as the "poor man's Galapagos" as some of the same species also live there or Salango island for snorkeling.
"This was a great week! Thank you Yanapuma. I loved the laid-back ambience of the villages along this stretch of coast, and especially the fresh fruit juice bars along the sea front in Puerto Lopez. Another highlight was Agua Blanca and its beautiful forests and sulphur lagoon for swimming in."
The stretch of coast in Manabi and Santa Elena has a long history of settlement dating back thousands of years to the early Valdivian culture. Agua Blanca is the site of archeological remains and a small museum devoted to this culture.
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM:
Explore the tranquil beachside towns and villages of this part of the coast, and the history and culture of the region, while you learn Spanish with your own teacher.
