Fernando Báez Guzmán
Fernando is our Academic Director and master teach
The GAIA Lodge is located in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rain Forest near the town of Tena, one of the most ecologically diverse places in the world. The Lodge will be your home and exotic place to study Spanish for your weeklong adventure in the Rain Forest. During the week, you will take advantage of every minute of your time; whether you are learning Spanish in classes, discovering the incredible flora and fauna of the area, experiencing the unique indigenous culture, or simply relaxing in a hammock. A week learning Spanish in the GAIA Lodge is sure to be an experience that you will never forget!
About the GAIA Lodge
The location of the lodge was carefully chosen to ensure that you will feel immersed in the natural environment of the rainforest. All of the facilities were designed to offer comfort and an atmosphere of relaxation, while taking care of the integrity of the natural environment.
Overlooking the majestic Napo River, you will be surrounded by cacao trees while studying Spanish or hanging out in the Lodge. Through it all, you will get the true rainforest experience as you enjoy the pristine views of the jungle, the river and the mountains of Ecuador from the GAIA Lodge.
Program Includes:
- 15 hours of Spanish lessons with one of our teachers
- 5 guided activities
- 5 nights, 6 days of full board & shared accommodation
- Semi-private minibus transfer (door to door)
Itinerary of Activities
The program normally runs from Sunday through Friday, but can be adjusted if needed.
The activities for the week are organized and led by the GAIA Lodge. Below is a typical itinerary for a week! (days of activities can change depending on various factors)
Departure from Quito in the morning via a semi-private bus. You will travel the four hours and get dropped off at the GAIA Lodge for lunch. After eating, you will learn the art of artesenal chocolate making in the lodge.
Get a sense for the vastness of the Amazon through a motor canoe tour of the Napo y Arajuno Rivers. Weather permitting, we will stop for a swim in the water.
Visit the Anaconda Island and a community of indigenous Kwichua families. You will learn about their customs, their daily lifestyle, and taste la chica and la yuca, basic elements of their diet. You will then receive a hands-on lesson on how to shoot a blowgun.
Hike through the Rain Forest. You will plunge into the Amazon, becoming completely immersed in the nature. Throughout the hike, the local guide will explain the uses of natural resources and medicinal plants while pointing out birds, insects, monkeys, and animal footprints. You will end up at the famous giant tree of the Amazon, the Ceibo.
Tubing in the Arajuno River. You will spend a relaxing and fun afternoon floating down the river, surrounded by the rain forest, listening to the sounds of nature and watching birds fly high above. It´s a once in a lifetime experience.
Departure from GAIA via semi-private bus in the morning after breakfast.
*Unless otherwise noted in the schedule above, you will take Spanish Classes with your professor in the morning, then leave for the listed excursion after lunch.
After spending three weeks directly at the school, I now do the online course at Vida Verde. And I can really say, this online course is a great replacement for being directly at the school. Actually, it's even better. Because using the computer provides a lot more possibilities and flexibility. For instance: If you don't know the meaning of a word, the teacher can quickly use ``Google`` to find it and show you a picture. Video and Audio quality are really good, so for me it's not a bit harder to understand, what the teachers says than before directly at the school. Exercises and homework are exchanged within a minute and if I have to write something, I can type, instead of writing by hand, which I really appreciate. Since I did the online course I even stopped traveling to Spanish language schools.
Fernando Báez Guzmán
Fernando is our Academic Director and master teacher.
Ximena Argüello
Students say class hours with Ximena pass by in a flash. She has been teaching Spanish since 2011, and is fluent in English.
Lucía Rivadeneira
Lucía Rivadeneira is a language nerd who loves to teach the nuts and bolts of Spanish.
Rosa Laura García Caiza
Laura has taught Spanish since 1991. She has a passion for sharing Ecuadorian culture with her students and considers herself not just a teacher but an ambassador of her culture and her language.
