Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
alternative for income along the lines of sustainable development. The successful model
hasbeenemulatedelsewhere,andtherearenowfourSpanishschoolsoperatinginthisarea.
They offer a unique alternative to more typical language-school destinations, where a large
presence of foreigners sometimes works against the language-immersion experience.
Although the towns are accessible from Flores by boat, the high cost of motorboat fuel
and the ease of access from the road have made this a less popular option for getting here.
Still, boats sometimes leave from the boat dock near Hotel Santana and this is still the best
option if you're staying at the wonderful Ni'tun Lodge near San Andrés.
Lake Petén Itzá
San Andrés
Most travelers in these parts are almost certainly studying Spanish or helping out with
one of the local NGOs in conservation or community development projects. Rates at all
the area schools are comparable, somewhere between $150 and $175 per week, includ-
ing 20 hours of one-on-one instruction and room and board with a local host family.
The original San Adrés language school,
Eco-Escuela de Español
(tel. 5498-4539 or
5490-1235,
www.ecoescuelaespanol.org
)
, is still going strong and is the area's largest.
Also in San Andrés is the newer
Nueva Juventud Spanish School
(tel. 5711-0040,
