Learn Spanish, Dance and Volunteer in Havana | Cultural Immersion

I had such an enjoyable trip with Jakera! The staff are so kind and really helpful with money and advice on where to go. Its such an amazing enviroment and it is so simple to learn Spanish through lessons with and working with local people. I found the trips also really helped me to learn about the wonderful country and I could not have asked for a better time with Jakera.

I was at Jakera for 6 weeks over the Christmas and new year of 2023-14 and was working in the camp. When I arrived in venezelua I was taken aback by the place, having tracked other parts of South America and Africa it was nothing like what I expected. On arriving I started to work in the local community centre that Jakera had set up to engage with the local community. After about a week I fel in love with the coutry, the easy going lifestyle and the warmth of the locals. Even tho like any country their are safety issues I did not in outer any misfortune whilst on my trip. The saftey procedures set up by Jakera mean that you are safe, and their relationship with the local community is dud deep in the the recent history and their is mutual respect from both sides. Moving on, the countryside and the scenery are just stunning. Some of he most inspiring and beautiful places I have ever seen. One of the highlights for my trip was visiting angle falls. This journey was mythical and something that I will never forget. But be wait it isn't your usual tourist trail, it is an adventure to get to it. I would recommend Venezuela to anyone wanting to have a full blown experience of South America, to me it is the wonders of laying culture and scenery with the easy going carabeian lifestyle. My highlights of the trip were watching the sun rise on the beach with a fresh coconut every morning . I would certainly go back and would recommend Jakera as they are the best suited for milking every last gem out of this wonderful place.

Venezuela is a spectacular country but without Jakera I don't think I would have gained half as much out of the experience. On top of learning Spanish, I now know how to salsa dance and a lot more about Venezuelan culture than I did before.
Jakera has very experienced staff members - very friendly and helpful! They know about the places they are guiding so you are always learning!

Jakera is a unique company because they do not get the plane to Angel Falls, they hike! They are the only company who does this and they are also the only company who kayaks down the Orinoco Delta river. It was challenging but equally an unforgettable challenge, learning to live on the bare necessities of life. One totally worth doing! There are lots of mosquitos, no plumbing or electricity in the Delta - all part of the experience! I took anti - malarial's but I was told that I shouldn't have taken them. It is entirely up to you.

Venezuela has a reputation for being dangerous but if you are careful and follow the rules you will have no problems. Don't bring bags out, don't wear clothing that draws attention to yourself and don't wear obvious jewelry. Simple rules that will increase the amount you gain from the experience if you follow.

If you want to travel Venezuela, travel with Jakera! This company has all the ingredients for an incredible experience and they will ensure you get the most out of your travels in Venezuela.

From the chaos of Caracas to the calm and tranquil coast line of Playa Colorada you immediately feel the rhythm of this fantastic Latin nation. Based close to the beach and able to immerse yourself in the local way of life from day one Jakera was able to offer a very unique experience you know you will cheerish for many years to come. The camp had excellent facilities and a great enthusiastic team which made for a very comfortable stay. The spanish tuition and the amazing projects Jakera had set up really enabled us to learn the language and interact with the local people. You really felt part of the team! If this wasnt enough the challenges of Kayaking in the Orinocco delta or climbing Roriama the mystical flat top mountain and camping on top certainly brought out the best in yourself..overall a fantastic adventure and a wonderful way to take in new cultures and a language and meet some beautiful people..As they say at Jakera...ViVa La Vida!!!

Every day we would wake up reasonably early with a delicious breakfast made by the staff and with a different person helping each day.
We would have some intense, helpful spanish lessons every day, with some free time to do what we like which mainly included going to the beach or the nearest town! We were also taken on many trips throughout our time there, which we were always briefed on and kept well informed about. These included kyaking, a trip to the delta, lots of hiking, water sports, climbing etc.
The highlight had to be all the trips and meeting so many new people and socialising. Only difficulty initially was the language barrier which was soon not a problem after our spanish lessons

From absailing down a waterfall, to having a Spanish lesson on an island in the mochima national park whilst spotting dolphins swimming by, this trip has it all. Not to mention the life changing kayaking trip throughout the Orinocco delta. Eating maurichi grubs and having a tarantula on my face (voluntary show of testosterone...) to tying your hammock up on a pontoon facing the open river. I arrived knowing only how to say yes and i don't understand, i left having joined the intermediate/advanced level Spanish class. Waking up every morning and being able to either chill on the beach or to just chill in the camp with a book was amazing. Since coming home i've missed Venezuela so much, i really wish i could have spent longer out there.

My partner and I spent 6 months with Jakera learning Spanish, volunteering and doing adventure activities in the amazing country that is Venezuela!
The team there are fantastic, thoughtful and friendly, and great fun! We honestly had the time of our lives. Being immersed into venezuelan culture and the local people really helped us pick up the language, twinned with great Spanish tuition meant we were soon more than capable of spreading our wings and exploring the local area; where there was great opportunity to have a chat with the locals, especially the children at the local 'Jakera club' ( a club set up and run by Jakera students for children in Playa Colorada, where Jakera is based). Jakera club is one of the fantastic opportunities you have at Jakera to put something back into the local community. We helped run the club and did fun activities with the kids, English lessons, dance, drawing, ecology; I must say that the children were better teachers that us at dance and we learnt a great deal too, and I no doubt, gave the kids some amusement laughing at my poor hip shaking attempts!
We were on a six month trip, and we're so glad to be able to stay in country for so long, but it must be said that many of our friends who were only in country for a few weeks enjoyed themselves just as much as we did! We didn't want to leave!
It's crazy thinking back to all that we experienced when we were with Jakera, we did so many wonderful things, had so many experiences to treasure for life! Kayaking with caymans, piranha fishing, snorkelling on beautiful coral reefs, abseiling down a waterfall, climbing mountains, slashing our way through jungle, just laying on the beaches of he beautiful coast, all whilst learning Spanish, and volunteering; feeling you could help make a difference to a local community or a project.
We experienced so much, far too much to write on here, but what must be said is that they've got it right at Jakera, as soon as we can we're going back! And we'd definitely reccomend it to anyone with a sense of adventure, a passion to learn, take in a new culture, and just have a great time with great people! Go see for yourself!

2 years ago I joined this program. And I had a blast there. We had an amazing group of people from all over the world and together we've seen loads of the country. We've been kayaking, hiking, and done loads of roadtrips. Everyday we had 2 hours of lesson on Spanish. You were put in a group according on how far your knowledge of Spanish is. And had some amazing local teachers to learn it to you.