Program Reviews

I found Spanish Adventure after searching for a Spanish Immersion School to spend my summer at in Latin America. When I first saw the school and read the reviews, I thought to myself, “this is too good to be true.” But based on so many positive reviews and the ability to learn Spanish while in the middle of beautiful nature, I nervously booked 5.5 weeks in Colombia with Spanish Adventures. Based on my limited and biased American perspective about Colombia, I really over prepared for this trip. I got a cheap phone, cheap clothes, and made sure to prepare for the worst. However, once I arrived at Spanish Adventures and San Carlos, I realized that almost all of my fears were unfounded. Spanish Adventures and San Carlos are SO SAFE. I felt more safe here than I do back home in Oklahoma. San Carlos is now one of my favorite cities. As an example: one day I was riding a Mototaxi to an adventure with the school and accidentally left my bag in the Mototaxi. When I realized my mistake, I tried to run after the Mototaxi but wasn’t fast enough. A local saw me running and asked me what had happened. I responded “mi bolsa está en este Mototaxi” and without hesitation he left on his motorcycle and returned with my bag. This is how great the people of this town are. EVERYONE is so kind, helpful, and friendly in San Carlos. This makes it the perfect town to learn Spanish in because everyone is truly willing to speak Spanish to you.
As for the school—in one work I would say excellent. In my 5.5 weeks, I had every teacher (Rafa, Joan, and Camilo) and they were all excellent. I entered the school with basic Spanish knowledge and am leaving being able to have full conversations in Spanish. I still have a long way to go in my Spanish journey, but I’m so much further along than I could have ever imagined before coming to Spanish Adventures. I think my favorite part of the school was the adventures. These activities provide a time to both be in nature and practice your Spanish. In my time here, I had so many incredible experiences with the adventures. Sure, there are other schools where you can technically take my hours of class per day, but once you include the time talking in Spanish during the adventures, you’ll see that Spanish Adventures is superior in every way. I honestly think that this is the best combination of fun and learning that you’ll find anywhere in the world. I absolutely loved my time here and can’t wait to come back.
A few tips for future visitors of Spanish adventures:
1. Bring less things than you think you’ll need. While San Carlos is a small town, it still has all the essentials that you could ever need—soap, shampoo, food, clothing, and so much more. I would recommend bringing less stuff and buying what you need when you arrive since everything is soooooo cheap here.
2. Bring Deet mosquito repellent. I used the Sawyer brand 30% deet lotion and had great success at avoiding mosquito bites when I used it correctly. It’s hard to find deet in Colombia so I would recommend bringing this from your home country.
3. Plan adventures outside of the school that you want to do! The school provided so many amazing adventures, but they simply can’t provide everything in the limited time that you are at the school. While I was at the school, I went hammocking over a valley, tubing, hiked La piedra del Tabor, and repelled 1,000ft down a waterfall. Don’t be afraid to book extra activities in your free time to do even more incredible things during your stay here. The 1,000ft repelling down a waterfall is now one of mummy highlights of my life. I recommend using EcoGuias for all of your extra adventure needs.
4. Put yourself out there! You’ll only be at Spanish adventures for a limited time—make the most of it. Become friends with other students, speak Spanish a lot. Try new things, push yourself. For me, Spanish Adventures was a time of personal growth because I put myself out there and tried new things. Don’t let your experience go to waste!
5. If you like privacy, book a private room. I booked a private room and loved the privacy it allowed me. My friends who stayed in the shared rooms also had a great experience, but if you know you enjoy more privacy, don’t be afraid to stay in a private room. The school is VERY social, so even with the private room you’ll still have ample time to make friends.
6. Don’t forget to have fun! Learning a language is a FUN adventure. During your time at Spanish Adventures, lean into the fun. If you find yourself getting stressed, back up and breathe, meditate, do yoga, max recenter. This school is a stress free zone and encourages learning in a stress free way. I know you learn better when you’re not stressed and this school provides the perfect stress free environment—let te environment take you on a journey.
7. Use Jerry for all of your Motocarro needs (his number is out front of the house.)
In summary, I booked this school wondering if it could live up to its reviews. After the first day, it absolutely blew all of the e reviews out of the water. I said many times during my stay that, “today’s another day in paridles” and I truly believe that. Spanish Adventures is paradise for those who are willing to explore. I 100% recommend coming here and I hope to return myself in the future. Nos Vemos!

During my time at Spanish Adventure, I have grown massively as a person and also improved my Spanish whilst enjoying the beautiful nature around San Carlos. My personal favourite place is la cascada, as the views are amazing, and it is perfect for swimming. Daniel & Camilo definitely know all of the best locations in the area and make a huge effort to share these with the volunteers, which has really made me feel at home & comfortable. I definitely feel I will never forget them & I hope that we cross paths again in the future.
San Carlos is a lovely village in which I have felt the people treated me with amounts of respect & welcomed me with open arms. Daniel & Camilo organise an inter-cambio with locals every Friday & this combined with teaching some English on the farm really helped create an immersing experience & for this I am extremely grateful.
I will be leaving Spanish Adventure a changed man. I can't say a bad word about my time here and I really would recommend this experience to anybody. Not only has my Spanish improved dramatically, I have become a better person, learned more about myself, and shared great experiences with people I am sure I will remember forever.

Before coming to Colombia, I was very exited for my first Workaway experience. I couldn’t help asking, how will it be, what will I do and what kind of people will the hosts be. After I stayed in Bogota, I came to Spanish Adventure which I found through Work away. I couldn’t have known that the month would pass by so quickly when I was having these fears.

Camilo and Daniel are really equipped and good teachers. They become serious teachers at the time of the lesson and good friends outside of the classroom. They also hosted very well. For my first experience, I can say that staying in a peaceful, comfortable place with such a beautiful view is the best thing that could have happened and I would like to stay longer but I have to leave to continue my journey.

Normally, When I go abroad, I cannot eat food that is made by somebody else. However, I always looked forward to the lunches which Camilo’s brother cooked. His name is Joan & he cooks incredibly delicious food. Thank you Joan.
Furthermore, here I overcame my animal fears. Dobby is a gorgeous and loving dog who I will miss greatly. Above all, Camilo and Daniel gave me the courage and chance to teach my first dance lesson abroad. I will always remember this place fondly. Thank you guys.

Amazing place to learn a new language and explore the town. Spanish adventure includes Amazing adventures while teaching you a new language and taking you to Amazing waterfalls, rivers, hiking, and connecting you with the locos.
I miss this place already.
Thanks for having me Camilo and Daniel.

San Carlos Antioquia is a beautiful small town that most tourists are not aware of. Once you arrive you feel at home not just from Camilo and Daniel, but from the natives as well.

Everyone in town will help you with your Spanish should you choose to connect with them.

The reasons I chose Spanish Adventure were to learn Spanish and to have a bit of an adventure and they did not disappoint.
The teachers, Daniel and Camilo are kind, caring, funny and they make you feel like family. They really know their stuff when it comes to teaching Spanish. They are not just teaching a language they were speaking from birth, they are teaching a language they have actually studied. The way they present the knowledge to you is easily digestible, even on days you feel like you won’t ever get it. They know what they are doing and they do it well. I was surprised at how much I learned in the one month that I was there. I went from feeling overwhelmed on my first day to feeling capable when I left.
The adventures that were an added bonus to our Spanish learning are meant to be carried out in Spanish as practice, were tough for me in the beginning. I remained silent and attempted to pick up a word here and there but as the weeks went on, though I was still too shy to try join the conversation, I found that I could understand a greater percentage of what was being said around me.
In addition to having classes and adventures, I taught English classes on Friday’s and with my other volunteer time, I assisted around the farm; planting flowers, building a fence and creating a path and in the marketing/social media department.
There’s always an opportunity to do something new and become a better version of yourself here. You have moments that you’d never thought you have, for example, how I cried in the back seat of a moto taxi with another volunteer about how amazing Daniel and Camilo were. They are truly great people.
My moments spent at Spanish Adventure will always be remembered.