FAQs

Spanish School & Classes

Do the teachers at Experiencia have appropriate degrees?

All teachers are Mexicans with college degrees and teaching experience

When does the course begin?

New classes begin every Monday.

How big are the groups?

Our group lessons are attended by no more than 5 students per group.

Does everyone study in the same group regardless of the level of Spanish?

Students’ Spanish level will be determined through a written test (and/or oral as applicable).

Do I get any recognition after the course?

A certificate will be awarded at the end of your course.

How long are the courses?

All students can register for any number of weeks.

What if I perform higher/lower than my group and want to change it?

A change of groups is possible, according to your progress and depending on teachers availability.

How long are the lessons?

Lessons are 50 minutes long.

What are the Spanish classes like?

Classes include conversation, grammar, listening comprehension, writing, speaking, vocabulary, and idiomatic expressions. The class style is linguistic and cultural immersion.

I want to do some volunteer work – what should I do for that?

Students can join any volunteer work project after their Spanish course once they have visited the volunteer center.

Who can attend the Spanish classes? What is the minimum level of Spanish required?

We teach all levels of Spanish. All students are welcome regardless of race, nationality, age, gender, religion or political affiliation.

What if I need some more classes?

You can take extra private classes in the afternoon.

Surf Camp & Classes

How long is a surf class?

The surf class lasts for 2 hours: warm-up (5-10 min), surfing and warm-down (5-10 min). Boards, lycras and instructors are included

How many students go with one instructor in one lesson?

Usually one instructor teaches no more than 2 students in one lesson.

What time of the day are the classes?

The morning class is 8-10 am, and the afternoon class is 4-6 pm.

How many classes do I need to learn to surf? Can I surf alone after taking my first class?

Usually it takes about 5 classes to obtain the necessary level to go on your own, so we strongly recommend that for the first several classes you go in the water with the instructor.

How much time in advance do I need to tell you I want to surf?

You need to let us know the day (24 hours) before the class that you would like to surf, so that we fit you in the best time and group available.

Is there a specific “wave season” in Puerto Escondido? Are the waves good for beginners?

There are waves suitable for learning all year round, and the water is almost always very warm. Sometimes big waves come to our home surfspot in May-June. In this case we use our school bus to go to another spot where the waves are not big and it is good for beginners.

Are there any sharks in the water in Puerto Escondido?

No, the water is completely safe, but sometimes we are lucky to surf together with sea turtles!

Housing & Accommodation

What kind of accommodation does the school offer?

You can choose housing at the school residence (el Adoquín, downtown Puerto Escondido), or at our Surf Camp (“La Punta”), or at Mexican host families.

How many people live in one room? Can I have a private room

The rooms have 2 beds, so normally 1-2 people stay in one room. Private rooms are available, let us know in the registration form.

Do you have Wi-Fi?

The school residence and the Surf Camp have free Wi-Fi connection ,both in the rooms and common areas.

Are linen and towels provided?

Yes, linens, bath- and hand towels are provided and changed once a week.

Is it safe to stay in Puerto? What should I be aware of?

Puerto Escondido is one of the safest resorts in Mexico. Also, the school premises are video recorded 24/7, with night guards in both places. So,  just use common sense and you are totally safe.

What is the check-in/check-out time?

Check-in is at 3pm, and check-out is at 12pm (in special occasions, check-in can be earlier, e.g. if the room wasn’t occupied before).

Can somebody pick me up from the airport?

Yes, we can meet you at the airport with the school transfer. Just let us know your arrival time and we will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall!

Volunteer Work & Program

What is a volunteer project?

It is a project that corresponds to the new interests of the travelers, providing an opportunity to have a unique experience of contributing to a local community and environment while traveling.

How does it work?

If you want to become a volunteer in Puerto Escondido, send us a letter to inscribe to a certain program. We are going to contact the local organizations, such as Red de los Humedales, Iguanarium, Centro Cultural del mercado Benito Juárez, kindergartens and others, and check the availability. After that, our coordinator will organize the program for you according to the goals that you wish to reach and problems that are to be solved.

Does it cost anything to become a volunteer? Are housing, food and transport included?

The localization and orientation service for the volunteers are done with no cost. However, it is necessary to make a donation to the projects and pay a certain fee for the coordination of the volunteers.
We have also created special packages for you to have a unique and complete experience, including: housing, surf classes, transportation, excursions, food and coordination.

What do I need to become a volunteer?

1. To be 18 years old.
2. Be responsible.
3. Select a project that you would like to participate in.
4. Decide how long you would like to participate.
5. Choose a package.
6. Send us an e-mail.
7. Come to Puerto Escondido!

Will I receive any volunteer certificate upon completion of the program?

Yes, upon completion all the volunteers receive a certificate issued by the organization where they worked.

When can I start my volunteer project?

Normally all the programs start on Monday. This is the reason we suggest all our volunteers to arrive to Puerto the weekend to start their project beginning of the next week.

How long do the projects last? Is there anything I can do as a volunteer for just a couple weeks?

Normally the volunteer projects last from 1 week to several months. For 1-2 weeks you can do social work with kids, teach English to primary school kids, work with iguanas or on a farm or coffee plantation.

Do I need any Spanish for volunteering?

Yes, you do need a minimum basic knowledge of Spanish (simple conversation). Therefore we recommend taking about 2 weeks of a Spanish course before starting the volunteer program.

What do I need to do to volunteer in a Orphanage?

To volunteer in an orphanage you need a minimum participation of 2 months, minimum age of 21, Spanish level: intermediate, be flexible, have initiative and send a short CV with a motivation letter via email before you commence the volunteer program.

Can I exchange volunteer work for housing or food?

If you get any material benefits for you volunteer work as food or housing, from that moment it may not be considered volunteer anymore, but may be considered work. If this is the case, please send us your CV and we will contact you of the vacancies available.

I’ll be visiting Puerto for a few days but I’m hoping I can find an opportunity to help?

For 2 weeks you can participate in the program of social work with kids, teaching English to primary school kids, working with iguanas or on a farm or coffee plantation.