Our Programs:

Xico is the perfect place to learn Spanish and study ecology, surrounded by coffee plantations, cloud forest, waterfalls and luscious vegetation.    EcoSpanish is a unique Spanish language program that combines Spanish classes and ecology.  A hands on approach to learning about biodiversity and conservation.  Ecospanish also has an array of cultural activities that give you the authentic experience of Mexico.

The beautiful and quaint colonial town of Xico is located about 12 miles from Xalapa, the capital of the state of Veracruz, located in the gulf of Mexico. Xico is one of the hidden treasures of Veracruz where both new and old Mexico come together

ECO Spanish School offers the following programs:

Spanish Field Ecology Program I: Two weeks of field work combined with intensive Spanish and cultural workshops.

Spanish Field Ecology Program II: Two weeks of independent field  research combined with intensive Spanish and cultural workshops.

Intensive Spanish and Cultural Imersion Program: This program prepares you to travel, live and enjoy latinamerica. Three hours daily for two weeks, cooking classes, historic tours, music and herbology combine with intensive Spanish to give students a solid base on which to build.

Private Spanish Classes: Students may chose private Spanish lessons for the hours and dates most convenient.

Historic and Cultural Tours: Historic tours, Coffee Tours, and  Herbology and Cooking workshops can be arranged upon request.

Home stay with peasant family: A unique experience in understanding rural Mexico. One or two weeks living and working with a family in a rural community prepares researchers of any discipline.

Logistical support for Graduate Students: ECO can set up students and researchers who need to develop community contacts and or accommodations in rural communities.

Our goal is to make your Spanish learning experience special.  We are able to arrange classes around your specific interests.  Let us know!!!

Spanish Field Ecology Program I:

The focus of Eco Spanish is to learn Spanish not only in the classroom but practice what you have learned through ecology fieldwork.  Spanish and ecology sessions run for a two week period.

Spanish classes will be offered in the afternoons from 4 pm to 7pm, students will be grouped according to their ability.  Mornings will be dedicated to learn about the ecology of the region and put your Spanish into practice.

Day 1

Morning- Orientation then discover Xico’s history and colonial architecture

Afternoon- Spanish class

Day 2

Morning – Introduction to cloud forest ecology.  Visit Texolo waterfalls located in Xico.

Afternoon – Spanish

Day 3

Morning – Fresh water ecology and water pollution.

Afternoon – Spanish Class

Get list of fruits and vegetables people will need for cooking class Thursday afternoon.

Day 4 Cultural Day

Seminar: geography of Xico.

Trip to Mercado de San Jose in Xalapa

Afternoon – Spanish class will be cooking what we bought at the Mercado.

Day 5

All day trip – High mountain temperate Pine forest, conservation and management

Week 2

Day 6

Morning – Reforestation

Afternoon – Spanish Class

Day 7

Morning – Cloud Forest Biodiversity. Transect.

Afternoon – Spanish Class

Day 8

Morning – Entomology

Afternoon – Spanish Class

Day 9 Cultural Day

Morning: The ecology of coffee.

Afternoon: Son Jarocho and dance.

Day 10

Morning – Fresh Water Ecology, Plants and Invertebrates

Afternoon – End of Session Party

Spanish Field Ecology Program II:

Having mastered basic vocabulary and had an introduction to local ecology now students choose an independent research project to develop during the following two weeks. The project should combine bibliographical research with field work. Fees and study program are developed individually.

Intensive Spanish Cultural Immersion Program

Spanish lessons will be for approximately 3 hours a day, five days a week.  They will be a mixture of Spanish grammar, structure and usage combined with real life experiences where you can interact with the community and practice your Spanish.   The idea is to integrate the student into Mexican culture and tradition while learning to speak Spanish.

Week 1

Day 1

9:00 am to 12:00 pm – Learn about Xico and its history with a walking tour through the town, lead by Xico native,Chino.

Day 2

9:30 to 11:00 am -Trip to the market in Xico and learn names of vegetables and how to buy what you need.

5:00 to 6:30 pm – Private Spanish Class – Most common phrases and verbs

Day 3

2:00 to 6:00 pm – Make Mole

6:00 to 7:00 pm – Private Spanish Class

Day 4

7 to 9 am – Herb Walk

5:00 to 6:00 pm – Private Spanish Class

Day 5

5:00 to 6:30 pm – Herbology

6:30 to 8:00 pm – Private Spanish Class

Week 2

Day 6

9:00 to 11:00 am – Hiking trip to Acamalin

5:00 to 6:30 – Private Spanish Class

Day 7

9:30 to 11:00 am – Make Champurrado

5:00 to 6:30 pm – Private Spanish Class

Day 8

7 to 9 am – Herb Walk

5:00 to 6:00 pm -Private Spanish Class

Day 9

5:00 to 6:30pm – Herbology (Learn about local healing traditions like cleansing with herbs)

6:30 to 8:00pm – Private Spanish Class

Day 10

5:00 to 6:30pm – Private Spanish Class

6:30 to 8:00pm – Music w/ Chino

Fees:

Spanish Field Ecology Program I:

Groups of 4-8

$530 US dollars:  2 week session

Groups of 2 or 3: $780.00

Spanish Field Ecology Program II:

Fees and program arranged on individual basis.

Intensive Spanish with Cultural Program:

Groups of 4-8, in Spanish classes students are grouped according to their ability with no more than 5 to a group.

15 hours a week (3 hours a day)              $185 (2 week session)

Groups of 2 or 3, with private Spanish classes as needed:

15 hours a week (3 hours a day)              $285 (2 week session)

Private Spanish lessons and cultural tours:

$11 US per hour.

Home stay with peasant family:

$315 dollars for 6 day stay all meals included.

Write us for fees for other services.

Cultural Activities

Eco Spanish offers great variety of cultural activities that help you practice your Spanish as well as learn about Mexican culture.

Mexican cooking class

Coffee Plantation tours

Bird watching

Traditional music and dance

Trip to local Market.

Extras:

For an additional charge and by special arrangement ECO Spanish also offers:

Bus Station pick-up, Xalapa

Airport pick up, Puebla or Veracruz

Weekend excursions

Accommodations

Homestay

Prices vary, depending on who you stay with and single or double occupancy with shared or private bath.

$90 to $200 shared room with breakfast.

$115 to $300 private room with breakfast

Besides being by far the most economical option home stay is for those who want to immerse themselves in Mexican culture and life.  Placement with a family is great for practicing Spanish

Apartment with single or double occupancy.  Kitchenette.  This option offers more privacy and kitchen for cooking your own meals.

Contact us for prices and availability

Hotel

Room with private bath.

Prices vary ,

http://www.zonaturistica.com/veracruz/xico/

Extra Day Excursions

Carrizal

Xico Viejo

Naolinco

Jalcomulco

Where are we?

The beautiful and quaint colonial town of Xico is located about 12 miles from Xalapa, the capital of the state of Veracruz, located in the gulf of Mexico. Xico is one of the hidden treasures of Veracruz where both new and old Mexico come together.

Xico at 19°24′N 097°00′W is situated in the Neovolcanic Transversal Axis, the Texolo waterfalls, 4 kilometer from the town of Xico are a wetland surrounded by mountain cloud forests that host a high proportion of endemic fauna and flora, as well as internationally threatened and vulnerable species such as Magnolia schiedeana, Symplocos coccinea and Stanhopea tigrina. In the past, the introduction of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykis) has affected the integrity of the site, while at present the greatest threats are posed by illegal logging, poaching and changes in land use for agricultural, cattle and urban uses. Ramsar site No. 1601.Most recent RIS information: 2006.

http://www.ramsar.org/wwd/6/wwd2006_newsite_mexico.htm

http://ramsar.wetlands.org/Database/Searchforsites/tabid/765/Default.aspx

Getting here:

By Air:

Alternative 1: From the Mexico City airport take the ADO bus from the airport to Xalapa. The buses are just outside the terminal building and easy to find. It´s about a 5 hour bus trip.

Once you arrive in Xalapa go downstairs and buy a Taxi ticket to Xico, stand in line and the attendant will put you in a Taxi. From Xalapa Xico is about 45 minutes.

Alternative 2: From the Mexico City Airport fly to Veracruz.

1. take the ADO bus from the Veracruz Airport to Xalapa, this is about an hour and a half trip. Again the busses are just outside the terminal building, this time it’s a very small terminal and you really can’t miss them.

Once you arrive in Xalapa go downstairs and buy a Taxi ticket to Xico, stand in line and the attendant will put you in a Taxi. From Xalapa Xico is about 45 minutes.

1. Arrange for an Airport pick up with ECO staff.