Our Spanish school in Bocas del Toro – Spanish by the Sea was founded in 1998 and is conveniently located on fourth street, right behind the now busy Main street. Spanish classes are held all around the building, from upstairs on the balcony to the rancho in the garden. In high season you can see Spanish teachers and students everywhere. Students love the casual setting in which Spanish classes are conducted. In breaks we serve coffee and tea and sometimes tropical fruits. There is a café where you can buy sandwiches and shakes among others. Students are welcome to use the teaching stations to study in quiet hours and also the library with dictionaries and all kinds of other helpful books. In the garden you find palm trees and banana plants. You can walk into Bocas town and find hotels, restaurants, tour operators, a bank, internet cafes, bars, shops and an airport.
Our Spanish school in Bocas, Panama is perfect for adventurous people that love to learn the language without being rushed. Spanish and Sea adventures like diving, surfing and sailing makes your study time so much more pleasant. If you look for night life, every night, the popular Barco Hundido (Sunken ship) is open until very late.
Spanish Courses in Bocas, Panama
The following Spanish courses are available at our Spanish school in Bocas del Toro:
- Spanish for Travel & Volunteer
- Standard Spanish
- Intensive Spanish
- Specialized Spanish >>
- Business Spanish
- Medical Spanish
- Household Spanish
- Spanish for Law Professionals
- Spanish for Construction Work
- Spanish for Work in Tourism
- Spanish for Teachers
- Spanish & Latin American Culture
- Ecological Spanish
- Nautical Spanish
- Preparation for Oteima Exam
- Preparation for DELE Exam
Accommodation Options in Bocas
Adventure Options in Bocas
You can combine your Spanish course with any of the following adventure packages in Bocas, Panama:
There are also day trips and excursions you can do in whilst in Bocas.
Volunteer Opportunites in Bocas
We have five volunteer placements in Bocas del Toro. You can volunteer at a sea turtle conservation project, an old people’s home, a medical clinic, a children’s home or you can teach the local indigenous community.
About Bocas
Laidback caribbean – Tourism – National Marine Park – Sea Turtles
Food, architecture and language in Bocas originate from other parts of the Caribbean and are therefore different from the rest of the country. In Bocas everything still goes slow, but relaxed as it is, the town is experiencing a development boom and tourism is the most important business sector.
The archipelago is also called Bocas del Toro and is a biologist’s fantasy. The national marine park is protecting mangroves, reefs and other important reserves for many species of Caribbean wildlife. Four of the world’s eight sea turtle species nest on the beaches of the archipelago, but are threatened with extinction. Isla Colon (named after Christopher Columbus) is where the provinces capital with about 4500 inhabitants is situated. Our Spanish school in Bocas is popular due to the opportunity to volunteer at one of the local sea turtle conservation projects.
Surfing in Bocas del Toro
Bocas del Toro, Panama has only recently been discovered as a surf hotspot and although it is becoming one of the most popular destinations in Panama it is remarkably uncrowded compared to its neighbor Costa Rica. Bocas del Toro has two distinct surf seasons: winter wet season is from November- March, when the waves can be the biggest, and the short summer season from June – August. These two periods are best for those looking for more advanced surf. The remaining months of April, September and October generally have beautiful weather with small surf. The most ordinary waves are reef breaks, but there are also some beach breaks. There are few rights but the lefts are widely ranged. Bocas del Toro’s waves normally favor short boards. The nearest surf spot is located 10 minutes from our Spanish school and getting there requires a watertaxi.
For the beginning surfer Bocas del Toro offers decent spots for learning how to surf all year long. Depending on the size of the breaks, one of the best beaches for learning to surf is Wizard Beach, because it doesn´t have any reef or rocks. Beginners have to watch out though because the waves here can get very big and strong and follow up very quickly. Getting there by watertaxi costs $4 and the rent of a surfboard is $15 to $20 for one day. Usually you can rent one board with multiple persons as especially beginners get tired quickly. The closest place nearby for renting surfboards is Gran Kahuna hostel, which is just around the corner and you pass by it walking from the school to the watertaxi. If you want to combine your learning Spanish with learning how to surf, check our Spanish & Surf Special.
Our other Spanish Schools
We have three other Spanish schools. One in Panama City, another one in the Chiriqui highlands of Panama in Boquete and the other is located in neighboring Costa Rica, in Turrialba. Each school has its own beauty and personality within a unique environment, taking advantage of its personality by offering particular excursions and volunteer work. We give you clear, printed instructions at the schools on how to travel. The trip between the Spanish by the Sea – Bocas and River – Turrialba goes partly along the Caribbean coast. The trip costs less than $15.00 and takes about seven hours in total. The trip between Spanish by the Sea – Bocas and Spanish by the River – Boquete can be done by traveling first to David and then back into the highlands. This trip takes about 6 hours and costs $15.00.
