Balancing Fitness With Education: Surf And Learn Spanish In Peru
Imagine for a moment taking surf lessons in the morning and learning Spanish in the afternoon. This is actually a real possibility when you attend a Spanish school in Lima. Combining an intellectual pursuit such as studying a language with a fitness activity such as surfing works both your mind and body while on “vacation”.
Some people might not think “Lima” when they hear the word “surf,” but the fact is that the sport is very popular in this vibrant and historic city of 5 million. When you get to Miraflores, a seaside municipality where most tourists stay, don’t be shocked to see surfboard-toting beach-goers strolling amongst the lawyers, bankers, and other “suits”.
While expert surfers prefer to head out of the city for bigger waves at the famous beaches of Punta Rocas and Cerro Azul, beginners and intermediates are best served at the surfing schools right in Miraflores. These are located below Larcomar, an impressive shopping/restaurant/bar complex built into an ocean-side cliff that puts almost everything you want to do, other than surf, in one gorgeous area with stunning views.
A common program will consist of 20 hours of language class plus 3 to 5 surf lessons. When you learn Spanish in Peru, a typical class is only 4-7 students, a sharp contrast to the 30 or more classmates back home in (also considerably more expensive) Spanish 101. Then add to the mix cultural activities such as visiting pre-Inca archeological ruins, venturing out for a weekend in the jungle, or dancing salsa until 4 AM, odds are you will have trouble finding time to even e-mail anyone back home.
Peru is also well known for its affable population and colorful indigenous groups, whose customs you can experience at the many nearby festivals and whose crafts are perfect gifts for friends and family who stayed behind. Peruvian food is widely considered South America’s best, with the seafood appetizer “ceviche” gaining popularity worldwide. As American chef Jared Hucks put it, “Peru is such a beautiful country, rich in history and culture. The people here are very friendly and welcoming with a good vibe. The food is excellent and I admire the unique and wonderful flavors.”
Worried about prices? Fortunately the term “weak dollar” doesn’t make much sense in Lima, where you will pleasingly watch your money go far. Enjoy Peru’s famous seafood at a $5 lunch and get anywhere in Miraflores for a $2 cab fare. A private surf lesson will add about $15/hour. Throw in language courses at $170/week and a family stay (with breakfast and dinner) for $150/week and you see how inexpensive it is to experience a Spanish school in Lima.
With cheap prices, inviting culture, surf opportunities, and exciting nightlife, when you learn Spanish in Peru your education comes from all angles.
Ken Ingraham
May 5th, 2010 at 9:13 pm
sucre? that's an avenue…. i dont even know where you actually are, because sucre has many blocks, and there are two many combis, custers, and buses but not all of them go thru sucre, some buses you will be able to catch them close to sucre
however the best thing would be a taxi cab, they are not that expensive
May 5th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
the place where i live is the most beautiful city on earth miraflores or miraflowers (look at the flowers) even the name is pretty,so gay lol
May 5th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
hell thats f…. cool, me encanta!!!
May 5th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Well, I don't know how much it would be, but the costs are a LOT cheaper in Peru. I had my C-section there. The doctors and nurses are more attentive to you. I know that just a doctor's visit is usually between 20 and 50 soles (7 and 15 dollars).
Also if you're just curious and want to know, for example, your glucose and cholesterol levels which cost 5 soles each ($1.50), you don't need to first go to the doctor, then get a doctor's referral, wait a week for results and all of that. (I got my results the next day, depending on which tests you ask for.) You just go straight to the lab people. You don't need prescriptions for things either. If you know what you want to get, you go to the pharmacy and get it that easily.
Some doctors probably would speak English there. Prices vary depending on which private clinic you go to.
May 6th, 2010 at 5:12 am
yo viajare a peru – lima especificamente miraflores.. q lugares me recomiendas para visitar?
May 6th, 2010 at 6:26 am
You could take an airplane from Miraflores to Cusco. From here you should take the train to Agua Calientes which is a more touristic solution than a local service. From here you can decide weather to walk the Inca trail, which is gorgeous but takes more time, or hop on the bus to Macchu Picchu. I'll send you a link to a blog where the trip is described completely with pictures, for example of the train and more information on prices!
http://www.yukiba.com/782-machu-picchu-peru-south-america-trip.html
May 6th, 2010 at 10:39 am
well, there's a lot of ways to came to plaza san miguel. but it's like 15 minutes in car if you go by costa verde, an avenue near to the beach.
but if you go by the city it's like 30 minutes.
=D
May 6th, 2010 at 11:14 am
First of all Miraflores, Lima and Peru are very different places which you might be use to in America. If you expect to find a lot of similarities, then I would suggest to stay at home. If you are looking for a change and can adapt easily to a new environments and a new way of life, then proceed.
Miraflores is considered one of the nest districts in Lima. It houses most of Lima's 5 start hotels, best restaurants and shopping centers. It borders another popular district, San Isidro, considered Lima's financial district. Both this areas are very popular with tourists and ex-pats.
Housing in this areas will be more expensive than other areas in Lima, specially because of it's popularity with ex-pats.
Overall, everything else will pretty much be the same through out Lima in regards to cost of living, attitude towards Americans, employment opportunities.
However, regarding employment it is not easy for a non-Spanish speaking foreigner to get a good job in Lima. The unemployment rate is quite high and there is a lot of competition for good jobs. It will depend a lot on contacts your girl might have that can open doors for you. Most Americans I have known that lived in Lima usually worked as English teachers, translators or for American based companies.
Food is great, as long as your palate likes to adventure beyond McDonalds and BurgerKing.
Finally, to the guy that answered that Peru is close to communism, I would ask him to please respond to subjects he has knowledge of. Today, Peru is far from being a communist/populist country and the current goverment has distance themselves from Chavez's and has good relationships with the USA and Europe.
May 6th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
Buen video lindo panorama desde el aire,bien producido felicitaciones!.Ah quiero acotar (leo los comentarios)que aca en California los mas ricos viven en cerros.Un abrazo a mis paisanos! viva el Peru!
May 7th, 2010 at 1:40 am
Miraflores and san isidro district
, the best hotels there 
check this link ,
http://www.peru.info/e_ftossttbusquedaeng.asp?tb=aloj&ic=2&cl=1&ct=1&ts=1&xdDpto=&consulta=submit&clasif=Hotels&txtclasif=Hotels&txtCateg=All&dDpto=&txtCampo=
http://www.peru.info
May 7th, 2010 at 2:43 am
impossible, you need to take a flight to cuzco, from there take a train to machu picchu. flight time is around 1 hour, train time around 4 hours, so you get the idea =/ besides, going for 1 day to such magnificent place? get at least 4 days , there is more to see in cuzco than Machu Picchu,
May 7th, 2010 at 8:46 am
In Miraflores, I do all these things now.
May 7th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Peru: un pais de esperanza, un pais de una voluntad inquebrantable, ese es mi pais.
May 7th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
On a recent trip to Peru a month ago, I used two different ATM's in Miraflores.
I was given the exchange rate of 3.00. This was also the exchange rate I was given by the money exchangers that stand on the street corner. They advertise 3.05 however you will never get it. They always come up with some kind of excuse.
Both ATM's charged me a $3.50 service fee which was later refunded by my bank in the USA (It's their standard procedure to refund ATM fees.)
You might as well get Soles from the ATM since if you get USD you'll have to exchange it for soles anyway.
Another word on exchanging money – Make sure the bills you are exchanging are in perfect shape – no tears and no markings, otherwise they won't accept them. Be careful exchanging USD on the streets, there is also a lot of conterfiet Nuevo Soles floating around.
May 7th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
esta chevere el video !!!
May 8th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
this was sooo fun
May 8th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Hi from Brazil!
Very good your flight and movie.
His video shows that Lima is beautiful and you as very good in Paragliding.
Congratulations for your movie
Saludos desde Brasil!
Muy bueno vuelo y vídeo.
Pudo perceber por su producion que Lima es muy bonita y vos muy bueno en parapente.
Felicitaciones por su video
May 8th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
mostro!
June 29th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Buy:Tramadol.Cialis Professional.Propecia.Viagra Super Active+.Viagra Professional.Soma.Cialis Soft Tabs.Zithromax.Levitra.Cialis.Cialis Super Active+.Maxaman.VPXL.Viagra Super Force.Viagra.Viagra Soft Tabs.Super Active ED Pack….