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Two young aussies coming to Colombia for a month+ to learn spanish and getting to Cuba

Hi

I've been reading this forum for a couple of months getting a feel of your country, and I'm getting excited.

My girlfriend and I (both 23 yo) are spending 6 months in Latin America - arriving in July, and leaving in December.

I speak French fluently (which helps), and am picking up Spanish with tapes and books, but I really want to get a decent grasp of the language before exploring Latin America.

I had originally planned to fly in BA, but after someone told me that
- The weather is better in Colombia in July
- They speak a clearer form of Spanish in Colombia, and it’s a good place to get tuition
- Its cheaper in Colombia
...then I decided to only spend 2 days in BA, and fly direct to Colombia and stay for a month.
I've just been reading the Medellin vs BA thread – and now I’m a little hesitant I made the right decision. I’m surprised people say BA could be cheaper?? We also like good food and wine!
But anyway – I like an adventure too, and Colombia will give me that more than BA, so I’m sticking to my decision. (Feel free to tell me if I’m making the right choice though!)

So question (1)

So once I land in Colombia (Bogota) – where should we live? which city? Where is the best place for Spanish tuition? Where is the best place to get a cheap/nice place in a decent area? This is what we like
- We have plenty of great beaches and hot weather in Australia, so I don’t care if it 10 degrees the whole time, but I far prefer blue skies rather than always being cloudy!
- I know Colombia has dangerous areas, but we’re street smart enough. I don’t really want to feel confined to only a certain area though,
- We like an outdoor city, which feels vibrant.
- Friendly people. From what I read – we’ll get that everywhere! I’d get sick of my girlfriend if it’s just me and her for a month, so I’d hope to meet other like minded people.

So yeah – any comments Bogota? Medellin? Cartagena? Perhaps smaller cities?

Question (2)

Although we’re very poor (but happy), our one splurge will be somehow flying to Cuba. I want to go there before it finally opens up. Its going to be very interesting doing Cuba on a budget – but that’s another matter.
Because our dear American friends have an embargo on Cuba, Cubana flights aren’t on any search engine that I’ve found.
I have a friend in Mexico City whom it’d be good to see for a couple of days, so getting a cheap return flight to Mexico City – taking the bus to Cancun, then finding a cheap flight to Cuba will probably what we’ll do.
Any ideas? I can get $250 return flights to Orlando with JetBlue. Maybe then fly to Cancun? I dunno. Flights to Mexico City are popping up at around $750 return, and that’s way out of our price range.
Does anyone know how much direct flights to Havana cost with Cubana. Maybe fly with Cubana to Mexico City via Havana with a stop over?

Cheers everyone!
Seb

By sebjac on Apr 23, 2009, 22:10 in Friendly Talkzone.

span_colombia says on Apr 23, 2009, 22:35:

look into Bucaramanga, it's warm (I know that doesn't matter to you) and was sunny everyday I was there (just a week). Santander, the department/area where Buc. is located is kind of known as an outdoor adventure sport area of Colombia. It's not a particularly beautiful city, but it's got nice areas, is smaller than Bogota, and I think a lot cheaper. Learning Spanish - see my review on EAFIT university and do a google search. In terms of cost alone la universidad nacional in Bogota is by far your best bet. They cost around 1/3 what others charge and their teachers are the best qualified. Classes are a bit boring, but if you are disciplined you can learn a lot.

In terms of taking classes, Colombia is a poor place to learn Spanish - classes are expensive and aren't that good. But - it's not hard to strike up conversations with people, and you heard correctly: they have a beautiful accent!

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span_colombia says on Apr 23, 2009, 22:36:

oh, and the it's in Bogota that people have the great accent. The Santander accent is a bit country, but is not problem if you talk to young people.

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sebjac says on Apr 24, 2009, 01:13:

Hey. THanks for the comments.

span_colombia - i was actually thinking about private tuition. How much is that approx? Why would you say Colombia is not the right spot. Just the options? What other place would you think is better?
Thanks for the info. Ill look into Bucaramanga

Morphus - Yes - certainly open to anyone who isn't American. But more of a pain to everyone else. (As a side note, my travel insurance isnt valid for Cuba, as its underwritten by AIG. lol)

So far best price is $500 return with Cubana. What do reckon my chances of finding a English speaking Cubana representative in Bogota that I could speak to?

laflora - I'm Australian not American :)

Thanks for yoru help

Seb

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el flaco says on Apr 24, 2009, 01:34:

Colombia is surprisingly expensiveand isn't really geared up to teaching Spanish. I would recommend Ecuador for learning the language, they have one to one tuition and homestays.

It is easy to get to Cuba from Colombia, just go to any travel agent. There are flights from other countries as well, I wouldn't bother going to Cancun if it's just to get to Cuba. I'm sure that you could go from Mexico city direct.

Latin America is different to the rest of the world, no one seems to know any English, so yes get stuck into Spanish.

Enjoy.

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durito2 says on Apr 24, 2009, 06:03:

Colombia is IMO one of the worst places to study spanish in Latin America (the best place to visit otherwise). The selection of schools is minimal at best compared to most everywhere else and they are overpriced.

You can fly on copa, avianca, or cubana from colombia to cuba, stoping in Panama City or San Jose. Should cost $500-600 USD round trip.

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sebjac says on Apr 24, 2009, 06:24:

how about private tuition?

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span_colombia says on Apr 24, 2009, 08:10:

15.000-80.000 pesos/hour (aprox. $6.00 - $35.00 US). It's best if you already have a bit of a base so you'll learn better just by talking with friends.

I hear a lot that Ecuador is good for learning Spanish. Guatemala is great as well and I've heard good things about Nicaragua.

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bickerss says on Apr 24, 2009, 08:29:

Best places to learn spanish are Guatemala and Ecuador - so many schools and really cheap. In Colombia some places to learn are:

Bogota: Javeriana university. National university (cheapest), Sabana university (near to Chia - long 1 hr bus ride). HTL has a new age type program to learn spanish - I hated it however others really liked it; 2 locations near parque 93 and 116.

Medellin: Eafit university; not the best instruction but great place. UPB - do a search - seems well received. Blacksheep hostel; i'm currently taking lessons from here and the teacher is excellent (ask for Yadira).

Both Medellin and Bogota are great places although lotsof rain and cloud in Bogota (and sometimes in Medellin). I would not recommend the coast to learn spanish as they speak a little gutteral type spanish (equate it to going to learn english in Mount Isa or somewhere like that).

Some small towns that are great are Manizales, Periera, Armnia - but I think it may be difficult to find spanish teachers there?

Cuba is amazing and you can go easily from Cancun. Checkout the below for flight prices their or direct (it is worth stopping in Cancun and going sth to Tulum etc).

www.avianca.com

www.copaair.com

www.cubana.cu

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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darealdeal4000 says on Apr 24, 2009, 09:38:

I am an American with plans to enroll at the Universidad del Norte this summer. They have a summer program language program specifically for foreigners. I dont know if your travel dates are flexible but It's not too expensive, and it goes from June 23rd to July 17th. Good luck with your exciting and ambitious plans.

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NCMike says on Apr 24, 2009, 09:41:

Hello Sebjac,

I visted Buenos Aires a couple of years ago in July, and I go to Colombia most years during our summer (June/July), so I can give you my view of someone who likes to travel and study Spanish. If you've been reading posts here for a couple of months or so, I'm sure you've seen how people disagree with each other. I don't think that's always a bad thing, but I'm sure not long after I post my comments someone will come behind me and disagree. Anyway, here it goes:

I think the Spanish in Colombia in general, and the Bogota area in particular, is clearer and easier to understand. I took a few lessons while I was in Buenos Aires, and even at the school there they told me they have some grammatical oddities that you don't find in other Spanish speaking countries. So from that standpoint I think you were wise to pick Colombia. Argentina has this Vos thing which isn't that common, but, having said that, I've heard it in Medellin and Cali. They also have some pronunciation oddities which might be similar to Spain Spanish, with the "sh" sound for ll and y. I'm dating a Rolo (Bogota) guy now, and he does a pretty good spiel mocking the different accents of all the different regions- Costenos, Paisas, Rolos, etc. I think you have to understand that whatever country you pick, even within that country you'll encounter variances. But I work in a US city that has a fairly large Hispanic population and I've been able to communicate quite well with people from Mexico, Cuba, DR, most of the Latin American countries and several from SA, on Spanish that I learned from my Colombian exes and travels to Colombia.

I can't recommend or comment on a particular school, I learned mostly from making friends and a very patient ex-suegra. I did have an old textbook someone gave me. One of its "notas culturales" said that Spanish in Colombia tended to be clearer and more consistent than in other countries, so I'm not the only one who would say this. I would advise that before you go it would be cool if you could prepare to meet other couples and make friends that will want to go out and have drinks or go dancing with you. You'll learn more by making friends, sitting in the patio of a Juan Valdez or similar place , and talking to people as much as possible.

Buenos Aires wins on food without a doubt. I like Colombian food, but there is no contest here, it's not even worth talking about. As far as cost, I thought both countries were a bargain. It cost me more to fly to Argentina from US, of course, but once I got there food and lodging were similar in price, but as I said the food and drink in BA is much better.

Oh, about the food. If you want to eat well on a budget, avoid the chain restaraunts that you find in malls and in the zonas rosas, and eat platos tipicos in whatever place on the street. You usually get this tiny bit of salad, beans, a meat and some kind of soda for about $3. Often there is not a menu to read, so that makes it tricky when you're beginning to learn spanish. So study up on foods, and just know that you'll probably just have to pick between chicken or beef, and perhaps the kind of beans. They will just bring you the soup first that always comes with it. I'm sure you've heard about the water, you may need to be careful about drinking juice in some places. This could take another post, just be advised. If you start to have digestion issues it's very normal, be ready to get some antibiotic. I know that sounds scary, but I've been through it a couple or 3 times, just drink water and sodas from bottles and use that for brushing your teeth, you'll be OK.

As for which city, that's where people on this site get all crazy. I like Bogota and Cali. Both have their charms, and I have friends in both. Bogota and the surrounding areas have plenty to see and good nightlife. Cali has been good to me, but there are many here who say it is dangerous and dirty. If you're a fan of Salsa, you have to go. I stay not far from downtown and it seems like these people don't sleep. Lots of party and beautiful women (and men). Oh, another thing, the Colombians seem very friendly to foreigners, esp. if your eyes aren't brown they always notice that. Your gf might notice you getting lots of looks and get jealous. It's a great place to travel if your single, lol I know I'm asking for it with that comment. I've been to Medellin, thought it was beautiful, but I don't have friends there so it didn't seem like a place I necessarily need to go back to. I hear lots of gringos go there now, I see enough gringos here so I don't care about seeing them in Colombia! I thought Cartegena was spectacular, but lots of people will try to get you to buy stuff and you won't be able to walk the streets without people pestering you to go in their store, buy this or that, etc.

So that's my two cents worth for now. Good luck and enjoy!!!

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geoff71 says on Apr 24, 2009, 10:55:

i would consider barranquilla

one day at a time

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Papasotee says on Apr 24, 2009, 14:42:

"I’m surprised people say BA could be cheaper??"

Me too. Many posters have said that BA is cheaper but from what I can ascertain, Colombia is cheaper in terms of accommodation and food etc.

I also heard that Colombia is one of the best places to learn Spanish. However, a lot of posters here would appear to disagree.

Decisions, decisions...

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ujay says on Apr 24, 2009, 15:39:

G'DAY MATE,

oz, bogota will drive you nuts ,cali or med will be ok ,but the coast is where you should be ,Santa Martha is as good as any ,

check in see how boat is going as i will be sailing past cuba,
also after sailing to uk ,i will be setting off after a run in the med ,for my place in tass,you could sail back to oz with us.

http://www.jukelightning.com

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span_colombia says on Apr 24, 2009, 15:46:

Bogota is challenging if you're not used to a big crazy city - traffic, noise, hecticness. But it also has a special energy and the people tend to be friendly with foreingers and know how to talk to you, cause everybody in Bogota seems to be foreigner (as in from other parts of Colombia).

To reiterate what ncmike said - the best way to learn Spanish in Colombia is just talking to people in places like Juan Valdez coffe houses. The Spanish is clear and beautiful.

Bill Turley, a regular poster, recommended to one person that they get in contact with students from the universidad pedagogica and ask a grad student for Spanish lessons. That's the university for teacher in Colombia. You could probably offer 15.000 - 25.000 pesos/hour for private classes.

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kenblanquito says on Apr 24, 2009, 16:06:

I know a French lady who has lived in Ecuador for 5 years and her Spanish grammar is awful! My wife visited her last month and even the professional people make a lot of errors which I would be told off about; even at my level which is intermediate-ish. Even incorrect verb forms when using vos. Therefore, I would not advise that you learn the language there even though it is apparently a super place to visit.

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sebjac says on Apr 24, 2009, 19:26:

So pretty much Bogota, Cali, Medellin and Bucaramanga.
Any other comments about finding cheap private tutors in these places?
From what I see - quite a few hostels set that sort of thing up for you as well.
Thanks for the help
Seb

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sebjac says on Apr 24, 2009, 19:27:

Crime stats in Cali are certainly different from where I come from!
Any murder in my state of 1.5 million would surely make the front page of the paper for a few days.
Seb

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bickerss says on Apr 24, 2009, 19:33:

I will probably get a little flack for this; however IMO you will generally have far less hassles than you will in Australia. I went back 2 years ago for te first time in about 4 years and could not believe how thuggish it was, especially at night. Cali, while not as safe or as clean as ie Medellin, is a vibrant city where if you apply normal common sense safety rules you will not have a problem.

Investment Strategy - buying when others are crying!! Offloading when others are gloating!!!

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ujay says on Apr 24, 2009, 19:40:

on the news a guy in oz had 36 nails fired in to his head .....
guess its about every where today ,no where is really 100 % safe.

http://www.jukelightning.com

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sebjac says on Apr 24, 2009, 19:59:

crazy isnt it. anyway - i shouldnt encourage this thread to go into crime comparisons. i think there plenty of discussions already on pbh!

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