Yelapa English Spanish Institute (YESI)) is located in the quaint coastal fishing community of Yelapa, Mexico. Although only 45 minutes water taxi ride from Puerto Vallarta, its beautiful beach and the rustic palm-thatch roofed houses, no cars or roads, and electricity only recently, take you back to the simple life. The sheltered bay, ideal climate of hot winter days and cool nights, paths of concrete and cobble, horse trails along the Tuito River and into the jungle, deep pools, sand beaches and numerous waterfalls are the perfect antidote to stress.

Since people still walk everywhere, and quickly get to know you, it's a perfect environment for communication. Learning Spanish is much easier nd the opportunities are everywhere to practice.

YESI has operated since 2000 offering Spanish and English Language, Accommodation and Guided Activities. YESI offers a Winter/ Spring Program beginning in November in Yelapa and a Summer program in Yelapa and beginning in 2005 a summer intensive in the fresh mountain air of San Sebastian, Jalisco, a few hours north and east of Puerto Vallarta

1. One to Four-Week Spanish Language Intensive Course - 15 hrs Plus. Begin the week with an introduction to your host family or settle into your accommodation. Then during a tour of the town, we'll introduce you to several of the local townsfolk who will quickly become part of your Yelapa family of friends with whom you can practice. The Classes begin Monday and run 3 hours daily to Friday. Each group is 4 or less people and at a similar language level. We use exercises, games, activities, songs, Computer programs, etc. for fast learning and enjoyment. Add the Guided Activities for full immersion.

2. Weekend Beginner Intensives - 12 hrs. The weekend class covers much of the essentials of the Week-long class, condensed. Friday evening covers the introductory basics in 2 hours. Saturday and Sunday include two sessions daily for 2.5 hours each. Minimum of two.

3. Spanish Children's Classes - 1.5 hours daily, Monday to Friday - Small groups use games, stories, songs, exercises. There are many children in Yelapa, and this will help your child connect and practice with the Mexicans in your neighbourhood. If you'd like to study as a Family Group we can arrange this as a one hour class, one hour follow-up activity. Inquire.

4. Spanish for Medical Professionals - Three hour classes, Monday to Friday, focusing on grammar short-cuts, vocabulary and expressions, and conversational practice. Talks by local health professionals will be given throughout the week (traditional medicine curandera, nurse-practitioner, medical doctors, veterinary doctor). Daily opportunities will be arranged to observe and assist in treatment.

5. Special Summer Classes for Teachers - 1 and 2 week Intensives will be run weekly each summer to learn Spanish for Teachers and Educations Professionals. Stay with a host family.

6. Summer Weekly Intensives - Beginning in July, classes can be scheduled for individuals, families and children. Inquire for dates. We also offer these in San Sebastian 70 kms in the mountains from Puerto Vallarta, and in Patzcuaro, Michoacan in specific weeks.

7. Spanish on the Road - An exciting new program for those wanting to travel with your Spanish teacher. Study, travel and learn Spanish on the road! Weekend and One Week Tours - Mountain tour - San Sebastian/Mascota/Talpa, Coastal and Cultural Tour - Tepic & Huichol - San Blas, Puerto Vallarta area - Tuito, Botanical Gardens, Hot Springs at Las Palmas (see website http://www.talkadventures.com) for details).

Accommodation: YESI can arrange private accommodation in a house of your choice or provide suitable hotel accommodation in the Hotel Lagunita, the Blue Moon Hotel or Casa Milagros. For a full immersion experience, and the greatest cost-savings in accommodation, we have several home stay families now available to host you in private rooms, all with private baths, and even a separate small "casita". Prices include breakfast and suppers daily.

Course Dates: Intensive weekly Spanish classes run weekly from November to the end of April. We also offer a summer program July and August. The Medical Spanish program runs throughout the season. Courses outside these dates are also available by arrangement. Please inquire. Orientation and introductions are provided on Saturdays and Sundays. Week-long classes start Monday.

Guided Activities: - We organize tours for students that are open to the general public. A Mexican guide is dedicated to your language learning. The various options include the following, or can be customized for your special interests. Visit the website for particulars.

½ day Horseback ride along the Tuito River, through the jungle ends in a refreshing swim in deep pools below the waterfalls (Las Cascadas) above the canyon.

A full day ride to the upper waterfalls on the Calderas River is even more exhilarating with a 70 foot falls with three deep, large, pools.

Wildlife Viewing, Beach Day and Snorkeling at the Marietas Islands - A full day in these spectacular waters around the islands, a protected wildlife refuge for nesting seabirds, and a sanctuary for humpback whales rearing young,. sea turtles and huge manta rays.

Whale watching - Yelapa Bay is one of three areas of concentration of humpback and gray whales in season in the region. A boat ride offers views at a safe distance.

Hike upriver and dive for crayfish in shallow pools guided by locals who supplement their diet with these "river shrimp". It's a fun and exhilarating activity, and you get to eat your catch.

Boat trips to nearby secluded beaches - Pizota or further south along the coast and upriver to Tecomate, a deep jungle pool complete with hanging vines.

Hike or horseback ride to Quimixto, the next coastal community, through the jungle, and after a snack and beach-time catch the water-taxi home.

Attend the local rodeos in the tiny hillside communities of Chacala, Ixtlan del Rio or Algodon with a crowd of the locals to view local rodeo "colour".

Kayak throughout Yelapa Bay to Pizota and other southern points for the more adventurous.

Shop in Puerto Vallarta or El Tuito for regional arts and crafts.

Trips to other small towns to enjoy the various local festivals (Puerto Vallarta and El Tuito for the huge Guadalupe festival, Las Palmas for the hot springs).

A half day trip over the mountain ridge by car to small community of Chacala, home of the infamous "Raicilla factories" - cactus moonshine - and walk down the jungle road to Yelapa.

Fishing Trips - hourly rates to harvest the abundance from the ocean with these local cowboys of the waves!

In your Free Time you can enjoy various other social activities free to everyone: local weddings, quincinieras, children's birthday parties, school dance performances, church and community fundraisers, special holidays (Revolution Day, Marine Day, church holidays,etc.).

Also enjoy the many recreational activities: paragliding tandem, dancing, beach volleyball, the local challenge baseball game between the and the Mexican, or against the neighbouring village. Or enjoy and participate in the many music gigs and dances that spontaneously spring up all around town.