Special Culture Immersion Program
Mexico is Culture!
Day of the Dead Immersion Program
A wonderful, fun filled opportunity to really experience what “Day of the Dead” or “Día de Muertos” is all about. Día de Muertos is one of the most important and festive holidays throughout Mexico, and here is a chance to fully understand what it means to the people of Chiapas.
You will learn Spanish whilst being fully immersed in this magical occasion with its spiritual and colorful ceremonies and ancient folklore. Guided by local teachers from the city throughout the week you (and your family) will become a functioning part of the preparations; decorating altars, eating traditional foods and mingling with the people, all among the bustling backdrop of the ancient streets and beautiful surroundings of the city of San Cristóbal.
Spanish Immersion Program: Details and Costs
|
Spanish classes: 27 hours of group instruction |
2 weeks program |
| Activities: Salsa, conferences, films, documentaries... | All ages |
| 4 Guided visits to museums | All levels |
| Walking tour to san Cristóbal cemetery | $ 620 US per person |
| Visit to a Mayan village during the day of the dead celebration |
5% discount to couples or partners 10 % discount to groups of 3/4 friends |
| Family stay with 3 daily meals (optional) |
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| Workshops | > On-line Booking < |
Program without accommodation
|
Same as above but without the family stay |
$ 380 US |
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Day of the Dead in Mexico
Day of the Dead is a religious festival with a lot more to offer than just ritual. The pre-Hispanic culture of the indigenous Mayans of the region is weaved into the rituals making spectacles awash with color and emotions.
The people bring the ancient traditions alive in decorating altars with gifts, flowers, sugar skulls, and the favorite foods and beverages of the deceased.
It’s not an occasion for sadness, more a chance to remember the dead and celebrate life. Families and friends are brought together in a spirit of fiesta in memory of the dead.
Visit to a Mayan village:
From within the community you will take part in the celebrations. You will experience this fiesta side by side with the friendly and welcoming people.
Visit to San Cristóbal cemetary:
You will walk to San Cristóbal cemetery and eat and drink as part of the traditional ceremonies and celebrations that make the day unique.
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Spanish Classes Instruction
- Classes: 27 hours of group class
- Schedule: 9:00 - 12:00 or 12:00 - 15:00
- Levels: all levels
- Ages:children (+6), teenagers and adults
- Material: included
- Max. 6 students per group
Accommodation
Enjoy the home-stay with a local family
You will immerse yourself in the convivial atmosphere of a Mexican family who are keen to share traditions and swap cultures.
Our family stay includes 3 daily meals Monday through Saturday.
If you would prefer you own accommodation, check out our spacious apartments opportunities here.
Workshops
The workshop will consist of a visit to the local market in the old historical centre of San Cristóbal, to buy fruits & vegetables. These will make into traditional candies to be offered to everyone on Day of the dead to start the celebrations.
The workshop will entail the manufacture of flowers, chains and crowns from paper "picado" to decorate the altar and house with different colors and symbols. Also we will prepare the altar with candies, food and decorations to celebrate the day.
Guided visits and Activities
Activities: from Monday to Friday at 8pm
You are welcome to join our activities such as Salsa lessons as well as films, documentaries, conferences and board games.
Guided visits:
- Ambar museum: You will learn about the peculiarity of the ambar of chiapas as well as see unique pieces with incrusted insects. Tips about how to recognize real ambar will be given.
- Coffee museum: This short visit will guide you through the steps of how coffee is processed, from the land to your cup.
- Traditional costumes museum: This unique museum has rare costumes from indigenous villages. Each costume has a meaning and is characteristic to a village. The museum founder, our guide, spent his life healing people for free as well as building schools and water reservoirs in various communities..
- Mayan medicine center & museum: This center still cures people using ancient Mayan medicine, mostly using plants. Birth are still given in a traditional way.
- Na Bolom museum: This ethnographic collection reflects artifacts and gifts collected from trips the museum founders(Frans & Gertrude Duby Blom) made to the Lacandón jungle.
Booking
You may fill out the on-line registration form.
If you need more detailed information concerning our Spanish courses, just email us.