Can I book a Spanish class last minute when I already am in the Dominican Republic?

Yes you can, though it is required to book a class at least with 3 weeks in advance, we take students last minute requests if there is availability.
 

Are there any surfing + classes packages?

SLS offers surfing and Spanish class packages with  several surfing schools in Cabarete and Encuentro beach. We also work with the laser sailing center of Cabarete, since this is a very active sports community.
 

What documents or visas do I need to travel to Dominican Republic?

A valid passport is needed to enter the island, also a US$10 tourist card which is purchased at the airport on arrival. While most countries can enter the DR with no visa, this might vary for some ( all Europeans and North Americans can enter with no visa ).
 

What's the closest airport to Puerto Plata?

The best airport to fly to is the Gregorio Luperon International ( POP ) which is only a 10 minute drive from Sosua or Cabarete. The second best choice is Santiago ( STI ), about 45 minutes away by car.  SLS can arrange airport transfer for students, just send us your flight schedule and we'll have a taxi driver waiting for you at a fair rate ( US$30.00 ) one way.
 

What type of currency should I bring?

The local currency is the DR peso, which exchanges for about 36-38 x per dollar, and does fluctuate. The US dollar is used as much as the local peso, and many currencies can be exchanged in town when needed. Pounds, Euro, and the Canadian dollar are common here.
 

Do I need any supplies for the Spanish classes?

Students will need a pen, eraser, pencil, a notebook, and a Spanish/English dictionary. Since some travelers might not find time to search for a local bookstore, we will have a small supply available at the school, at low costs for students. You can also make use of the school's library books and other audio visual material we'll keep handy.
 

How can I get phone and Internet access to call back home?

Cabarete and Sosua have free Wifi in many restaurants and hotels, and the school also has it. Orange and Codetel ( Verizon ) offer reliable, low cost mobile phone service, and you can also call back home using call centers in town.
 

Can I get a Spanish test before selecting my class?

Please select the proper choice in the enrollment form so the teacher can tell your level and do the proper test before selecting your class. The enrollment form can be found here.
 

How's the transportation in town?

There's public transportation in Sosua and Cabarete, a 24hr concho service ( public cars ), and within the town there's motoconchos ( moto taxis ) that only cost $20 pesos. Private taxi service is also available, and also scooter, car and SUV rentals. Cheap car rental is available from OK Motors, as low as $20-25 per day for small Japanese sedans.
 

Can we get to see your Spanish learning method before we commit?

Yes, SLS provides as much information as possible to students so they can see and even test the material from home, even before traveling to the Dominican Republic.  Visit our downloads page and there you'll find samples of our Spanish learning method, which is certified by the Cervantes Institute in Spain.

These Images courtesy of the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism.