Spanish language schools near (*awesome*) climbing destinations

I'll be taking a hiatus from the working world this coming Winter and Spring with two main objectives: (1) climb until my face hurts, and (2) learn Spanish. Ideally I'd like to achieve these goals contemporaneously. I have loose plans to spend a month at El Potrero Chico (probably January) and a month or so in Spain and hope to be able to work on my Spanish skills on the fly with the local gente. However, I think spending 1 month or so in an intensive Spanish language immersion program would go a long way for me so I'd like to pursue that as well. I have heard of relatively inexpensive programs of that sort in a few Central and South America locations but none seemed to be terribly close to any *awesome* climbing destinations that I'm aware of. So, any suggestions or advice? I'm open to any Spanish speaking country (the cheaper the better) and any style of climbing (bouldering --> multi-pitch trad).

Thanks!

I went to Peru for a couple weeks last year and had no problems finding great climbing and partners. Arequipa has a little gym (more like a fancy backyard woody) run by a French dude that's a great place to meet people to head outside with. Something to think about.

As for learning Spanish, I learned more Spanish while trying to talk to my new climbing friends about sequences and climbing than I did studying it for weeks before I left. Instead of an immersion class, it's actual immersion. In any case, a basic grasp on Romance languages is helpful.

They have Spanish lessons at EPC...reach out to La Posada.

I spent a year total living in Guanauajto and climbed quite a bit there. The climbing is walking distance from town and there are some decent routes, maybe around 50 routes total (roughly). There is a newer area southwest of La Bufa too with some really good looking routes and quite a bit of rock. There is a trashy boulder near town with some harder traverses and some quite good bouldering in the hills outside the city. My profile pic is actually of the climbing on La Bufa. The city is a really cool place to visit. A few gringos and euros, but nothing like nearby San Miguel. I think Guanajuato is one of the top tourist destinations for Mexicans in Mexico. Highly recommended for a short stint. Rock climbing.com has good info on La Bufa. There are a lot of other areas as well in this part of Mexico. Check out La Pena de Bernal about two? hours away.

-Patrick

Travel to Guatemala, 37 volcanoes and awesome Spanish classes en La Antigua Guatemala.

If you're looking for trad, I'd find a language program in Bariloche. Cannot go wrong there. There's plenty of sport, too, but I don't know much about it.

bumping this. I find myself in a similar position as JSlack--what else ya got, MP?

Ecuador.

It's small, easily navigated, people are wonderful, it has the Andes, there's a pretty decent community/scene, uses the dollar, is as cheap (dirt cheap) or expensive as you want to make it, plenty of further development to be had, and more promiscuous back packers then you'll know what to do with.

Some cities that might be of interest are:
Baños, an eco-tourism/adventure town at the base of an active volcano. Lots of bullet hard basalt around this area.
Rock in Baños

Cuenca, in the southern part of the country. It's a beautifully preserved old city, with plenty of climbing nearby. Consult the MP page for Ecuador.

Also, monodedoecuador.com/ is probably your best bet on beta finding.

I highly recommend this country. It's one of my favorite places on earth.