For a more comprehensive Spanish language immersion, La Mariposa offers the option of living with a family closely associated with and well known to La Mariposa. The families are super friendly and many students ask to stay with the same one on a return visit to us. Home-stays are sanitary, but basic. All home-stays are approved by Mariposa staff, who are also available to provide support to students and families who may encounter difficulties or problems.
Below are some examples of home-stays. Please note that by living in poorer conditions you are supporting a poorer family and helping them to survive. The latrine, though needing a coat of paint, is perfectly sanitary and indeed we have installed them both in La Mariposa itself and in Paulette’s house. It does feel great to not literally flush water down the pan!
Homestays include:
- Excellent opportunity to practice Spanish: the patience and acceptance of Nicaraguan people is extensive and your family would love to spend time talking with you – plus they are a great resource for local knowledge.
- Get to know the local community and establish personal friendships.
- Some of our home-stays have facilities to accept families and some now have experience taking care of toddlers and even babies!
- Family provides home-cooked traditional Nicaraguan style meals for breakfast and dinner everyday and lunch on the weekends. (Lunch is eaten at the hotel with other students on weekdays.)
- Bathroom facilities usually include a latrine and a bucket for bathing (both great ways to conserve water!) These areas are sanitary and cleaned frequently. Some families have installed flushing toilets in an effort to modernize but this of course can be problematic during times of water scarcity when you will have use a bucket to flush.
- If you prefer to have a more conventional shower, students in home-stays are welcome to use our facility in the Mariposa grounds which we built especially for the use of those in the eco-rooms and homestay – the outdoor shower (well not entirely out of doors – there are walls made of volcanic rock and bamboo, and a roof) has solar heated hot water.
- Rooms are typically equipped with a single bed and a small table. The homestay provides some means of securing valuables under lock.
- The majority of our home-stays are within walking distance of the hotel.
- We have also developed a number of excellent home-stays close to our Group Study Center so groups of up to 20 can opt to spend their time with us (or part of their time) staying with family for a more authentic Nicaraguan experience.
Jacob learning to make bunuelos 
Jacob eating bunuelos!
Breakfast time 
Joshua needs a hat as it is raining!
