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Added by Jopie, at 24 January 2017
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7 Reviews
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02 May 2018
I had a fantastic time here. I learned a lot of Spanish, had some memorable adventures and made some good friends. The eco-hotel is well thought out and arranged. Rooms are simple but comfortable and clean. The gardens are tranquil and refreshing. There are a few large cages for monkeys, birds and small animals that could not survive on their own. La Mariposa rescues animals and birds and releases them back to the wild when possible. I got to help release some iguanas - very cool!
While I was here, there were several protests in Managua and Leon that hit the news. I felt totally safe here. I FELT TOTALLY SAFE HERE. Had to repeat that in caps as it is important. Paulette, the owner, kept us well informed and helped us avoid any potential problems. Tourists were not in any danger. Unfortunately news tends to emphasize the problems over the normal everyday experiences. That has lead to many cancellations which in turn hurts the local economy. Please come to Nicaragua. I am still here, although I moved on to explore Granada now. I consider this to be one of the safer places to travel even with the political unrest. The local hotels and tours have a huge incentive to keep you safe. You will probably have an even better time since your business is much in demand.
By the way, La Mariposa is higher in elevation than Granada or Leon and with the garden there, the climate is cooler and pretty agreeable.
Take advantage of the activities, they can take you to many of the local attractions. I saw a pineapple farm, a local potter, woodcarver and several beautiful views. Lots of potential hikes and even horseback riding is included. Pineapple here is the best I ever had.response / report this review -
11 October 2017
My family of six had a wonderful time at La Mariposa. I would highly recommend it! Great teachers, great community of students, great setting!
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30 March 2017
One of our favourite places! We were there in February. We stayed in one of the cabins at La Reserva, a short walk away from the hotel - highly recommended if you enjoy a garden setting and like to watch the lovely birds. The Spanish teachers work you hard but the one to one sessions are a great way to make progress whether you are a beginner or need to revise. Add in the good, plentiful food and varied trips out to learn about this lovely country - what more could you want!
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15 February 2017
After coming back today from our 3rd trip to Mariposa, we love it even more. They provide a very unique experience of Nicaragua combined with a very effective school.but an unexpected benefit is the great community of students. There is always someone around to talk to and help out and no one who arrives is alone. To top it off, because the school and hotel is integrated into and supports the local community, I know that our staying at Mariposa actually helps the people of Nicaragua. We are already planning our next trip.
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02 February 2017
La Mariposa is a wonderful place to learn Spanish. The owner, Paulette, is passionate about social justice and treats both her staff and her guests very well. She has a lot of rescue animals she took in over the years and has established a number of programs that benefit the local community. The teachers are lovely, and I very much enjoyed learning about the political history of Nicaragua as well as seeing a lot of interesting sites during our weekly outings. Paulette is a generous woman with a very big heart, and I strongly recommend staying at Mariposa even if you are just passing through. And, as a bonus, the food is vegetarian and very good!
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31 January 2017
Absolutely excellent place to learn Spanish! Teachers were fantastic and I was speaking basic Spanish after just a week. The environment is beautiful and relaxing with gorgeous food. I loved the activities and all the people really are so lovely and do all they can for you. I can't rave enough about the quality of the instruction- it's worth every penny!
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31 January 2017
My husband and I stayed here for a month and we chose to do the volunteer/homestay option. I went from learning the alphabet to being able to have full conversations by the end of the month. Learning Spanish in Spanish from native Spanish speakers is the way to go! We definitely got the authentic experience we were searching for and it was a great way to start our 3 month trip in central America. I wouldn't recommend this trip for anyone who doesn't like being put outside their comfort zones. Things were not always cozy and there won't be people catering to your every need. You will be provided with what you need and will have an amazing experience if you allow yourself to be immersed. We chose this school based on their community involvement, and after experiencing it firsthand, it is clear the school is having a positive impact on many families, providing jobs, education and childcare. We hope to come back to visit our family again one day!
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