Tucked into the forest off the road to the village of San Juan de la Concepción (a.k.a. La Concha, 12 kilometers west of Ticuantepe, under an hour from Managua), this unique hideaway has spurred a stream of rave reviews from our readers.

Mariposa Ecohotel and Spanish School (tel. 505/2418-4638, www.spanishschoolnica.com) uses part of its revenue to fund a range of grassroots environmental and community projects. Guests are invited to help with the projects, from reforestation and chicken raising to literacy, education, and animal rescue.

The hotel and rooms have excellent views of Volcán Masaya, use solar and wind power, and there is an organic farm with coffee, bananas, free-range eggs and lots of fruit. Meals are typical Nicaraguan breakfast, buffet-style lunch (salads, meat, and vegetarian), and family-style dinner.

The rooms are decorated with local handicrafts, each with their own bathroom and fan. There is a fully stocked library, quality one-on-one Spanish school, and the manager, Paulette Goudge, PhD, offers a three-month course in the “Politics of Development.”

This is a great place for families. There are volunteer and homestay opportunities as well. Rooms are $25 per night including breakfast, or look into their all-inclusive Spanish school packages ($300 a week).