The Ultimate Cultural Immersion Experience
Living with a Peruvian host family is the most authentic way to experience local culture while practicing Spanish every day. Our host families have been carefully selected for their warmth, hospitality, and genuine interest in sharing their home and culture with international visitors.
Cultural Immersion: Experience daily Peruvian life firsthand – from family meals and conversations to local traditions and celebrations. You’ll gain insights into Peruvian culture that tourists never see.
Constant Spanish Practice: Your Spanish will improve dramatically when you’re speaking it at breakfast, during dinner, and in everyday conversations with your host family. This natural practice accelerates your learning faster than any classroom alone.
Home-Cooked Meals: Enjoy authentic Peruvian cuisine prepared with love. From traditional dishes like lomo saltado and ají de gallina to regional specialties, you’ll discover the incredible diversity of Peruvian food.
Safety and Support: Your host family becomes your local support network. They’ll help you navigate the city, recommend places to visit, and ensure you feel safe and comfortable throughout your stay.
Meaningful Connections: Many volunteers and students form lasting bonds with their host families. It’s not uncommon for our participants to return years later to visit “their Peruvian family” or stay in touch for life.
Your Room: You’ll have a private bedroom that’s clean, comfortable, and secure. Rooms are simply but adequately furnished – remember, you’re staying in a real family home, not a hotel. Most rooms include a bed with clean linens, a desk or table for studying, a closet or wardrobe, and good lighting.
Bathroom: Most homestays have shared bathrooms. Your family will explain the schedule and ensure you have adequate private time. Hot water is available, though Peruvian showers may be different from what you’re used to – your family will show you how everything works!
Meals: Meal times are an important part of family life in Peru. Breakfast is typically lighter (bread, fruit, juice, coffee/tea), while lunch is traditionally the main meal, and dinner is often served later in the evening (around 7-8 PM). Your family will accommodate dietary restrictions if informed in advance.
Communication: While our host families range from basic to fluent English, we encourage you to embrace the immersion experience by communicating in Spanish as much as possible. Don’t worry – gestures, smiles, and patience work wonders, and your Spanish will improve quickly!
Family Life: You’re joining a real family, not checking into a B&B. This means you’ll witness normal family routines, occasional noise, and everyday life. Embrace it! These authentic moments are what make homestay so special.
To ensure a harmonious experience for both you and your host family, please observe these guidelines:
Respect and Courtesy:
Home Guidelines:
Safety and Security:
Cultural Sensitivity:
Feature | Host Family | Volunteer House | Private Room | Apartment | Hotel |
Privacy | Moderate | Low | High | Complete | Complete |
Meals | Included | Self-catering | Options | Self-catering | Varies |
Spanish Practice | Excellent | Good | Moderate | Limited | Limited |
Social | Family | Volunteers | Variable | Independent | Independent |
Kitchen Access | Limited | Full | Varies | Full | No |
Cleaning | Family | Shared duty | Varies | Self | Daily |
Laundry | Included | Facilities | Varies | Facilities | Service ($) |
Minimum Stay | 1 week | 1 week | 1 week | 1 week | 1 night |
Best For | Immersion seekers | Social travelers | Privacy + community | Long stays | Short/luxury |
Regardless of which option you choose, all of our accommodations include:
Before Arrival:
Upon Arrival:
During Your Stay:
Practical Support:
Your safety is our top priority. All our accommodations meet strict security standards:
All Accommodations Feature:
Host Families:
Volunteer Houses:
We Recommend:
Every accommodation in our network must meet our quality standards:
Physical Standards:
Host Standards:
Regular Evaluation:
Strategic location is essential for a smooth experience:
Proximity Considerations:
Our Locations:
Cusco: Accommodations in San Blas, Centro Histórico, and San Sebastián – all safe neighborhoods with easy access to projects and the city center.
Sacred Valley (Calca, Urubamba): Peaceful settings in these charming towns, within walking distance or short ride to volunteer projects.
Other Locations: We place volunteers in accommodations convenient to their specific project sites.
We want you to be comfortable and happy with your living situation:
If You Want to Change:
Valid Reasons for Change:
Process:
Q: How do I choose the right accommodation option?
A: Consider what’s most important to you: If cultural immersion and Spanish practice are priorities, choose a host family. If you want a social experience with other travelers, the volunteer house is perfect. If you need privacy but still want community, opt for a private room. If you prefer complete independence, an apartment or hotel is best.
Q: Can I see photos of the accommodation before I arrive?
A: Yes! Once you’re registered and have selected your accommodation type, we’ll send you photos and details about your specific placement. For host families, we provide information about the family and your room. For volunteer houses, you’ll receive photos of the common areas and typical room setup.
Q: What if I have dietary restrictions or food allergies?
A: Please inform us during registration. Host families are happy to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-related dietary needs when informed in advance. In volunteer houses, you control your own meals. We’ll ensure your hosts understand your requirements before you arrive.
Q: Is laundry service available?
A: Host families typically include weekly laundry service. Volunteer houses have washing machines for self-service laundry. Hotels offer laundry service for an additional fee. Apartments usually have access to laundry facilities or nearby laundromats.
Q: Can I arrive early or stay late on my final day?
A: Check-in is typically from 2 PM, and check-out is by 11 AM. If your flights require different timing, please let us know in advance and we’ll do our best to accommodate you or arrange luggage storage.
Q: What happens if I don’t get along with my host family?
A: This is rare, but if genuine incompatibility exists, we’ll help. First, we’ll try to address specific concerns through open communication. If that doesn’t work, we can arrange alternative accommodation. Your happiness and comfort are important to us.
Q: Can I have visitors at my accommodation?
A: Policies vary by accommodation type. Host families generally don’t allow overnight guests and daytime visitors require prior approval. Volunteer houses have common areas where friends can visit during reasonable hours, but overnight guests are not permitted. Apartments and hotels have more flexibility.
Q: Is WiFi reliable?
A: Yes, all our accommodations have WiFi. Peru’s internet infrastructure has improved significantly, and you should have sufficient connectivity for communication, social media, and video calls. However, speeds may vary and occasionally be slower than what you’re used to at home.
Q: What should I bring for my accommodation?
A: Essentials: Toiletries, medications, adaptor plug (Peru uses Type A/B, 220V). Recommended: Small flashlight (for occasional power outages), earplugs, photos from home to share with host families, small gifts from your country for hosts. Provided: Linens, towels (confirm with your specific accommodation), basic kitchen supplies in shared kitchens.
Q: Can couples stay together?
A: Yes! We can arrange host families with double rooms, private rooms, or apartments suitable for couples. Just let us know during registration so we can find the perfect fit.
Q: What’s the bathroom situation like?
A: Most accommodations have shared bathrooms except for private apartments and some hotel rooms. Bathrooms in Peru are similar to Western standards, though you’ll need to dispose of toilet paper in a bin rather than flushing it (this is standard throughout Peru). Hot water is available, sometimes via electric showers – your hosts will demonstrate how these work.
Q: How far is the accommodation from volunteer projects?
A: We place volunteers in accommodations that are convenient to their specific projects. Most are within 15-30 minutes by walking or public transport. We consider commute time when making placements to ensure you’re not spending hours traveling each day.
Q: Can I extend my accommodation stay?
A: Usually yes, subject to availability. Let us know as early as possible if you want to extend, and we’ll confirm with your host family or check room availability. Last-minute extensions are possible but not guaranteed.
Q: What if there’s an emergency at my accommodation?
A: You’ll have 24/7 emergency contact information for our local team. For immediate emergencies (fire, medical, security), call emergency services first (numbers provided upon arrival), then contact us. Your hosts also have our coordinator’s number.
Let us help you find the perfect place to call home during your Peru experience!
Here’s how to proceed:
Contact us today:
Have questions? We’re here to help!
Our team responds within 24 hours and is happy to discuss which accommodation option is best suited to your needs, preferences, and goals.
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