FAQs

The host families live in different areas of Cusco. Some live in the center, walking distance from the school (10 -15 minutes walking), others live in the more quiet, affluent areas of Cusco, outside the tourist district. From these places you can easily reach the school by taxi or public bus (10-15 minutes by taxi or bus). Transport in Cusco is very inexpensive. A taxi ride costs $ 0.50.

We usually assign the host family to each student in the week before arrival and students receive the address upon arrival in Cusco. Upon request, we can send you the details of your host family earlier, but placements are always subject to change.

All home stays are based upon full board. This means that a stay with a host family includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. However you are free to go out for lunch or dinner whenever you want. Meal times are the greatest opportunities you will have to spend with your family and where you can practice your Spanish, so we recommend that you eat with your family as frequently as possible.

Yes, you can book a double room with a host family. However, prices are always per person and are iqual for a single room or a double room.

You can always book extra nights with your host family, at the beginning or at the end of your stay. You cannot make direct arrangements with the family but always book your accommodation through the school. It is also possible for you to stay in a hotel for your first night, or if you prefer, to spend your first night at the school residence. If you want additional day(s) after finishing your course, please inform us with a couple of days notice; if not, the family might be booked already for new students.

It is not problem if you are a vegetarian. Our host families have experience with the preparation of vegetarian meals. Also, if you have other dietary restrictions or allergies, just let us know in advance. However, the traditional Cusquenan kitchen is based on a lot of meat, potatoes and rice, and less vegetables.

AMAUTA guest families are carefully chosen and monitored through regular inspections and student feedback. All the member of the family enjoy having foreign students around and introducing them into Peruvian life. Some of them might speak a little bit of English but not all of them. An AMAUTA staff member visits two or three families every week to make sure that everything is o.k. and we are in constant contact with (mostly) the guest mothers. Three times a year there is a meeting for all the host families to exchange experiences, ideas and, e.g. recipes for vegetarian meals!

If you choose to stay with a host family and you are not happy during the first week, you can change you accommodations without a problem: if you want you can go to another family or move into the students residence of a student flat. After the first week there is a change fee of $ 33.00. Before arrival you can make change without any additional cost (subject to availability).

Of course you can, that is one of the advantages of staying in a flat. The kitchens of the flats are fully equipped and go shopping to one of the Peruvian typical, colorful markets is a unique experience.

No you do not have to bring your own sheets and blankets but please do bring a towel.

Of course, that is a great idea. You can spend one week in Cusco, one in Manu and one in Urubamba. Also if you book several weeks in Cusco, you can always change one or more weeks to one of the other locations. Please notice that there are specific start dates for the Manu program, and that for both programs we require a minimum number of people to register before we can confirm the program will proceed.

You do not have to but it is a nice idea to bring something tipical from your country as a gift for the host family. The other idea is to give them a present when you say goodbye as by than, you know them and all the family members better.