We are situated in San Juan de La Concepción (also known as La Concha) which is a barrio (a suburb) of La Concepción. The main town of La Concha is at the top of a pretty steep hill - we are at the bottom. There is a sign to the Mariposa on the main road, you have to come 50 yards or so down a track to get to us. We are behind the bright yellow gates - just shout when you arrive and one (or more!) of the dogs will let us know you have arrived!

• The bus system in Nicaragua in many respects is very good. There are frequent buses between all of the major cities and pueblos. The cost is very reasonable - less than 20 cordobas (less than one dollar) from Managua to La Concepcion - please note that many of the buses refer to La Concepcion as La Concha. Some of the buses are old school buses from the USA, others are microbuses. The former are a little slower but offer an interesting travel experience - microbuses are efficient but, be warned, often drive extremely fast.

• Many towns and cities have their bus terminals located in the market area - there are several markets in Managua and so several different bus terminals.

• Buses can get very crowded, especially from 6.00am to 9.00am and then again in the mid to late afternoons. Many Nicaraguans travel to visit family at weekends and so on Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons they can also get packed. And packed means packed! Try and travel outside the busy hours and try and start your journey at the bus terminal, that way you will get a seat.

• Buses always have a muchacho (young man) who is responsible for collecting fares etc. They cannot generally accept notes bigger than 100 cords. Often you will not get your change straight away but don´t worry, it will be given to you before you get off the bus.

• Buses in general are a very safe way to travel - the exception being the ruta buses which operate within Managua. Some routes are notorious for theft from rucksacks etc so be extra careful.

• If you are travelling to the Mariposa by Ticabus from Costa Rica you may be able to get off at Masaya or Jinotepe and then follow directions (or we can pick you up).

Masaya to La Concha

Get a microbus to La Concepcion (also known as La Concha) from the bus terminal which is in the commercial market. Ask to get off the bus at the Mariposa in San Juan de la Concepcion.

Jinotepe to la Concha

You can get either a big bus from the bus terminal to La Concha and then a motor taxi from the main square in la Concha (a little red three wheel taxi) down the hill to the Mariposa or a microbus to Managua (check it goes via La Concha) and ask to get off the bus at the Mariposa in San Juan de la Concepcion.

San Juan del Sur/Rivas to La Concha

Either get a bus from Rivas to Jinotepe and then follow directions from Jinotepe (above). Alternatively get a bus to Managua and alight at the roundabout in Ticuantepe, also known as Kilometro 14. You then cross the road and take any microbus to Jinotepe, San Marcos (they both go via La Concha) or the one to La Concepcion. Ask to get off the bus at the Mariposa in San Juan de la Concepcion.

Granada to La Concha

You have two options: (1) Take a bus to Masaya and then get a microbus to La Concepcion (also known as La Concha) from the bus terminal which is in the commercial market. Ask to get off the bus at the Mariposa in San Juan de la Concepcion. (2) Get any bus to Managua and ask to get off at the roundabout in Ticuantepe, also known as Kilometro 14. You then cross the road and take any microbus to Jinotepe, San Marcos (they both go via La Concha) or la Concepcion. Ask to get off the bus at the Mariposa in San Juan de la Concepcion.

Leon to La Concha

Any bus to Managua. If you get the bus to the Israel Lewites market you can get a microbus from there to Jinotepe (see above for directions from Jinotepe). Some microbuses from Leon terminate at the UCA and there is a direct bus up to la Concha from the UCA (see Managua directions).

Esteli/Matagalpa to La Concha

There are good fast coach type services between both these towns and the capital. You need to buy tickets before boarding these buses. From the terminal in Managua you will need to get a taxi to the UCA and then follow direction from Managua. Alternatively you can alight from the Esteli/Matagalpa buses in Tipitapa and get a bus from there to Masaya (saves going through Managua) then follow directions from Masaya.

Managua to La Concha

Take the Jinotepe microbus from the UCA (the University of Central America). Make sure that you get the bus to Jinotepe via La Concepción and NOT the one that goes via Carazo. Get off at San Juan de La Concepción at the Mariposa sign.

PLEASE NOTE: that it is very difficult to get to the Mariposa by public transport from the airport as there are no direct buses in to the centre of Managua from the airport. You have to either stand on the highway and flag down an intercity bus (eg from Esteli or Matagalpa) or take a taxi. Taxis from the airport are on the whole regulated and safe but it does not work out much cheaper than a Mariposa pick up!

If you are driving from Managua, you need to head out on the Managua/Masaya highway. At Km 14 on the Managua-Masaya highway, turn right towards Ticuantepe (left if you are coming from Rivas, Granada or Masaya). At the traffic lights in Ticuantepe (there is only one set) turn right. Keep going (you start to climb quite steeply and look out for some fantastic views!) for 12 kilometers or so until you are in San Juan de la Concepción - it is the first pueblo of any size you will come to. Go through San Juan, past the open sports ground on your right where the main road makes a 90° angle to the right. Stay on the main road for a further 200 metres and you will see a sign to La Mariposa on the left as you are going up the hill. We are a few yards down the track, behind the bright yellow gates!