Studying Spanish in Nicaragua involves more than just a few hours of verb conjugation and vocabulary every day. Total immersion is standard; most Spanish schools around the country offer homestays, trips around town and lessons in Nicaragua's culture and history, in addition to daily language classes. In general, Spanish schools in Nicaragua are cheap, especially when homestays are included in the price. This may be because Nicaragua receives fewer tourists than nearby Guatemala or Costa Rica. Fewer tourists also means travelers have more opportunities to speak Spanish without the chance to fall back on English. As a dialect, Nicaraguan Spanish is very fluid and locals tend to drop the final "s" in words. This is especially true in more rural areas, which can make understanding locals more difficult at first. However, Nicaraguan Spanish is commonly understood by other Spanish speakers around the world. If you're looking to learn Spanish in a relaxed, friendly and secure country near beaches untouched by commercialism, then Nicaragua may be the perfect place for you.