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Live simply in the jungle – Costa Rica eco project

4.5
(3 reviews)3

The experience

Real laboratory on resource-efficient living.
We – two environmental activists – are currently building two ecological projects on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. We're looking for people who want to join and help. Our finca lies in the heart of an important ecological corridor. We're working toward self-sufficiency through permaculture, agroforestry and hands-on maintenance. We're also laying the groundwork for a foundation to protect jungle.

What you offer

23 hours of help per week

Cleaning: Help clean the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

Farming: Plant crops, sow seeds and help in outside tasks.

Additional fee required

Amount: US$ 50 Per week

Fee pays for: Donation to project

Description: Contribution for Food and Accomodation in a rather expensive touristic area.

What you get

2 days off per week

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Discounts on Accommodation: Get discounts for your stay in other hostels.

Language lessons: Take free language classes at our place.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely

Dedicated Workspace: Specific space for you to work remotely

Requirements

Intermediate English or Intermediate Spanish

Over 18 years old

Only hosts solo volunteers (doesn’t accept couples or partners)

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

On the actual finca property, we welcome support in these areas:

– Regular mowing using an electric weed whacker
– Dismantling and rebuilding our biogas and compost system
– Helping finish the greenhouse and maintain plants inside
– Expanding food self-sufficiency through agroforestry and permaculture
– Maintaining wooden houses and basic structures
– Harvesting and processing fruits and other foods

Activities & Shift

The workday starts at 7:30 am with repro work (cleaning), specifically tidying up a commonly used room, which takes approximately 30 minutes.
After that, we need support with mowing using the electric week whacker and with rebuilding the composting system. Additionally, we need assistance with our website and social media presence. Depending on your interests and skills, we will find the tasks that suit you best.
The shift ends from Monday to Thursday at 12:50 pm with a 20-minute break in the middle of the work period, which does not count towards the working hours. On Fridays you finish at 10:45 am with a break in the middle of 15 minutes for a total of 23 hours a week. In your free time, we offer various activities to make your stay more enjoyable, which you can read about in our “About the Host” description.

Rules

- You see for yourselves how you get here. Arrival to Yuyo from San Jose: https://yuyo.info/wiki/arrival-to-yuyo-from-san-jose/
- You work 5 days a week Monday to Thursday from 08:10 am to 1 pm, Fridays from 08:30 am to 10:30 am.
- Please bring your own clothes that can get dirty, rubber boots & rain gear for working (whatever you need).
- Only vegan food. We tolerate cheese in the volunteers kitchen. Also coffee and industrial sugar.
- If you want to use drugs, do it outside the premises and never before or during working hours.
- Minimum stay is 30 days, preferably longer.
- Our free agreement is that on Costa Rica's public holidays and on the Yuyo holiday (May 8) only the repro work has to be done (Monday through Friday).
2024 Holidays: Jan 1, Mar 28, Mar