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25 Apr 2025
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Description
21 YEARS HOSTING EXPERIENCE .WE HAVE CREATED A DETAILED PROFILE SO PLEASE BE CERTAIN THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU.
welcome to our home and a paradise we have found
We love to travel and enjoy discovering new places and the history and culture of the people who live there.
when we are at home we like to share with other world travelers. our goal is to create a memorable experience and make new friends. the work we do is a vehicle to express ourselves as we get to know one another in meaningful relationships.
THREE WEEK MINIMUM STAY.
Recent volunteers have been excellent people and those who stay for a month or more become very well connected to farm life and the natural rhythm we can experience by producing food for ourselves and the community. Our goal is to give an opportunity to create memories that will last our lifetimes.
We are practicing conventional farming in a tropical environment. Growing a variety of tropical plants.
We want you to communicate clearly during your visit and allow us to respond to your input and questions.
most importantly we have fun!! Live in a country not be just a tourist!! We do yoga and eat a healthy diet mostly vegetarian with attention to our impact on the environment.
NOTE: use of ALCOHOL or controlled substances will diminish your experience here and may pose a danger to yourself and others and therefore is not recommended.
QUOTED FROM THE BOOK " GAVIOTAS" APRIL 2017
" ( they are) People surviving as considerate sharing beings . no one demands anything of anybody except to get along with each other and work hard in cooperation. We do this simply because we love to!
here we are driven by something different than competition . And we're content here. We try to exemplify dynamic humane coexistence."
“A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life is based on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.”
– Albert Einstein
We come together and we do our best with what we have and live by the Golden Rule.
We are a working avocado, citrus and coffee farm with one full time employee.
There is no charge to stay and we will provide food from the farm . We provide a cooked multigrain cereal including raisins and peanuts.which I will prepare at 9a.m. when I am here. We also serve fruit from the farm and from local markets along with fresh bread and banana cakes that we bake weekly( when I am here)
At all times we provide the rice and beans and fresh food from the farm.The farm harvest available to everyone varies by season and includes pumpkin, squash, plantains, bananas, coffee(while our harvest lasts), ginger, herbal teas grown on the farm, avocados in season,mangoes in season, blackberries, passion fruit, star fruit, chayote , lemons,limes , oranges ,multiple varieties of citrus, some root crops and green beans. Most of the fresh produce requires harvest, planning and preparation by those who eat it. Fun if you like to cook.
We personally consume almost no animal products and no processed items (packaged and multi ingredient)
Volunteers who wish to consume these products can provide their own from the local markets. This includes sugar, oils,animal products, dairy products and eggs. Multi ingredient processed items such as cookies, crackers, chips and candy are not provided .
The volunteers prepare their lunch and dinner in a fully equipped kitchen in the volunteer cabin.
WE ARE PRODUCING AVOCADOS, CITRUS, PLANTAINS ,BANANAS, BLACKBERRIES, PASSION FRUIT, MANGOS,STARFRUIT, ALOE VERA, AND SOME SQUASH . WE PRODUCE LIMITED COFFEE.
We accept volunteers of all skill levels but you need to be able to help outdoors for about 5 hours with breaks as needed. the weather can be hot at midday so be prepared with hat and long sleeve shirt. The work is sometimes strenuous however each individual will be asked to help within their comfort level. We generally have one to four volunteers however you may work alone .
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
Interests
Charity work
Culture
Events & social
Sustainability
Self development
Farming
Carpentry
Music
History
Astronomy
Architecture
Plant care
Languages
Gardening
Cooking & food
Yoga / Wellness
Fitness
Mountain
Dancing
Hiking
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
LIVE IN ANOTHER CULTURE , DEVELOP RESPECT FOR NATURE IN SOLITUDE , LIVE IN COMMUNITY WITH OTHERS
Thrive in an environment intended for personal well being with an opportunity to develop personal skills related to sharing, farming, building, Spanish language and Costa Rican culture .
Cultivate a deeper understanding of farming , care of trees,interaction in community.
We definitely love to cook and eat and can show you how to prepare Costa Rican dishes.We make fermented foods, brew ginger ale and fresh herb teas.
Help
We accept MATURE volunteers of all ages to stay at the farm and help on daily projects such as planting, weeding, maintaining the farm and buildings, watering, processing worm compost.
we are pruning and painting avocado trees, coffee plants, care of citrus , planting bananas and vegetable gardens and cleaning the trails .
There will always be a member of the staff on site but often you may help independently.
Bring long pants, long sleeve shirt, {leather work gloves and sturdy hiking boots ( not readily available here)}. you will need a large brimmed hat bring one or purchase locally made in Costa Rica ( $25)
We are a farm where respect for nature is paramount. It is daylight at 5:30am and dark by 6 pm and we retire to our own cabin by 7 :30 pm ( this respects the schedule of all the residents).At about 7:30 we close the main gate each night. If you are not able to return by this time then let us know before 6 p.m. The workday starts at 6am, a break at 9 am to eat and ------ on most days ---------return from 10 to noon.HOWEVER we may amend the schedule to work two hours in the afternoon to avoid the heat or rain.
You have the remainder of the day open but we request everyone help clean the common area inside and around the cabins and the main work-away kitchen .
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Beginner
Italian: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
English, Spanish, beginner French, beginner Italian
Accommodation
Safe, clean houses, and we share fresh food grown on the farm.
Securing accommodations. take your time read everything ..... make sure this is where you want to be.................... ASK QUESTIONS.
When accepted we ask that you update your travel plans to visit every two weeks. When you have a confirmed airline flight schedule we will hold a secure place for you. This may mean that we turn away other interested volunteers so please respect this system.
The living quarters are separate from the main house. You will be responsible for all personal hygiene items and for items to keep your private and common space clean . Because you are sharing a kitchen and bathroom with others it is essential that you keep your area tidy and organized.
You must be willing to dedicate time necessary to keeping your common living area clean inside and outside 5 hours a week is the minimum each volunteer will contribute to housekeeping sweeping, mopping, cleaning the kitchen after meals. When you arrive the cabin will be ready for occupancy. We ask that you leave the cabin as clean or better for others.
Two cabins are available both have hot water showers; one is small with bedroom and bath, which accommodates a couple very nicely, the other is the shared main volunteer cabin which has the common kitchen and two bedrooms with double beds.
The main cabin has a new gas stove,new refrigerator, a toaster oven, pressure cooker, serviceable cookware and a coffeemaker.
RESPONSE TO RECENT QUESTIONS
Arrive before 4 p.m. on your first day.
You will provide your own kitchen dish soap, sponges, towels, and toilet tissue.
Regarding laundry we have a basin/ pila for hand wash and a machine for one load a week.
there are few mosquitos however bring a net
We provide bedding but not towels or washcloths.
What else ...
Costa Rica is a peaceful country with no army and we are a peaceful people living on a fertile farm with springs , a lake and a river.
We are located in the mountains with a comfortable climate( no air conditioning or heater needed)
When in season we share all of the food growing on the farm however you may elect to try a variety of tropical products grown outside the farm sold by the local vegetable vendors. We provide oats,and some mixed nuts and raisins for the breakfast, and seasonal fruit from the farm..Please be prepared to make lunch and dinner in your kitchen. We have community pot luck dinners some nights.
PLEASE Send your birthdate with your initial inquiry so we will realize that you read the invitation and can celebrate if you are here at that time.
There are herbs and medicinal plants growing on the property which we will show you how to use.
Seasonally there are avocados, citrus( both these trees require use of chemical sprays),and year-round bananas and plantains( no spraying these) being produced. We have pumpkins and squash, beans and berries.
SARCHI is three kilometers accessible by taxi and by Bus ,however with inconsistent schedules.
RESPONSE TO RECENT QUESTIONS
Internet is available from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday and other times when requested.
Easy access to the airport with bus nearby or one hour by car.
I will send detailed directions before your arrival.
If you arrive late get a room in Alajuela NEAR the airport or Hostel Mangifera in Grecia . San Jose is the opposite direction from Sarchi.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (45)
The work can be strenuous at times and is about five hours per day plus one hour of a community project which could just be continuing your current… read more
After hosting more than 200 visitors in the last 18 years this is the first negative review. We are sorry that your experience was not what you and I had intended and hoped for. The majority of the reviews posted rate the experience as Excellent or very good.
It is unfortunate you did not bring up these issues at the time of… read more
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.6)
Cultural exchange:
(4.4)
Communication:
(4.8)
The work can be strenuous at times and is about five hours per day plus one hour of a community project which could just be continuing your current… read more
After hosting more than 200 visitors in the last 18 years this is the first negative review. We are sorry that your experience was not what you and I had intended and hoped for. The majority of the reviews posted rate the experience as Excellent or very good.
It is unfortunate you did not bring up these issues at the time of… read more
it was great to get to know you. Thank you for working on the many different projects and serving as translator for four languages! I appreciated your abilities to find solutions to various work and living situations and perform the needed work in a cheerful manner. It was always a pleasure to greet you in the morning.
We enjoyed… read more
I spend three weeks with my boyfriend en la finca. This farm is beautiful and meditating, it was really nice to see the sunrise behind the mountains every morning before we starting the work.
The farm was full of avocado, fruits and vegetables, we were really happy to cook meal after work with the food provided… read more
We stayed in a two-bedroom cabin… read more
The place is beautiful, calm and so many birds ! Its… read more
We were glad to share our farm and home with you. We appreciated your ability to work well, learn about the farming activities and care for the plants. Angel was delighted to have you here and he indicated you brought positive energy with a friendly personality. You are invited to return if your schedule allows. Miles… read more
Finca en el mes de septiembre del 2022 y la experiencia fue excelente! Cree una amistad muy bonita con ángel, aprendí mucho.
El trabajo está muy bien organizado y es muy armónico. Me encanto ser voluntaria en la finca!
We were glad to share our farm and home with you. We appreciated your ability to work well with Angel, learn about the farming activities and care for the plants.
Also thank you for suggesting our farm to others who came and stayed for a month or longer.
Franklin
thank you for writing and sharing your experience . It was a real pleasure to get to know you and share some time in Costa Rica. Here at the farm we know we offer a unique setting for visitors to learn many things based on giving and sharing in our journey of self awareness as we practice sustainable farming .I was glad to read that… read more
Thank you for writing an accurate review that will help other volunteers in selecting the best place for them. It was great to have your help with this Farm.
The energy you felt here at the farm, as do many other volunteers, was the positive energy that each person was generating with their contribution. The Joy and contentment of… read more
Work was consistent and varied. While I was there in Jan-Feb, work mainly consisted of helping Angel (sole employee on the finca) trim and prune fruit trees and create decomposition piles to later be harvested for compost. Most importantly, lots of… read more
Estuve un mes en la finca y es un hermoso lugar donde contemplar las… read more
we are grateful for the time that you shared with us. A three month stay allowed us to get to know each other.
We appreciated your enthusiasm for all of the Improvement projects that you identified and performed in your volunteer time. Your knowledge of so many different tools and materials gave us confidence that what you tried would… read more
Thank you for having me at the finca.
We were glad to share our experience with you. We appreciated your ability to work well with the other volunteers, learn about the farming activities and care for the avocadoes and citrus. The garden is growing thanks to your help with the fertilizing, planting and placing the mulch and compost.
We have missed your smiling face and… read more
It was great to share our Paradise with you for such a good amount of time. We greatly appreciate the contributions each of you made to our various projects. You transformed your little cabin into a cozy home.
Paulina thank you for helping to train and guide the other volunteers on the work with the trees and plants and… read more
It was good to see your enthusiasm for this country and the Costa Rican rural lifestyle that we were able to share… read more
it was a pleasure to have you share part of your time in Costa Rica with us. We appreciate your willingness to share your many talents and your stories of Adventure on land and sea.
Wishing you the best for your adventures going forward.
Franklin
we enjoyed your participation and sharing our home with you. We appreciated your ability to take charge of some of the projects and see them completed. I enjoyed your willingness to trust me to select the outings to places I had been before but was inspired to show everyone. Best to you in all your endeavors. You will be welcome here… read more
we were delighted to share our farm and home with you. We appreciate the positive energy and joyful attitude that you brought into our lives everyday. Your many skills and abilities in language, cooking, construction and farming along with the willingness to utilize and teach what you know benefitted all of us. You are… read more
The accomodation was very comfortable, a twin bed, private bathroom (the hot… read more
thank you for sharing your time in Costa Rica with us. We enjoyed your cooking where you impressed us by adding a few of the herbs growing here on the farm to dramatically improve the flavor and appearance of otherwise common vegetables. We laughed with your sense of humor and were pleased to witness your curiosity that created your… read more
in my opinion the farm is more a farm of beauty that anything else. With the farm being situated on top of hill meant that it's the perfect place for star gazing, amazing views and unbeatable sunsets. the accommodation is very good and Frank… read more
Thank you for your visit to share our home and farm during the Christmas season.We enjoyed your company on the outings. We appreciated your ability to take on many different tasks and do each of them well. Thanks for preparing some delicious meals and including the great salads. Best to you in your adventures.
Franklin
The property is an exceptionally beautiful place in the hills with coffee plantations, various fruit trees and a river running through it which was very inviting for a swim in the afternoon! I never missed a sunrise as it was spectacular every morning! I learned a lot from working… read more
we enjoyed your company and your contribution to our project. we appreciated your willingness to take on the different tasks and to learn new skills. The garden that you helped to plant is doing well.
you are welcome to return when your schedule allows.
Thanks,
Franklin
we enjoyed your visit very much. I'm grateful that you came with such a good understanding of other cultures. You were able to accept the various challenges required for learning new skills so whatever task we assigned you we realized it would be completed to the best of your ability.
your contribution added to the well-being of the… read more
My work there was pretty varied; some days I worked on the farm covering the soil with organic materials, picking up fallen citruses, harvesting gingers,… read more
thank you for your time shared with us. we were all pleased that you and Maren were such good company, always came smiling with a positive outlook and are such quick learners.
some of the food you helped us to grow we are already eating and will eventually return as compost.
however the furniture that you helped to restore and… read more
We stayed at the farm for a short period of time, but we really loved it there. Franklin, Reyna and Ángel are all really nice and inspiring people. I am so thankful for everything I learned about farming, nature, life and the way to treat others. The work was fun and fulfilling, sometimes harder, sometimes calmer and the farm… read more
Hello Medy,
we all enjoyed your company and missed you the day you left and still miss you. I appreciate your willingness to try so many new things and to adapt yourself to… read more
We did a large variety of different projects such as pruning the trees, painting the trees with limestone, raking and spreading out organic material, harvesting on demand and so much more. Volunteers should be… read more
thank you for the time that you shared here with us. We appreciated your willingness and ability to take on any project we presented. It was encouraging to see your self discipline as it related to being on time and regulating your own schedule. You are welcome to come back anytime. Franklin and Angel
thank you for your company and participation here in Sarchi. I enjoyed our conversations and getting to know you. Both Angel and I appreciated your take-charge manner and ability to get things done well.
We enjoyed your cooking and sharing meals where often times you had a creative idea for dinner.
It was fun helping you navigate around… read more
Angel is a very kind and patient man who will teach you all about farming and the different techniques used to sustain a farm. He’s very knowledgeable and funny. The work can be quite strenuous at times but Angel made… read more
Thank you so much for being a part of our project here in Sarchi. We are grateful for your many contributions of the work on the property and the cooking and conversations that we shared during the off hours.
We appreciated your take charge leadership skills, your good nature, sense of humor and all around Pleasantness to… read more
/ THE WORK
Our work consisted of tending to avocado and citrus trees (pruning, digging out wood-eating insects from trunks,… read more
you will always be welcome in our home
We were glad to have you stay so long and of course you can come back whenever you are able. we enjoyed our time getting to know you
We cannot imagine a better first Workaway.
Highly recommended
Thank you, it was an… read more
we hope you can return someday and we will make room for you
Angel is such a great person… read more
We've done a lots of kind of jobs with him,pruning avocados,bananas,platanos orange trees and much more!
The only thing we haven't liked has been that we haven't even seen… read more
Hard working and focused. We enjoyed his stay and welcome him back
YOU ARE WELCOME TO RETURN ANY TIME. Franklin
