Help us to create a center of ancestral wisdom in rural Perez Zeledón, Costa Rica

Details

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  Description

  We are a Finca, a family eco-project that aims to create a school of ancestral wisdom.
  
  Our dream is to create a place where visitors can connect with nature & themselves and to learn to live in harmony with their surrounding ecosystem. Growing since 2021, we are working hard to develop a space where people can learn and experiment with agroecology principles, natural building, food storage/processing, holistic practices, and alternative therapies.
  
  Finca is located in a small and quiet pueblo in the mountains of Perez Zeledón, tucked in a jungle valley, bordered by a river, with a stunning waterfall just a short walk away. Our village is a 20 minute drive from the city of San Isidro de General and 45 minutes from the popular surf beach, Dominical. The climate in this area is ideal as it’s sunny and warm during the day and cooler at night.
  
  About us :
  The Finca is made up of 6 adults, 2 children, and an elder, tending to the land and building our community alongside 5 dogs, 5 cats, and maybe too many chickens!
  
  We are Nicolette & Carolina, we help to coordinate our volunteers and oversee the day to day work. We are currently building our home using earthen techniques and are working towards establishing a more consistent flow of workshops and events here at the finca.
  
  Carolina was born and raised in Costa Rica and helped start this project with her brother, father, and 2 dear friends. She has worked in tourism and permaculture collectively for over 8 years and has experience working on different farms and being part of the local permaculture network here in Costa Rica.
  
  Nicolette is from Southern California and joined the Finca a little over a year ago. She has worked in many fields including massage therapy, event production, and body adornment (tattoos & piercings). Now she finds herself tending to this land and dreaming up ways to incorporate her passions into this project.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Interests

  

  Culture

  

  Videography

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Pets

  

  LGBTQ

  

  Charity work

  

  Farming

  

  Events & social

  

  Music

  

  Plant care

  

  Languages

  

  Gardening

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Carpentry

  

  Astronomy

  

  Art & design

  

  Architecture

  

  Animals

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Water sports

  

  Nature

  

  Mountain

  

  Hiking

  

  Camping

  

  Beach
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Cultural exchange here happens naturally through living, working, and sharing life together. We welcome people from different backgrounds and believe that everyone brings something valuable to the table.
  
  We offer an opportunity to experience a slower pace of living, one more connected to nature, community, and the rhythms of the land. Through conversations, projects, shared meals, and everyday experiences, volunteers can see what it means to build a more intentional and sustainable way of life.
  
  Depending on the projects we’re working on, there are opportunities to learn about gardening, regenerative practices, natural building, land stewardship, and the many practical skills that come with creating and maintaining a home in the mountains.
  
  More than anything, we hope this exchange encourages curiosity, collaboration, and genuine human connection. We don’t expect anyone to arrive knowing everything, and we certainly don’t claim to know it all ourselves! We see cultural exchange as a two-way experience where everyone has the opportunity to contribute, learn, and leave with something meaningful.

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  Help

  Our finca is about 23 acres, where we’ve already built a few homes (with another still in progress) and planted a variety of fruit and wood trees as part of our efforts to reforest the land and provide for ourselves in the years to come.
  
  It’s our joy to welcome volunteers who feel called to contribute to the ongoing creation of this project while experiencing and enjoying the natural lifestyle here.
  
  We are always looking for folks with building experience or skills working with wood, bamboo, and other natural materials. Knowledge of electrical work, water management, and landscaping is also very welcome. We appreciate people who bring experience, but equally value those who show up with curiosity, initiative, and a willingness to get their hands dirty!
  
  Another big part of our vision is regenerating the soil and bringing more life back to the land through reforestation and the creation of food forests. As we transition from dry season into the rains (April/May), we’ll be focusing more on planting trees, medicinal plants, and tropical food crops like cassava and bananas.
  
  Some of our current and upcoming projects include:
  ~ Building a foundation for a shipping container
  ~ Water management (creating and maintaining swales, planting hillsides to prevent erosion, etc.)
  ~ Trail and campsite maintenance
  ~ Creating an off-grid septic system
  ~ Beautifying our communal spaces through planting, maintaining existing gardens, painting, and other creative projects
  ~ Teaching skills workshops (We are now opening our finca to host small workshops and classes. If your interested in teaching something, let us know)
  
  Our volunteer exchange
  
  || We typically ask for 5 hours of help per day, Monday- Friday, in exchange for accommodation and basic ingredients to prepare vegetarian meals. There are also opportunities each week to visit the local farmers market and supermarket for additional groceries or personal items. ||
  
  *Our working schedule is flexible and may shift depending on weather conditions, the season, and the projects we’re working on.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  Accommodation:
  The type of accommodation we can offer depends on the season and the number of volunteers
  (ex. camping, glamping, or sustainable cabin.)
  
  
  Food :
  We provide many of the basic vegetarian ingredients such as homemade bread, rice, beans, lentils, chickpeas, eggs, fruits and veggies but if you have a specific diet or wish to include meat in your meals, we ask that you provide that for yourself.
  The food preparation would be your responsibility. We value folks that can cook for themselves and we do our best to have at least one shared meal each week.

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  What else ...

  ~Outdoor activities~
  You’re welcome to explore and enjoy the land, cool off in the river, or take a 20 minute walk upstream to a beautiful waterfall.
  
  We also love hiking, birdwatching, climbing, and swimming, and are always happy to share an adventure when we have the free time! We can also help you navigate public transportation if you’d like to get out and explore on your own.
  
  ~Cultural activities~
  We have a deep appreciation for ancestral traditions, medicinal plants, and the wisdom passed down through generations.
  
  From time to time, we host or participate in drum circles, temazcales (traditional sweat lodge ceremonies), and other gatherings here on the finca. When these opportunities come up, volunteers are welcome to join, learn, and share in the experience.
  
  ~Local life & exploring~
  Every Wednesday or Thursday, we visit one of Southern Costa Rica’s largest farmers markets. It’s a great opportunity to experience local life, discover new fruits and vegetables, and stock up on groceries for the week.
  
  Having your own vehicle definitely makes exploring easier, but it’s not a necessity! We’re happy to offer rides when possible, explore together when our schedule allows, or help you get to the nearest bus stop if you like to adventure on your own.
  
  Some places you might enjoy visiting during your stay include:
  
  -Diamanté Valley and Waterfall
  -Náuyaca Waterfall
  - Chirripó National Park and hiking trails
  - Dominical and Uvita, with beautiful beaches and many restaurants

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Tlalli

  Tlalli (land in nahuatl) is the cute and feisty 3 month old puppy companion of Nicolette. She is the daughter of Estrellita, born here on the finca and already fitting in well with our pack. You likely won’t see her wondering around without her human and when you do see her, she might be a little timid at first but she can be won over with some baby talk and tug of war!

  

  Uma

  Uma is the companion of our resident wood worker, Chad. She is an independent, quirky, and adventurous 2.5 year old Anatolian Shepard. She has a long standing feud with our groundskeeper so you’ll likely see her on her long line, but when she’s off leash, you’ll rarely see her as she most enjoys running around the finca, playing in the river, and chillin with the other dogs.

  

  Estrellita

  Estrellita (little star) is the lively and free-spirited companion of Leon, our equally free-spirited 5 year old nephew. You will often see her covered in dirt running around trying to be a part of everything happening on the finca. She can be protective of the kiddos and her puppy so we recommend becoming her friend first!

  

  Lobita

  Lobita (little fox) is the companion of Selenia. She is an expressive and fluffy huntress whose breed is a mystery. She is the oldest dog of the pack around 8 years old and seems to be our alpha. She loves to adventure to the waterfall and will always greet you with a smile.

  

  Orion

  Orion is Caro’s companion. He is a charming, silly, and adventurous 5 year old black German Shepard that loves to spend time in the river and exploring the land, We love to play with him and he gets so much of our love and attention, however, due to his breeds nature, he can have a bit of anxiety with new folks on the land so we ask all volunteers to seriously resist his puppy dog eyes and don’t throw the stick!! Really.

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