Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
12 May 2025
Reply rate
87.5 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
45
Facebook verified
Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
Hello, my name is Luis, I’m an environmentally conscious Panamanian hosting Workawayers since 2016. I started hosting because I wanted to switch to a vegetarian diet and I thought if I could meet others following that diet I could ask them questions and learn a few tips and tricks.
Little did I know I was creating a great filter! I enjoy hosting people that have become aware of a problem and are doing something about it. Of course this is not the only way, but it is one of the ways and these are the kind of people I like to surround myself with and hang out with.
At my place you will get a chance to experience everyday life in a small town in the mountains of Panama, it is a perfect place to take a break from the fast-paced world and enjoy peace and quiet surrounded by nature. On your free time you can go on hikes, read a book in a hammock, do yoga, meditate, or do research for your next destination.
I grew up in Panama City, but I have spent a good amount of time exploring the countryside, where I've noticed that people in small villages, even when having very little, appear to be happier and healthier than those in the big city having everything. That's why I moved to the countryside and why I'm happy to share this kind of lifestyle with others.
While you are here I can show you around, answer questions and share some interesting things about the local culture. My preference is to host those who look forward to make meaningful connections whey they travel. I treat everybody that stays here like a friend and do my best to be a gracious host. I'll recommend you to read some of the reviews bellow to get a better understanding of what it is like staying here.
To save you some time, when sending your message make sure you are aware of the following:
1) My place is a private residence, not a business (hostel, lodge, etc)
2) At the moment I only host 1 person at a time, no exceptions.
3) You must be vegetarian, mostly vegetarian, or interested in trying out this diet
4) You know how to cook
5) You are fluent in English or Spanish
6) Minimum stay is 2 weeks (a bit more is encouraged)
7) I only know if I can host you with a max. of 1 month in advance. If your dates are further away than than you are still welcome to reach out and ask questions, but I won't be able to provide a definitive answer.
Don't worry about having to send a long message with your pitch, I will check your profile, let you know if I believe it is a good fir or not and we can take if from there.
About the work:
There are many things you can help with, such as cooking, building, gardening, sanding, painting, trail maintenance, cleaning, and sometimes even furniture making. If you have specific skills you would like to share, I'm open to hear. Work hours are from 8:00 to 13:00 which includes the 1 hour we take for cooking lunch.
Finally, Boquete is a mountain town and it has lots of hills, so being in good physical conditions is a must. The property is on a quiet neighborhood of homes and coffee farms, located in one of the hills surrounding the valley/town center with great views to the Baru volcano. Going to town requires a 30 minute hike or taxi ride, therefore, the location is not convenient for those wanting to be in town all the time or going out at night. If you are an extroverted person who needs to be around people all the time to recharge this is not a good place for you. On the contrary, if you feel like taking a break from humans for a bit and enjoy being surrounded by nature, then this place is a dream.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Sustainability
Self development
Culture
Music
DIY & crafts
Carpentry
Art & design
Architecture
Yoga / Wellness
Outdoor activities
Nature
Hiking
Cycling
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Interact with a local, learn about Panama's culture, nature, food and coffee.
Help
- Cooking vegan or vegetarian
- Gardening and light trail maintenance.
- Grocery shopping.
- General home maintenance.
- Keeping the main house clean.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Accommodation
You get your own room with private bathroom. Ingredients for meals included.
What else ...
Boquete is one of the top adventure travel destinations in Central America. Temperature is like AC year-round, perfect for hiking in the lush green fairy tale looking cloudforest. There are also small farms everywhere producing high quality coffee.
Most travelers will find it easy to get to Boquete. And once here the town is small and easy to figure out. One important thing to point out is that being a mountain town, there are lots of hills so walking on flat terrain is rare. If you are in good shape and enjoy hiking, you will love it here, if not, then this might not be the right place for you.
There are stores to buy essentials close to the house, otherwise the town center is 30-40 minutes walking with supermarkets, internet cafes, public library, and farmer market where you can find a great variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
My animals / pets
Feedback (21)
Luis is a profound and eye-opening conversationalist with whom conversations never run out or get boring, and he is always up for a joke.
In the time I spent in his house, I was in the village a total of 5 times, so this is not a place to come for the social life.
My work… read more
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Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Luis is a profound and eye-opening conversationalist with whom conversations never run out or get boring, and he is always up for a joke.
In the time I spent in his house, I was in the village a total of 5 times, so this is not a place to come for the social life.
My work… read more
I really enjoyed our inspiring conversations and… read more
Although I could stay only for a few days in his beautiful house, I feel so lucky and thankful being able to have all these mindful conversations, sharing life experience and stories. All these… read more
There are not enough adjectives in my English vocabulary knowledge to describe Luis. Educated, polite, respectful, calm, creative, patient, thoughtful...
He has so many new ideas and likes to share them. You can… read more
I want to confirm every single feedback on his page!
I loved staying at his place. Luis is such a relaxed person. His whole attitude is just so positive and peaceful. He inspires me. I learned a lot from him, not only about panamanian culture but also just watching his lifestyle and behaviour. And thank you, for never getting… read more
What a great place to stay if you love nature!!!!
DANKE Luis for the opportunity and the great time! It was very interesting, I learned a lot, it was a pleasure sharing knowledge, experience and time with you.
Immer wilkommen bei mir in Deutschland! :)
Saludos, Charly!
Luis is one of the kindest and most accommodating people I have ever met. I am so grateful to have shared two weeks with him and his daughter in their beautiful Boquete home.
I enjoyed many enlightening conversations with Luis about the natural world as we exchanged ideas on how to protect the environment. The… read more
I stayed with Luis while I did my Yoga Teacher Training in Boquete. I am more then grateful for everything, from the interesting talks we shared to the beautiful house he has and is more then willing to share with others. I consider myself very lucky to have made a friend like him in a place like Boquete.
This… read more
