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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
12 Jul 2025
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95.2 %
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Details
Description
We are a working organic Cacao farm where you can walk through paths of Cacao Criollo Porcelana, the variety most authentic and exclusive within the chocolate world. An assortment of crops complement our landscape, providing our sustenance in this fertile valley, sustained using Permaculture principles and resulting in the best natural and auto sustainable produce.
Our Mission
1. To preserve and look after 20 acres of cultivated land, and to leave virgin 180 acres which represent 90% of this breathtaking valley.
2. To create an organic, sustainable farm and eco-tourism site so that others can experience the beauty of this world treasure.
3. To grow a rare kind of white cacao (Cacao Criollo Porcelana) and to produce the highest quality of organic chocolate.
But more than just a farm, this is home. I grew up in Venezuela and moved to the United States at 20 years of age, after 24 years (Boston 7, San Francisco 11, San Diego 4, and Seattle 2) I decided to change my life and move to Colombia to start this project.
The Colombian rainforest is a vital part of the earth's lungs as well as home to 10% of the world's species of plants and animals. Every year an estimated 200,000 hectares of rainforest disappear (about 34 times the area of the city of Manhattan).
This place belongs to the Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, we are located between 300 and 500 m.a.s.l. in a virgin rainforest, with an abundant variety of flora and fauna. Our name pays homage to the hummingbird, with more than forty varieties registered in our area, and translated from the Kogui language.
The National Park Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta reaches above 5500 meters on its two snowcap peaks, the Simon Bolivar and Cristobal Colon, which are located 42 kilometers from the Caribbean Coast, a condition that can concentrate all climatic zones, and makes it the highest coastal mountain range in the world. This natural reserve contains samples of all existing biomes in Colombia. UNESCO declared it Biosphere Reserve of Man and Humanity in 1979.
The water wealth bathes the soil through different creeks and waterfalls that end at the Buritaca River, the main waterway covering this piece of Pachamama, the ancient dwelling of our elder brothers the Tayrona people, founders of the tribes (Kogui, Arhuaco, Wiwa, and Kankuamo) presently inhabiting this awesome natural reserve.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Sustainability
Pets
Farming
Cooking & food
Gardening
Photography
Plant care
Music
DIY & crafts
Books
Architecture
Carpentry
Nature
Camping
Mountain
Hiking
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Arriving at the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta you will enjoy rain and warm tropical weather year-round. We are about 15 kilometers from the Caribbean Sea, in a small community called Casa de Tabla, surrounded by mountains and honest working people, both indigenous and campesinos alike.
Yet the best benefit is the close contact with Nature, the ability to develop auto-sustainable techniques of Permaculture, organically made balanced meals, pure clean air, and water. You will also have years of gathering knowledge at your disposal regarding a variety of crops and animals, construction, living sustainably, and of course all that you need to know about Cacao (The Food of the Gods).
Most importantly by the end of your experience with us, you will be thankful to our Pachamama because you will know that if we care for her, she is able to provide us with an abundant way of living.
Help
At this time we are keen to receive volunteers who have experience in all matters of bio construction and understand the usage of power tools. Also, we are looking for people who know the basics of Permaculture, planting, and trimming trees. Also, general maintenance of the road and pathways within the land, this means using a pick and a shovel.
We are a working organic Cacao farm, we make compost and have chickens, five dogs, and tortoises. We process our greywater and take responsibility for being in this awesome paradise. We plant crops on every Moon and we care for them on a daily basis.
What we request is that you have a few important trades that will keep a harmonious living space for all of us:
Respect for one another, be proactive and detail-oriented, problem-solving and diligent, clean and cooperative keeping general areas tidy and organized, I do not want to have to go through an uncomfortable moment by asking you to sweep the house in which you are staying because it has been two weeks since you arrived and you have not cleaned it once, I am sorry to admit it but this happens. Most importantly, you have to want to work, after all this is called Workaway. The work is strenuous, and we work on the hot or the rain of the day. We are in the tropics and you will sweat, we call it Agrofitness.
Permaculture is not a new trend nor is a circle of people around a campfire playing guitar, although we like that too. Permaculture is a way of LIFE in which we take responsibility for our actions on this planet (Pachamama), and so we design and build and plant respecting our surroundings and the Moon. We do not waste any resources, from tools to food, everything is so valuable here because we are far away from the rest of the people, and from the store, and from the conveniences of "civilization".
There is satellite internet access at the main home; we do not have an issue with sharing it. Please note that the main home is our home and we also need our privacy. I only mention this because I realized through people´s past actions that I must. Do not think that we are socially awkward, far from it. We are just busy living in a virgin jungle. At around 8 pm we go to bed because we rise early.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Accommodation
There are two basic bedrooms in the second house, two people could share one, or there is plenty of space to hang your hammocks. There is also enough space for you to camp if you have your own equipment. The bathroom has a dry compostable toilet, which we would expect you to help keep clean. You are also welcome to use the bathrooms of the main house.
We would usually prepare the meals, and we would ask for the usual help of helping with doing the dishes. The meals are traditional food: rice, beans, salad, vegetables, and varied meats. Please, any other dietary restrictions, let us know, we might be able to accommodate you. We have had vegetarian and vegan volunteers often before.
Unfortunately, we do not provide you with any of your personal items, you have to also keep in mind that the closest store is in Guachaca, about four hours walking. There is a tiny store in Casa de Tabla, the community that we are a part of, and it is about an hour's walk, they sell basic stuff (not a supermarket). We do have many of the basic needs: bath soap, laundry soap, toothpaste, brush, and the like for your purchase.
We also suggest that you bring enough insect repellent, a pair of rubber boots which cost $50000 Colombian pesos ($12 dollars), and a good flashlight (not your phone), I mean: bring your phone, but it will not suffice as a flashlight since it could get damaged with rain or falling. You should bring a Machete, which is about $25000 Colombian pesos with a sheath ($8 dollars), it is the best tool any Campesino could have, we will teach you how to use it properly, and as far as I understand you could check it with your luggage and take it as a souvenir when you go back home.
And if you like a particular snack also bring some, because like I said, the closest store is pretty far.
What else ...
On your time off you could enjoy kilometers of walking paths, and natural pools that form on the creek.
The Buritaca River is a walk away, within our land.
The peacefulness of the land will allow you to meditate, read, and recharge your Spirit.
If you enjoy bird watching and photography you would be very glad to be here. The flora and fauna are wide and varied.
You could also leave your mark on this wonderful place by doing a special project of your own, like planting a special crop or garden, or we are open to hearing any of your ideas.
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
My animals / pets
Feedback (17)
Alexandre siempre estuvo dispuesto a completar el trabajo presente, hasta en momentos en que yo crei que no se podia, me demostro lo contrario. Desde subir en arboles de mas de 20 metros de altura para podar… read more
Me enseñaron muchísimo sobre las plantas, sobre cómo se produce el cacao y sobre la vida. Su opinión tiene muchísimo valor para mí. Fue muy interesante conversar con… read more
Photos
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(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.8)
Alexandre siempre estuvo dispuesto a completar el trabajo presente, hasta en momentos en que yo crei que no se podia, me demostro lo contrario. Desde subir en arboles de mas de 20 metros de altura para podar… read more
Me enseñaron muchísimo sobre las plantas, sobre cómo se produce el cacao y sobre la vida. Su opinión tiene muchísimo valor para mí. Fue muy interesante conversar con… read more
Raphael is diligent, respectful of our space, curious, and hard worker. He was able to help us with planting, pruning, cleaning fields and crops, chopping bushes that gave extra shade to our cacao with a machete,… read more
Il lavoro richiesto varia a seconda di ció che Javier e Liz vedono tu riesci a fare, non richiedono mai sforzi sovrumani e sono sempre disponibili.
Javier é una persona davvero speciale, con una storia molto interessante e un carattere forte. Il suo principale obiettivo é… read more
5/6 years ago, Javier and Lizeth embarked on a crazy experiment to plant 4000 porcelain criollo cocoa trees (and it's not finished), in the forest of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, in an environment Magnificent. Two cocoa and nature enthusiasts. They love to… read more
Lizz and Javier
Mate shared 3 months at the place, long enough to dedicate his time to a wide variety of things, cleaning trimming and picking Cacao, construction with cement and wood, and plumbing, he knows how to use power tools. Maintenance of the main Road and walkways around the farm, cleaning of the surroundings… read more
All the best.
It was great to have you guys!
To all hosts: You would be doing yourselves a favor by having these guys volunteer for you.
Polite, hard workers, problem solvers, efficient and amiable!
I hope that you are both doing great!
The tasks to be… read more
Their land is very big… read more
Respectful and always willing to lend a hand on what needed to be, from the kitchen to the shovel to feeding the animals to doing construction and helping improved the walking paths. We recommend them to any situation. May you keep enjoying the road!!! We hope to see you soon enough
In the heart of the Sierra Nevada, we lived one of the most beautiful and strong moments of our three months in Colombia.
Far from it all and close to enchanting nature, we helped Javier and his family feed the animals, build shelters to expand the estate,… read more
Fue un gusto compartir con ustedes por mas de dos meses en estos momentos dificiles del Covid-19. Aqui en este lugar dejaron su huella con la construccion del horno a lenna. Sin duda fue un gran aprendizaje tenerlos por aqui como nuestros primeros voluntarios.
Es una finca ubicada en un lugar maravilloso que trae un proyecto mezclando la agricultura, el turismo, y la preservación del medio ambiente, tan especial allí.
Por ahora el cacao no produce fruta asi que no hay mucho trabajo para los… read more
