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Host rating
80 %
Last replied
15 Apr 2024
Feedback
5
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Details
Description
I’m the owner, a 66-year-old retired Nicaraguan-American, living year-round in the Montecristo Natural Reserve, located in Rio San Juan, Nicaragua.
My ambition is to commercially grow vanilla and protect and preserve the rainforest. We strive to promote a self-sustaining attitude and encourage green living within the community.
The lodges on the property, while not open to the general public, are equipped with running water and electricity supplied by solar energy.
Unfortunately, on November 24,2016 we were severely affected by Hurricane Otto. The lodge sustained significant damage, with large trees falling and causing harm to the cabin roofs. We also lost our chickens, pigs, and fences. As a result, we no longer have horses.
We are currently in the process of creating a natural pool along the riverbank, complete with a kitchen area and kiosks, to attract tourists.
In order to access the rainforest reserve, we need to clear our trails. However, at the moment, we are focusing on the riverbank area.
I am seeking hardworking volunteers with experience in construction, woodworking, and gardening. Someone who is handy with tools would be perfect. I would also like to utilize the fallen tree branches to create art or rustic furniture.
While I can offer accommodations, please note that you will be responsible for helping in the kitchen or cooking for yourself. We provide basic food, but you are welcome to purchase additional ingredients to prepare meals according to your preferences. Additionally, you will have access to our fishing gear, kayak, or canoe.
Please be aware that the lodge is still closed to the public, and we do not have a maid or cook. However, there is a young couple who reside on-site and assist with my vanilla plantation.
Thank you for considering joining our efforts to protect the rainforest and promote sustainable living in Montecristo Natural Reserve.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Volunteer will learn the vanilla pollination and the process of curing, also will help collect orchid in the forest for reproducing around or lodge. They also could interact with the two local town and visit deep jungle town if wanted to learn more about the local culture.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
You will have a considerable amount of autonomy in your work and essentially be your own supervisor, but we do require you to dedicate around 4 to 5 productive hours per day. Our typical working hours are from 7 am to 12 pm. We are seeking volunteers who can contribute to improving our operations, teaching English and good manners to our personnel, suggesting better ways of doing things, and even demonstrating cooking techniques for certain meals.
In addition to these tasks, volunteers may also assist with various activities such as working in our vanilla orchid plantation, involving tasks like planting, pruning, and cleaning. This may include the use of weed eaters and preparing compost. We are also in the process of building a tourist stop along our riverbank, and volunteers may participate in that project as well.
A significant portion of the work involves maintaining the lodge, tending to our cacao/vanilla plantation in the field, and repairing trails and fences. During the slower season, we provide basic local meals and request that volunteers purchase additional food items they prefer for their own meals.
Living in the rainforest can be challenging, and it requires dedication. However, there are also enjoyable aspects such as fishing to your heart's content, utilizing canoes or kayaks, and the opportunity to visit El Castillo.
We appreciate your willingness to contribute and make a difference in the Montecristo Natural Reserve.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Accommodation
Room with private bath.
What else ...
Beside exploring the rain forest, the town of el Castillo has an old Spanish fort on top of a hill overlooking the river, the town don’t have car, just walking walkways, most people come to our area because of the rain forest, and sport fishing, some water sport like water ski is available and canoes and kayak tours.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have wifi, We dont have computer you bring your own.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
4 to 5
Feedback (4)
Feedback
It was a pleasure to have you volunteering at my lodge and you are
welcome to stop over again on your way back up to the U.S. I finished
putting the signs you made around the trees close to our lodge. As you
can imagine, I do need to make lots of them due to the variety of
plant life here in the rain forest. So you did… read more
