updated  

Build an eco-friendly cottage in the mountains of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Rustic tent accommodation with a shared bathroom.

    Join us in Delfim Moreira, Minas Gerais, Brazil, to help build a sustainable A-frame cottage using natural materials like bamboo, adobe (pau-a-pique), and recycled elements. This is a hands-on bioconstruction project where you’ll learn eco-friendly building techniques while living close to nature. Come be part of this experience rooted in sustainability, simplicity, and creativity.

    Olá! My name is Ray, I'm 39 years journalist living with my dog Tutuco in a cute rural neighborhood. After traveling through Asia, Africa, Middle East, Europe and the Americas I decided to create my own little place.

    The current project is to build a cottage. It is in a rural area 7km from the town Delfim Moreira. It's nice if you have construction experience, but it's okay if you are a beginner.

    I recommend a two-week stay, but you are free to decide if you want to stay longer - or shorter.

    In our free time we will have the opportunity to know mountains trails, waterfalls and amazing nature spots around. There are trails for different levels of difficulty. I used to work as a tour guide, so you can trust my recommendations. You can see some pictures that I took here.

    I'm a vegetarian, so I can cook sometimes, but if you want eat meat you have to cook yourself. (:

    If you are looking for a peaceful place close to nature and cold weather, you just found it!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    General Maintenance
    House sitting
  • Interests

    Interests

    Movies & TV
    Culture
    Pets
    Sustainability
    Vegetarian or vegan
    Music
    Writing
    Photography
    Gardening
    Cooking & food
    Animals
    Camping
    Nature
    Outdoor activities
    Hiking
    Adventure sports
    Mountain
    Cycling
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    I love to play chess, I can teach you some Portuguese, photography and I can give you tips about national parks in Brazil and around the world.

  • Help

    Help

    Tasks like bioconstruction, carpentry, painting and building eco-friendly in general. Also planting trees and gardening is needed, it depends of the building progress.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent
    Portuguese: Fluent
    Esperanto: Beginner
    French: Beginner

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Accommodation for volunteers is simple and connected to nature. You’ll be staying either in tents, in my VW Bus (motorhome), or in shared spaces as the construction progresses. Since we are building the cottage, parts of it may also be used for accommodation once they’re ready. A shared bathroom is available. It’s a humble but welcoming environment, ideal for those who enjoy the outdoors and a collaborative lifestyle. You also will have a mountain bike available.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Itajubá is the main city close, every day buses leave from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to there. Paraty is my favorite beach town around, so may we can connect trips to there.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    My dog don't like cats, but he is friendly with small dogs.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

    Profile photo of Tutuco

    Tutuco (7 years)

    Very kind boy. Border Collie.

Host ref number: 653475611354

Website Safety

Feedback (15)



Photos

The image features a dog with brown and white fur, gazing to the left, set against a scenic backdrop of rolling hills and mountains under a clear blue sky.
The image depicts a serene scene of a large, multi-tiered waterfall cascading down a rocky cliffside, surrounded by lush greenery, with a small patch of land visible in the background.
The image depicts a serene scene of a small stream flowing from a culvert, surrounded by lush greenery, with a gentle slope and a few rocks scattered along the water\'s edge.
A man wearing glasses and a brown jacket sits outdoors, drinking mate from a gourd. Sunlight illuminates his face. Pine trees and blue sky in background.

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)























Share our family life and learn about gardening in Itacare, Brazil
Language exchange to experience the local way of life in São Sebastião, Brazil