Building an oasis for consious creativity in San Francisco, Mexico

Details

• 

  Description

  My name is Sheila. I'm a writer and artist currently living between Chicago and the beautiful beach town of San Pancho, Mexico. Our little house is an ongoing project that has been a labor of love since 2007. Over the years, it has become full of stories of roosters, children, cats, artists, children and travelers. I am eternally grateful for the many hands that have made it what it is today.
  
  Now my dream is to turn it into an oasis and palette for artists. I envision a synchronicity between local community members and visitors that share a passion for a sustainable lifestyle.
  
  The town of San Pancho is a lovely surf town on the Pacific coast. Even though it's small, it has a lot to offer, such as a kids' circus school, theater center, yoga centers, cultural festivals, restaurants, bars, a luscious jungle, and of course the beautiful beach.
  
  Due to the shifting economics of the town, I now offer lodging in exchange for volunteer hours. The idea is to help encourage visitors to support local food establishments and grocery stores.
  
  Our house is in a neighborhood only about 15 minutes' walk to the beach and 5 minutes from the entrance to the jungle.

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Help around the house

  Hospitality/Tourism

  Light maintenance
• 

  Interests

  

  Self development

  

  Culture

  

  Sustainability

  

  Plant care

  

  Art & design

  

  Books

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Languages

  

  Writing

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Carpentry

  

  Animals

  

  Architecture

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature

  

  Beach

  

  Dancing

  

  Hiking
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  This small town offers a lot, culture, art, music, great food and beautiful beaches.

• 

  Help

  During Sept and Oct 2026, I would like support developing an upstairs apartment with 2-3 volunteers. Tasks at home may include some small carpentry and creative DIY projects like making new curtains, maintenance, gardening, and landscaping.
  During your stay, you would interact with paid workers and local volunteers.
  
  My main project now is to support me in doing research and building community liaisons for a pilot program that uses artistic creation to increase year-round economic stability in a growing tourist town.

• 

  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate
  Portuguese: Beginner

  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.
• 

  Accommodation

  You will have your own room and a bathroom shared with another volunteer. During certain hours of the day, you will have access to our dip pool and the nice yard.

• 

  What else ...

  There are many things to do in San Pancho; the beach, hikes, restaurants, circus classes and cultural events. Everything is walking distance and there are also regular buses that can take you to other towns like Sayulita and the nearest city Puerto Vallarta.

• 

  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

  XX

  Domestic short hair

Website Safety