Costa Rica
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**********PLEASE READ FIRST - We accept two couples (or pairs of friends) at a time. If the calendar month is GREEN that means we have two slots available. If the calendar month is YELLOW that means we have one spot available. If the calendar month is RED that means we have both spots filled and are not accepting volunteers for that month.***************Room and 2 Meals are Included for this Volunteer Program**************
Hello Potential Volunteers! My name is Olyvia and my partner, Luke, and I are are a laid back couple who have lived in Costa Rica for the past 3 years and have, in that time, acquired two properties to manage. This is where you come in.
We have a full staff of tico/tica workers who work anything from maintenance and cleaning to bartending, baking and cheffing. Some of our staff can speak English so if you are working on your conversational Spanish there are some key employees who have amazing stories and great personalities that you could converse with. We are on the lookout for a couple/pair of friends who can compliment these staff members with assisted maintenance, projects and general cleaning. If you have previously had a workaway experience where you were *consistently* manning a front desk (hostessing or reception), working in a restaurant or cafe (front or back of house) or "managing" other people and like that type of work, this is NOT for you. I love my staff and they do phenomenal work. You are here to *assist* them and make their lives easier.
We have been very fortunate with workaway and are at a point where we are looking for people who are more tailored in their skills so we can get specific projects done. Following are some of the projects we are looking to get done and the types of skills we need people to have to do them:
- photography of the spaces for the palce and the like (photography, editing and staging)
- making a nursery in the back of one of our properties (gardening and basic construction)
- building arches for the entrances of our beach properties (basic construction)
- simple but nice decorations for the hotel - valentines day, semana santa (artistic, design oriented, basic construction, wood working)
- decorations for the upstairs yoga deck (macrame, nursery work/gardening, basic construction)
We do still have daily tasks that need to get done for general beautification. This may look like:
- raking leaves
- cleaning roofs and gutters
- keeping garden beds cleaned out and looking beautiful
- keeping common areas clean
- recycling drop offs
We are really looking for people who want to make their mark on our properties, something that will sustain after they leave. So even if I have not named something above as a project we are happy to have people who have done larger projects, construction, instillations and art and want to do something for our space. Also, please have pictures of projects you have done before. It helps me get a visual if your skill is something that will fit our aesthetic. Thank you.
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Dominical is truly a gem unlike any other. While a rural town in the Southern Zone of Costa Rica, this spot attracts a very interesting group of people. With some of the most consistent surf in the world learning to surf and enjoy the waves is super easy. We have a lot of connections with local ticos if learning to surf is on your bucket list.
As far as jobs are concerned, we love when volunteers show other volunteers their skills. So far, we have had the exchange of guitar lessons, making macrame, language practice (with both our employees and other volunteers), surf lessons, web design, slack lining, wood working, basic construction knowledge and so much more. When volunteers come with their own skills to pass around, we are never let down.
The seasons here are drastically different:
- Low season (August to November): it rains at some point during the day. Don't worry about it changing your wardrobe, still tank tops and shorts all the way, but you may want a light rain coat. The waterfalls and rivers are bigger (and sometimes not safe, so always ask and be mindful) and the surf is still great. Town slows down, but it allows us to sink into bigger projects as the hotel is less full and we are able to make the repairs/upgrades that we noticed were missing the season before.
- High season (December to July): is hot as all hell. There is a much higher influx of tourism (especially December to March) so there are amazing people from all over the world coming to visit our little town. This does make way for petty crime. Think, steal your towel you have hanging out to dry and other opportunistic crimes instead of physical violence. We ask that you be smart and *again* not invite strangers into the volunteer spaces, keep track of your things, do not hang anything out that is easily accessible and just don't do stupid tourist stuff. As far as work goes, everyone becomes a helper to the staff. If we have a large amount of rooms to clean that day, you will be a cleaner. If the cafe is busy, you will be washing dishes and busting tables. If the hotel staff has 3 check-ins at a time, you will be asked to show people to their rooms. You will wear many hats during this season, but the experience really is unlike any other.
Our system is currently set up so that a previous workaway team will show you (the new workaway team \(^.^)/ ) the lay of the land, work alongside you and answer your questions. Then as they leave you - the now experienced team - do the same for the next team. We really like this method as it allows you to learn with someone who has experienced what you are experiencing. Luke and I are still around and available for questions and help, just reach out.
When looking for volunteer we ideally want someone who:
0. Is honest and will do what they say they will do - we work on the trust system here and truly prefer not to micromanage anyone, and trust me, you do not want me micromanaging you.
1. Has general know how of what they are doing and *if not*, is willing to ask questions and learn
2. Is confident in their abilities and/or new skills they have learned from the above rule and can do new jobs and tasks without handholding
3. Wants to be a part of the community and enjoy the spaces that we have created
4. Has a skill that they want to bring to our community
5. Wants to stay a while. We look for people who are willing to come for a minimum of 6 weeks. If you cannot stay for at least 6 weeks, please do not apply as we do not believe that anything less is enough time to sink into the community we have created
We love this platform and want you to love it too. The best way to do that is come to the table honestly what you are capable of doing based on what is required. During the interview process please be *honest* and upfront and we are happy to work with you on things.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
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.
Not to be forward - but our accommodations are pretty dope. You'll be right on the beach (like listen to the waves crash on the shore close), HIGH SPEED Internet and a full/double bed (depending where in the world you are from) or two twin beds if you are just buddies.
***please note*** your rooms and communal spaces (kitchen and balcony) are *NOT* open to the public or the random friends that you meet while you are here. There are hundreds of awesome places to hang out just a stone's throw away from the building. Volunteers and staff only around the living spaces.
We provide two meals a day - breakfast and lunch - that are based off a limited menu of what is available for order in the cafe. This will be given to you once you arrive. For dinner there is a communal kitchen, equipped with a two-burner stove, fridge, sink, water jug with filter (please use) and all the necessities that you will need to make a nice home cooked meal. If you run out of gas, let us know. We take care of the gas expense as well.
We have a washing machine that volunteers are welcome to use and a good indoor spot to hang clothes (although nothing ever really dries here). We clean sheets and towels for free (ideally, we are doing them weekly and not more frequently then that).
***Please note, you are in the jungle surrounded by the ocean and a river meaning***
- It is humid AF (we provide each room with a fan)
- Do not bring expensive clothes as it will get trashed if you do not use it consistently because there is . . .
- Mold, not the kind that can kill you but the kind that gets in your clothes, books, and really anything that you do not use constantly
- There are creatures around. Not so much snakes since it is a high traffic area (two of the three roads in town meet here), but crabs, geckos (which are actually good for the), grasshoppers, mosquitoes and cockroaches (they are not around due to sanitation issues, but easy access to water and, if you leave it out, food) to name most.
If any of these things are too much for you, please do not reach out. Remember, we look for people to stay for an extended time so if any of this doesn't sound doable for you for 6 weeks or beyond, then again, do not reach out.
Close by there is Nauyaca waterfall, which is world renowned. The lesser-known Eco Chontales is a local favorite, closer walk with a similar breathtaking waterfall, only another 30-minute drive.
Like we said before, Dominical is known for its consistent surf, but if you are just learning the lovely Dominicalito Bay will be your spot.
If you are hikers, we recommend Chirripo National Park. With the highest peak in all of Central America, Chirripo is a great in and out, overnight hike. Not for the faint of heart as it is a steep incline, but the feeling you will get when you summit is unlike anything else.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
We have 200 meg, high speed internet on both properties. There are plenty of places for you to get comfy and work on either property (the hotel space is for guests, but the cafe is was cooler anyway). We have had other digital nomads and even a pair of actors (lots of auditions online) who have never complained about the internet. Please keep in mind, this is a rural town in Costa Rica. Power outages are a thing and are usually resolved within a few minutes, though they are more common during rainy season, July-October.
We have a large space behind one of our buildings that can house your vehicle while you are here. The property is watched 24/7: In the day by our workers and at night with our security guard. Yo sh*t will be safe with us.
Preferable dog or cat. Nothing too outlandish or overly nocturnal (I am looking at you, sugar monkeys). For those who love animals and wanna have a furry companion during your stay with us, we are involved with a fostering program done by a nearby shelter and we would be happy to give you that information.
More than two
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
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