Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
1 May 2025
Reply rate
86.1 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
51
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Details
Description
Hi! I'm Frank, and I’m single-handedly creating a refuge in the middle of the jungle, in search of a simple, natural, and sustainable lifestyle.
More than a traditional volunteer program, for me, this is a valuable opportunity to share knowledge and establish meaningful long-term connections. I hope to have an enriching experience with people who are interested in contributing to the project.
My project is located deep in the jungle, on the lands that belonged to my grandparents, at the foot of the Cordillera Escalera reserve, an hour away from the city of Tarapoto, in the San Martín region. My vision is to create a space that seeks sustainability and self-sufficiency through learning and applying natural and regenerative methods, like permaculture.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Vegetarian or vegan
Technology
Sustainability
Self development
Pets
Farming
Culture
Charity work
Plant care
Photography
Music
Languages
Gardening
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Art & design
Architecture
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Team sports
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Fitness
Cycling
Camping
Adventure sports
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
With prior coordination, we can learn and prepare Peruvian dishes with my mother or grandmother. We can also learn more about cacao and make artisanal chocolate with my uncle, an activity that is often a favorite among those who visit. Additionally, you'll have the chance to hear about their experiences, stories, and history.
During this experience, you can develop various skills, from making a fire to working in carpentry and construction with natural materials, as well as learning tips for living a very simple life. In short, you’ll develop survival and adaptability skills that will be useful in various life situations. Although I’m not an expert, I’m willing to share everything I’ve learned through my experiences.
Help
IMPORTANT
My project is not a traditional volunteer place; it’s a refuge that I have built with effort and dedication in the middle of the jungle over more than five years. This space, filled with peace and a connection to nature, reflects my vision of a simple and sustainable life. My desire is to share this peace and the knowledge I’ve gained with people who truly value the natural environment and understand the purpose of this place. I don’t want to host people who feel obligated to do something, but rather those who genuinely want to participate with ideas and positive energy.
I’m not looking to "employ" anyone, but to welcome people who share my vision and are willing to contribute meaningfully. What I value most is having deep conversations, exchanging valuable ideas, and enjoying the company of like-minded people, creating lasting friendships. The true essence of this project is to open a space for mutual learning and to build a community based on respect for nature and the shared desire to live more consciously.
Languages
Languages spoken
Spanish: Fluent
English: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
I am interested in learning other languages and I can also teach a little Spanish.
Accommodation
Since I usually develop this project alone and step by step, the lifestyle in the jungle is very rustic and entirely in touch with nature.
We collect water from a natural spring for cooking, drinking, and washing dishes.
We cook with wood, which can sometimes be challenging and requires some patience.
You can choose to sleep in a tent or on a comfortable mattress on a two-story structure that I built, offering an amazing view of the mountains, the moon, and a spectacular sunrise. I have a couple of mattresses here, and if you have a tent or a hammock, we’ll find a space to set them up.
I have a small solar panel system that we can use to charge some phones and power a few lights at night. I suggest bringing a power bank to charge it and use it as an energy source.
Internet access depends on the telephone company, and usually, Claro has the best signal, though there is no Wi-Fi. I love to disconnect a bit from technology and foster conversation and in-person interactions.
I’ve built a beautiful outdoor shower in the middle of the forest. Bathing there will surely be one of your favorite activities during your stay in the mountains.
I’ve also built a dry toilet, which works perfectly if used correctly.
I kindly ask that you bring your own hygiene or personal care items, especially those of an ecological nature, which would be especially welcome.
I want to be completely transparent about the following: there are still costs that need to be covered, such as food and other essential supplies. For this reason, I kindly request a financial contribution to help cover these costs, as this project is independent and sustained solely through my time, dedication, and personal resources. I appreciate any support you can provide.
Additionally, you are welcome to bring your own food (please only bring food you’re willing to share).
The food we cook and share together is simple, usually vegetarian, and depends on what we have available.
What else ...
How to get to my place?
-If you are in LIMA (capital of Peru) you can take a direct flight for 2h or a bus for 22 to 30h.
- If you are in another city you can find transportation to the city of Tarapoto.
- When you arrive in Tarapoto you can take a cab to a place called "Fundo Mexico" (Fundo Mexico is a small recreational center created by a neighbor where there is a small pool and where you can go down on weekends for drinks and regional dishes and also to socialize with the locals).
- I have the contact number of some cabs that can take you to Fundo Mexico if you prefer.
-From Fundo Mexico we could meet and then walk about 20 min up the mountain to my place.
-You can find both places (Fundo Mexico& Purma Pergola) on Google Maps to have a better idea.
- I recommend coming to my place between 7 or 9 am or in the afternoon between 5 or 6 pm, this to avoid the sunniest and hottest moments of the day.
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
Feedback (36)
I stayed for about two and a half weeks and learned a lot, not only about techniques in the jungle but also about myself. I learned how to use a machete, harvest Yuca, make fire and cook with it and let go of the western… read more
Staying at Frank’s has been one of the best highlights of our trip. It’s hard to summarise the experience without speaking for ages about all of the amazing,… read more
None… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.9)
I stayed for about two and a half weeks and learned a lot, not only about techniques in the jungle but also about myself. I learned how to use a machete, harvest Yuca, make fire and cook with it and let go of the western… read more
Staying at Frank’s has been one of the best highlights of our trip. It’s hard to summarise the experience without speaking for ages about all of the amazing,… read more
None… read more
Tuvimos la suerte de compartir varias semanas en Purma Pérgola y no puedo estar más agradecido por todo lo que vivimos. Además de ser organizada y tener un gran amor por las plantas y la naturaleza, Jani tiene una energía muy especial.
Compartimos muchas actividades, desde jardineria, tejer cercos con fibras naturales, hasta… read more
My time at Purma Pérgola was simply amazing.
I didn’t know what to expect from the Peruvian jungle but spending 2 weeks in this amazing project of Frank’s was my best decisions ever.
Hard to put into words, the place is in the middle of the jungle and it’s full of such a beautiful and pure energy.
The vibes are very… read more
One of the highlights was visiting my favorite place, Río Abiseo National Park, together. It was full of fun,… read more
For three weeks I lived a life that few have the chance to live, with someone who I now consider one of my closest friends. I arrived at the project after spending the previous three weeks in Iquitos, where i was land locked surrounded by cars and lights.… read more
I really enjoyed staying at the project for one month.
Frank is such a wonderful host, really caring, funny and will teach you so many things!
I was there with other volunteers but also alone and Frank was always making sure everything was right for everybody. We had such a wonderful time working in construction, cooking,… read more
Diana llegó sin dudas para dejar huella y mostrar que siempre hay soluciones para cada detalle y que siempre se puede mejorar algo.… read more
Anímate si amas la naturaleza, vives con sencillez, involúcrate en proyectos manuales. Pasé dos semanas y media con Franck, Aman y Madeleine, otros dos voluntarios. Fue extraordinario.
Tuve la suerte de poder cocinar con su madre y su abuela, poder descubrir cómo se transforma el cacao para hacer… read more
The place is so beautiful, you're completely surrounded by nature and living along with it. a perfect place to find rest in nature, tough it can be pretty physical at times: getting water early in the morning, many mosquitos, cooking with the fire several times a day, and that just for the daily… read more
The everyday tasks is the basic; collecting wood, cooking on the fire,… read more
We were three people staying there at the time. The work was easy enough for everyone to participate. We gathered water, collected clay and cut stray everyday. We also had the opportunity to help with some… read more
IOANNIS my friend, when… read more
Tienes que ir encontrar a esta persona, este proyecto, y este ambiente !
The daily tasks take life back… read more
We also used the time to the best of our ability, doing different things in between carpentry, we also planted small seeds and tomatoes, shared delicious meals and even shared an… read more
El trabajo fue bastante relajado, con Pilou y Laulau empezando a construir un jardín… read more
-location: The project is located about one and a half hour from Tarapoto in the jungle (Frank will help you with to get there). The landscape is breath-taking, because you are right on a hill and have a view over a green valley. Frank has a… read more
A nivel personal estuve muy comoda en todo momento, es una persona muy tranquila y dulce, me gustó compartir tiempo con el.
Es un proyecto espectacular, situado en un lugar maravilloso.
La verdad que mi estancia alli fue totalmente positiva. Cocinamos,… read more
