Help on our ecotourism farm with tourists, with farm work and help Venus improve her English. Galapagos islands, Ecuador

I stayed at the Columpio Magico for one month with Venus, Benjamin, Eugenia and Rolando and definitely had an amazing time!
The whole family was extremely kind and welcoming, and both Venus and Grace were always very helpful in helping me plan all my trips around santa Cruz and the other islands.
The work was good and mainly around the kitchen,… read more helping serve diverse student groups who arrived at the farm for around 4 and a half days each week. Especially due to all the great ladies in the kitchen this was usually quite fun and entertaining and also a good chance for me to practice my Spanish (and a bit of quechua). Usually I had the rest of the week off, which was great for exploring Santa Cruz and the other islands.

The farm itself is located very beautifully, high up in the Highlands with a great view and lots of great spots to learn about life on the galapagos including lava tunnels, lots of endemic flora and fauna and also very tasty fruit. It does get quite cool and wet around july/August so come prepared if arriving around that season! By hitchhiking/using collectivos it was generally quite simple to reach puerto ayora during the day, in the evenings easier by taxi.

All in all I had an amazing time there and also had a great base for exploring the rest of the galapagos islands, which really are incredible! The food was always delicious and everybody very friendly, I can definitely recommend this place.

Thank you!

We had a great experience working for one month with Venus, Eugenia, Danilo and little Benjamin! It is a great way to see real local life on the Galapagos. The farm is situated a 25 min bus ride from town ($1, leaves 3-4 times a day) and has beautiful views over the island. It's a touristic farm centred around a crater where tourists can walk… read more around the route to see the animals, vegetation, small lava tunnel, trapiche and of course the 'magic swings' which are fun.

Since there was two of us, Jakub was making cheese with Eugenia everyday to be sold to the locals (and for eating!). Kirsty was doing various tasks, generally feeding the baby goats, cleaning, helping cook lunch, teaching Benjamin English and painting/renovating the area. We generally ate breakfast around 7.30am and worked 8-12.30/1pm, with afternoons and 2x days per week free so you can catch the bus into town after working. The last direct bus back is at 4pm though so you either need to bus to Bellavista (0.5$ pp) + hitchhike, collectivo ($1pp), or taxi ($5) back to the farm, or Rolando sometimes picked us up if timing worked. Venus also kindly lent us her motorbike when she went to Quito so we could go to Garrapatero beach (too far to walk). Note there's no bicycle available, nor wifi - bring a good book and/or netflix downloads!

We were fed very well 3x a day (vegetarian food no problem), but as with all Latin America be prepared for a lot of rice! Venus makes delicious cakes, and Eugenia yummy soups. We also made our own oatmeal & fruit in the morning for a bit of variety but that was our choice. The room is big with its own bathroom (incl very cold shower haha!), but its a large single bed. Could be cold sometimes - we slept in our sleeping bag liners.

Venus was so nice to us and answered all our questions, her English improved while we were there. But don't worry you can practice Spanish with Eugenia, especially if making cheese, and Danilo. Overall a great way to experience the Galapagos, we will miss you all. Good luck with the future and thank you for everything :)

The combination of location, people, food, and culture made my time at this project relaxing, rewarding, and unforgettable. I stayed with the family for two weeks and was taken care of in many ways. The food was incredible and they always made sure I was okay. I stayed in a cabin a little away from the main house and the room was perfect. I had my… read more own bathroom and the room is huge. Make sure you bring a book, computer with movies, or something to do. I went on constant hikes on the property and enjoyed doing some writing.

While on the farm, I focused my energy on making cheese, teaching English, helping out with daily chores, and anything else that was needed. I was able to learn so much from Eugenia and Venus in the kitchen. They are true wizards. They were both fantastic teachers, helping me when I didn't understand something or when I got confused. My Spanish isn't that strong so sometimes I didn't fully understand the instructions. They were patient with me and helped me know what was going on. I mainly worked with Venus who's English is improving and improved so much during my two weeks there. Venus is a fantastic mother to Benjamin and great tour guide to the tourists. Benjamin is a curious and energetic kid who loves to play and his Engish improved greatly during my two weeks working with him.

I was able to hang out with Grace a few times during my stay. Grace is a humorous and a laid-back kind of human. I also stayed with Grace for one night in Puerto Ayora and was able to meet some of her friends and get to know the Galapagos culture in a deeper manner. Both of the sisters have a desire to learn and acquire knowledge that I admire. Mama (Eugenia) and Papa (Rolando) are just that, parents. They are extremely generous and paternal. They helped out me with rides other towns and made sure I felt part of the family. I sat with the family during their family dinners and enjoyed each moment. Cannot forget Danilo who is a considerate man and has a beautiful smile. I am very thankful I was able to practice my Spanish with him and wish him the best.

The family has a beautiful dedication to hard work. Be prepared to learn and work during your time there. I was given days off and was able to explore other islands. Unfortunately, based on my own travel plans, I only stayed two weeks. I highly recommend if you want to be part of a family, improve your Spanish, discover the islands, and help out on the farm to spend your time and energy here. My experience was beautiful and special one because of the magic of the Galapagos Islands and especially the family atmosphere and vibe I was welcomed into. Thank you all so much and hopefully see you soon.

STAY HERE !!! MY BEST ADVICE


This was such a great workaway!!! Especially after my nerves to learn Spanglish and how well I could get on. Grace was an amazing host who took me to all the best sites on my time off (alot). Making cheese and working the kitchen was a real joy and learning experience. The food is farm fresh and organic which is a… read more real luxury given the cost of these kinds of goods worldwide... the farm is on top of a hill with views in every direction and there is a trail to walk around the farm with loads of fun places to get lost. I really feel like they undersell the placement on here - its an amazing farm!! with good accommodation (my own room and bathroom)....

It was much nicer to be at the farm on top of an isolated hill with big views than in one of te towns in someone's outhouse - when I return I will go here !

All is all it was excellent to come here and I am so very grateful to grace for this amazing opportunity.

I spent 3 amazing weeks in Columpio Magico! I had a very cool room-mate, Stu, our room was big enough to share and it was definitely good to have a funny company instead of being alone. The location of the farm is excellent, on the top of a hill in the middle of the island, so you have a beautiful view on Garrapatero Beach and Puerto Ayora. The… read more only difficulty can be the transportation, since El Cascajo village doesn't really offer buses to the town, but there's a bike for the volunteers or you can hitch-hike which is very easy and a good chance to practice your Spanish with the local people in the same time. From the family we spent the most time with Grace who speaks fluent English and always ready to help you in case you need anything and with her mum Eugenia who is a very lovely person, a brilliant cook, actually "the heart of the farm". I did gardening 5 times a week from 7:30-12:30, so basically your afternoons and days off give you more than enough possibility to discover Santa Cruz and the other islands as well. Galapagos is generally a wonderful place with its animals and nature, and Stu, Grace and her friends made awesome atmosphere and my stay unforgettable. Thank you for everything guys and I hope that we'll see each other again in the future!

I stayed here for five weeks and it was very relaxing. It is very isolated which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on what type of person you are. I read a lot of books while I was here. There are many animals to see and the big ocean is obviously beautiful. The Galapagos in general is a very interesting place. I will never forget it.

I stayed with la familia 3 weeks (14/12-05/01).
Mainly it was me and the wonderful mother Eugenia (mi mama galapagena :)), 5 hours a day, 5 days a week.
I cleaned the terrace, we cooked for the tourists and for ourselves and when the tourists would arrive for the tour I would explain them all about it, collected the money and would let them go… read more alone.
Eugenia doesn't speak English, so I practiced every day Spanish and my knowledge really improved. - Muchas gracias mama! :D
The place has a wonderful view on the coast of Santa Cruz and Puerto Ayora.
It is very quiet and relaxing.
The big issue is being far away from everywhere and the fact that there are no buses, just very expensive taxis.
The first bus is from Bellavista, 1h30' by walk from the location or 5 dollars taxi ride.
From El Cascajo to the city (Puerto Ayora) it is 45 min by bike there and 50 min by bike back, to the closest beach (El Garrapatero) it is 25 min by bike there and 50 min back - is uphill!
At the time of my volunteering there was just 1 bike available for the volunteer (me) and the tourist and when the tourist wanted to rent it, the priority when to him/her.
Another option to move there was jumping to the camionettas of the tourists (pushing it for free), but of course it was not always possible.
Another minor issue was to be the only volunteer there, some times it would have been nicer to have a mate during the 2 weeks. The room is very big and could for sure host 2 people.
I flagged all the written issue to the family who was already aware of them and will work on them to make the stay of the volunteer(s) better :)
In general a good feedback and a great opportunity to stay in the Galapagos! :)

I had such an amazing time with this family ! They were so welcoming and accommodating to be being vegetarian :) The food was amazing-I was quite spoiled.
I helped Venus practice her English and did a lot of painting around the restaurant dinning area. I also led some tours around the farm, mostly for foreign people who spoke English or French… read more (regretfully-my Spanish is not so good).
The farm is an amazing place to volunteer or visit. Its located in the highlands of Santa Cruz. Truly a beautiful place with an amazing views and tons of greenery.
I stayed only three weeks. My only regret is not staying longer. I will miss this family and the farm dearly! Hope to be back one day!!
Thank you for the life changing experience!

I stayed with the family for three weeks mainly teaching English to Grace (intermediate) and the two employed farm workers (beginners) and leading tours around the farm (in English and Spanish). We had a lot of fun and it was lovely to help them improve their English so they can help better with the foreign tourists that visit the farm.

The… read more farm is in a remote tranquil location surrounded by beautiful views. Because it is in the transition zone of the island the weather is changable and it gets quite a lot of rain - bring a raincoat, and a torch to help walk to and from the volunteer's accommodation at night.

Grace has bikes you can use to get about and there is a limited bus service - her Dad also gave us lifts whenever he was going towards the town, which was lovely. Grace regularly took us to local beaches and places of interest, always with snorkel masks and picnics stashed in her bag, she loves to enjoy and share the island and it's wildlife.

They are a lovely family, generous and kind, and Eugenia's cooking is wonderful. She cooks a delicious selection of locally sourced food (mainly from the organic farm itself), caters for vegetarians no problem and what that woman can't do with a green banana isn't worth knowing! She's also happy to teach you how to prepare local dishes and have a lot of fun at the same time. The volunteer accommodation is really comfortable and clean, like staying in a Bed and Breakfast.

Thank you Grace, Eugenia and Rolando for having me to stay with you and I wish you lots of success with your business and hosting workawayers.