Panama
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We are an Artist/Musician/Writer friendly seaside retreat. We are currently accepting applications from volunteers. We need painters, decorators, woodworkers, room cleaners ,sea wall builders, photographers and gardeners. Come stay free in a cabin on our little piece of paradise by the sea in exchange for some work. We have our own surf break right out front with great cool sea breezes, a large shared kitchen with many seaside dining tables and lots of hammocks.
Gardening
Building
Cooking / shopping
General Maintenance
Help with Eco project
Help in the house
Helping with Tourists
Charity work
Language practice
Art project
Other
Help with Computers / internet
Learn what it is like to live in the heart of a caribbean village, study Spanish, English and the local Patwa Gwari Gwari. Learn to shuck, grate and squeeze fresh coconuts. Learn about all the healing plants in our vast rain forest. Learn local songs with our many gifted musical locals. Learn about how we use local materials to build furniture.
Relax in your room and enjoy the many seaside hammocks and seats. Be inspired to write or paint or play music in our lovely setting. Lily one of the owners was born and raised on a farm in Panama and can teach you hundreds of things about the local culture and customs.
We are doing various rehab projects, painting, upgrades, gardening, room cleaning and we are going to also build a seawall. I have listed some of the projects below.
We are cleaning and staining/sealing many of the exteriors walls ,then we will do some special artwork along the top of the walls. Painting things like local wildlife as borders.
We will also be finding and planting local flowers and herbs in our garden.
We will be using local hardwoods like Nespero and Cocobolo as well as bamboo and cane to make furniture.
Another great project is a sea wall we are building to save one of the oldest Almond trees on the island. It has been a gathering spot for well over 100 years and needs to be saved as it is being uprooted by the sea. It is a big part of local history and we know that a back filled seawall can save it.
We also need better photos of our retreat to show potential guests, so we are also looking for people good at photography,staging , lighting website upgrades.
We are looking for someone to help with maintenance (painting, carpentry, plumbing, repairing things, etc.). Composting projects and any ideas for reducing our waste, reusing plastics, etc, would be much appreciated! You must know how to use tools and have some carpentry experience. it is a bonus if are able to change pipes, fix toilets, do and have some electrical knowledge.
We need general help with cleaning of the rooms, bathrooms, showers , common areas and kitchens.
If you are looking for a place to party, this isn't for you! We want mature people who take their tasks seriously.
Please check availability of volunteer positions and only apply if your plans line up with our requirements.
When messaging us, please provide your travel dates. We will need at least your available start date and an estimated length of stay.
English , Gwari Gwari and Spanish
Seaside rooms and Seaside cabins, shared kitchen, private full bathroom or shared full bathroom. We have both shared and private rooms. Our retreat has a total of 7 bedrooms and 10 beds mostly doubles,and one single. We have 6 bathrooms and 5 showers. There is a private bar, many sea view porches and 3 kitchens. You can ,swim, boat, SUP, fish, surf, Snorkel, kayak, and surf right out front. We are right next to a wonderful jungle and rain forest perfect for long or short hikes. We are a 5 minute walk from markets, tour boats, a park, bars and several restaurants. We will provide you with two meals a day and we will make the menu along with you to make sure you are happy with it. Here is a link to our website
Bastimentos is part of the Bocas del Toro archipelago made of 9 main islands, 50 cays and more than 200 islets. On Bastimentos island there is an amazing national park made of more than 13,226 hectares of pristine jungle, wildlife, coral reefs, mangroves, and miles of white sand beaches. Bastimentos offers endless activities such us surfing, snorkelling, diving, fishing, wake-boarding, island tours, caving, sailing, jungle, amazing wildlife and more.
How to get to Bastimentos:
First you will need to get to the City of Bocas Del Toro on Isla Colon, either by airplane or by bus & ferry.
From the City of Bocas Del Toro you need to take a water taxi over to Bastimentos. Go to Bastimentos Boateros Dock take that boat taxi $3 to the park in Bastimentos old bank, then walk left down the main cement road for about 6 minutes till you see a narrow cement road on your right take that road for one minute till the cement ends and you see the waves...that is us. Also you can follow signs to firefly....we are before firefly. .Ask anyone where is Dan and Lily's
The nearest boarder to Costa Rica is Sixoala.
You can easily book shuttles to Bocas Del Toro from Panama City, San Jose, and Puerto Viejo.
Keep in mind: The latest boat from Almirante leaves at 6pm, try to arrive early.
Don't miss a chance to stay in a seaside room for free and share some of your talent to improve our Eco Resort.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
More than two
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
