Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
12 May 2025
Reply rate
61.1 %
Usually responds within 14 days
Feedback
4
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hello! I am Ruairi, I came to the Peruvian Amazon in 2016 and something has kept me here ever since. Now I have a place I call home and more space than I need for myself, and more than can manage on my own, so I invite people to share in the joys and hardships of life in the jungle.
Firstly, I'm looking for some people to look after the place in May and June 2025 for about 2 months while I go away on a trip. If you would like to house sit for all or part of that time please let me know soon. The main tasks that need doing are: feed the dogs; stop things falling apart and getting overgrown if possible; look after yourselves and one another; keep the vibes good.
When I can, I prefer to spend my time creatively; painting, drawing, sculpting, writing and making music, and I am happy for all who stay here to fulfil their creative desires, whatever they may be. It is great when we can make music together and support one another to be creative and expressive. We can learn and share our skills and be creative together and have beautiful times, and we need a beautiful space to do it in, and keeping a beautiful space can be a lot of work. Work that teaches us new skills and shows us our strengths. Sometimes hard, uncomfortable work. Sometimes mundane, unexciting work. Without it the jungle will bring down the roof above our heads and eat the floor from under our feet. The bugs and the fungi will work together to reclaim the space we have worked to create, so I invite you to create, and also to work, as we all learn the freedoms and responsibilities of jungle life. When we get the balance right we all have a lot of fun together!
It is best if at times we sit together and talk so that we share what needs to be heard.
There is a strong plant medicine tradition in this area, and at times people here are engaged in sensitive healing processes, which deserve consideration. Some people are not here for physical, but inner work, and we can support them by being careful with our words, loud noises and substances.
Consideration and care for others is a basic request here.
The only rule is: please don't get lost in the jungle!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
House sitting
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
There is a lot to learn about life off grid in the jungle. You can develop your construction, gardening and foraging skills, as well as connecting with your creative potential. There may be opportunities to learn about the local plants and plant medicine tradition.
Help
Things that need doing often include: construction and repairs to houses, gardening and harvesting foods, keeping a fire wood pile stocked(we also often cook on gas), making meals, general cleaning, supplies shopping in the city, etc.
Work and working hours are generally flexible/not very structured. I have opted to ask for only 15 hours work per week because I cannot afford to feed you. Please be prepared to support the basic costs of your stay.
At least once a month, sometimes more often, there is a -community work session) in or around Santa Maria village. It is best if someone goes along to support the village. It's usually fun, and a good way to experience life in an Amazon village.
We value your bringing good vibes to the space! :)
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
German: Beginner
Accommodation
Here, there is a main house where we make and share food and life in general. There is space for art and music and so many things. There are a few cabins to stay in, and a maloca for medicine and music and all other kinds of sharing.
There is a village about twenty minutes walk away. Sometimes there are things we can help with there.
What else ...
To get here, you need to get a boat from Iquitos to the village of Santa Maria del Ojeal and then take a 20 min walk. There is no timetable but boats are fairly frequent until the afternoon.
On their time off, volunteers can take walks and explore nature - there are so many things to see and be amazed by! (No getting lost ok! Arranging search parties is exhausting for everyone involved).
There are communal and private spaces that you can use to do your hobbies, passions or practices.
There should be time for your own projects.
The maloca can be used to host ceremonies with one of the local curanderos. There is a profound tradition of local plant medicine in the surrounding area. (Plant medicine is a different kind of stay than volunteering and should be discussed beforehand).
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
The internet is available through mobile phone networks, but is variable. For anyone reliant on video calls or suchlike, feel free to bring and share your own starlink;)
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (3)
I enjoyed a lot the place, his company and the people's presence at this moment.
The help was focused around building a new Maloca when I was there. Got very interesting talks with Ruari about various topics, he's a good source of information about the area, the natives, the history, I learnt much from our talks.… read more
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Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.3)
Cultural exchange:
(4.3)
Communication:
(4.7)
I enjoyed a lot the place, his company and the people's presence at this moment.
The help was focused around building a new Maloca when I was there. Got very interesting talks with Ruari about various topics, he's a good source of information about the area, the natives, the history, I learnt much from our talks.… read more
