Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Reply rate
79.5 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
34
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Badges (1)
Details
Description
Our project is a hostel which has been running now for 5 years, also a Huichol art gallery and coffee roasting business. The restaurant and bar are now closed, though we continue roasting café and workshops, exercise and cultural, are part of the seasonal calendar. November to April is the busy season here, the summer is hot and usually rainy, and we do most of our maintenance and repairs then.
Owned and run now for over 20 years by our family. It is located in La Cruz de Huanacactle, a Mexican fishing village on the North shore of the Bay of Banderas where there is now a marina and sailboat anchorage, 30 kms from Puerto Vallarta.
The big attractions in the area are the beaches, surfing and the yacht marina, and the traditional Mexican village.
Types of help and learning opportunities
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
They can learn a lot about the Huichol, an unusually expressive indigenous people from this part of Mexico: They have an extraordinary art and culture which is well displayed in our gallery and collection here. Because of the Marina they can meet people who are long term cruisers and learn about life at sea. Also they will become familiar with the friendly way of life in a Mexican village.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We need lively people to help with reception for the Hostel and the workshop program, assistance in the Huichol art gallery and with coffee. Everyone here takes their turn with cleaning on a daily basis, it might be sweeping the patio, mopping th floor, cleaning the fridge, etc. If you have a much needed specialty such as electrician or plumber, some dispensation can be made! Helpers should also be willing to do simple maintenance tasks like painting, odd repairs and generally lend a hand where needed. One of the owners is partially paralysed after a fall and volunteers with physiotherapy skills are especially welcome. This does require basic fitness and good hands, no lifting is needed, anyway the patient is a lightweight and fun to work with!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Accommodation
We are situated in the middle of a lively Mexican village with much music and partying. Dorms, single or double rooms with shared bathroom and kitchen, and good internet.
What else ...
La Cruz has not been much affected by the pandemic. Nonetheless we are following all the guidelines to keep volunteers, guests and ourselves all safely. The capacity of the hostel will be limited and we really prefer volunteers who do not have a need to socialise a lot. The place here is well ventilated, the dance floor where most of the classes take place is almost open air.
The local supermarkets are very well maintained, and precautions carefully adhered to. Buses and combis are not so ideal, and people have done much more car-sharing lately. We will arrange a trip once a week to the supermarket in the hostel car. For geting around town there is a bicycle.
La Cruz is at crossroads with local surf spot Sayulita and eco friendly town San Pancho just to the north, Puerto Vallarta night life 40 minutes away, kite surfing 10 minutes away in Bucerias. Many sailing boats anchor off la Cruz from November to April. In la Cruz there is a small beach very sparsely frequented.
From La Cruz are panga trips and sailboat rides to the Marietas Islands and Yelapa and whalewatching. Close by in the mountains are the old silver mining town of San Sebastian and Altavista petroglyphs, also natural hot springs.
Bus rides are inexpensive and frequent. Uver is available here. From Vallarta it is a direct bus ride, to la Cruz where the the closest bus stop is only 1.5 blocks away from the Hostel.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have 2 modems of optical fibres, and also a router. There are several options as to where to sit, and most places have plenty of sockets.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
25 hours a week and good breakfast
Feedback (31)
Aruna and Wayland are lovely and friendly people. This is really a… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(4.8)
Aruna and Wayland are lovely and friendly people. This is really a… read more
I worked at first biulding the kitchen and then helped with some wooden furniture and general… read more
Recuerdo el día que llegué. A mediados de noviembre. Aruna me recibió en la recepción del hostal, a las puertas del patio de lo que sería… read more
It was just after high season when we were there so the hours were quite flexible. It's a really relaxed environment and reflects the vibe in La Cruz, peaceful. Scampi (the dog) and… read more
They took me in on short notice; allowed me to play with the tools in their shop, and even organised me a party for my birthday. Two of the most wonderful people one can only hope to meet over a lifetime. This quickly became one of my homes away from home. I will be back.
We had a great time at La Cruz. We helped building a railing for the second floor of the restaurant, and also helped with the coffee and the gallery. Aruna was always very nice and easy going and we wish we could have spent more time… read more
I was helping with physio which was not something I'd done before, but I was very well supported by Gerardo as well as… read more
I started thinking to stay 1 month and finally stayed 2 1/2!
The help required is flexible and relaxed.
My first experience and I loved it.
Im going to miss this place!
This was my first workaway experience and it was fantastic, I learned a lot and enjoyed so much with the beautiful people I met here. Aruna and Wayland helped me in anything they could and we shared o laughed a lot, wonderful people with amazing stories, Discover them!
They are wonderful people- with life experiences we only wish we had the guts to set out to do. They are inspiring, worldly, and accommodating. We could not have hoped for a better experience and hope to return someday. Our time with Aruna and Wayland was the highlight of our trip.
I… read more
Wayland and aruna are nice and interesting people who know a lot about the old mexico culture. The place is comfortable and with good atmosphere. I got to know a lot of nice people friends of aruna and whyland and also LA Cruz is beutiful and relaxing place
Thank u !
Aruna and… read more
The place is really advisable, there is a nice, cozy, safe ambiance present, and there are a lot of different activities going on. So you don't have to be bored. As well the village is friendly, with people greeting you and easy to go for a walk around the plaza or the beach. A lot of times there is music in the plaza. The… read more
Working here was our first work away experience and we had a great time. The facility was beautiful and the accommodations were cozy. The owners Aruna and Waylan were delightful, accommodating and helpful in our transition into the town of La Cruz. During our month stay, Annie and I worked in the café downstair. I worked the… read more
