Mexico
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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.
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
Help with Computers/ Internet
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.
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
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!
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Intermediate
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.
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.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
More than two
25 hours a week and good breakfast
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