Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
3 Jul 2025
Reply rate
65.0 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
44
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Badges (2)
Details
Description
**CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR NEW VOLUNTEERS FROM THE BEGINNING OF MARCH**
(Minimum stay 1 month + no couples)
Our quiet and relaxing place is located in the traditional village of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle in the Banderas Bay area with easy access to Puerto Vallarta airport.
The Hostel is part of a large courtyard complex with a frangipani, mango and pine trees. It also houses a gallery, a café, a yoga/dance studio and a book exchange. The gallery showcases Huichol art, spectacular visionary yarn paintings, beaded jewellery, t-shirts with Huichol art and weaving from the indigenous people in the nearby mountains.The studio hosts a variety of activities, including yoga, dancing, tai chi, cinema screenings and language classes. The book exchange serves both residents and travellers who come from near and far.
La Cruz is set on the north shore of the Banderas Bay, part of the Pacific coastline that is known as Riviera Nayarit which attracts a large and lively sailing community with many sailboats moored in the Marina Riviera Nayarit and anchored outside in the bay during the peak season. There are many spots in the vicinity for surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing and whale watching, and the nearby picturesque towns of Punta Mita, Sayulita and San Pancho, as well as Puerto Vallarta are easily accessible for sightseeing on public transport.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Gardening
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You 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 you can meet people who are long term cruisers and learn about life at sea. Also you will become familiar with the friendly way of life in a Mexican village. We offer free Spanish classes for anyone interested in learning the language.
Help
Currently two local staff are employed for cleaning and other maintenance role.
We are looking for lively, responsible, reliable, tidy, english-speaking people who can maintain a polite and patient approach to guests. Volunteers are expected to participate 5 hours a day, 5 days a week, with Sunday always being a day off and the second day off being determined week to week.
Spanish and hospitality experience and an interest in indigenous culture would be an advantage.
We ask for a minimum stay of 1 month and currently are not accepting couples.
Help us with:
- help maintaining a great atmosphere in our space
-showing people around the Art Gallery
-help keeping the space clean
-watering the plants
-enriching the hostel with your individual strengths and talents
-planning activities
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Accommodation
We are situated in the middle of a lively Mexican village with live music and a small but enthusiastic nightlife. We offer a ladies dorm with 4 beds or a mixed dorm for volunteers. We have a well-equipped kitchen, good internet and many chill out spots. If there are no classes taking place, you are welcome to use the dance studio.
What else ...
The local stores are well supplied with fresh fruit and vegetables, dried and packet goods, fresh milk, wines and meat. Fresh fish is easy to find, la Cruz has a small fishing fleet. There are also taco stands and restaurants with economic meals as well as some more exotic specialities.
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. Uber 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
My animals / pets
Feedback (41)
For work, it is mostly managing the cafe and being… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.9)
For work, it is mostly managing the cafe and being… read more
The guests were of all ages and countries. It was very nice to share my time with these guys and the area… read more
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
