Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Last replied
11 Mar 2024
Reply rate
92.3 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
1
Email verified
Details
Description
Our 33 acre forest farm is nestled near the Children's Eternal Rainforest—the largest private reserve in Costa Rica—there is much to see and explore here on our magic mountain and close by!
We are an eclectic crew of six (2 women and 4 men ranging in age). Even though some of us aren’t connected by blood, we are more than a community, we are family. My name is Rélene. I started here 20 years ago with my husband, Dave and two sons, Gunnar and Isaac. My husband passed away in 2022 and now my boys run the farm with help from the rest of our crew. Alais and Uriel also live here full-time and provide additional support with farm tours, workshops and events. Recently my adult grandson, Euriah, joined as well to spearhead our mushroom growing project and to help with the farm. We also have 4 large but friendly dogs (Coco Bean, Maca, Shanti & Jasper, 2 cats (Juju and Pega Pega, chickens, ducks, fish and cows.
Our mission is to bring a little more light to the mountain and surrounding community through regenerative agroforestry practices, workshops, community events and sharing the organic food we grow with our surrounding community. Our core values revolve around stewardship and sustainability to ensure our special corner in paradise will be here for generations to come.
Come ready to learn, experience and explore!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Come with an open heart and mind--and a willingness to get your hands dirty. A whole new world of culture and experiences will be yours to have.
Help
We are looking for people with skills in eco and general construction, regenerative forest farming, animal husbandry, small scale hydro electric systems, water catch and containment systems and tree pruning. Currently we need help with the following projects:
-Help with building off grid, non-traditional sleeping shelters
-Help in expanding our food forest, including weeding, chop and drop and general
maintenance.
-Help in cultivating farm feed for our livestock (fish, ducks, chickens and cows)
-Help with building a two chamber pizza oven with chimney. If you have skills in concrete
facades, this will also be helpful as we hope to turn our pizza oven into a Saba tree. This
job will require a longer stay.
-Tree Pruning
-Help in establishing our culinary mushroom project
Developing a small scale hydroelectric system for roofs and downspouts
-Expanding our passive water containment system to bring water to food growing areas
and off grid sleeping shelters.
-Planting a 2 acre horse pasture
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Accommodation
We have plenty of covered tent space for workaway helpers. We can provide you with a tent, if you do not have one (based on availability). You will also have access to 3 private bathrooms with hot water. On your off time you will have access to our seasonal fresh water pool and fish pond stocked with Talapia and Bass, or take a hike into the Children's Rain Forest or to river that borders or property.
We have a large lodge style home with 2 fully stocked kitchens; one indoor kitchen and one large professional outdoor kitchen. Workaways will have full access to both.
Workaways usually prepare their own morning meals. We have a variety of seasonal farm fresh produce, eggs, farm fresh butter, milk and cheese from our happy pasture fed cows. You can also find specialty food items and other supplies at the local farmer’s market or at one of the grocery stores at the bottom of the mountain.
We prepare lunch for workaways. Dinners are flexible. You can arrange to eat with us or participate in shared meals with other workaways. A 5 star, intimate or group dinning experience can also be arranged with one of our guest chefs living on the mountain.
What else ...
At 660 meters above sea level, there is much to explore on our magic mountain. The climatic conditions and the topography of the terrain allow for a pretty amazing variety of flora and fauna. We also have an in house, certified tour guide that can take you for an amazing hike into the Children’s Eternal Rain Forest or anywhere in the San Carlos region.
We are also a 35 minute car ride from La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano, with a multitude of hot springs and adventure opportunities. If fishing and water fun is your thing, we are also 45 minutes from Lake Arenal.
We can provide transportation for a fee (limit of 6) or you can use the local bus and taxi services.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have desk spaces and fast fiber optics on the farm.
Space for parking camper vans
4 wheel drive only
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
