Workaway reviews, feedback and ratings - page 4

What to say, what to say, what to say… I really enjoyed my time with margaux and mateo … the hostel has a very cozy, warm and welcoming vibe, the work there felt more like visiting friends and helping out around the house. I’m very grateful that they welcomed me and gave me a place to live and recharge, on an otherwise pretty busy journey… chapadmalal is the perfect village to calm down. As for work…you can expect pretty normal hostel chores (but not like big commercial hostels) with some nice add ons like taking care of the vegetable garden and helping them transform the space to give the guests an even better experience! I would come back in a heartbeat! I recommend this Workaway and wish them only the best!

I arrived in Puerto Viejo expecting a volunteering experience. What I got instead was a small tropical saga. Officially, we worked around 18 hours per week ; reception, cleaning rooms, common areas, kitchen spaces, welcoming guests, answering every possible question from “Where is the beach?” to “Is there WiFi in the jungle?” The work was clear, fair, and honestly very manageable. No dramatic survival arc required. But the real plot twist was the people. Shelly is not just a host, she is a force of nature. A super-mom running a hotel, raising four children, managing volunteers, and somehow still being attentive, supportive, and impressively organized. She has the rare ability to be both warm and incredibly serious about the work, which makes everything run smoothly. Her husband operates on a different but equally fascinating frequency: a nonstop flow of increasingly wild stories delivered at any time of day. The house itself feels less like a workplace and more like a constantly evolving social experiment in human connection. I had the luck to work alongside amazing volunteers, and our routine quickly became a rhythm: work efficiently → beach immediately after → sunset contemplation → occasional party → repeat. Meals together, long discussions, jungle humidity, salt in your hair permanently. Special acknowledgment to Canelo, the cat, who is the actual authority figure on the premises. We all know it. Puerto Viejo itself is dangerous in the best way. Jungle meets ocean, time moves differently, and “just one month” feels like a suspicious lie you tell yourself before staying longer (atleast half the volunteers ended up prolonging their stay, myself included!) I came for a volunteering position. I left with a second family, sand in every bag I own, and a strong desire to come back. 10/10 tropical chaos. Would absolutely do it again.

I had such an amazing time at Sarndra's. Got the opportunity to work on meaningful projects, meet other workawayers, explore St. Clair and Dunedin. Sarndra is such a sweet and lovely person, very welcoming and personable. She is a great cook and manages having multiple workawayers very well! I absolutely recommend coming and helping!

Pasé unos días muy lindos en el espacio de Estela. Es un lugar súper tranquilo, acogedor y en armonía con la naturaleza. No había muchas tareas, más allá del mantenimiento general, como cortar el césped, cuidar el techo verde, hacer podas, alimentar a las gallinas, regar y mantener limpia la pileta. Su proyecto de corredor ecológico tiene una visión hermosa: integrar la ciudad con la naturaleza, promoviendo la preservación y el uso consciente de los recursos. El baño seco, el techo verde y la cocina integrada al entorno reflejan esa coherencia. Estela es muy amable, está comprometida con su proyecto y siempre atenta a las necesidades de los voluntarios. Me voy muy agradecido y con ganas de volver!

We delayed writing this review to ensure that we had enough time to reflect on our stay and deliver a fair and honest message. Our family of 4 visited in the summer of 2025 intending to homeschool with Steve’s family for a full year. Within the first week we decided it would not be a good fit for us and left. I believe that Steve had good intentions and did his best to keep us around, but we did not mesh with his style of living. Here are some things prospective guests should know: The systems in the house are very strict and despite what was said in the interview process, there was very little flexibility or collaboration upon arrival. Feedback while learning the systems was often delivered very critically and even aggressively at times. When we were there, dinners were not enjoyable due to the fact that the food was basically the same each night and the system used for preparing food is to microwave separate ingredients (quinoa, sweet potatoes, beans, broccoli, etc.) at mealtimes, rather than cooking traditional meals. This style of meal did not work for our family, so be sure to talk about meal systems with Steve prior to visiting if you have strong opinions here. Steve is open to having conversations, but did not show understanding or take action on the feedback that we delivered. Conversations lasted for hours and often felt like one-way lectures. After several conversations where we tried to reconcile these differences, we decided we would leave. Steve ultimately supported our decision and made sure that we had an enjoyable last few days on the island and gave us a ride to the airport.

My experience at Refugio Explora Verde was truly wonderful. During my stay, I mainly helped with maintenance activities, including painting, cleaning, and assisting with repairing a fence at another construction site. The tasks were clear and well organized, and communication was always good, which made everything flow easily. Clau and David are excellent hosts: kind, fair, and very welcoming. They create a warm atmosphere where you feel comfortable and appreciated from the beginning. The surroundings are absolutely beautiful. They have several marked trails to explore, and on one of our days off, we went on an incredible hike with another volunteer that lasted almost the entire day. David and Clau came with us, along with their lovely dog Flecha. The weather was perfect, and sharing that experience together made it even more special, definitely one of the highlights of my stay. And I cannot forget the food! Everything they prepared was delicious. On my last day, Claudia made a special chicken with her “secret recipe,” and it was absolutely amazing... the perfect goodbye meal! I recommend this place 100%. If you enjoy nature, meaningful work, and genuinely kind hosts, this is a beautiful place to volunteer.

Emmanuel was very knowledgeable about Japan and had a lot to share. He showed me around his neighborhood and we went to a nice Izakaya together. He wants you to make the most out of your stay and will always give you advice on places you can potentially go. He helped me discover certain aspects of the country I haven't seen before, which was great. One thing that bothered me a bit, however, was our communication. I sometimes felt a bit pressured to do the things he proposed, and unfortunately, he tends to use a passive-aggressive way of speaking, including pushing me to leave a review, which I didn't like. Overall a great experience, but the communication style wasn't quite for me

Lyv is a really nice person who will share about her culture. She helps us with the two little kids. My kids loved played some outdoor games with her. Even tho her french is on the way to get better, she managed to have some good chatting night. Lyv is really patient. She also look out for our dog. I really recommand to welcome Lyv, she is ready to help in a lot of different field. She can come back anytime !

Mark was a very open and welcoming host! I arrived here with a 10 weeks old broken foot but it was no problem for him to find suitable work for my condition. We had lots of good chats, animals running around everywhere and a beautiful night sky. He also showed me parts of the area like Glowworm Cave and the Salmon Ponds. I was kind of a troublemaker, cut my finger and we had to go to the hospital and when I left my bike got a flat tire somewhere near Lake Gordon and Mark helped me to get it back to his place and going again. So in the end I stayed 3 instead of two weeks. All of that was "no problems" for Mark and we had a good time till the end! The place is all self made and rual. So it has lot's of charme and a wild spirit. I can only recommend! Thanks for the time at your place Mark!

Die Zeit auf dem Weidenhof war ein Sprung vom Tellerrand in jede Richtung. Die Arbeit mit den Tieren war teilweise herausfordernd. Doch das lag nicht an dem gutes Futter, den tiergerechten Gehegen und dem Anspruch auf Achtsamkeit im Umgang mit den Kaninchen, Katzen, Ziegen, Schafen und Pferden, denn das ist auf dem Weidenhof wirklich vorbildlich. Nein, es ist Winter und das Leben auf dem Hof und die Arbeit draußen hat somit eine andere Qualität als im Sommer. Doch nach und nach habe ich es genossen, immer fitter zu werden und freute mich unter anderem täglich auf den Aufstieg auf die Schazie-Weide, von wo aus man das ganze Tal überblicken kann. Auch, dass ich das BioEssen nach meinem Geschmack selber zubereiten konnte, war mir eine tägliche Freude. Frauke war immer offen für meine Wünsche diesbezüglich. Auch bei anderen Bedürfnissen hatte Frauke immer ein offenes Ohr und eine Lösung. Die Gespräche mit Frauke waren für mich vom ersten Tag an elektrisierend. Frauke hat mir eine bewusstere, freudigere, weitendere Sicht auf mein/das Leben und meine Möglichkeiten gezeigt. Ich bin verändert vom Weidenhof nach Hause gekommen. Danke für jeden Moment, meine Fitness und mein Strahlen :)

Los días que pasamos en lo de Eddy fueron mágicos! Los mejores atardeceres desde una preciosa hamaca mientras prendes el fuego para comenzar a pensar la cena. Despertarse temprano para aprovechar lo tenue del sol y hacer el café antes de trabajar, pero no sin antes alimentar a Choco, Chori y Lobi, los 3 perritos que son encantadores y rápidamente nos hicieron sentir parte de sus días. Y qué decir de clon y titi, dos gatitos súper mimosos! El trabajo no solo es amable sino también enriquecedor. Además, aprendimos de la gastronomía de Costa Rica como nunca, cosechando nuestros propios chamoles para comer, coco, yuca.. No olvides probar el orégano que mejoró todas nuestras comidas! Platanos hechos en todas las formas que puedas imaginar! Eddy alimenta toda la electricidad con energía solar, que fue también, algo muy interesante de aprender. Es cierto que tienes que estar dispuesto a racionalizar el agua todo lo que puedas, si eso no te molesta… y eres paciente a la hora de preparar un café, o quieres aprender a ser paciente.. Cortar la leña, prender el fuego.. recomendamos esta experiencia 100% Una última mención especial a las largas conversaciones interesantes con Eddy, a la historia de Costa Rica y su cultura. A los libros disponibles en la biblioteca también. Fue una gran experiencia y fuimos muy felices allí. Esperamos poder volver pronto!

We spent a marvellous time with Lyn and Kate. They were really nice. It was a great experience as a workawayer.

Runa and Johann have been excellent houseguests. Friendly, respectful, interesting. and real fun to be around. They are very flexoble in what they will do and our experience with them has been so good we really are sorry to see them go. Very highly recommended workawayers/houseguests and friends.

I had a lovely time with Francoise and Dada. We had a great communication and good chats and laughs - Francoise's Humor is outstanding. I felt well appreciated and trusted, also with the flexibility of arranging my working hours to fit around own other event which was great. I loved hanging out in the garden and watching the Wallabys. Francoise and Dada are warm and welcoming people and we also stayed in contact beyond my volunteering time there. Will definitely pop in again whenever I shall be back in the area!

I thoroughly enjoyed my time volunteering here! The work was relaxed and straightforward and the hostel itself has a very easy going but social and fun vibe. Everyone is trying to help each other out. I met people, both other volunteers and guests, that I continued travelling with after my volunteering. Nico is the best host and really cares about helping the volunteers and guests making the most of their time in Patagonia.

This is more than just a Workaway; it is a place that invites you to slow down, connect with nature, and become part of something truly authentic. Located in the stunning Douro Valley, the quinta is surrounded by vineyards, rolling hills, and a remarkable sense of tranquility. It is the perfect place for anyone seeking meaningful work, closeness to nature, and a slower pace of life. After my first short stay last autumn, I felt such a strong connection to this special place that I returned not long after — and I am currently here again. Coming back has been a beautiful experience, as I now get to witness how the landscape transforms throughout the seasons. Work & Tasks: The main focus is the daily care of the animals. Spending time outdoors in all kinds of weather allowed me to develop a deep bond with the donkey(s), sheeps, ducks, cats, and dogs. The work is meaningful, varied, and very manageable. Depending on the season, there are also opportunities to help with harvesting, processing fruits and nuts, gardening, cooking, and other hands-on projects around the property. Host & Atmosphere: Maria is a remarkable host — warm, knowledgeable, and deeply dedicated to her land and animals. She takes the time to explain things and share her vision for the quinta. Conversations with her are inspiring, and you truly feel welcomed and trusted here. I am especially excited about the diverse projects that will continue to shape this place, including renovations and future retreat ideas. I also look forward to meeting many more volunteers — sharing experiences, learning from one another, and working together makes the experience even more enriching. If you are considering volunteering in the Douro Valley and are looking for a place where you can genuinely connect, contribute, and grow, this quinta is a wonderful choice.

I spent a little less than 2 weeks with John and Dale and the experience was great. The place is beautiful and the back of their garden is the bush!! I went kayaking with Jon which was nice and I used to work with Dale and I enjoyed it. We also watched a movie together :). They really try to make you comfortable. Moreover, the accommodation is so comfortable you have your own room appart from the main house.

Anna has grown very dear to my heart. She could be my daughter. She is a gentle person and we had a loving relationship. I got to know Anna as a helpful, very thoughtful, proactive, and courageous person. We always had good conversations; she is very mature for her age and has a lot of life experience. Despite her gentleness, she was a dynamic athlete. Her passion was the mountains, where she would go on weekends when the weather was good. She also invested her free time in learning languages—German and Spanish at the same time. Anna did an excellent job working with the horses. She is a quick learner, a very good cook, and also does a wonderful job around the house. She gave me ideas on how to keep my cupboards tidier. I can wholeheartedly recommend Anna. Thank you very much, Anna, my new friend. I think of you often and wish you all the best!

Jacob's strength was a great help for wood axing, for an olive harvest and for some landscaping jobs involving moving rocks and digging earth. The weather (wet and extremely windy) meant that it wasn't really until his last day here that I could witness his stamina, and we achieved a good chunk of work together. I felt at ease in our communication and enjoyed it when he made his highly informed contributions during our non-work related conversations. His skill in playing the guitar provided a lovely and varied background to our time inside and he respected my requests around music (no heavy metal please!) and house guidelines.

Maike and Daniel are such lovely guests to have in the home. Clean and tidy, happy to fit into the household routine, friendly and easy going. They worked hard in my overgrown gardens and pathways, and sanded and painted a fence for me, all jobs I was glad to have done and which relieved me of some of the pressure of being on a lifestyle block without helpers. They were willing and generous with their time, putting up with my free ranging nosey chickens and being kind and loving to the other member of the household.... the dog! It was easy to have them stay. I'm glad the weather was reasonably OK so they could enjoy the beauty of South Taranaki and enjoy the holiday side of their travels. I'd welcome them back any time and recommend Maike and Daniel to other hosts as they enjoy this time to explore this side of the world.