Workaway reviews, feedback and ratings

Fiona was such a lovely addition to our household. She was eager to play with our young girls any time of day and attended to any tasks I asked her to do promptly. She cooked for us and shared some of her favourite German traditions with us as we got to spend Christmas together. Unfortunately she caught all of the sicknesses that went through our household, but she didn't complain. We are sad to see her go but so happy for her next adventures!

If you’re looking for a true farm-to-table experience, Lisa’s is the place! She grows a variety of fruits and vegetables, from passion fruit to yams, that you will see somewhere in the three meals provided per day. The vast majority of the food is vegan (aside from a few special cheese occasions here and there). Breakfast is typically a cold bar with soy milk and seeds and nuts, whereas lunch and dinner feature a variety of Lisa’s creations that often include a salad starter and a base (rice, breadfruit, or quinoa) with a mix of roasted vegetables from the farm, such as sweet peppers and plantains. If you’re not already vegetarian or vegan, I advise limiting your animal product consumption before you arrive so you do not experience any cravings or buy a bunch of processed snacks that Lisa will tell you are essentially poison. Similarly, if you are a person who craves salt, ease back before arriving so your body is prepared for less salt than in traditional Western foods. As for the work, it is hard just like everyone else says; however, the long lunch break allows for adequate rest between the morning and evening shifts. You will learn how to do a variety of planting, harvesting, and deweeding. While there, I planted small seeds like tomato and larger seeds like yautia, which is a tropical root vegetable. If you’re lucky, you might be able to harvest pineapple and other fruits that you twist or pull right off the mother plant, and other root vegetables that require careful digging and extraction. Lastly, deweeding is an important part of farm maintenance that you will do by hand, with manual tools, and motor string trimmers. You may also do the more physically demanding work of making a bed with a hoe if needed. As for the accommodation, you live in Lisa’s house with the other volunteers (two volunteers per bedroom, with a maximum of 4 volunteers total across the two rooms). You share a bathroom, which is plenty large and has enough storage space and all the necessities to keep it clean. There is also adequate closet space. The beds are twin-size and comfortable, but it is wise to bring earplugs if you are sensitive to sound, as the night in Puerto Rico is full of crickets, frogs, the neighbors’ roosters, and other neighborhood dogs. By and large, my favorite part about the house was watching the sunrise over the green hills before breakfast on the porch. Additionally, since you are living in Lisa’s house, you must abide by Lisa’s rules. She is very tidy and organized and has a set method for almost everything in the house. Remember to shut doors behind you and use the correct towel for drying the dishes. You will also help with household chores, such as doing the dishes after meals and helping put laundry up and take it down from the outdoor drying racks. Lisa herself is a wonderful conversationalist and brings a lot of lived experience across cultures and languages to the table, literally! One of my favorite parts of the experience was sitting at the table and talking for hours after lunch and dinner. In addition, she is incredibly responsive when it comes to organizing arrival and departure from the farm. She is also a fantastic musician and jams out from time to time, inviting volunteers to join in on the music. She also occasionally provides rides to cool spots nearby for exploring the island and swimming, but if you’d like to do any additional traveling, you will have to rely on Uber, which can take a long time considering the farm is relatively remote. From my experience, it seemed Lisa prefers volunteers who will be happy to relax on the farm during the weekends. If you do choose to stick around the farm, she has plenty of books in both English and Spanish to keep you occupied. Overall, I learned so much about the land and history of Puerto Rico and would recommend staying on Lisa’s farm if you’re passionate about sustainability, organic farming, and generally living green. Thank you so much, Lisa, for allowing me to be a part of the experience!

I stayed with Sophie and her family for five short weeks in November/December 2025, and in every aspect it was a great experience. Sophie, Kieran and Cecily are incredibly friendly and make you feel included in their day-to-day life. I shared my time there with another Workaway girl from Italy. We each had our own room but shared meals and often had dinner with the family in their upstairs kitchen. I enjoyed the food, especially because they were open to me being vegetarian. In the mornings, we helped to feed the horses and bring them in before having breakfast. After that we would communicate about the tasks for the day. We regularly rode, went for a hack or lunged the horses. From time to time we did some tack cleaning if the windy November weather didn’t allow us to exercise the horses. All horses are happy and everything is done to ensure their wellbeing. Overall, their approach to training aligns with how I believe a happy and healthy horse should be trained. It was still good to learn from the differences I encountered. Some days I was taken to practice shows or to help catch horses from the fields. Tom and Pairic, the other yard staff, were extremely kind and always open to help whenever needed. As always, when working with animals, being flexible is important. You feel welcomed from the start, and being around the horses, the donkey, the cute goats and the lovely dogs made it feel almost like home. We had two days off each week, which we were free to spent however we want or use to travel around Ireland. There is no public transport near their location, but they always arranged to take you to the closest bus stop or train station, which is amazing. If there is one small thing that could have been different, it would have been being introduced to some specific routines at the start. As the other girl hadn’t arrived much earlier than me, she was still learning herself. This would have helped me avoid a few small mistakes, which I’m sorry to have made. I definitely would do this experience again :) Dear Sophie, thank you so much for having me!! Wishing everyone there all the best :) — Josefine

What an amazing project Salvo has created here. I learned a lot during this 2 weeks about the regeneration of a farming ecosystem. The work was well explained, nice to work in autonomy with an other volunteer. Perfect balance between work and free time. I'll remember for ever the birthday of salvo's son, he made amasing homemade pizzas 😋 Wish you the best, hope to see you in Sicily again

I loved everything about my experience at Christinas dog shelter! The first time I stayed for 4 weeks and then I even came back a year later to stay there for another three weeks. And I wish to go there again. Christina picked me up once I got to Bentota and I got to choose my accomodation each time. I enjoyed living and working so close to the beach, being outside all day, driving around with the scooter, getting to know the local workers and the best -> help & cuddle lovely dogs all day! Christina is very welcoming and includes you in the daily tasks with the dogs. Ofc cleaning and sometimes unfortunately injured dogs are also part of the work but I can really recommend going there and be part of this fantastic work!

My girlfriend Joans and I spent last summer as Workawayers with Rolf, and it was a truly meaningful and enriching experience. His project is exactly as described: small-scale, with very few clients at a time, highly personal, and driven by a genuine passion for nature observation, sustainability in every aspect of the services provided, and very ethical wildlife experiences. Rolf runs a very special place — a private B&B (which may not reopen in 2026), combined with wildlife photography tours where Workawayers can occasionally join when space allows, as well as a garden and small farm that produces much of the food served to guests. I personally helped expand the garden and build two worm beds for soil production, and overall this is a place where you truly disconnect from chemicals and industrial processes. The work is varied and engaging, ranging from guest-related tasks such as preparing rooms and food for boat trips, to gardening and growing organic fruits and vegetables, and general property support like mowing, building paths, and small projects around the land. What I appreciated most was the trust and autonomy Rolf gives to Workawayers. He values people who are proactive, independent, and willing to take ownership of their tasks. In return, you are treated with respect and genuinely included as part of the family. Every weekend we were invited to join family activities with his partner Selda and his two sons, Alex and Danny, which made the experience feel warm and authentic. The environment is calm and deeply nature-focused, perfect for those who enjoy tranquillity, learning new skills, and spending time outdoors. Being able to observe bears, whales, sea otters, and other wildlife — not only on Rolf’s tours but also independently during time off — was an unforgettable highlight. Rolf is a dedicated and hardworking host who communicates clearly and fairly. Expectations are transparent, work hours are reasonable, and the experience feels much more like a cultural and personal exchange than a job. As this is also a family home, it is important to be respectful and comfortable in that setting. I would highly recommend this Workaway to mature, reliable, and nature-loving people who enjoy being useful, learning, and contributing to a small but purposeful project. I left with new skills, great memories, and a deep appreciation for the lifestyle Rolf has built.

Wonderful house sitting experience. The place is very authentic. Livia was extremely helpful before our arrival and allowed us to live in a beautiful little house while taking care of two very well behaved dogs and the laundry For the rental guesthouse. We lived an easy life there which was very pleasant and relaxing. It is a quiet and somewhat isolated place. We loved it but it is important to know that it is not a city. Lake, sea, markets, gym and restaurants are all less than ten minutes away by bicycle which was provided by Livia. We recommend this experience 110 percent if you are looking for calm authentic life and close contact with nature.

Shin stayed with us for 2 weeks during a really cold snap and Christmas and New Years. He fit right into the Canadian winter lifestyle! Learning how to start a fire and became the fire keeper, making sure it was always going, bringing in firewood and making kindling. He never complained about the cold and just got right to work. He helped us out a lot keeping the place clean, walking the dogs (he loves dogs!), dishes and laundry and whatever else I needed help with. He is a calm presence and it was great to have him over Christmas and New Years. I wish him all the best on his Yukon trip and he is always welcome back here.

Charlotte and Cain stayed with us for around four weeks. They are lovely, friendly people and we really enjoyed the time they spent with us. They were assigned various tasks from strenuous planting and clearing vegetation to general garden maintenance and house cleaning. They worked hard without complaining and enjoyed the work. They are worked very thoroughly and were happy to work more if there was need to work a little longer to finish a job. They respected our finca and the their accomodation space. We had fun evenings together and it was a pleasure to socialise with them. We were sad to see them go and wish them all the best for their travels. We can highly recommend this lovely couple.

Staying at Max and Liza’s place in Cambutal has been one of the most meaningful experiences of our journey. We spent around a month and a half there and from the very first days we felt part of something truly special. The volunteer work is real and constant. During our stay, turtles came almost every night to nest and nearly every day baby turtles were hatching. We helped locate and protect more than 80 nests, with almost 7,000 eggs, carried out nightly patrols, monitored nests, released hatchlings and conservation tasks. It is rewarding work, but it also requires commitment, especially during the night patrols. Going as a couple or with someone else is highly recommended, as sharing the workload and the experience makes it even more special. Outside of the conservation work, life in Cambutal is simple and beautiful. In our free time we surfed, cooked together, went fishing, visited a nearby waterfall, and enjoyed long walks with the wonderful dogs Chico and Phoxy . Sharing meals, conversations, games, laughter and daily life with Max and Liza has been a highlight for us -they are incredibly kind, generous and inspiring people. Getting to Cambutal is not easy - it takes around 12 hours from Panama City, combining several buses and a final 4x4 ride crossing rivers through the jungle - but it is absolutely worth it. The place feels like paradise: a huge, untouched beach with stunning sunsets, coconut palms, and the jungle just behind the house, where you can often see monkeys and other wildlife passing nearby. This is a peaceful, remote and truly unique place. We will deeply miss Cambutal, the company, the dogs, the turtles and the life we shared there. This experience has meant a lot to us, and we truly hope to come back one day. Thank you so much, Max and Liza, for everything.

Pyry stayed with us for two weeks in December. We had very good weather so we did some smaller projects outside, such as trimming and planting the bushes, preparing a parking place etc. Pyry was a great worker and he followed instructions very well. He is a bit shy but we communicated well together. I can reccomend Pyry to anyone who needs help with getting some work done. Thank you Pyry, and you are welcome to come again. I wish you all the best. Liliana

This was my first workaway experience and I couldn't have asked for a better one! Hans, Peter and Sophia are really lovely people. I always felt welcome at their place and the food was sooo good. The animals were great too, I especially bonded with Bosse and loved the horses. The work was also exactly as I expected and I was quite happy with the daily routines. There was always good energy around and even when I was sick for a bit Hans and Peter were so kind and helpful. I had a great time and got to read and crochet a lot in my free time and they even let me ride a few times. all in all it was a great stay and I would do it again. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to experience this and be part of your cozy life in Sweden! Meike :)

First of all, we would like to thank Erasmo for the wonderful welcome! Staying with him was pure pleasure. Erasmo is a bundle of energy, he showed us local dances, cooked with us and shared interesting facts about Campania. Working with him was very rewarding. I recommend him to anyone who wants to have a real experience. Thank you! :)

I can truly recommend from the bottom of my heart that everyone takes a break with Guido and Elisah. I had the time of my life during my 2.5 months with them! It all started with Guido and Elisah themselves—two incredibly warm-hearted, attentive, appreciative, and creative people. From the very beginning, arriving and connecting felt easy and natural, and the bond only grew stronger over time. Today, I can truly say that I have found new friends. And their daughter Ella is also a little ray of sunshine—full of life and love. My main focus was caring for the horses, but there are also cats, dogs, lots of nature, and countless opportunities to try new things: from animal care and training to helping Guido with building and crafting, as well as plant care and renovation projects—almost anything is possible. The farm felt like a big adventure playground, and I was always encouraged to bring in my own ideas. I would strongly recommend staying longer than two weeks, as it takes time to settle into new routines and to break old behavioral patterns. That’s when the experience truly begins to unfold. Staying longer also allowed me to build a unique connection with each of the animals. The little dog Karlo was my soul companion. The horse Apollo embodied calmness and uniqueness, while Moon carried a deeply maternal energy. Jupiter, the stallion—sometimes a bit headstrong—was nevertheless sensitive and curious. (…) Lola and Odin, two big dogs filled with so much love and joy for life. And of course, all the countless cuddle moments with the cats. (…) I would love to name them all and could go on forever but it would be too much! This time was a journey back to myself. Elisah is also spiritually and therapeutically active and gifted me a session. She opened up a new level of healing for me. If staying on the farm isn’t possible, I can only highly recommend booking a session with Elisah. I am deeply grateful for this experience and miss every single one of them. ❤️

Was one of the best experiences of my life. Nadine’s house in Sapa is amazing, the house, the people around and the other volunteers is all a match! The culture exchange is very present and I learnt a lot! I would like to thank wall the people envolved is this project, Nadine, Chua, So, Tong. I recommend this experience 100% , I wish I could come back some day! 🙏🏼🙏🏼

It was a great pleasure to have the opportunity to be part of this experience. The school is charming, the kids are wonderful, super kind and joyful, and Yogendra's family is really nice and welcoming. To this, add that Bhaktapur is a gorgeous town to live in. I'll always remember my time there with a loving heart. Thank you, Yogendra, and everyone at the school, for making this possible. All my blessings to you! 🙏

My experience by Fifi ,her mum and all family it' s been very positive I can able to meet a lot of people in this so animated food zone., improving my English .Every day there it's been so interesting working to do about garden , to start create a place to use for openair party and corner to sell plants , or painting wood...while I' m tasty very good food , choicing also about many traditional plats. Fifi is a very friendly person and her mother so gentle and attent. to all of the food workers of this place go my simpaty and compliments for his tasty food. It' s been certanly a learning workaway. I suggest to other workawayers to spend time here...because it' will be good spending for yourself. See you soon.. thank yuo so much!!!

We are deeply grateful for your help. You were always willing to help and had a generous heart. We could say that our experience was incredible and fun, and that you also helped us, especially during the busiest season at our hostel.

We had such a great time staying with Soli & So! Our work options were super flexible so we chose to make them a piece of furniture. They went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and were incredibly generous with their time showing us round the city. It genuinely felt like we were visiting friends- such a special place! We will definitely keep in touch and be back!! Thanks for a lovely end to our Colombia trip :)

I had a fantastic stay with Manon in Almere, which is a lovely town and a great place to live. Manon is an amazing host…warm, kind, and very welcoming. I had my own room and plenty of privacy, which made the stay very comfortable. Her dogs, Lily, Luna, and Bucky, are all wonderful and brought so much joy to everyday life. I was especially grateful that Manon invited me to spend Christmas with her and her friends, which made the holidays truly special while being away from home. I highly recommend Manon as a host and would stay with her again without hesitation!