Quick Facts
Program code
BO-FS100
Category
Farm Stay, Farm Work
Country
Bolivia
Location
Amazon Region of Bolivia, Santa Rosa, Province of Ballivián
Program start
year round, start and end dates are flexible
Minimum duration
2 weeks
Minimum age
18 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 23245 9801
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Project details
During this farm work project, you will volunteer on a traditional livestock ranch located in the Amazonian region of Bolivia. The farm’s territory consists of 3,500 hectares (8,650 acres) and enables volunteers to gain a deep insight into Bolivian history, rural lifestyle, and culture and to discover the beautiful wildlife and vegetation of this unique country on horseback.
The farm owners are fluent in English and French, but the farm workers who live there permanently, only speak Spanish. The livestock of the farm consists of about 1000 cows, 60 horses, and 30 pigs (numbers are subject to changes). Additionally, there is a poultry farm with about 40 free-range chickens. Ecologically cultivated vegetables (without pesticides) are grown for the personal need of the farmer´s family and those who live with them.
Tasks
During your volunteer work in Bolivia your proactivity in farm work is important. The daily workload may vary depending on the weather condition, but the good thing is that you spend almost all day outdoors surrounded by animals. The tasks consist of the care (collecting, bathing, combing, and saddling) and feeding of the horses. Additionally, the volunteer's help is needed with work in the stable and gardens.
Volunteers who already have experience with horse riding can assist with herding the livestock and monitoring it. The maintenance of the farm is also one of the tasks volunteers have to engage in. As a volunteer on a ranch in Bolivia, you will also accompany the staff on regular horseback rides in order to select the cows for rodeo.
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, weather, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
Volunteers live in the volunteer house, similar to a guesthouse, which has 3 bedrooms, a kitchen, common areas, and a bathroom. Every bedroom is equipped with two beds. The house runs on solar energy and has its own water source (drinkable water quality). Due to this, a respectful and careful handling of electricity and water is required, to ensure there is no waste.
The accommodation is located 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) away from the ranch and can be reached by foot, bicycle, or horse. Volunteers will be provided with 3 meals per day. Thanks to the large garden and numerous patches, it’s possible to keep a vegetarian or even vegan diet.
Note: In Latin America, especially in remote areas where many of our volunteer projects take place, the cellular or internet connection is not always reliable and fast.
Location
The ranch is located in the remote municipality of Puerto Teresa in the province of Ballivián in the north of the Andes state of Bolivia. The nearest major city is Santa Rosa with about 10,000 inhabitants, about 90 kilometers away. Other major cities in the province are San Borja, Rurrenabaque and the provincial capital Reyes. The province is very rural and sparsely populated. It is a popular destination for the observation of the great biodiversity and amazing wildlife in the rainforest.
There is a tropical climate with an average temperature of about 26 °C. The rainiest months are December to March.
Language skills
Spanish at communication level. For optimal preparation for your farm work in Bolivia, we advise you to take a Spanish course before the program starts. This gives you the opportunity to slowly get used to the language, culture and mentality.
You can book your Spanish course in Bolivia directly with us!
Requirements
- Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Bolivia!)
- Minimum age 18 years
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
- Internationally recommended vaccination, especially tetanus. Please always ask your doctor for advice.
- Vitamin B12 should be taken 10 days before starting.
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
In addition to the assistance given by our office staff you will be supported by the program coordiantor on-site.
Costs & Services
Our Farm Stay on a ranch in Bolivia includes:
- Shared room in volunteer house
- Full board (3 meals/day)
- Professional English-speaking advice
- Translation of your application documents
- Elaboration of your internal application profile
- Farm Stay Placement
- English-speaking in-country support
- Handbook Bolivia
- Intercultural guideline
- Certificate of participation
- 24/7 emergency number
Costs
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 455 (minimum stay 2 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 140
Additionally, you can book:
Our tips (experience more + see more = save $$)
Is it difficult for you to decide between the many great projects? You want to see and experience as much as possible during your stay in Latin America? Then build your own itinerary - experience more & see more! Our program combination makes it possible!
All our stay abroad programs can be combined with each other: So, you can combine different volunteer projects in the same country or in different countries, or you mix Working Holiday with volunteer work or Farm Stay with Working Holiday ...and so on …
Your creativity knows no limits. The longer your stay abroad in Latin America, the greater the discount you get from South America Inside. Below you can see how much you can save:
- 2 stay abroad programs: save US$ 55
- 3 stay abroad programs: save US$ 75
- 4 stay abroad programs: save US$ 165
- 5 stay abroad programs: save US$ 220
- 6 stay abroad programs and more: save US$ 325
Note: Language courses are excluded from this promotion. These discounts can not be combined with other promotions.
If you need assistance in putting together your personal experience abroad, then please contact us. Our experienced staff will help you to set up your tailor-made stay abroad.
Farm Stay Guide
Find valuable information about Farm Stay Abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
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