Quick Facts
Program code
CR-FS102
Category
Volunteer Work, Farm Stay
Country
Costa Rica
Location
Paraíso de Cartago, Province of Cartago
Program start
year round, start and end dates are flexible
Minimum duration
2 weeks
Minimum age
18 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
+49 151 41300782
+56 9 7516 9816
8 am - 4 pm EST
info@southamerica-inside.com
WhatsApp
+49 151 41300782
+56 9 7516 9816
Project details
If you aspire to live a sustainable lifestyle in harmony with nature or if you just want to experience this form of living, then this volunteer project in Costa Rica on an organic Finca is perfect for you. Located on a hill overlooking the Orosi valley near Paraíso, this Finca is run by professionals devoted to caring for our Mother Earth. The primary objective is to exist as independently as possible, generating a surplus of produce beyond their needs.
Additionally, the Finca aspires to become a benchmark where both the local and international communities can learn more eco-friendly and socially responsible practices. The Finca staff works towards the goal of showing guests and local communities how to live sustainably and develop responsible habits regarding their natural resources. Since 2019, they have practiced permaculture, organic agriculture, bio construction, use medical plants, and maintain a diverse ecosystem for local wildlife.
The Finca has about 1 hectare of land. Over fifty percent of the land is safeguarded secondary forest, boasting trees that are more than half a century old - a refreshing oasis in Costa Rica's agriculturally depleted landscape. Additional sections of the estate encompass a bamboo grove for construction purposes, a food forest featuring more than a hundred fruit-bearing trees, organic gardens aimed at supporting a plant-based nutrition, a seed repository dedicated to preserving local varieties, a bio-factory where they cultivate their own microorganisms, and various bioconstruction endeavors such as a composting toilet without water.
The Finca consists of three houses. There is a shared bedroom and another private one for volunteers. The main building also houses a coworking room and chill area, a large kitchen, and a spacious terrace.
The Finca´s team offers various projects, which encourage a lifestyle and subsistence strategy that preserves the natural resources and establishes a new mindset towards nature.
Some of the projects at this permaculture farm are:
- Reforestation of agricultural land
- Composting
- Ecological plant cultivation
- Cultivation of medical plants
- Organic food production
- Bio construction
- Holistic Lifestyle
- Recycling
- Health (plant-based diet, balance of body & mind, etc.)
- Culture and education (cultural exchange and learning from each other)
Tasks
As a volunteer at the Finca, you will be able to support the team in different working areas. You will learn a lot about organic agriculture and sustainability. You will acquire new skills in bio-construction, agroforestry, organic vegetable gardens, harvests, plant propagation, composting, cooking and recycling. You will expand your knowledge about a healthy life balance and develop new abilities.
The project can accommodate up to 4 volunteers at a time. On a weekly basis, team meetings are held to define the work that needs to be done. Work areas are assigned to everyone according to the current needs of the Finca, taking into account the abilities and interests of everyone.
Work areas include:
- Working in the gardens and food forest: Sowing, planting, mulching, pruning, irrigating, and harvesting.
- Harvest and processing: Cleaning, measuring, and storing the crops taken from the edible forest or orchards. Etc.
- Bioconstruction: Varying new infrastructure projects and maintaining current infrastructure. Maintaining and organizing tools in the bodega.
- Online presence: Assisting with managing social media and website. Writing blogs or articles about the Finca.
- Kitchen: Helping in the kitchen to prepare meals, do the dishes, and cleaning
Please note, if a volunteer has specific skills in fields like construction, bioconstruction, carpentry, marketing, and tropical species identification in the secondary forest, they are invited to focus their participation in one of those specific areas.
As usual in Costa Rica, the day starts early at 6 in the morning. Depending on the day or the individual's responsibilities, volunteers engage in collaborative efforts in one of the earlier-mentioned sectors. Breakfast is served at around 8:30 a.m. Lunch is available at 12:30 p.m.
Afternoons are generally left free for leisure. However, there may be activities planned for the afternoon, like house chores: recycling, tidying up, managing gray water, and fermenting kefir or kombucha, as well as baking sourdough bread.
Typically, the Finca has a wellness activity each week, which takes place in the afternoons, featuring options like dance, yoga, acroyoga, woodland walks, documentaries, and more.
During their free time, volunteers have the chance to explore the beautiful surroundings, go hiking, and visit locations such as waterfalls, hot springs, or archaeological sites. Stroll through the forest or wander the town of La Flor and connect with the locals. You can read a book you’ve brought from home or borrow one from the Finca´s collection. The library holds various titles on permaculture, organic farming, medicinal plants, literature in multiple languages, botany, and beyond! You can also engage in crafts or more.
On weekends, you might be inclined to explore attractive spots nearby, such as the Irazú Volcano, Guayabo National Monument, the Durán Sanatorium (an ancient “haunted” structure), and Tapantí National Park. Weekend trips to the Caribbean or Pacific coast are also available. There are many sights of interest within a distance of between 30 minutes and 2 hours.
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
During your stay abroad in Costa Rica, you will live in the volunteer house at the finca. There are two houses available with shared rooms. One house can accommodate 3 people, and the other house is available for 1-2 people in a private bedroom (upon request, surcharge required).
The Finca maintains a plant-based diet, with harvests from the gardens, as well as the best quality possible, mainly from local & agro-ecological producers. Volunteers who do not wish to follow a vegan diet can purchase their food, but we highly recommend giving it a try!
You can take the public to the nearby towns. The bus stop is 10 minutes on foot from the farm.
Living and working together on the farm is a special experience that promotes a sense of community and cultural exchange.
Wi-Fi Internet is available on the Finca.
You can also inquire about additional services such as Spanish classes, massage, Reiki, Akashic Records readings, theoretical permaculture classes, dance classes, etc. These have an extra cost.
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 volunteer project is located in La Flor near the town of Paraiso de Cartago. San José, the country’s capital, is about 2 hours by bus. At Paraiso de Cartago, the word “paraíso” literally applies. This heavenly city lies in the southeast of the province of Cartago and is known for its idyllic landscape and dream beaches. In the Cartago region, you can find more than just beaches, the hinterland amazes visitors with lush nature and perfectly formed volcanoes. There are many ways to explore this beautiful area such as hiking, outdoor sports or cultural activities.
There is a subtropical climate and due to the higher altitude of the project site, the temperatures are pleasantly warm throughout the year with an average of 25 °C a day. At night it cools down. The rainiest months are March, April and May.
Language skills
Spanish at communication level. For optimal preparation for your volunteer work in Costa Rica, 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 Costa Rica directly with us!
Requirements
- Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Costa Rica!)
- 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!)
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 in case of emergency on 7 days a week around the clock.
In addition to the assistance given by our office staff you will be supported by the volunteer coordinator on-site.
Costs & Services
Our volunteer project on a Permaculture Finca in Costa Rica includes:
- Shared room in Volunteer House
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner (plant-based)
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your placement in the volunteer project
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
Costs
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 1,000 (minimum stay 2 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 205
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:
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.
Volunteer Guide
Find valuable information about volunteering 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.
Browse through our section Reading Matter!