Volunteer in a Sustainable Eco-project in the Rainforest of Costa Rica

Location: El Castillo, Alajuela, Costa Rica

We strive to inspire each visitor to relax, enjoy and explore ways in which they can incorporate the concept of sustainability into their own lives. While we serve as a distinguished eco-lodge for guests and student programs from around the globe who want to learn more about sustainability, the volunteer program allows participants to contribute to the community in which all members play a part, and all these parts are vital to the complete circle of life that is Rancho Margot.

The type of work volunteers are asked to do varies greatly depending on the priorities of the Ranch and the skillset and experience of each volunteer. It is important to note that this is a work exchange program and not an educational program. While we have regular educational programs available, we do not offer an extensive training to our volunteers. In the same way, volunteers are asked to work in different areas of the farm focusing especially on projects related to sustainability and permaculture in practice. You will have the chance to be part of the constant evolution of this project by working outdoors while you are immersed in nature.

For more information about what our program requires and offers please review our website https://www.ranchomargot.com/volunteering

BOOK ROOM
RANCH TOUR
Every month, Rancho Margot hosts volunteers at our eco resort in Costa Rica to assist with our gardens, animals, kitchen, and general upkeep. In fact, these good-natured, highly driven individuals are core to our community.
VOLUNTEERING &
COMMUNITY WORK

PURPOSEFUL WORK WITH A PLAYFUL SPIRIT
VOLUNTEERING

Every month, Rancho Margot hosts volunteers to assist with our gardens, animals, kitchen, and general upkeep. In fact, these good-natured, highly driven individuals are core to our community. We also welcome volunteer yoga instructors (with 500+ hours of training) to guide twice-daily classes. If you’re self-motivated, curious by nature, hungry for hands-on learning, love to share knowledge, and hold a bachelor’s degree (or have equivalent, referenced work experience), you may just find yourself here.

We’re a fun, playful group here at the ranch, but we take our work very seriously. Please read on for all the important ins and outs and to see if volunteering is right for you.

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DO YOU HAVE THE GOODS TO DO SOME GOOD?
IDEAL CANDIDATES

Through our Volunteer Work Exchange Program, individuals work six hours a day, six days a week in exchange for room and board at Rancho Margot. The specific type of volunteer work varies greatly on seasonal needs, priorities of the ranch, and of course the skill set and experience of each individual. If your traits align with the following requirements, we’d love to talk with you.

- Proactively engage in the work at hand

- Creative problem solver

- Conscientiousness of resource use

- Independent and self-motivated

- Enthusiastic about teamwork

- Resilience for our ever-changing environment

- Respect for Costa Rican culture and values

- Commitment to the Rancho Margot mission

- Positive, can-do attitude

- Excellent work ethic

- Mature and responsible lifestyle

- Healthy dose of common sense

REMEMBER, IT’S THE RAINFOREST, NOT A WALK IN THE PARK
WORK AREAS

We won’t sugarcoat it, volunteering at Rancho Margot is hard work. Depending on numerous factors, you’ll be asked to assist in many areas of the ranch, so it’s crucial that you remain flexible. You’ll be responsible for helping ranch workers accomplish tasks that don’t require training but do require dedication. Yes, Rancho Margot is in many ways a paradise, but volunteering isn’t a vacation.

Organic Agriculture

Working on the farm entails tasks such as watering the plants each morning, preparing beds, creating new gardens, spreading compost, planting, weeding, pruning, and harvesting. Bear in mind you’ll be working with tools like shovels, machetes, hoes, pitchforks, wheelbarrows, pruners, and knife sharpeners, and you must be capable of strenuous activity.

Housekeeping

To help us ensure an amazing guest experience, you’ll assist our housekeeping staff with room cleaning, maintenance of workshop spaces, and with the processing of all resort laundry.

General Maintenance & Ground Work

Keeping our property clean and beautiful is critically important to us. You’ll assist our team in caring for gardens, cleaning stone and concrete pathways, power washing, tidying hospitality and event spaces throughout the resort, maintaining the lake area, raking leaves, mowing lawns, chopping wood, as well as partaking in numerous other possible tasks.

Specialized Jobs

Certified yoga instructors

Teachers (some Spanish required)

Chefs, sous chefs, pastry chefs & bakers

Skilled butchers & cheese-makers

Beekeepers

Construction experts & carpenters

Marketing & social media specialists

Videographers

Soccer or Martial Arts instructors

COMMITMENT & REQUIREMENTS

To be considered as a volunteer, you must be willing to commit to a minimum of 4 weeks and hold a bachelor’s degree (or have equivalent, referenced work experience). Upon successful completion of one month’s service, we may agree to an extension of service based on performance. Needless to say, only serious candidates should apply. Think this is for you? Send us an introduction video.

Video Submission:
Record a maximum two-minute video of yourself that covers these points:
- Your reasons for wanting to commit time to Rancho Margot
- Your unique set of skills and how they could benefit the ranch
- A story about an adventure you went on and what you learned from it

Upload your video to YouTube as a private link and email it to us with the subject “Volunteer Video Submission”. If selected, you’ll be asked to fill out an application and provide proof of traveler’s insurance.

• 4 week commitment • 6h work/day • 1 day off/week • Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner •

• Shared accomodation / 2 people room • Hot shower • Laundry area available •

• Wifi/ in common areas • Hiking trails • Daily Yoga classes • Tour discounts •

• Natural Swimming pool •

Volunteer in a Sustainable Eco-project in the Rainforest of Costa Rica