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///Volunteer Guidelines

Volunteer Guidelines

The Volunteer Work Exchange Program at Rancho Margot is available to responsible individuals who are committed to becoming a part of our sustainable eco-friendly project while also agreeing to ensure professional customer service and a positive environment for the hotel guests of Rancho Margot. Volunteers offer their services in exchange for room & board and the lifestyle of the Ranch. We do our utmost to provide a wonderful experience for all volunteers and we hope to receive the utmost in respectful participation in turn for the entire duration of your stay.

Due to the increasing interest to be a part of our Volunteer Work Exchange Program, we are requiring candidates to be 23 years old with a Bachelor degree or the equivalent in working experience.
Duration of the Program

Rancho Margot only hosts volunteers who can commit themselves for 4 weeks in order to fulfill the objectives of the program. Upon completion of the first month, if expectations are met and exceeded we will gladly consider extending the duration of the work exchange.

Work Areas

We take volunteers who are certified and have experience in the areas below:

  • Yoga teachers
  • Cattle farming & organic agriculture (must be capable of strenuous work)
  • Social media and marketing assistance (must have own laptop & skill-set)
  • Reception (must be fluent in English & Spanish)
  • Restaurant & dishwashers
  • Cooks
  • Bakers
  • Butchers
  • Cheesemakers
  • Beekeepers
  • Construction & carpentry

It’s important that our volunteers are willing to share their farming experience through our educational program offered to groups of students who visit the Ranch.

Work Hours

Depending on the areas of labor, work averages 6 hours a day, 6 days a week. 7th day is a day of rest.

Accommodations
  • Housing will be provided in the Field House along with the local workers. Men and women are separated (even for couples due to space constraints), and rooms are shared.
  • The field house accommodation comprises of several bunk beds in one room and a shared bathroom.
    • The showers have only cold water.
    • Food and alcohol are not allowed in the facilities.
    • Volunteers must clean their own room and bathroom.
    • Please be quite after 9 p.m. in the rooms and be considerate to other employees and volunteers.
Meals

Three typical Costa Rican meals will be provided each day according to the following schedule:

  • Breakfast: 6:45 to 7:00 a.m.
  • Lunch: 11:45 to 12:00 p.m.
  • Dinner: 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.

A typical meal is: rice, black beans, some vegetables, salad, a meat dish and a natural drink. Rice and beans is the base of Costa Rican diet.

General Rules at the Bar and Restaurant
  • Personal hygiene.
  • Wear clean clothes and shoes.
  • Refrigerators at the bar and kitchen only store Rancho Margot items.
  • Beverages from outside the ranch are not allowed.
Laundry Service
  • The cost of laundry by machine is US$4 per kilo.  Clothes can be taken to the laundry between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m.
  • Volunteers can wash their own clothes by hand in the laundry room without cost.
  • There is a specific area to hang clothes, please use only this space.
Pool and Yoga Classes
  • The cold pools can be used after work hours.
  • Yoga classes are available and can be taken during your free time.
Tours
  • Volunteers can go on one of our adventure tours for free, if there is space available. The tour can be taken only on the day off.
  • Participation has to be confirmed in the morning.
  • Bikes are available for rent.
Check-In

A credit card or $300 in cash will be required upon arrival at Rancho Margot, as a deposit to open a tab or in case of damage to property.

Expected Values from Volunteers
  • Motivation
  • Punctuality and responsibility
  • Respect to others
  • Team work
  • Initiative and creativity
  • Interest in culture and language
  • Cleanliness
An Ideal Candidate Demonstrates:
  • An excellent work ethic
  • A mature and responsible lifestyle
  • A healthy dose of common sense
  • Proactivity and initiative
  • Creative problem solving
  • Independence
  • Teamwork
  • Flexibility
  • The ability to work well without supervision, applying themselves as they notice the needs that inevitably arise daily
Non-Fulfillment of Agreement

If a volunteer does not meet the expectations outlined above, Rancho Margot’s administration reserves the right to ask the volunteer to discontinue their program immediately.

Inappropriate behavior as determined by Rancho Margot will not be tolerated and is cause for dismissal from the program at volunteers’ expense for leaving the property. Examples of this are abusing alcohol, drug use, poor work ethic, lack of responsibility, blatant disregard for the rules and bad hygiene.

Also, if you decide you don’t like it here and wish to leave before completion of the program, you are welcome but you have to pay the fee as listed below. These prices are per night for room & board:

  • Stay for 1 week: $35
  • Stay for 2 weeks: $25
  • Stay for 3 weeks: $15
More Information About the Ranch

Rancho Margot is located 32 km away from La Fortuna. There is a clinic, pharmacies and shops there.

Transportation

It will be provided to pick you up in La Fortuna and to drop you off the day that you finish your program. On your day off, if you want to go to town, transportation might be available but it’s not a regular service; you will have to check in the Front Desk the night before. This service is not available during working days. There is a collective and local taxi that you can call at any time for $8 to $10 round trip.

Weather

It is the rainforest. We expect rain all year long.  The driest month is April, however it rains sometimes. From April through August the average temperature is 23 degrees Centigrade (73 Fahrenheit). From September through March the temperature at night can be as low as 15 degrees Centigrade (60 Fahrenheit).

What to Bring
  • Towel
  • Clothes that dry fast and that you won’t mind getting dirty
  • A light sweater
  • Waterproof hiking boots or sneakers
  • Long sleeve blouses or shirts (people don’t think it is cold here but it does get cold, depending on the season)
  • A couple of clothes for going out
  • Two or three pairs of pants
  • Swimsuit
  • Flashlight
  • Poncho or rain jacket
  • Natural repellent, and maybe consider a mosquito net
  • Sleeping bag
  • Sunscreen
  • Sandals
  • Most importantly, bring your good vibes!

 

READ TESTIMONIALS FROM FORMER VOLUNTEERS HERE!

 

How to get to the ranch from Juan Santamaría International Airport (Alajuela)

Please provide us your arrival information and we will pick you up in La Fortuna. Our shuttle leaves in front of the Catholic Church. We will confirm your pick up depending on your arrival time.

If you are interested in contributing to our project send your CV to voluntarios@ranchomargot.org

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