Finca Ganadito

Finca Ganadito is a social enterprise committed to sustainability, providing an eco-conscious living space and a versatile venue for retreats, rentals, and service-based learning. At its core lies an agro-ecological farm dedicated to regenerative agriculture, producing fresh food, improving soil quality, and increasing biodiversity. Outreach programs include sea turtle conservation, forestry reserve stewardship, and educational efforts to promote responsible tourism, food security and sustainable resource management.

The project is located in Punta Ganadito - a hidden secret corner of Drake Bay, off-the-beaten-track, with a stellar sunset beach, and surrounded by primary forest reserves, mangroves, sea turtle nesting beaches and waterfalls. The tourist town, Agujitas, is an hour's walk away along the beach or 20 minutes by car, and volunteers get plenty of opportunities to go there. On your free days you can explore round the surrounding foothills and beaches, plus there are local rural tours available and tours to the world-famous Corcovado National Park and the Caño Island marine reserve.

Guest accommodation is either in the purpose-built 12-bed 'Moon House', or in one of the premium 'Jungle Houses'. The Moon House includes hammocks and a bathroom block with compost toilets and showers. The Jungle Houses have private double rooms and shared dorms with single beds, hot water showers and private decks with hammocks. Other common areas include the ‘Long House’ which has an open-plan kitchen-diner, coffee and smoothie bar (Café Colibrí), and a souvenir shop. The brand-new multi-use platform, known as the 'Sun House', provides epic sunset views and a gorgeous space for yoga classes, workshops, ceremonies and parties. High-speed Starlink internet is available throughout the property.

Even though Drake Bay is a touristic area, we live and work with Ticos (Felipe, Rebe, Rob and most of the staff are Costa Rican nationals) and so volunteers will be immersed in a genuine rural Costa Rican lifestyle. The work activities we have developed for guests are focused on learning, science, sustainability and regenerative tourism. You will create regenerative farming inputs and soil, protect nature, generate data and increase biodiversity, so by participating in the program you will leave a positive footprint behind as a genuine ecotourist.

Rebe is a yoga instructor and vegan chef, so you can expect some delicious, plant-based meals with farm-to-table ingredients from the finca. Rob has managed several conservation projects and learnt all of his construction skills and crafts while living here in the Osa Peninsula. Finca Ganadito was born from Rob's vision of creating a model sustainable community, and he will coordinate your work program. Between them, Rebe and Rob have traveled to over 50 countries and worked around the world in many different sectors, so they are also a great source of knowledge and advice for backpackers. They are both bilingual and love to share the experience of living on the edge of the jungle, while also eating healthy food and engaging in wholesome and productive activities that promote positive change in the world.