Some content was translated automatically. Show original
I'm Chris, British, early 40s, sharing my Puerto Aventuras home with Sable, my young Doberman. Up to 15 hours a week: home cooking, time with Sable and a little phone content, with Spanish practice a welcome bonus. Private en-suite room, pool and Wi-Fi; self-catering. Two days off. Potential community English teaching and turtle volunteering to discuss, subject to availability. One traveller; 30-day minimum.
15 hours of help per week
Kitchen Hand: Help prepare, finish and serve meals.
Animal Care: Help look after and take care of animals.
2 days off per week
Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.
Discounts on Drinks: Get discounts for drinks and beverages from our bar.
Get free drinks or beverages.: Drink up! Get free and tasty drinks for yourself.
Bikes at your disposal: You can use our bikes any time you want.
Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.
Language lessons: Take free language classes at our place.
Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.
Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely
Fluent English
Over 18 years old
Only hosts solo volunteers (doesn’t accept couples or partners)
Travel insurance
Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa
I'm Chris, British, from London, early 40s, ex-Army and a semi-retired diplomat, now running a couple of small ventures from home in Puerto Aventuras, about 25 minutes south of Playa del Carmen. It's me and Sable, my young Doberman, in a house with a private pool. I'm looking for someone capable, easy-going and happy to share a bit of everyday life, with plenty of time to enjoy the Caribbean coast.
I'm chilled and easy to live with. Some nights I'm up for a few drinks or a night out; some nights I want to sit by the pool and switch off. If you can roll with both, we'll get on fine. Joining in is always your choice.
You'll have your own large private bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, plus use of the pool, terrace, kitchen and living areas. Fast Wi-Fi, air-con and a quiet spot to work in your own time. The only thing I get a bit territorial about is the PlayStation when I'm mid-game. I'm in my 40s. I'm not proud of it.
Accommodation is free. You normally buy and prepare your own food; I cover ingredients for meals you prepare for me. There is no hosting fee. We'll agree pick-up arrangements and use of the bikes before you arrive but they are actually golf carts rather than bikes lol.
Puerto Aventuras is a gated community built around a marina, with beaches, shops, bars and restaurants nearby. Akumal, the cenotes, Tulum and Playa del Carmen are within reach for days out.
I'd enjoy learning about your country, food and interests. I can offer English conversation, British humour, stories from my Army and diplomatic days, and experience to share if you're building something of your own. My Spanish is basic: if you speak it fluently and fancy helping me improve, even better. Sable will probably adopt you within a day.
Up to 15 hours a week, usually spread over five days, with two full days off. It's a mix of kitchen, phone, dog and conversation. We'll agree the tasks and times before you arrive, based on your skills and interests. You don't need to tick every box.
Cooking - proper home cooking: a cottage pie, a decent curry, a roast now and then. I'm a poor cook, so help with dinner and showing me a few dishes would be welcome. We'll agree how often within the weekly hours; I'll cover ingredients for meals you make for me and help with preparation or clearing up.
Sable - a walk, some play or a short training session, and the odd feed when I'm tied up. I'll introduce you and explain her routine.
Content - if you enjoy it, a couple of short posts or reels for my personal socials: the house, the dog and the beach. Show me something you've made.
Spanish - fluent speakers who'd enjoy giving me informal lessons or conversation practice are very welcome. We can include this in the agreed hours.
A little shared tidying or an occasional shopping/delivery errand may be useful. I already have a gardener and a maintenance man; gardening, and property maintenance are not part of this exchange.
Potential extras to discuss: voluntary English conversation or classes for local children/community members, or turtle-conservation volunteering with a local organisation. These depend on a suitable organiser, availability and any requirements; no placement is arranged or guaranteed. Activities with children would be through an appropriate supervised programme. If we agree an activity as part of your exchange, it replaces other tasks within the 15 hours. Otherwise it's an optional free-time activity, with any costs discussed beforehand.
Time off is yours, and there's no expectation of being on call.
Max two adult travellers at a time. Minimum stay two weeks, ideally longer if we get on. We'll have a video call before confirming, discuss the full arrangement and look at your profile and any feedback. Good spoken English is important; fluent Spanish is a welcome bonus, not a requirement.
Sable is a large, energetic dog, so you need to be comfortable around her. She's friendly, a bit nervous of loud noises and protective of the people living in the house, you included ;)
Please be considerate with noise and shared spaces, and clean up after yourself. Smoking outside only. Discuss extra visitors or parties with me first. Parties are often welcomed lol.
You'll need your own travel and medical insurance and the correct travel documents. Your normal food shopping, personal spending and outings are your responsibility. Ingredients for meals you prepare for me are on me; any shared meals and pick-up arrangements will be agreed in advance.
Tell me a little about yourself, your dates and the parts of the exchange you'd enjoy. If cooking is your thing, name a few dishes you'd happily make. If you're good with a phone camera, send an example. No need for a polished sales pitch.
