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how to step away from The Matrix

5.0
(21 reviews)21

The experience

We’re a small jungle project building real stuff from scratch: domes, underground homes, natural pools, furniture, and more, using what we have around us. Volunteers jump in daily on hands‑on work like construction, finishing, planting, harvesting, and making things in the workshop. We’re looking for people who are curious, adaptable, and ready to learn by doing. Days are a mix of building, outdoor work, and hanging out with the crew over meals.


What you offer

20 hours of help per week

Farming: Plant crops, sow seeds and help in outside tasks.

Painting & Decorating: Help with painting or decorating the property facilities.

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens


What you get

2 days off per week

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Team Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other people.

Discounts on Drinks: Get discounts for drinks and beverages from our bar.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Bikes at your disposal: You can use our bikes any time you want.

Language lessons: Take free language classes at our place.

Permaculture Course: Take part in our Permaculture course for free.

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


Requirements

Intermediate English or Intermediate Spanish

Only hosts solo volunteers (doesn’t accept couples or partners)

Travel insurance


What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa


Program Details

We’re a small jungle project called Mangrove Society. We build and create from what’s here: houses, domes, sitting areas, fake rocks, lamps, furniture, permaculture gardens, sugarcane work, murals, and more. The work changes all the time, and it depends a lot on what each volunteer brings to the table.

We’re looking for people who like to work with their hands, solve problems, and create things with limited tools and materials. You might help with building, finishing, woodwork, metal work, painting, gardening, harvesting, or small production projects. If you have a passion—murals, woodworking, permaculture, design—we’ll find a way to use it here.

We expect curiosity, a good attitude, and willingness to learn by doing. In return, you’ll get real experience in alternative building and creative projects, learn how to turn simple materials into useful, beautiful things, and join a small crew that lives and builds in the jungle.

Introduction to The Mangrove Way
https://youtube.com/shorts/mMQfxdSmd1U?feature=share

Step out of the matrix
https://youtube.com/shorts/0bWIpVRReT4?feature=share

What the hell is a community
https://youtube.com/shorts/30MgcBKMXFA?feature=share


Activities & Shift

Volunteers help 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, usually from 8:30–12:30. Work happens in the morning when it’s cooler, and afternoons and weekends are free.

Typical activities on the project:
*Building and finishing domes, houses, and sitting areas
*Working with ferrocement, adobe, and recycled materials
*Woodworking, metal work, and simple furniture making
*Making lamps, fake rocks, and other creative pieces
*Permaculture tasks: planting, harvesting, and garden care
*Painting murals or helping with design and textures
*Small production projects like sugar cane work and crafts

Shifts are flexible depending on weather and what’s happening on site.

Free time and surroundings:
*The site is in the countryside, 800 m from the main road (8–10 min walk)
*Easy to catch a bus or hitchhike to Montezuma and Santa Teresa for beaches, surfing, SUP, and hiking
*Onsite: food forest with edible and medicinal plants, natural pool, lounge areas, and a big event dome for basketball, yoga, dancing, or skating
*In town: yoga, dance, and other wellness classes
*We have a car available for rent weekly or monthly if you want more freedom to explore

Mangrove Guidebook
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rUhJAjRLMRYEquJrF_7AVkjJxDay8lB3/view?usp=drive_link


Rules

We’re looking for responsible, reliable people. If your plans change and you need to cancel, please let us know at least one week in advance, because your spot could be taken by someone else. No smoking anywhere on the property. No drunken behaviour or consistently lazy attitudes; if that happens, you will be asked to leave the same day. We cannot accommodate pets.

This place is in the jungle, very close to Santa Teresa and Montezuma, but not within walking distance to shops, beaches, or town. It takes real effort to get there: about 8–10 minutes on foot to the main road, then a bus, hitchhike, or ride to reach the beaches or stores. We are a small jungle community with very few neighbours, and while it is very safe here, it is still remote and rustic. Some people love this and thrive here; others arrive and realise it’s more than they expected. That’s okay. We just want you to know exactly what you’re coming into, so you don’t feel misled or leave us a bad review because the location was more isolated than you imagined. If you’re up for a real jungle experience, you’ll probably love it.

Mangrove House Rules
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n524qCXe2GdDrOLPiRd04C0yTfUdpR9v/view?usp=drive_link