At Finca Las Hormigas, we believe the best way to learn is by getting your hands in the soil. Our Work & Learn Program invites curious minds and open hearts to step into the rhythm of tropical farm life, where each day blends learning, community, and connection with the land.
Whether you’re new to permaculture, organic farming, or sustainable food processing, this immersive educational experience is designed to give you practical skills and a deep appreciation for regenerative agriculture and eco-living.
WHAT YOU WILL EXPERIENCE:
HANDS-ON LEARNING
Discover the principles of permaculture design, soil regeneration, and tropical agroforestry through guided, hands-on projects. Learn how to make organic fertilizers and natural pest repellents, and participate in the daily care of a thriving regenerative ecosystem.
COMMUNAL OFF-GRID LIVING
Experience life off the grid in a shared bungalow nestled in nature, complete with composting toilets, outdoor showers, and all the essentials for a simple, sustainable lifestyle. Reconnect with what really matters — the land, the community, and yourself.
HOMEMADE MEALS
Enjoy three fresh, home-cooked meals each day, prepared with ingredients grown right here on the farm or sourced from our local community. As we move toward full farm-to-table sustainability, every meal becomes a celebration of abundance and care.
During your time at Finca Las Hormigas, you’ll gain a diverse set of practical and theoretical skills rooted in regenerative agriculture, sustainable living, and community-based learning. Each experience is designed to deepen your understanding of ecological systems and empower you to live and work in harmony with the land.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE YOU’LL DEVELOP:
GROWING NUTRIENT-RICH FOOD
THE SCIENCE OF HEALTHY SOIL
EARTHWORKS DESIGN FOR WATER MANAGEMENT
BIOCHAR PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION
CREATING BIOINPUTS AND NATURAL FERTILIZERS
SUSTAINABLE OFF-GRID LIVING
KEY AREAS OF STUDY AND PRACTICE:
ORGANIC GARDENING & AGROFORESTRY
FARM-TO-TABLE FOOD PROCESSING
PERMACULTURE LANDSCAPING
SOIL MICROBIOLOGY & COMPOSTING
BIO-CONSTRUCTION & NATURAL BUILDING
INDEPENDENT DESIGN PROJECT (OPTIONAL)
RESPONSIBLE & REGENERATIVE TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY
At Finca Las Hormigas, we view travel as a powerful opportunity to create positive change. Our program is grounded in the principles of responsible and regenerative travel, two approaches that go beyond simply minimizing harm to actively restoring and enriching the places we visit and call home.
Responsible travel means making choices that respect local communities, cultures, and ecosystems. It’s about ensuring that your presence supports, rather than strains, the social and environmental fabric of a place.
Regenerative travel takes this idea one step further: it seeks not just to sustain, but to restore, renew, and regenerate. Every action, from how we grow food to how we welcome guests, is designed to contribute to the health of the land and the well-being of those who live on it.
These principles come to life through tangible, community-centered initiatives:
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We collaborate with the local Bri Bri Indigenous people, who lead traditional cacao ceremonies that honor the land and share ancestral knowledge.
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We host students from a nearby technical school as agricultural interns, helping them gain hands-on experience in regenerative practices.
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We donate plants, trees, fertilizers, and soil to a nearby school in Gandoca to support food security and environmental education.
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We source what we can’t produce on the farm from small family-run businesses in our neighboring town, strengthening the local economy.
Our commitment to regenerative tourism extends to every aspect of life on the farm:
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All farm activities are free from harmful or dangerous chemicals, ensuring the health of our ecosystems.
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Our land management follows sustainable and regenerative agricultural principles, prioritizing soil health, biodiversity, and ecological balance.
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By staying with us, each participant contributes directly to the protection of our wildlife reserve in Permaculture Zone 5, a sanctuary dedicated to habitat preservation and natural regeneration.
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Through your participation, you become part of a model for how tourism can heal rather than deplete — creating ripples of positive impact that extend far beyond the farm.
BE A PART OF THE REGENERATION
This experience is more than just farm work, it’s a chance to gain meaningful skills, connect deeply with the land, and contribute to a global movement toward sustainability and regenerative living.
At Finca Las Hormigas, learning is guided by curiosity, not lectures. Our educators and mentors aim to ignite a spark of wonder and self-discovery, encouraging each participant to explore, question, and experiment. We believe that true understanding comes from doing — from planting seeds, building soil, and observing how nature teaches through its own quiet rhythm.
Participants become part of a small, intentional community where learning, collaboration, and stewardship go hand in hand. The Work & Learn Program is best suited for individuals aged 20 and above who are motivated, adaptable to off-grid living, and eager to engage fully in community life. A minimum commitment of one month is preferred to allow for deeper learning, contribution, and personal growth.
The program cost is $500 per month, which includes shared bungalow accommodation, three fresh farm-to-table meals each day, and hands-on learning opportunities in permaculture, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable living practices.
Join us at Finca Las Hormigas and become part of something meaningful, a living example of how people and nature can thrive together. The lessons, friendships, and connections you make here go far beyond the farm.
