NuMundo - Finca el Zopilote

About.

El Zopilote is a Permaculture Farm & Hostel located on Ometepe Island in Nicaragua. We have already in place a fully productive organic garden, an observatory tower, a water filtering system based on constructed wetland, a yoga outdoor studio and we produce our own organic food. Since there is always plenty to do here we always have our arms open for volunteers and we have different opportunities as Volunteering, Receptionist, Pizza Night Manager, Organic Shop Manager, General Assistant, Yoga teacher.

The land that makes up El Zopilote was purchase in May of 2002 by Bruno and Cristiano. In the first 5 months we constructed the first 3 cabañas, installed the irrigation system and began to plant the first plants. In October of 2002, we opened the hostel.

The idea was to make a hostel on a productive and beautiful farm, working with respect for the environment and nature (not against it). After the first year we decided to stop using machines for our work, and so we sold our chainsaw and car and we bought axes, machetes and shovels. We also decided against making a road to the property, thinking that those who are interested in coming can easily walk the 300 meters that separates us from the main road. This also means that all the materials that we need (including beer, sodas and cement) are brought up by hand.

We provide good work and pay for 7 people from the town and occasionally we have up to 16 people working on an island where 80% of the population is unemployed. Also we have many WWOOFers and volunteers that come to work and learn how a tropical farm operates.