Build a Cobhouse/Bioconstruction/Natural Building
Coordinator | Bart
Coordinator | Bart
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Learn how to build your own house with natural construction. We have built extraordinary bioconstruction houses. You get the chance to stick your hands in the dirt and build yourself!
You will be living with an international team of volunteers. Make friends for life!
A lot of people at the eco farm say it is a life-changing experience. A place to learn more about yourself and about what you want from the future.
Learn about organic farming, permaculture, and agroforestry
We organize hikes, camping weekends, cinema nights, game nights, campfires, karaoke, swimming trips, and much more.
Eco Caminhos builds among the most advanced bioconstruction houses in South America. If you want to learn about bioconstruction you will be able to learn from day 1.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+
Volunteer at Eco Caminhos
Situated in the beautiful mountains of Nova Fribugo, Brazil, Eco Caminhos is an eco farm where we work with natural building (bioconstruction), organic farming, permaculture, and agroforestry. We follow the permaculture principals. You can work here for a couple of weeks up to a couple of years. We offer volunteers the chance to become a part of our project and live in our international community while enjoying nature and ecotourism activities. Short-term volunteering at Eco Caminhos is an excellent way to gain practical skills and experience in organic farming, natural building/bioconstruction, agroforestry, and permaculture. At our eco farm, you will live and work with people from Brazil and all around the world. At Eco Caminhos you will have the opportunity to make lifelong friends while learning the Portuguese language immersed in Brazilian culture.
Short-term volunteers will work approximately 24 hours (3 days) a week. Tuesdays and Thursdays are off. The work can vary between agroforestry, organic farming, bioconstruction, and other jobs at the farm. After your work day and on your weekends, you are free to do as you please. Many of our volunteers use their weekends to explore Nova Friburgo or Rio de Janeiro.
Typical day
6:00 - wake up and breakfast
7:00 - Go to the Eco Farm
7:00 - work in bioconstruction, organic farming, or agroforestry.
9:30-9:45 - coffee break
9:45-12:00 - continue work in bioconstruction, organic farming, or agroforestry.
12:00-13:00 -Lunch Break
13:00-16:00 - finish work in bioconstruction, organic farming or agroforestry.
Free-time activities
The Eco Caminhos farm is located in the "Região Serrano" where you will be surrounded by beautiful mountains, forests, reservations, wildlife, and waterfalls. Still, you won't be isolated as Nova Friburgo, a city with 180,000 inhabitants and a good structure, is only 6km from the farm. The region is far more safe than the city of Rio de Janeiro. There is also a bus stop 500 meters from the farm that travels into town every hour.
Water Sports
Swimming
Concert/
Music
Music
Sightseeing
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Sports
Riding
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (basic level)
required
tell us about your skills and add CV
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
nature lovers
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
from
07:00
- 16:00
What's Included
Included:
- Basic accommodation (shared room)
- Basic food: we buy ingredients like rice, beans, pasta, coffee, eggs, milk, flour etc. Vegetables come from our own farm
- Theoretical introductions about the implementation of permaculture, bioconstruction, and agroforestry on our farm
- Hands-on bioconstruction, agroforestry, and organic farming at Eco Caminhos
- 1 activity per week, including hikes, horseback riding, campfires, and camping in the mountains *
- 1 Portuguese class per week
- Participate in volunteer nights, including board games, movies, karaoke, and campfires.
* You pay for your own transport and entrance fees, if applicable
To guarantee your safe and comfortable arrival, our trusted driver from Nova Friburgo, Dutra, can pick you up and drop you off at Eco Caminhos' doorstep. He will wait for you at Arrivals with a small name plate. Dutra charges only R$ 440 (approximately € 60), which is a very competitive price for Brazil. We can also arrange for you to be dropped off at a specific location on your day of departure.
There is 2 possible accommodation options:
Volunteer compound.
The volunteer compound has 2 houses, 2 kitchens, 6 double bedrooms.
It has all the facilities you need, including WiFi and 2 washing machines.
The perfect place to make friends and hang out after a long but rewarding day of work.
Homestay
You will be placed with carefully-selected local family.
The families offer you a private bedroom and all the meals you need.
All homestay families are very close to the Eco Farm.
Homestay is the perfect way to submerge yourself in Brazilian culture, food, and the Portuguese language.
Volunteer compound
We provide volunteers with the ingredients for their meals.
With the exception of lunch on workdays, volunteers will have to cook for themselves but we find this is a great way to bond with your fellow volunteers and explore the beautiful thing that is Brazilian cuisine!
The budget is for breakfast, lunch, and dinner - anything not covered by this budget is at the expense of the volunteers.
Homestay
For people who choose homestay, food is provided. During workdays, you will be eating at the Eco Farm. the rest of the time you will eat with the host family. We can tell you that the families are known for their delicious food.
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Galeao Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) in Rio De Janeiro. We assist you to find cheap flights to Brazil.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Brazil provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Brazil you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Brazil.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
People are welcome year-round. At Eco Caminhos the weather allows us to work all year.
To get here you can make your own way or you can ask us to organize your airport transfer. During your first week you will be introduced to everyone and get some introductory training on the farm, permaculture, bioconstruction, and agroforestry.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 - 12 weeks
Program fees
1 week
(min. stay)
$310
2 weeks
$465
3 weeks
$620
4 weeks
$775
6 weeks
$1,060
8 weeks
$1,292
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$1,602
Average fees
$222
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Eco Caminhos
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Eco Caminhos during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
Why book with Volunteer World
Volunteer World is the world's leading comparison platform for international volunteer opportunities. We guide you through a safe and easy
application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
High ethical standards & transparent social impact
Flex Option
Change your reservation at no extra costs
Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if Eco Caminhos cancels your trip
Support & Mediation
We cover your back no matter what happens
Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Eco Caminhos.
What are people saying about Volunteer World?
Build a Cobhouse/Bioconstruction/Natural Building
Eco Caminhos builds among the most advanced bioconstruction houses in South America. If you want to learn about bioconstruction you will be able to learn from day 1.
$222/week
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