¡Bienvenidxs! Cocreate on our growing agroecological food forest around Lake Chapala, MX

Mexico
¡Bienvenidxs! Cocreate on our growing agroecological food forest around Lake Chapala, MX
¡Bienvenidxs! Cocreate on our growing agroecological food forest around Lake Chapala, MX ¡Bienvenidxs! Cocreate on our growing agroecological food forest around Lake Chapala, MX
13 • Updated 15 days ago
Hello, Santiago and Saku here! Together with our family, we are creating a small co-housing project in the lively town of San Juan Cosalá, by Lake Chapala, Mexico. The land is shared with family, a few neighbors, our rescued pups Werita and Naya, and often friends, visitors, and volunteers. Our intention is to grow a lush fruit, medicinal herb, and vegetable forest using permaculture and agroecological practices, while also building communal outdoor spaces and gathering areas for community life. We are looking for self-sufficient, curious, and collaborative people who wish to co-create this project. We value the diverse skills each person brings and enjoy learning, sharing, and implementing them through ongoing, hands-on work. Life here includes gardening, building, creating, waking up to birdsong, enjoying sunrises and sunsets over the lake, disconnecting from city life, and moving the body through garden work and mountain trails. SEP-DEC – 2026 Current activities include: ○ Deweeding, composting, watering and making natural pest control ○ Harvest, pruning, fertilizing, and processing fruit tree yields ○ Creating a worm compost system ○ Managing compost, recycling and trash ○ Managing urine from dry toilet and converting it into plant nutrition tea ○ Hosting body workshops, yoga, meditation, shared meals, movie nights, and potlucks ○ Maintaining greenhouse productive ○ Transforming bamboo into fencing, tipi trellis structures, prefab panels and objects ○ Processing harvests into jams, ferments, teas, and floral salads for local markets (seasonal) __DAILY LIFE We have a plant nursery, a hands-on hose-based irrigation system, and a composting area, with plans to expand into worm composting. Garden tasks follow lunar cycles when possible. Two shared meals are prepared on workdays, with cooking and cleaning shared equally. __ACCOMMODATION We offer a covered campsite with tents (max two at a time), compost toilet, outdoor shower, bedding, electricity, WiFi, and shared facilities. Vanlifers are welcome. __COMMON AREAS AND AMENITIES ○ Fully equipped outdoor kitchen ○ Outdoor dry toilet and solar-heated shower ○ Open garden paths and central gathering area ○ Large terrace for yoga, movement, arts, and workshops (8:00–20:00) Work starts early to avoid heat, with mornings dedicated to garden tasks. Lunch is shared; dinner is on your own, though we occasionally go out together for local bites. San Juan Cosalá is one of the oldest towns by Lake Chapala, vibrant and authentically Mexican. Nearby towns are easily accessible. Hiking, cycling, cultural activities, hot springs, and workshops abound. We share the land with wildlife, and there are critters such as mosquitos, spiders and scorpions to watch out for,; we've never had an inccident in the 5 years being here. A hospital is 10 minutes away. The climate ranges from 15–35°C. If you value community, autonomy, nature, and hands-on living, we’d love to host you :-) ◉◉◉ ¡Hola, somos Santiago y Saku! Junto con nuestra familia, estamos creando un pequeño proyecto de co-housing en el energético pueblo de San Juan Cosalá, a orillas del Lago de Chapala, México. El terreno se comparte con familia, algunos vecinos, nuestras solobinas Werita y anaya, y con frecuencia visitas de amistades. Nuestra intención es cultivar un bosque abundante de frutas, hierbas medicinales y hortalizas utilizando prácticas de permacultura y agroecología, al mismo tiempo construir espacios exteriores comunitarios y áreas de encuentro. Buscamos personas autosuficientes, curiosas y colaborativas que deseen cocrear en este proyecto y estilo de vida. Valoramos la diversidad de habilidades que cada persona aporta y disfrutamos aprender, compartir e implementarlas a través de un trabajo práctico y continuo. La vida aquí incluye jardinería, construcción y creación; despertar con el canto de los pájaros, disfrutar amaneceres y atardeceres sobre el lago, desconectarse de la vida urbana, y mover el cuerpo tanto en el jardín como en los senderos alrededor. SEP - DIC - 2026 Las actividades actuales incluyen: ○Deshierbe, compostaje, riego y elaboración de control natural de plagas. ○Cosecha, poda, fertilización y procesamiento del rendimiento de los árboles frutales. ○Creación de un sistema de vermicompostaje (lombricompostaje). ○Gestión de compost, reciclaje y residuos. ○Manejo de la orina del baño seco y su transformación en té nutricional para plantas. ○Facilitación de talleres corporales, yoga, meditación, comidas compartidas, noches de cine y convivencias con comida en traje (potlucks). ○Mantenimiento de la productividad del invernadero. ○Transformación de bambú en cercas, estructuras tipo tipi para tutorado, paneles prefabricados u otros objetos. ○Procesamiento de cosechas en mermeladas, fermentos, infusiones/tés y ensaladas florales para mercados locales (de temporada). __VIDA DIARIA Contamos con un vivero, un sistema de riego manual con mangueras y un área de composta, con planes de ampliar a lombricomposta. Las tareas del jardín siguen el ciclo lunar cuando es posible. En los días de trabajo se preparan dos comidas compartidas, y la cocina y la limpieza se reparten equitativamente. __ALOJAMIENTO Ofrecemos un campamento techado con tiendas (máximo dos a la vez), baño seco, regadera al aire libre, ropa de cama, electricidad, WiFi y servicios compartidos. Las personas que viajan en van son bienvenidas. __ÁREAS COMUNES Y AMENIDADES ○Cocina exterior totalmente equipada ○Baño seco exterior y regadera con calentador solar ○Jardín abierto con senderos y un área central de reunión ○Terraza amplia para yoga, movimiento, artes y talleres (8:00–20:00) El trabajo comienza temprano para evitar el calor, con las mañanas dedicadas a las labores del jardín. La comida es compartida; la cena es por cuenta propia, aunque ocasionalmente salimos juntos a probar antojitos locales. San Juan Cosalá es uno de los pueblos más antiguos del Lago de Chapala, vibrante y auténticamente mexicano. Los pueblos cercanos son de fácil acceso. Abundan las opciones de senderismo, ciclismo, actividades culturales, aguas termales y talleres. Compartimos la tierra con fauna silvestre incluyendo mosquitos, arañas y alacranes, afortunadamente los encuentros son poco frecuentes y en los 5 años aquí jamás ha habido un incidente. Hay un hospital a 10 minutos. El clima oscila entre 15 y 35 °C. Si valoras la comunidad, la autonomía, la naturaleza y una forma de vida práctica y activa, nos encantará recibirte :-)
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Forestry
Flower farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Beer, cider, wine, or juice making
Traditional crafts
Green Building
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
No-till farming
Permaculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
Former WWOOFer
0.2 Hectares | 0.5 Acres
Accommodation
4+ WWOOFers
Camper / RV
Campsite
Children not accepted
Pets not accepted
Meals
Omnivore
Vegetarian
Length of stay
1-2 weeks
3-4 weeks
Over a month
Santiago
Santiago
Member since 2024
Languages spoken: English, Spanish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100% Response time: typically within 1 day
Mexico
Aeropuerto Internacional de Guadalajara/Direct bus to Chapala/Taxi availability
Feedback
Leni
Leni
Germany • September 2026
Tierra Papanana was not only my first stay in Mexico, but also one of my most valuable interpersonal experiences so far. Santiago, Saku, and their family are incredibly hospitable and kind. From the very first day, I felt welcomed and at home. The work was varied and inspiring as well. The garden is very tropical, and the property is not only beautifully built in terms of architecture, but also very well maintained with a wonderful view of the mountain. Thank you again, and a warm recommendation to anyone who wants to experience Mexico at its best!❤️
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Erin-Darby
Erin-Darby
United States • September 2026
Tierra Papananaaaa! Santiago y Saku son los mejores. Amazing food, hospitality, conversation, and willingness (with great patience and grace) to teach Mexican Spanish slang and cultural practices. The housing accommodations were very comfortable and wifi access was consistent. The work was rewarding and fruitful (literally!). Excited for the ongoing projects here at Papanana and looking forward to my next visit <3!
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Ally
Ally
United States • July 2026
Santiago and Saku provided such a wonderful & accommodating experience! They are both very knowledgeable about various gardening & landscaping techniques to help produce better plants, fruits, and vegetables which was fun to learn more about! We all chipped in with helping with meals & cleaning every day which I also enjoyed very much. I definitely recommend staying with them if you’re looking for good company, great teachings, and kind energy :)
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Nicolette
Nicolette
United Kingdom • April 2026
I stayed for 7 weeks and had an amazing experience. Santiago and Saku were kind, generous and attentive hosts, and the same for their family, other residents in the community and neighbours. No question went unanswered, be it about the work projects or the locality. A brilliantly designed project with ongoing infrastructure. I spent my working hours on various tasks: light construction, pruning, transplanting, harvesting and watering. Breakfast and lunch were shared on work days and Saku’s fusion cooking is delicious. Again the family shared meals and Santiago was always happy to describe the food and culture in great detail: I loved this. In my downtime I daily walked into town and the malecón where I met many friendly locals on the way and fed the street dogs. Santiago and Saku took myself and other WWOOFers to some nearby hot springs- incredible experience and for a day out to some hidden waterfalls, again absolutely wonderful. I got to see so much and experience life around Lake Chápala. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend a stay and I’ll be back for sure.
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Charlotte
Charlotte
France • March 2026
Nous sommes Pierre et Charlotte,nous avons passé 2 semaines avec Santiago et Saku. Nous avons découvert tellement de choses,nous avons appris a vivre relax, à écouter les colibris dans le jardin. Nous avons appris a faire des banos secos avec les ressources naturelles. Santiago et saku sont des personnes a l'écoute, accueillante,et d'une énergie si douce,toujours à se préoccuper de ses woofers,qu'ils soient heureux,pas surmenés ou autres. Quand nous avions pu visiter la ville,jouer à des jeux de sociétés,manger des spécialistes. Nous avons beaucoup apprécié notre séjour,et voir notre projet fini.( Presque) Merci Santiago,merci Saku,merci a toute la famille. Merci a gorditaaas.
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Hanna
Hanna
Estonia • January 2026
Located next to the beautiful Lake Chapala, San Juan offers a peaceful environment for those looking to experience non-touristy Mexico — the place where Santiago and Saku have built their home. Just outside the town center, it offers the perfect balance between tranquility and the lively streets of San Juan Cosalá. Communication with the hosts was 10/10 — they were always responsive and provided all the information one could need before arriving. During our time there, we felt incredibly welcomed and appreciated. They truly care about the well-being of their volunteers. The space is quite small; however, there is enough room to enjoy some privacy or spend time with the community. Santiago and Saku shared so much knowledge about the surroundings and life in the area, making it easy to explore on your own and experience authentic small-town Mexican life. Daily tasks mainly involved gardening — watering, planting, and some minor construction work. They are very open-minded and genuinely welcome ideas and input, so don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with them. We just want to thank Santiago and Saku for this incredible experience — and cheers to new friendships. Hopefully, we’ll see you again soon! P.S. Give all your love to Güera (the dog and the true soul of the community).
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