Farm Stay in Chile
- Program Information
- Costs and services
- FAQ
- Photos
Do you want to take a break from busy city life and experience something realy new? Or, maybe you go through your daily life like a hamster on a wheel? Want a change of scenery, discover new adventures, get to know a different culture and enjoy amazing landscapes? A great and meaningful way to change your perspective can be farm work abroad. And, if this farm is at the other end of the world, even better! The farer the distance the wider you can broaden your horizon!
If you enjoy nature, you do not mind physical work, you love being around animals and you enjoy learning from other cultures, our Farm Stay programs are a perfect fit. Our farm stay programs are work placemtents on Chilean farms. You help with different activities and the farm provides you with free board and lodging.
Our programs are suitable for participants of all ages and professional backgrounds. It does not matter if you have just graduated from high school, are in the middle of college or already a professional needing a sabbatical. Farm work in Chile offers you the wonderful opportunity to get to know the country and people far away from the beaten tourist paths, to develop language skills and to work for food and accommodation. You should bring along good physical fitness, as farm work can be physically exhausting.
Farm work with Chile Inside lets you experience Chilean country life in all its originality. Caring for and feeding animals, growing and processing agricultural products, and assisting with daily work on the farms, lands and gardens will be part of your daily schedule for a while - and will make you forget your common routine.
As the name says, farm stays taks place on farms. We arrange programs on animal farms (such as horses, goats, sheep, cows, etc.) and on arable farms. Many of our farms are also devoted to tourism. They offer their guests, for example, horseback riding activities or multi-day horseback riding tours and welcome their guests in typical local guesthouses. All program sites are located in a beautiful landscape and offer you the opportunity to leave the stressful city life, noise, air pollution and hectic behind you. You can express your preferences regarding the farm stay placement. We will be happy to follow your preferences, but can not always guarantee site-specific placements, as it depends on availability.
Farm work in Chile is also a great way to improve your Spanish language skills. Even for Spanish beginners the program participation is available. However, many Chileans do not speak foreign languages, especially in rural areas. Therefore, beginners need to start the program with a Spanish course at one of our 6 language schools in Chile, to ensure that communication in Spanish with the staff of the farm is possible.
We offer the following kinds of Farm Stay:
Farm Stay in Chile includes:
- Accommodation (single or shared room)
- Full-board
- Professional English-speaking advice
- Translation of your application documents and creation of your profile to Spanish
- Farm Stay Placement
- Useful information about your stay in Chile
- Personal English-speaking in-country contact person
- Informative welcome talk in our office in Santiago
- Organization of the onward journey to the program place
- Confirmation of participation from Chile Inside
- 24/7 emergency number
Costs
Registration Fee
US$ 120
PLacement Fee
US$ 530
Minimum stay 1 month
Each additional Month
US$ 25
You can also book:
- Spanish course in Chile: Choose your favorite destination among 6 different Spanish school locations
- Airport pick-up: US$ 40
(Transfer from Santiago airport to a destination in Santiago like your accommodation, office of Chile Inside, bus station for onward journey).
Do not forget!
Get your Travel Insurance here:
What exactly is Farm Stay?
With Farm Stay we refer to our programs abroad in Chile that take place in the countryside on local farms. Work places are ranches, horse farms, riding centers, farms, touristic stud farms, or similar places. Farm Stay is not about „farm holidays“ but real, sometimes hard physical work, in the stables and grounds of the farm. You will also live on the farm in a private or shared room. In exchange for your work you will be get free meals and accommodation, so that the cost of living during your stay in Chile is covered.
Where are the farms located?
The Farm Stay programs in Chile can theoretically be organized throughout the country. Geographically, our program locations are located mainly in the central region of Chile, as well as in southern Chile, from the lake region down to Patagonia. In central Chile you will find mainly fruit and vegetable cultivation, horse breeding and wineries, in the lake region dominate livestock and dairy farming and in Patagonia you can expect "estancias" with huge herd of sheep or cows breeding in the endless steppes. Farms with touristic operations can be found in all regions. So, you can do your farm work both near big cities and in complete seclusion (like Patagonia).
Where will I be living?
The accommodation is provided directly by farm. In most cases, accommodation takes place directly on the grounds of the farm. This can be either in the house of the landowner, in the employer's house or in the house of the farm manager and his family.
What are the requirements to participate in a Farm Stay?
For the participation in a farm work in Chile no special previous knowledge is required. Anyone who wants to spend some time abroad, who likes being close to nature, and does not scare from physical work can take part. You should be prepared to go without the leisure activities of big cities for a while or, in some cases, to live in a secluded, but yet wonderful, place.
Do I need riding skills in order to participate in a Farm Stay?
The range of farms we work with is very large. Program sites on horse farms, equestrian centers, on horse stud farms, and in horse breeding farms are very popular. Riding on these farms requires riding skills and experience in working with horses. Participants without this requirement will not be disapproved, but the placement process may take longer. There are also interesting places on farms (sheep farming, cattle breeding, milk production, traditional agriculture, fruit production, etc.) where riding skills are irrelevant.
What are the age limites?
We require a minimum age of 18 years. There is no maximum age. The majority of our Farm Stay participants are between the ages of 18 and 40 years old.
What language skills are required?
Many Chileans, especially in rural areas, do not speak foreign languages. In order to ensure a full integration in the working and everyday life on the farm, Spanish skills are needed at least at a basic level. If you do not have enough Spanish, that does not mean that you can not participate. Our Spanish courses in Chile will prepare you for your Farm Stay programs so that you meet the language requirements.
Can I participate together with a friend/partner?
We also can place friends or couples in our programs. In the case of a "double placement" we will always try to place you in the same farm, but we can not always give a guarantee. Friends or couples therefore should be open to plan B, which would mean two differnent farms, but in the location. So, both can make their own international experience and are still close to each other to share experiences or to do spare time activities together.
How does the application process work?
The application process at Chile Inside is simple and straightforward. The starting signal to start the placement process falls with the payment of the registration fee. With your CV, a current photo and the completed application form, we will translate your documents and create your internal application profile in Spanish in order to introduce you to suitable farms. Once we have received a confirmation from one of the farms, we will prepare your individual program offer for your farm work in Chile with detailed information. If you would like to book your program place then we will send you the booking documents and the payment of the program costs will be due.
More information can be found here: Application process
With how much time in advance do I have to submit my application?
We need between 4 and 12 weeks to organize your farm stay in Chile. The processing time depends on the availability of places, the number of applicants and our current workload. In urgent cases we can also organize the program in less time, and in exceptional cases we may need a bit longer. However, we always keep the desired start date in mind, so you get a suitable offer in time. Send us your application documents 3 to 8 months before your desired start date.
When do I have to pay the placement fee?
Upon receipt of your application documents, we will charge a registration fee (see registration form) in order to get started with our work (translation and preparation of your application profile, selection and contacting of farms, etc.). The placement fee itself is only due when the placement process has been completed successfully. So, once you are ready to book your personal program the placement fee has to be paid..
What are the working hours?
The working hours depend on each farm. Furthermore, they are influenced by the weather and seasonal factors. Farming or livestock is generally carried out 7 days a week as the harvest must also be brought in on a weekend and the animals must also be cared for on Saturday and Sunday. On touristic farms (such as horseback riding centers, farms with guest houses), work is also done on weekends as the majority of tourists arrive on weekends. As a result, you may have to work at the weekend, and your days off may be between Monday and Friday. Our farms generally try not to exceed a maximum working time of 40 hours / week.
Is th airfare included in the program costs?
Chile Inside takes care of your placement on a suitable farm and the in-country support. The farm will give you free board and a room. The costs for your flight and local travel must be borne by yourself.
How do I get to my farm?
The journey to the farm takes place on your own. The team from Chile Inside will rovide you with detailed information and assistance. The farms are literally spread all over the country. In addition, many participants attend a Spanish course in one of our 6 language courses prior to Farm Stay. Therefore, there is no general driving instruction, but we coordinate the journey individually with each participant.
Is there a minimum or maximum participation time?
The minimum participation time is 4 weeks and the participation is limited to 6 months.
What are my responsibilities?
Each farm takes a lot of time to review the application documents of the participants. Likewise, they prepare for the arrival of participants and usually establish a work schedule. They count on your support over the booked participation period. So, following the work instructions and activities as well as the adherence to the working hours is important to ensure that the program runs smoothly and that it is beneficial both for you and the farm.
Will I get a certificate of participation?
On request, we will issue you a certificate of participation. Likewise, all our program places are willing to issue a kind of work certificate, which gives a little more information about your activities and work performance.
What kind of insurance do I need for my Farm stay in Chile?
To participate in a stay abroad in Chile you need at least a travel health insurance, so you are insured in case of illness or accident. For this purpose, you can book your travel insurance online with us, at reasonable rates. For more information see here: Travel Health Insurance
Do I need a work visa for my Farm Stay in Chile?
As long as you do not do paid work or permanent employment in Chile, you do not need a special work visa, unless your program place requires it. With the so-called "tarjeta de turismo" (tourist card), that you receive when you enter Chile, you can stay in the country for 90 days. This period can be extended. Please contact us for further information regarding the visa requirement.
Do I have an english speaking contact person?
In-country support is given by our friendly, multilingual team in theIn-country support is given by our friendly, multilingual team in the Chile Inside office in Santiago de Chile. We are at your disposal for questions, problems or information, also in English.
Is it safe to travel in Chile?
Chile is considered a safe travel destination, even for women traveling alone. Violent attacks on tourists are extremely unlikely. However, in Chile, as everywhere else in the world, you have to pay close attention to your valuables as pickpockets can occur. You can protect yourself from these kinds of incidents by being careful and cautious.
Are there any vaccination requirements?
No special vaccinations are required for entering Chile. Tropical diseases such as malaria, yellow fever or dengue fever do not exist in Chile. For medical advice, however, we always recommend to consult with your doctor, as he knows your health condition best.
What should I do in case of any problem?
In the unlikely event that problems occur during your stay in Chile, we are always at your side. No matter if the problems are related to your program or are of a different nature, we are always happy to help. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number so that you can reach us outside of our business hours in case of emergency.
