Farming the hills under the tropical sun (farming zone 12+)
Puerto Rico
In 2020, after a career in communications and living in cities, I started this permaculture project in the hills of Yabucoa, which I run with the help of up to four volunteers, a neighbour, visiting family members, friends, and fellow farmers. 90+ different plants, mostly local fruit trees, but also (medicinal) herbs, are growing around the house. We experiment with natural ways of feeding and protecting the plants, and enjoy eating and sharing the 100% bio/organic crop. I don't have pets, but you'll see and hear dogs, cats, roosters, chickens, iguanas, lizards, frogs, and birds, as well as (rarely) snakes, spiders, and (many) ants, and flying insects. Be aware that this is a 12+ growing zone, so extremely hot and humid, and not comparable with mainland USA farming.
We work together and individually, mostly in the early morning hours before lunch, and again after 3PM, in order to avoid the stinging sun. During a minimum of 25 hours per week you'll clear fields and bushes, cut grass, deweed, mulch, plant, harvest, clean leaves, spray (neem oil or home made insecticides),... Most meals are prepared by me, but all household chores are shared gender equally. There can be outages, but the fiber optic internet is rather reliable. There is no public transportation and an Uber ride to/from the farm to San Juan is approx. USD 80 to 100 one way. I pick up/drop off when possible.
On the ground floor there are two rooms with a total of four individual beds for up to four volunteers who share a bathroom. We share living room, dining room and kitchen. I have my private room and bath. Field clothes, gloves, sun cream, bug spray, soap and shampoo, linnen and towels are provided. We wash and line dry as often as necessary. Mindful use of resources expected. No phones during meals. Expect overnight oats, nutmilk, seasonal farm fruits, seeds and nuts, as well as coffee/tea for breakfast, and well-balanced plant-based whole food lunches and dinners with home made juices and teas. No individual fridge space, but you can bring your non-perishable snacks. Breakfast at approx. 6:30AM in Summer/7AM in Winter. Lunch around 12:30PM and dinner around 6:30PM. By 8PM most are ready for bed, and by 10PM the house normally goes silent.
This is a place for volunteers who don't need to be entertained, but like to socialize, be in nature most of the day, read, write, do their yoga or exercises, play board games, watch birds etc. There's a sewing machine, there are tools and materials to get crafty or creative. To avoid humid mattresses I kindly ask you not to spend all off your free time in or on your bed. There are plenty of alternative places to read or relax.
Every now and then (once or twice a month) I'll take you to a nice spot in the area - Playa Guayanés (a beautiful beach, but NOT a swimming beach), Piedra Blanca, Bosque Pterocarpus, Punta Santiago, the tiny towns of Yabucoa and Humacao, and/or shopping. If the work and weather permits we might even spend a day at Luquillo Beach (for swimming) or drive to San Juan (historic old town and Capital of Puerto Rico). Outings are not guaranteed, though.
Once a week we work on another farm in a radius of 30 minutes, and about every five weeks other farmers come to work on our land.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Renewable energy production
Food justice / sovereignty
Mechanics / tools / technology
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Biodynamic agriculture
Holistic management
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Mentoring opportunities
Woman-operated
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
0.4
Hectares
|
1
Acres
Lisa
Member since 2024
Languages spoken:
English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 1 day
Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)
Reviews
Naomi
United States
•
February 2026
This was my first WWOOF experience and it was amazing! Lisa was wonderful host, she picked me up at the start of my stay and drove me to the airport quite early when I left. Accomodations were very comfortable and clean, and Lisa provided sunscreen, bug spray, and work clothes. My time was full of hard work, teamwork, and great food! We did a lot of different tasks on the farm: de-weeding, mulching, trimming, planting, and harvesting. I learned how to properly use the machete, hoe, pickaxe, and weed-whacker. Lisa cooked for us every day, we ate lots of root veggies, greens, beans/peas, and so much fruit from the farm.
The farm itself was beautiful, amazing view and many opportunities to get to know tropical plants I had never interacted with before. Many adorable lizards, frogs, birds, and the occasional snake or bat! Lots of bugs (you'll probably get bitten but hey that's just life in the tropics!) too, I saw some really cool beetles. My experience here was more than just work, it was a whole education in permaculture! Lisa was always happy to share her knowledge, rather than just telling us what to do she taught us why everything we did was important, and how the whole system of the farms works together. I definitely came away with a greater understanding of food systems and an appreciation for organic food.
I also had the privilege of working alongside three other WWOOFers who became like family by the end of my stay! Highly recommend WWOOFing here!
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Hannah
United States
•
February 2026
I had an incredibly wonderful and meaningful experience. This was my first time wwoofing, and I was excited for the opportunity to learn and dive into the farm work.
Lisa is a very passionate teacher, I asked question after question, and she always explained things wonderfully. I learned so much and had such a great time on the farm! Produce from the farm was included in almost every meal, so satisfying and tasty. I never liked papayas until I tried one grown on the farm.
One thing I will say is if you're not vegan or vegetarian already, I would recommend doing a small trial run of eating no meat and maybe limiting animal consumption to prepare. I didn't realize how much I missed meat, bread, and other animal products. I purchased some non-perishable snacks here and there and that was helpful. I also am a person who likes to snack in between meals, especially with hard labor.
Lisa is very passionate about the farm and what she has there. In my experience she would like volunteers who share that passion and will give 100% 24/7. And would prefer that you stay on the farm during the weekends and off time. If you are looking solely for the farm life this is definitely for you! If you're wanting to travel and explore on the weekends and off time, it may be a bit difficult. I did find the work environment challenging at times. There was frequent negative commentary about current and past volunteers. It made me uncomfortable at times.
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Reply from Lisa
Thanks for your honest feedback, Hannah. I will stop answering volunteers' questions about my experience with volunteers, and will be more careful about what I say or share with the group. 95% of the volunteers are good and great, but being a host is also often a challenge. Just as it is for volunteers. We learn from each other. Yes, as stated in the profile we embrace a plant based whole food diet and live a farm life. But volunteers are not expected to be out or here 7 days a week or 24/7. Volunteers should just make sure that they are okay with what is stated on the profile and not just live for the weekends. I suggest volunteers vacation and explore prior or after coming here, so they are fine being here without the feeling of missing out. It was great to host you. I wish you the best.
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Emma
United States
•
November 2025
Lisa is a generous host who provides countless opportunities to learn, from farm work to dinner table conversations. Farm work was challenging but rewarding, and learning how to work with the land from Lisa was very interesting and engaging. Her cooking is also delicious and opened my eyes to how much variety is possible in a plant based diet. I would love to come back and highly recommend her farm to others.
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Pierce
United States
•
November 2025
Lisa is a fantastic host. She possesses not only an outstanding knowledge of permaculture but also an inspiring enthusiasm for life. If Lisa expects much from her WWOOFers, it is because she is dizzyingly passionate about her farming project, and because she knows the satisfaction that can only be derived from hard and rewarding work. I am extremely grateful for the minute attentiveness Lisa showed to all things on the farm and in her home: safety measures were always stressed and instructed; help was always immediate; meals were excellent and varied; conversations were lively and interesting; domestic chores were mutually shared among volunteers; and free time was liberally given between farming sessions. All in all, I cannot recommend Lisa's farm highly enough. And I will always cherish the time I spent with my fellow WWOOFers in Yabucoa. Thanks, Lisa!
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Mira
Germany
•
March 2025
Lisa was a wonderful host. Very knowledgeable about her plants and the world we live in. Also she is an amazing cook and you will eat as healthy as you probably never have before
James
United States
•
March 2025
This opportunity was nothing short from outstanding.
Once you get an understanding of the whole farm, Lisa lets you wonder and work on task alone or if you aren’t comfortable just yet she’ll guide you.
She lets you calculate your own time.
Essentially a (independent contractor)
I would knock out my 5 hrs a day and get it over with, most would split it into 3hrs shower eat lunch, then go back out for 2hrs then shower and dinner.
The food was incredible!!
Every single meal!!
Farm Fresh Mixed with some Items from the store, mostly vegan!
Unless you’re trying an iguana 😅!
Lisa is super flexible and you should be too if you’re thinking about going here.
Very deep conversation whenever you sit at the dinner table: Life, Goals, Relationships, politics, Farming. Everything.
She has a few instruments..
Great space to learn Spanish.
Seclusion in the mountains is what you’ll get here. But if you stay long enough you’ll see a good amount of the island.
Mosquitoes are terrible here… Fire ants, there’s many. And stinging nettles are being suppressed by the ones before you so they might be gone soon! 😊
All in all 9/10
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Reply from Lisa
Thank you so much for all your great work, James. Yes, you got your fair share of insect bites and stinging nettle encounters. Some might call it an initiation ritual/rite of passage. Just not a planned one ;-) I'm happy you made it to the other side and are now a certified Jíbaro! We're now down to less, thanks to fearless volunteers like you. My best wishes for your future!
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