Quick Facts
Program code
CL-WT106
Category
Working Holiday, Hostel Work
Country
Chile
Location
La Serena
Program start
year round, start and end dates are flexible
Minimum duration
4 weeks
Minimum age
18 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 9 7516 9816
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Project details
Work & Travel is just right for the adventurous who want a new experience and want to escape their everyday life a little. The concept is a great opportunity for both young participants and the young at heart to receive free board and lodging in return for work. In your free time, you can travel around the area and take a closer look at Chilean culture and sights.
Your program place is a pretty hostel with approx. 50 beds, located in the historic center of the city of La Serena, in the small north of Chile. It was opened in April 2016 and is popular with national and international guests alike.
When designing the interior and exterior areas, the hostel attached great importance to considering elements from the local vegetation, decorative objects by local artists and the special flair that this region of Chile exudes. The result is an extremely comfortable accommodation option that invites you to relax and engage in cultural exchange.
Special highlights are the beautiful garden with local vegetation and the roof-top terrace, from where you can admire a 360 ° panoramic view of the entire city.
La Serena is right on the Pacific Ocean and has a beautiful long sandy beach. The landmark is the old lighthouse directly on beach. To the east, La Serena borders the Andes. The main attraction here is the famous Valle de Elqui, which is known for its clear starry sky. Several internationally important space observatories are located here.
Tasks
During your Working Holiday in the hostel in La Serena, you will take on various activities and thus gain a comprehensive insight into the operation of a hostel. In a small hostel everyone helps wherever there is a need. Welcoming the guests and the check-in at the reception are just as much a part of the tasks as looking after the tourists during their stay.
You will help at the bar or café of the hostel and take on shifts in the kitchen. Another work area is maintenance or cleaning.
Participant in the Working Holiday program usually work 5 days a week. The two days off are not necessarily on the weekend, because this is when there is often a lot to do. The workload depends strongly on the season and the number of guests. There are both idle times and peak times with increased workload. You can use your free time for excursions and explorations.
The working hours are around 30 - 40 hours / week (depending on the number of tourists and needs of the hostel). Shift work may be required.
Accommodation
You will live in one of the shared rooms in the hostel. You will share the room and the bathroom with other participants.
Wifi internet is available free of charge in the hostel.
Location
The colonial city of La Serena, founded in 1544, is the second oldest city in the country after Santiago de Chile. It is located in the so-called little north of Chile, about 500 km north of the capital.
La Serena has seen a remarkable development of the tourism sector over the past few decades. The great variety of cultural offers and the scenic attractions of the region led to this development. These include beautiful beaches along the magnificent Avenida del Mar, clean air, ideal climate all year round and wonderful places to enjoy and visit, such as churches, colonial buildings, avenues, parks, valleys, museums, handicraft markets, etc., as well as the Andean and coastal areas where you can observe local flora and fauna.
Also, the region around La Serena has made a name for itself because of the year-round perfect starry sky, which has led to many renowned international and national observatory settling here.
The Pacific with its hidden fishing villages and seaside resorts is just as much a part of this region as lonely valleys, endless mountain paths and the silence of the Andes with the condor in the skies. The old lighthouse is the symbol of the city and from here you can admire wonderful sunsets over the deep blue sea.
Language skills
Spanish at communication level. For optimal preparation for your Working Holiday in Chile, we advise you to take a Spanish course before the program starts. This gives you the opportunity to slowly get used to the language, culture and mentality and to meet like-minded people in a relaxes atmosphere.
You can book your Spanish course in Chile directly with us!
Requirements
- Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Chile here)
- Minimum age 18 years
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.)
- Completion of a travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, to reach us in case of emergency 24/7.
In Chile you will be supported by our in-country staff based in Santiago de Chile.
Costs & Services
Working Holiday in a Hostel in La Serena in Chile includes:
- Accommodation, shared room
- Breakfast and some basic groceries
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your Workimg Holiday placement
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
Costs
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 350 (minimum stay 4 weeks)
Each additional month: US$ 15
Additionally, you can book:
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Working Holiday Guide
Find valuable information about working abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
Browse through our section Reading Matter!