Quick Facts
Program code
CL-WT116
Category
Working Holiday, Hotel Work
Country
Chile
Location
Pucón, Southern Chile, Lake District
Program start
Flexible start and end dates year round
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
Working Holiday in the middle of nature, in one of the most beautiful and adventurous places in Chile! Anyone who likes to get to know other cultures, feels comfortable “out in the countryside”, likes adventure and doesn’t want to be completely “off the beaten path” is in the right place on this Working Holiday in the popular southern Chilean holiday resort of Pucón. Tourists from Chile and abroad come here all year round, but especially in the Chilean summer.
Our working holiday place in Pucón is located in a modern, relatively new lodge about 15 km outside of Pucón. The lodge has a cozy, modern atmosphere, beautiful rooms and lounge areas both indoors and outdoors. In winter, hot tubs are available for guests to warm up after excursions in the snow. In summer you can find peace at the beautiful swimming pool with a view of the forest.
The lodge is idyllically built entirely out of wood, which is very typical for southern Chile. With its unique architecture, it offers space for 30 guests in 10 rooms and suites. In the lodge's common area there is a bar and lounge with a fireplace and a small restaurant.
The 2-hectare property features beautifully landscaped hiking trails through the native forest with several viewpoints, bird watching spots and a fishing pond.
The lodge is located on the slopes of Rucapillán, very close to attractions such as the Caburga Waterfall, Lakes Villarrica and Caburga, Villarrica National Park, Huerquehue National Park and other beautiful natural parks that are ideal for hiking and exploring. From the lodge you can organize a variety of activities and guided tours such as sport fishing, trekking, kayaking, rafting, mountain biking, canopy, thermal baths, volcano climbing, snow school runs (in winter), etc.
With this program position, you literally work where others vacation and don't have to travel far for adventure and relaxation on your days off, because amazing options are waiting for you right on your doorstep.
Tasks
The tasks in this working holiday program in Pucón are in the area of hospitality and guest relations. Since it is a very small hotel business, everyone helps where help is needed. In the late morning and afternoon, guests are usually out on excursions and exploring and there is less going on at the lodge. This time is used by employees to tidy up, clean the rooms, restock things in the restaurant and bar and prepare for lunch and dinner, activities in the garden and around the pool.
Working hours are approximately 6-8 hours a day, five days a week. The two days off are not necessarily on the weekend but are on 2 consecutive days. The work is divided into shifts, the early shift, the late shift, and the middle shift.
Your responsibilities may include:
- Working at the reception of the lodge (check-in, check-out, answering telephone calls, looking after guests, advising on excursions)
- Assisting with breakfast service (preparing, serving, cleaning up)
- Guests service
- Assisting with room service
- Cleaning and maintaining
- Gardening
- Other indoor and outdoor activities related to hotel operations
Accommodation
You will live directly on the property of the lodge, in the so-called volunteer area. It is a living container beautifully located in the forest. It has a bedroom with several beds and a toilet. Another bathroom with shower is accessible outside. The owners of the lodge also live nearby on the same property of the lodge.
The lodge offers two volunteer spots. If both places are occupied, the room and bathroom are shared. If you are the only volunteer on site, you have sole use of the room and bathroom.
The working holiday position does not include meals. However, you will be provided with a weekly supply of food and can use the lodge's kitchen to cook. The food box includes butter, jam, bread, fruits, vegetables, soups, rice, pasta and proteins (legumes or meat).
WiFi internet is available in the lodge's common areas and can be used outside of working hours.
Location
The beautiful holiday resort of Pucón is picturesquely located on Lake Villarrica with a view of the snow-capped volcano of the same name. Pucón is the resort par excellence both in winter (winter sports and thermal baths) and in summer with countless outdoor activities, nature lovers and adrenaline junkies.
This idyllic small town is popular with Chilean and international tourists alike. Almost 30,000 residents live in Pucón, a number that increases significantly, especially between November and March.
Pucón offers an excellent infrastructure for adventure tourism, a wide range of restaurants, shopping opportunities and a variety of excursion options. Pucón even has an active nightlife to offer. The capital Santiago is about 800 kilometers north and can be reached either by bus or by plane (via Temuco).
The incomparable location makes this place so popular. Visitors can wonderfully combine relaxation with culture, adventure, action, and sport.
Have you ever climbed up an active volcano, looked into the bubbling crater and then slid down on the seat of your pants in the snow? This is possible in Pucón!
The stunning location right at the foot of the Villarrica volcano and the lake of the same name offer a picture-perfect panorama. Pucón is surrounded by dense evergreen forests, beautiful mountains and volcanoes, rivers and lakes. There is also a beautiful waterfall and thermal springs “every few kilometers”.
Pucón's diverse range of sports includes windsurfing, trekking, hiking, rafting, kayaking, zip-line, mountain biking, rapel. Several national parks and nature reserves offer endless hiking trails through untouched nature and the typical araucaria forests that gave the region its name. Villarrica Volcano attracts mountaineers in summer and skiers in winter and even has a large cave system to visit.
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 lodge in Pucón includes:
- Accommodation, shared or single room
- Weekly food supply for self-catering
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your Working 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:
Our tips (experience more + see more = save $$)
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All our stay abroad programs can be combined with each other: So, you can combine different volunteer projects in the same country or in different countries, or you mix Working Holiday with volunteer work or Farm Stay with Working Holiday ...and so on …
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If you need assistance in putting together your personal experience abroad, then please contact us. Our experienced staff will help you to set up your tailor-made stay abroad.
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!