Inn-keeper Couple - San Gerardo de Rivas, Chirripo National Park - Costa Rica

The Casa Mariposa is looking for an outgoing, energetic and responsible couple or individual for the position of Seasonal Lead Host. This position provides free lodging (private room) and a stipend as well as other incentives. Duration of position Novemer 1 through April 31 (3 month minimum)

Casa Mariposa is a rustic guesthouse located at the trailhead to Mt. Chirripo, Costa Rica.  Many travelers come to the area not only for the Park, but to enjoy the cool air, free-access hiking, waterfalls, slow village life and beautiful high elevation forest. We enjoy providing simple, down-to-earth,  environmentally concious lodging to independent travellers.  We cultivate a  peaceful environment where people can hopefully relax and explore, connect to the local surroundings, and let go of some of the stress of traveling. This is what we were looking for when we were on the road!

The local village still maintains its culture and charm, and most families practice agriculture. It's an early to bed, early to rise life style. There are many micro-businesses nearby including nature reserves, chocolate artisans, a warm spring, trout fishing, botanical gardens and restaurants in family homes.

Though the village may be slow moving, days at the hostel are active, multi-lingual and multi-cultural. Our Family style guesthouse has a common kitchen for guest use (no restaurant). We can house up to 22 guests and are often busy during the high season from Dec 1 to April 31.

The Lead Host position duties include:

Oversight, direction and participation in the work exchange team

The Lead Host is responsible for guest services, continuity and communication between shifts, orientation and scheduling of work exchange volunteer(s), as well as hosting during the afternoon/evening shift (2-9pm).  The hostel is a very dynamic place and we break the day broadly into a morning shift 6:30am -2pm  and an afternoon shift 2pm -9pm.  There is dedicated cleaning staff most mornings managed by the owners. Additionally, we usually have one work exchange volunteer to work the morning guest service shift.  The owners and local staff are involved in several community projects (tree planting, recycling) and also innovative home projects and all team members are encouraged to participate (in Spanish!).

House hosting for the evening shift

The evening position involves a high level of guest interaction, welcoming and orienting incoming guests, assisting with preparations for the Chirripo hike, offering advice for day hikes in the area, directing kitchen traffic, running a hot tub for a weary hiker, maintaining a warm and congenial atmosphere. Duties will also include settling guest accounts, guest laundry, and light cleaning of the common areas. The Lead Host team will manage reservations and inquiries by email and phone and a proficiency in Spanish and English is required.

Light maintence

Light bulbs will need to be changed and toilets may need to be unclogged. The power may go out when everyone is without their flashlights. A successful Lead Host Team will be resourceful and capable of taking charge during unexpected everyday occurrences of running a guesthouse. Although the owners are available most of the time, there will be times when Lead Hosts are the main problem solvers.

Skills and Qualifications

Proficiency in both written and spoken English and Spanish. A helpful and friendly disposition. Empathy. Neatness. Time management skills. Must be able to attend to work obligations while in a social setting. Independent and self-directed.  Well-developed sense of personal and social boundaries. 

Must be physically fit. We are situated in a area of steep terrain. Most transportation in the local area is by foot.  Hikes in the area are from moderate to quite difficult and as a Host, you will be expected to be familiar with the area in order to be a source of good information for the guests.

Handling money and accurate settling of accounts.

Must be cat and dog and forest-creature friendly. The hostel is non-toxic and we do not use synthetic pesticides. We appreciate and re-locate wayward forest creatures.