Equilibrium — Volunteer Guidebook

Digital Check-In

Please complete before arrival

To ensure security, comply with local regulations, and complete our digital check-in process, we kindly ask that you provide your information before arrival.

Guest Information

Whenever possible, please share the following details for each guest in your party.

If travelling with others, please submit a separate form for each guest. Your access codes, gate code, and WiFi details will be sent to you once check-in is complete.

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Welcome to Equilibrium

Volunteer House Rules & Guidebook · Boutique Guesthouse & Nature Reserve

We're truly happy to have you here and grateful for the time, energy, and care you bring to this place.
Team Equilibrium

Equilibrium is a boutique guesthouse and nature reserve focused on tranquility, nature, and high-quality guest experiences. These guidelines help everything run smoothly. By staying and volunteering here, you agree to follow them.

The Equilibrium Experience

Guests choose Equilibrium because they are looking for peace and quiet, clean well-kept spaces, and privacy and time to rest. Everything that happens on the property should support the guest experience. Being aware of how our actions affect others is essential to keeping the atmosphere calm and harmonious.

The 10-Minute Rule: Guest-accessible spaces must always be perfect and fully guest-ready within 10 minutes. Assume a booking could come in at any moment.

Expectations & Contribution
Hours per week
~25 hours
Schedule coordinated with Aaron
Main contact
Aaron
Report issues clearly and promptly
Food stipend
130,000 COP
Per person per week · receipts required

Your main point of contact is Aaron. Please report issues clearly and promptly, avoid taking matters into your own hands, and ask whenever you are unsure.

House Guidelines

Noise · Guests · Spaces · Cleanliness · Security

Quiet Hours & Noise
Quiet hours
7:00 PM – 9:00 AM
When paying guests are on property
Lights off
10:00 PM
To support everyone's sleep
  • Music and noise kept to a minimum during quiet hours
  • Conversations remain calm and respectful
  • Even outside quiet hours, keep noise levels considerate at all times
Guests, Visitors & Shared Spaces

Visitors are welcome only with prior notice and approval. Overnight visitors are not allowed. Social gatherings require permission. Paying guests always take priority.

  • Common areas and outdoor spaces may be used during the day
  • When no guests are present, guest cabin spaces may be used — always leave clean and guest-ready
  • Sleeping in rental cabins is not allowed — they must stay available for last-minute bookings
  • Discounted volunteer rates for overnight cabin stays available — speak with Aaron
Cleanliness Standards

Cleanliness is central to what makes Equilibrium special.

  • All common spaces are free of trash at all times
  • Guest cabins are immaculate immediately after checkout
  • The volunteer cabin remains neat and organized
  • The kitchen is cleaned immediately after use
  • Floors, surfaces, and shared items always feel clean and polished
  • Trash is taken out regularly and given to Diego
  • Compost goes to the area in front of the rock fountain near the cabin
  • Do not move furniture or equipment without permission
  • Report any damage or malfunction to Aaron right away
  • Do not take plates, cups, or items from the guest cabins

We prefer natural and biodegradable cleaning products. Check with Aaron before using any new cleaning chemicals.

Security & Transportation
  • The entrance gate must remain closed at all times, all doors kept locked
  • Guests may only enter with permission. You may share the gate code with trusted vendors or guests
  • If you leave and forget the opener, press the button on the bottom of the black box at the gate
  • Please maintain a low profile — follow the local principle of "no dar papaya"
  • Vehicle use for town errands may be requested. Valid driver's license required. Car use is a privilege, not a right
  • Bikes can be rented with approval. Store securely when not in use. No overnight trips on bikes

There are cameras placed around the property for security purposes — not surveillance.

Sustainability & Environment
  • Turn off lights and fans immediately when leaving a room
  • Take short showers
  • Report any leaky faucets or running toilets to Aaron right away
  • Compost: all organic waste goes to the compost area in front of the rock fountain
  • Recycling: separate plastics, glass, and paper/cardboard into designated bins
  • Minimize single-use plastics wherever possible
  • Avoid disturbing local fauna and flora. Always stay on established paths
  • Do not pick flowers or plants unless specifically instructed for cooking or gardening

Daily Life

Room & Board · Food Stipend · Pets & Wildlife

Room, Board & Daily Living

Volunteers are responsible for keeping their living spaces clean at all times. Shared spaces should always be left better than found. Group cooking duties are coordinated among volunteers.

The property has vegetable gardens throughout — we actively use the produce to keep the food cycle healthy. Our agronomist Victor visits weekly. Let us know if you'd like to participate, learn, or help out.

Food Stipend

130,000 COP per person per week for essential food purchases only.

  • Covered: vegetables, fruits, grains, eggs, basic proteins
  • Not covered: alcohol, candy, or non-essential items
  • Receipts must be provided for all stipend purchases
  • Aaron will transfer funds once a week — easiest via Revolut

It may sometimes be necessary to purchase items for the cabins, garden, or other needs. Paying upfront and getting reimbursed later is the norm. Always useful to have cash on hand — bike deliveries often require immediate payment.

Pets & Wildlife

Mochi and Nucita live on the property and are part of the Equilibrium family. Please treat them with care and affection.

Mochi the Cat:

  • Give her fresh dry food once a day; treats are fine occasionally. Food available at D1
  • Change her water station regularly — unplug, clean, refill
  • Check for fleas regularly (excessive scratching or bald patches)
  • Trim her claws with pet scissors if they get too long
  • If her eye appears closed or red: eye drops (in the cat utensils bag), twice a day with a treat
  • Leave a window or door slightly open at night so she can come and go

Wildlife: Bananas and seed are left out daily to attract birds. Volunteers cover this on Sundays when Diego is not around. Wild foxes, armadillos, cats, and howler monkeys can be spotted — report any rare species so we can update our fauna list.

Stray animals: Do not feed, shelter, or engage with stray animals. Stray dogs should not be brought onto or allowed to linger on the property.

Bugs are attracted to lights. Turn off all lights when not in use and keep doors closed to prevent insects from entering the cabins.

Cleaning & Preparing Cabins

Jacuzzis · Beds · Stocking · Welcoming Guests

Jacuzzis

The jacuzzis are a key feature and must be cleaned before each guest arrival. Coordinate with Aaron and Diego to confirm who is doing it.

1
Find the plug under the bench inside the tub and press it down once to drain.
2
Clean the wood interior with a cloth and soap; push remaining water toward the drain.
3
Once clean, close the plug (without turning it) and turn on the water tap.
4
Filling takes approximately 1.5 hours (the lower cabin fills faster). Set a timer.
5
Water level should be about one hand-width above the round silver knob. Do not let it overflow.
  • Lower cabin (Rustic): heating, jets, and lights
  • Upper cabin (Refined): heating and lights only
  • Jacuzzi salt for guests should always be topped up — extra supply is in the upper cabin bathroom drawer
Making Beds
1
Remove all bedding after guest checkout and wash on the delicate program with washing powder.
2
Dry in the upstairs dryer for one cycle. Clean the lint filter every cycle.
3
After the dryer, hang briefly on the washing line to prevent creasing, then fold carefully.
4
Mattress layers in order: protective sheet (plastic layer down) → elastic sheet → soft cover → duvet with zip cover.
5
Wash and fold each set together for easy use next time.

Towels: Wash on hot and dry in the dryer (not in the sun — it reduces softness). Fold neatly.

Stocking the Cabins

Always ensure the following are stocked before guest arrival:

  • Bathroom: soap, shampoo, conditioner, cotton swabs, toilet paper (plus 1–2 extra rolls)
  • Kitchen: salt, oil, vinegar, kitchen towels, a few types of tea
  • Extras: a jar of fresh local coffee beans, fresh eggs, and a pack of Club Colombia beer in the fridge
Welcoming Guests

Give new guests a warm welcome — you don't need to be there the exact moment they arrive (they receive arrival instructions), but sooner is better. Let them know you're a volunteer and that they can reach you or Aaron with any questions.

Key things to cover:

  • They are welcome to use the vegetable gardens
  • Upper cabin (Refined): bedroom blind remote is next to the bed. Right button (arrow down) closes right blinds; use arrows below to switch between left and right
  • Show them the jacuzzi — confirm it is clean and ready. To heat: press the heating button. Allow 1–2 hours; check temperature periodically as it can get too hot
  • Show them the gate remote: press 1 to open or close. Closing only activates once they've passed the sensor behind the gate
  • Lower cabin (Rustic): BBQ uses gas. Upper cabin (Refined): uses coals
  • Both cabins have a folder with bird and activity information
Hostel Guests

We are experimenting with renting the volunteer space as a hostel when capacity allows. Volunteers are expected to greet hostel guests and prepare breakfast for them.

The Cloud Forest Reserve

On-Property Trails · Birdwatching · Nature

As a guest at Equilibrium you have full access to the cloud forest reserve and on-property hiking trails. The reserve is home to 84+ recorded bird species — more than a quarter of all species in the Jericó municipality.

Property Map
Equilibrium property map

① Entrance  ·  ② Family Cabin  ·  ③ Rustic Cabin  ·  ④ Lower Veggie Garden  ·  ⑤ Refined Cabin  ·  ⑥ Upper Veggie Garden  ·  ⑦ Scenic Viewpoint  ·  ⑧ Waterfall

On-Property Trails
TrailTimeDifficultyHighlight
Waterfall Trail ~15 min Moderate Private cascade in the cloud forest
Scenic Viewpoint ~10–15 min Moderate 360° views across the Jericó valley and Andes

Wear sturdy hiking shoes on all trails — paths can be slippery when wet.

Birdwatching

84+ bird species recorded on the property — more than ¼ of all species in the Jericó municipality. Best birdwatching window: 6:00–9:00 AM. Explore our fauna page →

Download the free Merlin Bird ID app (Cornell Lab) before you hike — it identifies birds by sound in real time.

The Garden

Organic vegetables are grown throughout the property and are free for guests to take. Explore and enjoy — ask us for a tour. Learn more →

84+ bird species recorded on the property — more than ¼ of all species in the Jericó municipality.
Equilibrium · Jericó, Colombia

Team & Contacts

Personnel · Emergency · Sustainability

Equilibrium Personnel
NameRoleContact
AaronHost & main contact+57 313 681 3533
JosieLives on site+57 333 235 8966
DiegoDaily maintenance (Spanish only)+57 311 606 1591
EduardoCaretaker & bike maintenance+57 314 799 2219
VictorGardener, visits weekly+57 322 655 5484
AlejandraDeep cleaning (as needed)+57 314 627 1167
William CarmonaDelivery driver+57 301 551 1283
HugoDelivery driver+57 321 734 1540

You may share the entrance gate code with trusted vendors and delivery drivers.

Emergency Services
Police / Emergency
Colombia
Hospital San Rafael de Jericó
Urgencias · Maps
Nearest hospital
Host Emergency
Urgent matters only

Volunteer Agreement

Please read, complete, and submit

By completing this form you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to follow the Equilibrium Volunteer House Rules & Guidebook.

Acknowledgment & Agreement Form

I confirm that I have read and understood the Equilibrium Volunteer House Rules & Guidebook, including all sections covering the guest experience, quiet hours, cleanliness standards, pet care, the 10-minute readiness rule, cabin preparation, food stipend, security, and sustainability practices.

I agree to follow these guidelines throughout my time volunteering at Equilibrium and understand that failure to do so may result in the end of my volunteering arrangement.



Thank you — your agreement has been submitted and sent to the Equilibrium team. Welcome aboard.

We want Equilibrium to feel natural, welcoming, clean, and well cared for — for guests, staff, and volunteers alike. When in doubt, choose the quieter, cleaner, and more considerate option, or simply ask.
— Team Equilibrium
Guidelines
Daily Life
Cabin Care

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