When is the best time to kayak Chile rivers?
Trip guarantees & policies.

Read more... GUEST SATISFACTION GUARANTEES.

Do you offer non-kayak adventures?

Meet Team Buena Onda

Staff Mission. To recruit, train and retain industry leaders. Read more EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNTIES.

The retreat identifies industry leaders via a network of industry professionals, attending events and certification development programs, local and regional universidad recruiting, and word of mouth referrals. Attractive compensation packages are designed to recruit and retain industry leaders. Upon recruiting an industry leader we seek to train that leader on our operations standards and local adventures often pairing foreign leaders with domestic culturally rich leadership. The effect has been the return of excellent staff and loyal guests satisfied year after year.

David Hughes

David Hughes

Retreat Owner, SRT Instructor, RMOC Guide, CMC Adjunct, MBA

Read more DAVID HUGHES

Scarlett Riquelme

Scarlett Riquelme

Management Admin, Multi-Sport, Hospitality Services, Real Estate Agent

Curtis England

Curtis England

NOC Trip Leader, Plastic Guru, Nurse School Student

Read more CURTIS ENGLAND

Lorena Cancino Ochoa

Lorena Cancino Ochoa

Kitchen/Hospitality Services

Tino Specht

Tino Specht

Advisory Team, Marketing

Read more TINO SPECHT

Isi Barraza

Isi Barraza

UFRO Alumni, Kayak & Multi-sport Guide, Spanish Instructor, Cook

Read more ISI BARRAZA

Rick Bravo

Rick Bravo

Partner, Admin & Legals, Construction

Read more RICK BRAVO

Jared "Blue" Smith

Jared "Blue" Smith

NOC Trip Leader, SWR, Musician, Picker

Dylan Wallace

Dylan Wallace

Grounds & Maintenance, Kayak Guide RMOC

Read more DYLAN WALLACE

Karla Held

Karla Held

Kayak, SUP, VIP Multisport Instructor; Spanish Interpreter

Read more KARLA HELD

Kate Stepan

Kate Stepan

RMOC Owner, ACA Instructor Trainer, SRT Instructor

Read more KATE STEPAN

Boyd Ruppelt

Boyd Ruppelt

Team Jackson Kayak, Pie Destroyer, Kayak Instructor

Johnnie Kayaker

Johnnie Kayaker

Director Virtual Kayak Addiction Rehab

John Evans

John Evans

Kayak Guide RMOC & Student Programs

Read more JOHN EVANS

Javier Alonso Contreras Jimenez

Javier Alonso Contreras Jimenez

Translator, Fish & Kayak Guide, Grounds & Maintenance

Jessi Watson

Jessi Watson

Chef, Food and Beverage Consult

MJ

MJ

Grounds & Maintenance, Fly Fishing & Kayak Guide

Read more MJ LEE

Casey Jones

Casey Jones

Ottawa Kayak School Director, Team Dagger, Filmographer

Sal Montgomery

Sal Montgomery

Signature Trips, Expedition Kayaker

Read more SAL MONTGOMERY

Eli Castleberry

Eli Castleberry

Granola Bar & Mushroom Entrepreneur

Kayaking daily with great people, developing your skills, learning Spanish, and being a team player while exploring Chile… It’s the most fun you will ever have working.

- David Hughes

Owner Pucon Kayak Retreat

Retreat Employment Opportunities

The retreat offers paid work and volunteer room and board providing full time jobs, internships, and guest work exchange programs.

Paid Staff Positions

Requirements. Highly competitive requiring partnership referrals and field-experience. Positions include adventure and kayak leadership, kitchen staff, administration, grounds and maintenance. Email [email protected] to learn more. 

Guest Work Exchange Program (GWEP) – Get Your Foot in the Door

The best way for wannabe employees to get their foot in the door is the Guest Work Exchange Program (GWEP). After joining a regular trip guests often ask to extend their Chile adventures. Retreat guests may receive GWEP benefits including free camping and discounted lodging, access to adventures and transportation, at-cost meal plans, and access to staff kitchen and retreat amenities. Most noteworthy is the provided purpose within a like-minded group of active adventurists daily working and adventuring.

Guest Work Exchange Program (GWEP) FAQs.
  1. Can I do a GWEP and not be a regular guest? No, Guests must join a regular trip experience to receive GWEP positions. The benefit is to provide G(uests) economical solutions  to extend their Chile adventures with a team purpose.
  2. What are some of the GWEP positions? Kitchen staff, cleaning and hospitality services, grounds and maintenance, safety boating, art and graphics design.
  3. Can GWEP’ers get promoted to paying jobs? Yes and not always. Annually the retreat identifies select team workers keen to kayak and adventure travel that receive for pay offers.
  4. What is the minimum time frame for a GWEP position?

The guest trip and work exchange period must total 28 days.

  • Single week trip guest + minimum 21 work exchange days.
  • Two week trip guest + minimum 14 work exchange days.
  • Three week trip guest + minimum 7 work exchange days.
Learn More with the GWEP APPLICATION. No Financial Obligation.

The best way to discover if a GWEP position is right for you is to complete the GWEP APPLICATION. With no financial obligation the GWEP application gets you started to discover if this is a viable path for you. We’ll send you detailed positions, benefits, and trips information to help you make a decision.  

INTERNSHIPS

Minimum Requirements: University sponsored / or approved program of internship. 

University approved students may contact the retreat direct to request a customized internship. The retreat has offered core area internships within Culinary Arts, Hospitality Tourism Management, and outdoor adventure leadership.  

Want to learn more or discuss an internship?
Email: [email protected] 

KEEP KAYAKING.