Your Questions, Answered.

FAQs

Application Questions

  • We are currently receiving applications on a rolling basis. Review our program dates and make sure you apply in advance.

  • Yes, we are happy to review your applications.

Local Community

  • No, we do not. We are in a very unique context because our community in the Tiracu Valley is primarily formed by migrants from the highlands of Peru. While there are indigenous communities in Cordillera Escalera, the Regional Area of Conservation, and native communities like the Kichwa Lamistas in Lamas and surroundings, these are populations that Siendo Naturaleza currently does not work with.

Donation of goods

  • Currently we’d be thrilled to receive the following items either new or in good condition:

    • yoga mats

    • frisbees (to play sports)

    • bilingual books Spanish/English for any age group

    • laptop computers and accessories such as headphones, mouse, webcam

Arrival & Facilities

  • From the Lima airport (LIM) fly to the Tarapoto airport (TPP).

    From the Tarapoto airport to Sacha Isla it is a 50 minute drive. You can come with a driver for S/150.00 total or with a “colectivo” for up to S/20 per person. If you come with a colectivo you’d take a motokar to the “paradero” (from the airport it would be around S/10). The “paradero” is equivalent to a station where all the colectivo cars, pick-up trucks and vans leave from. Ask the motokar driver to take you to the “paradero de Sauce” (Sauce is pronounced Sauw-se) to go in the direction towards El Pongo de Caynarachi and Yurimaguas. At the paradero look for the cars going to El Pongo de Caynarachi or to Barranquita, and let the driver know that you’ll be hopping off at La Cascada El Salto de la Bruja.

    Our entrance is not marked and it is easy to miss. If you don’t have much luggage and can walk with your belongings, then it’s easy to get off directly at El Salto de La Bruja and walk back about 200 meters to the entrance of Sacha Isla.

    To hire a car or a van contact Hidalgo Tours by WhatsApp: +51 974 326 048.

    Arriving at the land with daylight is important, so when planning your trip consider the following:

    • Arrivals Monday through Friday: your flight should land in Tarapoto before 2:00pm.

    • Arrivals on Saturday: your flight should land in Tarapoto no later than 10:00am.

    • Sacha Isla is not open for arrivals on Sundays.

    • If your arrival time does not match our schedule, a nice option is to stay in Tarapoto city for the night and make your way to Sacha Isla the next morning. If this is your case let us know and we can suggest a few places.

  • Yes, we have a washing machine onsite and a sink to wash by hand.

  • We are powered by solar energy and our systems can support the charging of devices like cell phones, tablets, laptop computers, headlamps, external battery packs, and small devices that don’t consume much electricity. If you have a special requirement, such as using a CPAP machine every night, please contact us ahead of time so that we can verify whether our system can support your needs.

  • Yes, but limited. Wi-fi hours are from 8am until 9pm. Our wifi relies on our solar energy system so if the system fails or is not charged, this means that you won’t have access to wifi until the sun is out and the batteries are charged, or until the system failure is resolved.
    We have wi-fi in one of the common areas, and not in the accommodation. When we have cohorts or many people onsite we have a wi-fi schedule where you can sign up for a time slot to use the internet. This ensures that whoever is using the wifi gets good connectivity.

    Purchasing a SIM card in Tarapoto

    Entel: to have data at Sacha Isla
    Bitel: to have data in the valley and at the entrance of Sacha Isla

    If you are someone that needs to communicate with family, your partner or friends every day, it might be challenging for you to come considering the wifi availability and the signal for cell phone service.

  • No, our facilities are not designed to be fully accessible. Due to the natural terrain and off-grid infrastructure, mobility can be challenging in certain areas.

Health & Safety

  • Yes. All participants are required to have insurance that covers them during their stay. This can be an international health insurance plan or a travel insurance policy that includes medical coverage. Insurance is not included in the program fee and must be arranged independently by each participant.

  • The nearest hospital is 50min away by car, in the city of Tarapoto.

  • Not likely. Sacha Isla (our site) sits at a maximum of about 1,000 meters (3,280 ft) above sea level, which is well below the altitude where altitude sickness typically occurs. Most people experience no symptoms at this elevation and can participate comfortably in all activities.

  • Siendo Naturaleza does not encourage or deter any vaccines or medication due to potential side effects. Any measure taken prior to travel is at the participant’s own risk, so please check with your medical provider.

    Frequent vaccinations among tourists visiting Peru, especially the jungle, include yellow fever, tetanus, and rabies. There are no routine vaccines for mosquito-transmitted diseases like dengue and chinkingunya - dengue vaccine is only available to previously infected patients, otherwise it can be lethal.

    Malaria is also mostly present in the low jungle (not at our site, which is located in the high jungle) and pills can have serious side effects.

  • Diseases like dengue and chinkingunya are mostly present in the low jungle regions such as Yurimaguas, Iquitos, and Pucallpa, or in densely populated cities. Sacha Isla (Siendo Naturaleza’s site), is located in the high jungle, near Tarapoto in the San Martin region. There are cases of dengue in Tarapoto, as it is a densely populated city, however not many.

Cost and Finance-related Questions

  • There are ATMs in Tarapoto (closest city to Sacha Isla) where you can withdraw cash in local and foreign currency. You can also bring USD or EUR in cash and exchange (subject to exchange rates).

  • Siendo Naturaleza does not offer financial aid or scholarships for international students. There are other external funding opportunities; please see the below resource that we have compiled, and contact mafe@siendonaturaleza.com for more information.

    Funding Packet for Students.

  • All program fee payments (unless noted non-refundable deposit) will be refunded, if the participant withdraws from the program 30 days or more than 30 days prior to the program start date.

    If a participant withdraws from the program less than 30 days prior to the program start date, SN will not refund the program fees.

Programs and Academic Experience

  • Yes. We are currently working on a case-by-case basis; contact us.

Student Life & Support

  • No. Our programs are all taught in English.

  • Students are welcome to travel to different locations in Peru and South America as long as travel plans don’t interfere with program schedules. As of now, the only program that has a break is the Regeneration Challenges Internship (1 week).

  • Our specific program calendar is exclusive to the cohort of said program. For prospects, information on upcoming events can be found here.

  • While our team is caring and community-oriented, Siendo Naturaleza does not have the training or capacity to provide mental health support. We encourage participants to assess their personal needs and to come prepared with their own support systems and coping strategies.

Food

  • We serve three vegetarian meals per day.


    During the Regeneration Challenges Internship, over the weekends participants have access to the kitchen and often take turns to prepare meals for the cohort.

  • Mostly yes, but it will depend on the allergy. During your application process please let us know if you have dietary needs that are outside of vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, to see if we can accommodate.

  • No. For storage and sanitary reasons we do not offer this option. You can bring your own snacks which should be mindfully packed and with no need to refrigerate.

Visits and Residency

  • No, we do not receive visitors unless previously coordinated. If you’d like to visit you can contact us and provide more information about your interest in visiting and your dates.

  • We love animals, but, or the safety and well-being of both animals and participants, pets are not permitted on site. The Amazon environment presents challenges and potential risks for domestic animals, so this policy helps protect their health and safety.

Other Opportunities

  • Siendo Naturaleza does not have a volunteer program. Engagement opportunities are available on a limited basis for alumni only.

  • Yes. Our Campus Ambassador program is currently open to alumni only.

    If you are a prospect, contact us for more information about our remote internship opportunities.

  • Yes. Please email learn@siendonaturaleza.com or fill out our Partnership Inquiry Form.

  • Yes, please do. Contact us using the form on the Contact page.