Eco Retreat

São Paulo

Striking a balance between our inner selves and the natural world is crucial for a fulfilling life.

Converting pasture into forest is a mission to mitigate the effects of global warming.

We started our coffee journey six months ago with 14K seeds. Now, we have a carpet of seedlings here

16 reviews • Updated 2 months ago

Hi there, My name is Luiz. I'm a biologist with a Master's in Plant Diversity and Environmental Science, and a rural producer. A few years ago, I decided to trade chaotic city life for the pleasure of living a life more connected to nature. During the pandemic, I gained a deeper understanding of the wonders and challenges of rural life. I became fully dedicated to developing a way to make a living in the countryside and generate a positive impact on nature through regenerative agriculture, agroecology, and permaculture. Since then, I've been dedicated to producing a wide variety of products, both for personal consumption, as an experiment, and for commercial scale, in agroforestry systems. In parallel, due to my specialization in mushrooms, I have been utilizing these fantastic decomposer organisms to enhance rural production and accelerate nutrient cycling processes, particularly with organic matter. Currently, I am facing a very interesting challenge. Being in a mountainous region that produces coffee in the Paulista Water Circuit, I decided to dive into this initiative of producing coffee in an agroforestry system, to develop a sustainable agricultural model that can eventually be used as an alternative to the traditional monoculture model in the region. With this, I hope to convert 4 hectares of pasture here on the farm into a biodiversity hub, which will serve not only as a sanctuary for the region's endemic species but also as a place that promotes ecosystem services, such as water dynamics and climate change mitigation. It would be great if this initiative of mine became a model for my neighbors. I would like to count on your help in this endeavor. We are currently nurturing the seedlings we planted during the rainy season, while also tending to our experimental and subsistence crops. You'll play a vital role in this project by assisting with soil preparation for new seedlings, transplanting coffee plants and native species, and applying mulch to conserve soil moisture and enrich the soil. It would be great to work alongside you while we discuss sustainable alternatives for the rural economy, quality of life, health, and well-being. Living in our charming colonial house, you'll experience the rhythm of rural life. This historic residence offers 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a spacious kitchen, and a cozy living room, creating a welcoming environment for relaxation and sharing experiences. If you are passionate about sustainable living and seek an enriching experience, we invite you to join us! Best regards,

Learning opportunities

Vegetable farming

Poultry farming

Forestry

Beekeeping

Wild foraging

Vegetable or fruit preservation

Beer, cider, wine, or juice making

Bakery

Traditional crafts

Food justice / sovereignty

Methods or systems

Holistic management

No-till farming

Permaculture

Regenerative agriculture

Host type

Self-sufficiency property

Certified organic

8 Hectares | 19.8 Acres

Accommodation

4+ WWOOFers

Bedroom

Campsite

Children not accepted

Pets not accepted

Meals

Vegetarian

Length of stay

1-2 weeks

Luiz Antonio

Member since 2019

Languages spoken: English, Portuguese Response rate: 83% Response time: typically within 6 days

December 2025

Open

Planned visit

Closed

MapLibre | Protomaps | © OpenStreetMap

São Paulo

Serra Negra Bus Station

Reviews

Emma

Brazil • November 2025

I stayed about ten days with Luiz and it was honestly amazing! Luiz is super patient, really kind, and loves sharing his knowledge. The farm and the area are absolutely beautiful. The work was super varied and Luiz is always open to your interests and ideas. The vibe was great, meals together were always such fun moments! The dogs are adorable, and Luiz even took us to visit his beekeeper friend, which was such a cool experience. I totally recommend this place, don’t hesitate! Thanks again Luiz, and all the best!! :)

Juliana

Brazil • August 2025

I went to Luiz’s farm with the intention to reconnect with nature and learn about organic agriculture but, this sitio and experience was so much more than that. Luiz and the place not only brings the opportunity to live and learn about true organic farming and agroforestry with the coffee project and vegetable garden, they also provide a reconnection to nature stepping into fertile soil and the landscape around it like no other. I was able to meet the very kind farm community of the region, lived in a beautiful heritage colonial house and got to work with Luiz to design a shimeji farmhouse for a future project. This is a place where you can connect with like-minded people and bring benefits to mind, body and soul through helping with the land while doing self development. The day-to-day life is also very dynamic and brought a rewarding sense of the rural life rhythm every single time. I’m very grateful for the Woofing existence and Luiz for sharing your knowledge, experience insights and having great impactful conversations!

Katharina

Germany • April 2025

When I arrived at Luiz's farm, I immediately felt at home. During my stay, I primarily helped with the coffee project, as this aspect interested me the most. I learned a lot about sustainable coffee farming, caring about seedlings and beyond—and I was able to contribute my own perspective. I've had positive WWOOFing experiences before, but this is definitely the one I'll remember most. Furthermore, this sitio can be more than "just" a great place to volunteer and learn about organic farming. For me, it was also a place of healing, reflection, and (re)orientation. Thank you, Luiz, for your trust, your empathy, and for being such an enriching conversation partner. Eu voltarei.

Jacopo

Switzerland • February 2025

Hi! Passei duas semanas no Recanto Primavera e devo dizer que, em cinco meses de viagem, foi uma das melhores experiências que já tive. Esses dias realmente me transformaram e, quando saí, me senti uma pessoa diferente, talvez tenha sido o tempo, mas o lugar e as pessoas tiveram um papel importante para mim. Esse lugar é realmente fantástico, tem uma paisagem incrível que todo dia tem algo a oferecer. Há tantos animais e plantas que eu nunca tinha visto (clássico europeu). Pude conhecer pessoas muito legais que me ajudaram muito e foram muito simpáticas e gentis. O projeto é muito bom e eu queria ajudar o máximo que pudesse para mantê-lo funcionando. Eu realmente adoraria ter a chance de voltar daqui a três anos para ver o que ele terá se tornado. Tenho certeza de que será algo fantástico :) E, afinal de contas, Luiz é uma pessoa muito bonita. Imediatamente me senti muito bem recebido e aceito por ele e dá para sentir que ele realmente tem uma ideia clara do que está fazendo. Gostei muito de descobrir seus projetos e de poder compartilhar esse tempo com ele :) Sinto muita falta do Recanto Primavera

Marjorie

Brazil • October 2024

I initially went to Recanto Primavera with the goal of learning more about permaculture, but what I ended up gaining was so much more. The experience was incredibly inspiring and productive, offering lessons that went beyond agriculture and touched on meaningful aspects of life. The environment was welcoming, and every moment felt enriching. I left with not just knowledge, but also a deeper appreciation for mindful living and community

Josette

Canada • September 2024

Luiz was a phenomenal host! He made us feel welcome as friends rather than just workers, and spending time with him and his family of adorable dogs on the farm was always a joy. We learned so much from him about the surrounding land and the local community and we would absolutely stay with him again if we get the chance!