ranch residency
Experience life like a local in a small coastal Portuguese village. Help care for a beautiful seaside farm, immerse yourself in nature, and experience a way of life few visitors ever have the opportunity to experience.
a few times a year, from the months of November - march, our family travels and entrusts our beloved Blanco Bungalow to a select number of experienced and carefully chosen residents.
residents serve as temporary stewards of the ranch, helping care for the animals, a few guests, and oversee the property during our absence.
This is a unique opportunity for experienced animal caretakers and those with experience managing Airbnbs, retreats or with a hospitality background to enjoy an extended stay at Blanco Bungalow while taking on a meaningful stewardship role.
Nestled along Portugal’s coast in the world surfing reserve, Blanco Bungalow is home to a horse, two shetland ponies, two dogs, a few outdoor cats, chickens, ducks, and peacocks. our farm has orchards, gardens, an outdoor spa, saltwater pool, and plenty of space to relax & unwind, we have three casas & two casitas in total, all surrounded by nature. typically during the winter season we host a few retreats and some longer term stays.
We look for kind, capable, responsible & self-sufficient individuals, couples, and families who understand the responsibility that comes with caring for a farm, guests and a large property.
what does a typical day look like?
animal care generally takes approximately one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening.
Morning tasks include feeding animals, refreshing water, mucking stalls and paddocks, ensuring a clean and fresh environments, and a general check of the property and houses.
depending on whether or not we have guests at the time, you could be coordinating with cleaners, lighting the sauna or just answering their questions.
Evening tasks include feeding & watering the animals, securing gates and enclosures, and ensuring all animals are safe and settled for the night.
The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy.
Many residents spend their time surfing, working remotely, exploring nearby villages, visiting wineries, hiking the coastline, reading by the pool, or simply enjoying the slower rhythms of life on the farm.
required experience
The care of our animals and property is incredibly important to us. We are seeking highly responsible, trustworthy, and self-sufficient individuals who can confidently manage both animal care and basic property oversight during our absence.
Applicants must:
Have previous hands-on experience caring for farm animals, horses or ponies
Be comfortable feeding, handling, and monitoring large animals
Be physically capable of mucking stalls, carrying feed, and performing daily ranch chores
Be comfortable working outdoors and carrying out responsibilities in all weather conditions, rain or shine
Be handy and capable of troubleshooting basic property issues
Have basic knowledge of changing gas bottles, resetting breakers, and handling minor maintenance tasks
Be comfortable following detailed care instructions and routines
Have reliable transportation
have hospitality, short term rental or property care experience
Please note that this residency is intended for individuals, couples, or families who already have confidence and experience around horses. While detailed instructions will be provided, residents should be comfortable working independently and responding calmly to unexpected situations should they arise.
stewardship responsibilities
Feeding and watering our horse, ponies, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, and peacocks according to detailed care instructions
Mucking horse stalls, paddocks, and maintaining clean animal living areas
Monitoring the health, safety, and wellbeing of all animals
Conducting daily property checks of all residences and common areas
Ensuring gates, fences, and animal enclosures remain secure
Reporting any maintenance, safety, or animal concerns promptly
plant watering as specified
communicating with staff: cleaners, pool & gardeners
Treating the property, animals, and surrounding community with care and respect
if we have guests at the time, supporting cleaning staff during changeovers, greeting guests and giving a quick tour and being available if they need anything.
a unique experience
BEAUTIFUL ACCOMODATIONS
Stay in one of Blanco Bungalow’s thoughtfully designed homes, nestled in a beautiful private and gated estate.
live like a local
Immerse yourself in daily life in portugal and live like a local. Shop local markets, surf uncrowded beaches, visit wineries, enjoy village life, and experience a side of Portugal many travelers never see.
life on the ranch
Spend your days surrounded by our horses, ponies, dogs, cats, chickens, ducks, peacocks, orchards, and open space. Enjoy the unique opportunity to care for and connect with the animals while living immersed in nature.
A Unique Opportunity for Surfers
Located just minutes north of Ericeira, and minutes south of santa cruz in the World Surfing Reserve, Blanco Bungalow sits along one of Europe’s most celebrated stretches of coastline.
we’re 45 minutes south of supertubos in peniche and an hour south of nazare.
While summer brings long days and smaller waves, winter is when the Atlantic truly comes alive. Consistent swell, powerful surf, and world-class waves draw surfers from around the globe.
For experienced surfers who love animals, nature, and a slower pace of life, the Ranch Residency offers a rare opportunity to spend a season immersed in all three.
Interested in the Ranch Residency?
We carefully select a limited number of stewards each year and review every application personally.
If you have horse experience, enjoy caring for animals, and are excited by the idea of spending some time on a coastal farm in Portugal, we’d love to hear from you.
each residency varies depending on the length of stay, number of people in your group, accommodation type, relevant experience, skills offered and the overall scope of the residency.
every residency will be different, depending on if we are open for guests, and need assistance with the business side, or if it is just for animal care and basic property management.
we believe in creating a mutually beneficial partnership and will discuss details with selected applicants.