We Stayed With The Global Tribe In Spain For 5 Nights – Here’s What Happened
Watching the sun sink behind the trees at the end of another full day in Spain, I let the breeze dry my hair and relaxed my sore legs on the cushion below me in the Goji Lounge. If you’re wondering why my hair was wet to begin with, it was because an hour earlier I took the most satisfying hot shower that was powered totally by the sun. Before that, I found myself riding a bike on a 16 mile round trip journey to visit an abandoned town in rural Almonte. If solar-powered systems and off-the-beaten-path adventures sound like just your cup of herbal tea, the Global Tribe Biodynamic Ecovillage might just be for you.
What Is The Global Tribe Biodynamic Ecovillage?
On their website, the Global Tribe Biodynamic Ecovillage states that they are a “fun” eco-living space “for all who cares”. After staying there for 5 nights in my tent, I can confirm that. While backpacking Europe, my partner and I knew that a quiet space outside of the hustle and bustle would be just what we needed, which is how we wound up there.
Just a 5 minute drive or 10 minute bus ride from Almonte, Spain, the eco village is “located in the heart of the Doñana region, a natural world heritage site in Andalucia, the South of Spain” and they’re always ready to welcome visitors, digital nomads, volunteers, as well as long-term residents to join them. Here, the focus is on living simply, growing organic vegetables, off-grid systems, community-shared spaces, alternative living, and mindfulness practices. (And yes, they do offer high-speed internet for all of the digital nomads!)
Accommodation At Global Tribe
In the winter of 2024 we stayed with the Global Tribe for $14.26 a night as two people in a tent, which was really affordable, especially for Europe. They also offered spaces to park camper vans and RVs, multiple TPs, a shared sleeping space, and some private bungalows. Their website has a list of accommodation prices as well as photos of what you can expect.
How To Get To The Global Tribe Property
While most of the people staying at Global Tribe had their own mobile rigs and were able to drive to the Global Tribe property, we were backpacking around and going most places by foot or public bus. Before arriving we were staying in Algarve on the coast of Portugal, and ended up having to take one Bolt, 3 buses, and then walk to reach the property. It was a semi-long day but surprisingly painless.
If you’re coming from Sevilla or somewhere else, you can read the Global Tribe’s instructions for arriving by bus. The walk from the “El Pastorcito” (the bus stop closest to the property) is about 12 minutes on the dirt road and is a very pleasant walk, especially at dusk or on a sunny day. Once there you can ring the doorbell and one of the volunteers will welcome you in.
Is It Completely Vegan-Friendly?
The Global Tribe property is unfortunately not 100% vegan-friendly, but they do offer a delicious and filling vegan breakfast, lunch, and dinner option, as well as plant-based pizza on their pizza nights. in fact, all of the lunches and dinners that we attended with the group were already vegan, and in the morning we opted for a hearty porridge with nuts, seeds, and fruit instead of toast with eggs. When you enter the property you can expect to see living spaces and gardens with the forest as the backdrop, but if you made your way to the back of the property (which we didn’t do, as it was reserved for volunteers) you’d see a flock of chickens that they use for egg production.
Other than that, be ready to see lots of cat and dogs animal companions running around. All of the ones that I met were super friendly and happy to receive an ear or back scratch!
If you’d like to learn more about the case against back yard chicken rearing, I highly suggest this compelling article by Robert Grillo on the Free From Harm website. On one of my favorite points from the article is “As mentioned earlier, backyard chicken keepers often portray their relationship with their chickens as a ‘win-win.’ They provide their chickens with a great life and, in return, their chickens provide them with eggs. There are at least two problems with this position”
He continues, “First, it ignores the fact these eggs exist only because of the systematic manipulation and re-engineering of the chicken hen’s reproductive system which forces her to produce an unnatural and unhealthy amount of eggs. Secondly, it is impossible for chickens to give their consent to such an arrangement. It assumes that they desire to make a sacrifice for us, but in reality, their intensive egg-laying — and the adverse consequences that come with it — is simply forced upon them by no choice of their own.”
If you’re visiting the Global Tribe and aren’t already living vegan, I encourage you read the article on backyard eggs previously mentioned, take a moment to read my in-depth reflection on the harms of dairy consumption, consider my argument for why travelers should be living vegan, and then check out this page that addresses common Q & As about veganism and plant-based eating. After doing so you’ll feel more compelled to choose vegan options during your stay and reduce your contribution of suffering inflicted upon nonhuman animals.
Things To Do At The Global Tribe
The Global Tribe property is a great place to post up if you want to relax, move slowly, and take a break from the hustle and bustle of backpacking our travel. Year round there are lots of interesting people to chat and hang around with if you’re looking for some companionship. Additionally, you can often expect a game of volleyball or a campfire jam session to breakout, and the Global Tribe frequently offers on-site activities such yoga classes, workshops, and more. If you’re ready to disconnect from human interaction and spend some time alone there is space to do that too.
Fun Off-Site Day Trips
I didn’t know much about the areas surrounding the Global Tribe before visiting, but one of the volunteers at the front desk opened my eyes to all of the adventures that were easily accessible by bus within a 30 minute span. If any of the following day trips interest you, ask anyone working or volunteering at the Global Tribe for the bus schedule (or just punch the destinations into your GPS if driving) and enjoy.
Visit The Abandoned City
At the beginning of this article I mentioned my sore legs form a 16 mile bike ride. Well, that ride took us to and from an abandoned city that was reachable by a series of dirt and paved roads. If you’re up for the adventure, ask a volunteer how to get to the abandoned city and be ready with a pen and paper to jot down directions. The back roads that take you there are pretty easy to follow, but don’t expect to see many road signs on your way.
If you decide to cycle your way over, be sure to bring enough water, sun protection, and a snack to fuel your journey. The abandoned city itself is neat and it’s a good idea to bring a book and blanket if you want to lounge around and soak in the tranquility (and eerie aloneness) you’ll experience there.
Take A Stroll At Matalascañas Beach
The town of Matalascañas has a vast beach front that is the perfect place to soak in the sun, take a leisurely and sandy stroll, and enjoy a picnic by the seaside. I imagine that it’s quite a popular place in the summer, but in the winter it felt quaint and gave us a sense of lightness during our visit. The shoreline is hugged by restaurants, cafes, and other shops that you can peruse during your beach day.
Go Back In Time At El Rocío
Located in the Huelva province, El Rocío actually sits within 350the Doñana National Park and you can stop there on your way to Matalascañas. The town will immediately give you the sensation that you’ve walked into the Wild West as the dirt roads are filled with horse-drawn carriages and there are no paved roads to be found. For me, El Rocío was ideal for a quick visit because it was interesting to walk around and a nice place to view the flamingos in the protected marsh. But all of the animal usage, particularly with the horses, was hard to see.
Should I Stay With The Global Tribe?
Overall we had a great stay with the Global Tribe. The solar-heated showers rocked after a long day of exploring, the meals were absolutely fresh and delicious, and you could tell that a lot of love, time, and intentional energy has gone in to make the space a welcoming place for visitors from around the world. If you’re looking to take a step outside of traditional society and recharge your batteries, the Global Tribe site is just the place to do it.
