Frequently Asked Questions
What is volunteer work?
Volunteer work is working without payment, or working for minimum expenses, for a not-for-profit organisation.
Why be a volunteer?
Different people give different reasons for wanting to do voluntary work. For some the desire to help the causes they believe in or feel passionate about is the main reason. Others do it because they would like more excitement and adventure in their lives. For others it is a good way of gaining valuable work experience to help them get a job.
The fact is, almost any reason that motivates you to want to become a volunteer is worthwhile. You don’t even have to have a definite reason as long as you are genuinely interested in what the organisation strives to achieve, and want to work for a good cause.
Voluntary work can give people the chance to travel, meet new people and accumulate life and career enhancing experiences and skills.
Why volunteer in Latin America?
Central and South America have some of the greatest need for environmental volunteers in the world. Sympathy for the environment is tempered throughout much of Latin America by the pragmatics of poverty and overpopulation. Economic pressures in many countries where population growth is high have promoted deforestation, for instance, as a means of reducing unemployment and enhancing government revenues. Hence, there is generally very little government help for environmental organisations and the projects which they manage. As a result, a large number of small organisations rely on volunteers to assist them in their work and to provide financial support. Your contribution as a volunteer could help ensure the long-term survival of a tropical rainforest or an endangered species. This is because you are actively participating in the conservation of that area or species.
Your participation as a volunteer can also make an indirect impact. Firstly, by means of the revenue generated by volunteers entering the local economy. For example, there is a sea turtle project in Costa Rica where all the volunteers pay for board and lodging with local families. Local community involvement is a priority of the project. In this way, reminiscent of ecotourism, volunteers provide an economic incentive to local communities to continue to conserve the area and not poach the turtle eggs. Secondly, as an international volunteer you may have the chance to participate in environmental education efforts with community members and local school children. It is impossible to overstate how important education is in considering the future of conservation. In reality, our most realistic hope to conserve the full biodiversity of the Latin American ecosystems.
There are many advantages to volunteering in Latin America. Below are some of the main points to consider. Some of them only relate to projects available through Volunteer Latin America.
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You will learn new and useful skills |
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You will acquire knowledge and gain practical experience in the field |
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You will have the opportunity to develop leadership and teamwork skills |
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You have the opportunity to explore a career, or develop a career by finding a voluntary position in your field of study |
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Voluntary work experience will impress future employers. Your CV will demonstrate that you are flexible and committed to a cause or belief |
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You will get a chance to do things you would never do in a regular job |
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You will have the opportunity to work in countries you may not otherwise have a chance to visit |
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You will feel personal satisfaction from helping others |
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Volunteering will keep you fit and improve your overall health |
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Volunteering often leads to greater culture sensitivity and cross-cultural learning experiences |
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You will make new friends and meet other likeminded individuals |
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You may learn a new language or improve your current language skills |
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Volunteering overseas gives your travels a purpose and an itinerary |
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You will have the chance to delve into new foods, music and textiles |
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You will experience unspoilt nature and see great wildlife spectacles |
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You participate in the very project that your money is supporting |
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Volunteering allows local people to earn a living from areas that have been set aside for ecological protection |
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Volunteering for the environment increases the emotional bond between us and nature |
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Volunteering encourages personal development |
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There are few travel experiences that are cheaper than volunteering overseas |
Who can volunteer?
Our service is for people of all nationalities and backgrounds. You should check the visa requirements of the country or countries you intend to visit before travelling.
Where can I volunteer?
In theory you can choose from the whole of Latin America; however, please be aware that some of the countries listed below have limited environmental or humanitarian voluntary work opportunities. Countries such as Costa Rica and Ecuador have the largest number of projects.
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Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama |
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Mexico |
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Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela |
What can I choose to do?
The projects are as varied and interesting as you might imagine. They range from helping street children to tracking primates in the jungle. You just need to choose the type of work (domain) that most appeals to you in combination with a region of Latin America. Whether you want to work with children or endangered sea turtles, the choice is truly YOURS.
What skills do I need?
Our volunteer guides give details of those projects which require formal and/or personal skills. They vary according to specific assignments. For instance, a river-dolphin project may ask for swimming, snorkelling or boat handling skills. Generally, if you have a friendly personality, enjoy helping others, and can work as part of a team, then you already posses the most useful skills needed.
What experience do I need?
Some voluntary organisations require you to have previous experience in a similar type of work (i.e. veterinary experience). However, the majority of organisations included in our volunteer guides require no previous work experience. A keen interest in conservation or development issues is the main thing.
What qualifications do I need?
Generally, most projects do not require any specialist qualifications. However, some of the more challenging positions may require you to have a university degree or vocational qualification. These projects might be aimed at teachers, scientists or medical staff etc. A scuba qualification would be necessary for any project that involves diving.
Are there any age limits?
Most organisations seek volunteers who are aged 18 or over. If you are under the age of 18 the choices are limited but there are still some opportunities to get involved. We offer a volunteer guide especially for you and this has details of all the organisations/projects that accept volunteers under the age of 18 (children, teenagers and families). The main point to note if you request this information pack is that you will have to choose from the projects available rather than stipulate any preferences (preferred countries, type of work etc). We don't recommend volunteers under the age of 18 apply directly unless they have experience of working and travelling overseas (especially in third world countries) or will be accompanied by an adult. There are plenty of opportunities for seniors (65+).
Can I volunteer with a friend or partner?
There are many organisations that can accommodate friends, couples and small groups. Organisations that offer a plethora of projects at the same location are a good option for friends and couples as each person can get involved in the type of work that interests them. If you are interested in applying for one of the more professional posts (i.e. doctor, scientific research) your friend/partner can only participate if there are enough spaces, they have the necessary skills/experience, or there are other suitable projects available.
What about languages?
It is always useful to have some knowledge of Spanish (or Portuguese for Brazil) if you are planning to volunteer in Latin America. Do not despair if you can't speak Spanish as there are many projects with no language requirements. Remember though, the more you have to offer, the better the choice of work.
If you are worried about your language skills, try to attend an evening class where you live or borrow a language course from your library. Failing that, why not consider taking some Spanish language classes at the beginning of your trip? Blessed with rainforests, world famous rivers and mountains, spectacular ancient heritage, exciting and diverse people and cultures, Latin American countries promise students an adventurous and exhilarating language learning experience they will never forget. Antigua or Quetzaltenango in Guatemala, and Quito in Ecuador, are extremely good places to learn Spanish. The classes are affordable, fun and a means to meeting lots of other travellers. Even if you are only planning to visit Belize which is officially English speaking, be aware that Spanish is very widely spoken in parts of the north and west of the country.
Please be aware that we offer a volunteer guide that lists over 90 recomended Spanish language schools in countries such as Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru.
Can I learn a language whilst volunteering?
A number of organizations in Central and South America offer volunteers the option to learn Spanish (or Portuguese) as part of their voluntary work program. This is especially pertinent to the humanitarian sector. There are far fewer opportunities of this nature in the environmental sector. If you are interested in a combination program you should select 'voluntary work and Spanish classes' when you order a volunteer guide.
How long can I volunteer for?
Each project will stipulate a fixed term contract or require a minimum commitment. This might be a number of weeks or months. Most of the projects we offer are from one month to three months; however, there are opportunities to volunteer for shorter periods of time (1 - 3 weeks) and much longer (6 - 12 months or more). As there are a limited number of long term projects you might need to volunteer on more than one project if you want to stay away for a considerable length of time.
Will I have to contribute anything?
Generally, there are three distinct possibilities; projects that require the volunteer to make a small financial contribution (this is often the main funding for the project and the fee will typically cover board and lodging); projects at no cost where the volunteer is expected to cover their personal expenses (board and lodging); and projects that provide free board and lodging. A small proportion of projects pay small weekly or monthly allowance. Each project is different and may offer a range of services and incentives.
Please refer to the projects page for more information about the costs you might incur when volunteering in Latin America. The prices shown are the actual costs of the projects.
Are there any other costs?
Whichever project you decide to join you will need to cover your flight, insurance, vaccinations and other travel expenses. Very rarely will an organisation pay the international airfare to a site.
Will I need any permits or visas?
Residents of the United Kingdom require no visas. This is the same for most European countries. Residents from Japan and the United States of America need some, while those from Australia, New Zealand or South Africa need quite a few.
If a visa is required, obtain it from the appropriate foreign consular representative before proceeding abroad. Allow sufficient time for processing your visa application, especially if you are applying by mail. If your itinerary is more flexible you can also get them en route. Remember to carry some passport-size photographs for visa application purposes.
You can find information on the visa requirements for all countries in Latin America via several links included on our News and Links page. Volunteer Latin America are unable to provide assistance in obtaining visas and do not write letters in support of visa applications.
What vaccinations do I need?
Immunisation offers protection against some of the diseases which may affect volunteers. In general, immunisations are available for many of the more severe infections, for example yellow fever and polio. It is not yet possible to immunise against many of the less severe but more common diseases, such as travellers' diarrhoea.
You should ensure that you are up to date with the immunisations recommended for your journey and, ideally, allow 4 - 8 weeks to undergo a full course of immunisation. To find out which immunisations are recommended for your journey you should contact your doctor or attend a travel clinic.
Yellow fever immunisation is mandatory for entering some countries if you are originating from a country where it is prevalent (e.g. Brazil into Peru). In theory, you will not be allowed entry without a vaccination certificate, but in practice you are very unlikely to be asked for it.
Volunteer Latin America recommends you consider the following vaccinations:
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Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG) |
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Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood, have sexual contact with the local population, stay more than 6 months in a region, or be exposed through medical treatment |
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Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation |
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Typhoid, particularly if you are visiting developing countries in this region |
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Yellow fever vaccination, if you will be travelling outside urban areas |
Check with health care providers or your records to ensure other immunisations (e.g. tetanus and polio) are up-to-date. Prophylactic medication for malaria and certain other preventive measures are advisable if you plan to volunteer in endemic areas. Consult your doctor or pharmacy about which tablets (if any) you should take with you.
What about travel insurance?
This is an important issue that many people choose to ignore. Please don't. Volunteer Latin America highly recommends that you take out a travel insurance policy to cover possible theft, loss, accidents or illness. Do not leave home without it (as the saying goes).
What do I need to take?
The number-one rule in packing for a trip, unless you have hired several porters to carry your gear for you, is to pack lightly. Overweight baggage soon becomes annoying, especially in hot weather or on public transport. The main factors affecting how little you can get away with will depend upon where you intend to volunteer and the country or countries you intend to visit before or after the project. The items you will require for a project in a cloud forest will obviously differ slightly from those you will need for a project in the tropical lowlands. However, there are some basic items that you should never cut back on (e.g. medical and first aid kit, mosquito repellent or Swiss army knife etc).
Below, are some suggestions for what to pack. We haven’t included fundamental items such as your money, passport, insurance or vaccination certificates etc in the inventory. Furthermore, it is your decision whether the list below does or does not include your work clothes. To establish what items you need for a particular project you should contact the organisation you will be working with.
The main thing to remember is that you can buy any additional clothing (e.g. Andean sweaters) or miscellaneous items you may need cheaply and easily in Latin America.
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1 lightweight waterproof raincoat or poncho |
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1 fleece |
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2 pairs of long trousers |
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3/4 t-shirts |
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1 long sleeved shirt |
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1 pair of shorts |
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1 pair of swimming shorts or swimsuit |
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4 pairs of socks |
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4 pairs of underwear |
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1 pair of sandals |
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1 pair of walking boots |
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1 sun hat |
Light colour clothing attracts fewer mosquitoes than dark colour clothing. However, dark colours hide dirt and grime far better. Take an additional long sleeved shirt if you intend to spend most of your time in the forest |
Miscellaneous |
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40/45 litre backpack - anything above that and you will not be travelling light |
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20 litre day pack - a must |
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1 Large strong plastic bag or duffel bag - for long, dusty road trips. Also makes a great backpack disguise |
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Sleeping bag - unless your staying exclusively in the tropical lowlands |
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Money belt |
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Guide book |
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Latin American phrase book |
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Camera |
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Swiss army knife |
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Small flashlight |
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Cable lock - useful for locking your backpack to things |
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Small padlock - useful for locking your room at some of the cheaper hotels |
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Sewing kit with scissors - for on the move repairs |
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Pen |
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Sunglasses - 100% UVA protection recommended |
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Photocopies of all your documents - carry them separately from the originals |
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Binoculars - a must for spectacular wildlife viewing |
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Small travel alarm clock or watch with alarm |
Hygiene |
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Soap - preferably biodegradable |
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Shampoo - preferably biodegradable |
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Deodorant |
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Tooth brush and tooth paste |
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Travel towel – small, light and dries quickly |
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Tampons – if appropriate |
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Condoms – if appropriate |
Medical and first-aid kit |
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Anti-malaria tablets - only necessary if you are going to be exposed to malaria-carrying mosquitoes |
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Sun block |
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Aspirin or Paracetamol - for pain and fever |
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Antihistamine |
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Imodium - to stop diarrhoea |
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Rehydration mixture - to treat severe diarrhoea |
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Antiseptic cream - for cuts and grazes |
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Multivitamins |
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Bandages and band-aids |
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Scissors, tweezers and thermometer - note that glass thermometers are prohibited by airlines |
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Water purification tablets |
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Insect repellent - ensure it contains DEET |
Optional |
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Diary or journal |
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Personal stereo |
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Travel washing line |
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Zip-lock bags - to prevent humidity or sand damaging your camera or personal stereo |
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Candles and lighter |
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Mosquito net |
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Secret pocket - to put inside your long trousers or shorts |
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Compass and whistle |
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Some passport size photographs |
When should I apply for a volunteer guide?
The question of when to apply for a guide largely depends upon the popularity and capacity of each individual project. Although you are guaranteed to find a volunteer position even at short notice (some organisations are always looking for volunteers), by planning ahead you will have a greater choice of projects from which to choose from (they won’t be full). Therefore, we recommend you to apply for a guide as far in advance as possible (no more than one year). Moreover, this course of action will increase your chances of finding a project that meets your needs or personal interests rather than just accepting whatever is available.
How do I apply for a project?
The organisations and projects we provide information on are looking for global volunteers; therefore, we do not place you. Details on how to apply should be acquired from the organisation you wish to work for. You should allow plenty of time to apply and set up your placement.
What is the difference between the volunteer guides?
All three of our guides provide comprehensive information on projects that match your personal requirements. They also offer advice on how to choose a project, contact a project, and provide details of our recommended travel provider and various carbon offsetting schemes.
The second of our guides also lists over 90 recommended Spanish language schools in Central and South America. Most of the schools featured are in countries most commonly visited by international students and travellers to study Spanish (i.e. Argentina, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Peru). As a bonus, all of the Spanish schools offer or can help you find volunteer work. This provides you with hundreds of additional volunteering opportunities. This is a good option if you are looking for a place to study prior to starting a project or whilst you are travelling.
The third of our guides provides all of the above plus step by step guidance on how to organise your own volunteer placement. We use two of the projects featured on this website (Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Programme, Experience the Amazon and Indigenous Culture) to guide you through the process. We provide details of some useful websites (with hyperlinks) for you to check visa requirements, book a flight, reserve accommodation, purchase travel insurance, and acquire complete travel and health information. This information pack is perfect for those who are sure they don't want to work through an expensive volunteer placement agency but are unsure about how to make all the arrangements themselves. Please note that some of the web links (i.e. travel agents and insurance companies) are only relevant to UK residents and those temporarily living or flying from the UK.
Why do I have to pay for this information?
An incredible amount of effort has gone into producing this website and in keeping our information updated and maintained. Your contribution by purchasing one of our guides enables us to meet our overheads and is the only means to our survival.
Volunteer Latin America’s overheads are as low as can be managed, thereby ensuring our service is affordable and accessible.
Why should I use Volunteer Latin America?
We understand that in order to protect our environment and to help people in need we must all do our part, as nations, as families and as individuals. Our enthusiasm in creating and running this website is testament to this fact. We also adhere to a strict environmental policy and are the 'greenest' voluntary work facilitator on the internet.
We can get you involved in Latin American environmental and humanitarian efforts without paying large placement or participation fees. We do this by connecting you to the organisations that run the projects (directly) and carefully screening projects. By arranging your own volunteer placement, you not only save money, but have the assurance that all your financial contribution goes to the host organisation rather than to a third party in Europe or elsewhere.
We offer a fantastic array of affordable and worthwhile grassroots projects in Central and South America, many of which you are unlikely to find elsewhere. You also have the assurance that the projects we include in our guides have been personally visited or thoroughly reseached to ensure a safe and rewarding volunteer experience.
