Volunteer Projects in Central & South America

We provide volunteer work opportunities throughout Central and South America including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala and Peru. The projects we offer have been carefully chosen and range from helping street children to monitoring wildcats such as puma and ocelots. These projects are run by reputable organisations and offer some of the lowest cost and most rewarding volunteer experiences in Central and South America.

There are hundreds of volunteer organisations looking for global volunteers and you can see some examples of the projects you could join on this web page. Please note that these are just a few examples of the projects we can send you in a volunteer guide.

All the projects shown below are priced in UK Sterling. If you would like to work out the cost of volunteering in a different currency please click here for a currency converter. The prices shown below are the actual costs of the projects.

Rainforest Conservation

This project enables volunteers to make a genuine contribution to the conservation of the rainforest and is ideal for those taking a gap year or career break. There are a wide variety of activities and projects that volunteers can get involved in such as forest patrols, working in the tree nursery, reforestation programmes, environmental education, forest surveys, teaching English, or simply helping out with day to day maintenance (i.e office duties, painting etc). There are world famous beaches and tourist attractions to visit in your spare time.

The project costs £250 per month which includes accommodation, meals, laundry facilities and free internet access in the evenings.

Help Poor and Disadvantaged Children

This project is dedicated to improving the lives of the poor and underserved with the help of international volunteers. There are opportunities to help in education, social work and health care (i.e. working in orphanages, working with street kids or single mothers, teaching English, providing health care in hospitals and medical centres etc). Each programme allows the volunteer to interact with the community, experience the local culture and improve their Spanish language ability. Spanish, dancing and cooking classes are available.

Resident housing costs £170 per month. A kitchen is available to prepare your own meals. Volunteers who prefer a home stay are charged £215 per month including all meals. Airport pick-ups and transfers can be arranged.

Volunteer for Animal Sanctuary

The project is located on a beautiful beach-front property surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. The sanctuary needs general volunteers to help look after its animals (mainly cats) and other miscellaneous duties. No previous experience required. It also seeks a veterinarian, a veterinary technician, teacher (environmental education), fundraiser, accountant, writer, and a carpenter. In their spare time volunteers will enjoy spectacular sunsets, excellent diving, snorkelling, manatee watching, white sand and tranquillity.

The project provides volunteers with beach front or floating accommodation for £49 per week. The fee decreases after 2 weeks service. All fees contribute to the running of the sanctuary.

Help Working Children & Optional Spanish Classes

This project is devoted to helping working children (especially working girls) and their families overcome grinding poverty and improve their quality of lives through education and job training, nutrition programs, health and social services, psychological help and recreation. Volunteer opportunities are varied, and range from working in street outreach programmes, to teaching mothers jewellery making, to helping with fundraising or administrative work. There are tasks for all interests and capabilities. There is currently an urgent need for a doctor, dentist and street outreach nurse.

Volunteers are assisted with finding accommodation and Spanish classes (optional). Housing starts at £99 per month including food. Spanish classes range from £2.50 to £6.50 per hour.

Volunteer at Sloth Rescue Centre

This project cares for over 100 endangered sloths. Volunteers play a vital role in helping to care for the sloths (adults and babies), learning about their ways and educating others. Additionally volunteers play an active role in helping to maintain the jungle trails and the sanctuary grounds, guiding tours, helping with cage cleaning and maintenance, preparation of sloth meals, and lending a hand to staff veterinarians and other specialists and researchers. This is a great opportunity to assist in the rescue of a truly fascinating and endangered animal.

The project costs £20 per day which includes accommodation, meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), laundry service, orientation, and the unique opportunity to learn hands-on about the wonderful world of the Sloth.

Volunteer at Eco-Lodge

This ecolodge is perched high in the Andes Mountains and it provides an interesting project for those interested in sustainable tourism. A volunteer is needed to help run and maintain the lodge along with other odd projects. Volunteer duties include helping out in the lodge, attending to the needs of guests, general maintenance, gardening, cooking and cleaning, animal care and participating in all the hikes, horseback rides and excursions.

The lodge is also looking for yoga teachers to teach and lead yoga sessions once or twice a day in exchange for room and board.

There is also an opportunity for a massage therapist to train local neighbours in various massage techniques in exchange for free room and board. The lodge has a massage table and a room for giving massage while simultaneously training locals. Guests at the lodge will pay £14 - £20 for an hour long massage and this money will be your income.

Volunteers pay £6 per day for room and board for the first 2 weeks. After 2 weeks volunteers receive free board and lodging. A comfortable room at the lodge is provided with full bedding and 3 gourmet vegetarian meals per day.

Build Homes for Poor Families

This project builds homes for poor families and aims to give them a fresh start in life. Many families live in makeshift homes that are constructed of nothing more than cornstalk, cardboard, or plastic walls with dirt floors. This project build houses for the poorest families making them strong, safe, culturally appropriate, and affordable to maintain. No construction experience is required, just a desire to help the poor. A minimum commitment of 6 working days is required.

Volunteers make a £130 donation to help the project. Volunteers will be provided with bottled water and transportation to the work-site. Homestays cost £6 per day with all meals (packed lunch provided when working). Private accommodation starts at £4 per day.

Volunteer for Animal Orphanage

This project seeks volunteers for a wide variety of tasks. Volunteers mostly help them in the upkeep of the butterfly farm, planting trees, cleaning, building and repairing cages, and guiding visitors. However, if a baby animal arrives a volunteer might be asked to take care of it. Volunteers don't need any special skills, just a genuine love for flora and fauna. The only requirement is a basic knowledge of Spanish.

Volunteer pay £3 per day for accommodation (less if staying more than 2 weeks) and a similar amount for food. Volunteers receive a free t-shirt.

Monitoring Parrots in the Amazon Rainforest

This project is looking for field assistants to help collect seasonal information on parrot nesting habits and ecology. The work includes counting parrots on mineral licks, monitoring tree fruiting patterns, collecting information on diet, breeding and various other activities. No previous experience is required as full training in identification and field techniques will be given. This project provides a great opportunity to explore the Amazon rainforest and gain valuable field experience.

The project costs £6 per day which covers accommodation, food, unlimited tea and coffee, internet, training materials, research permits, and local transport to and from the site.

Teach English in the Amazon

The project requires a volunteer to teach English to members of an indigenous community. Volunteers need to be fluent in English and preferably be native English speakers. The community is located in one of the most remote and well protected parts of the Ecuadorian Amazon. It is one of the most bio-diverse areas on Earth, with 10,000 different species of plants and more than 570 different species of birds.

Volunteers receive free accommodation (volunteer house) and all their meals.

Environmental Education Volunteer / Tour Guide

This environmental education centre is in need of intelligent and enthusiastic people to help them teach visitors about insects and arthropods (i.e. butterflies, spiders, beetles etc). Volunteers are responsible for giving tours, maintenance of the facility, animal husbandry and other general tasks. During the tours you are encouraged to handle insects (though it is not absolutely required) and express enthusiasm for your subject. Some knowledge of Spanish is useful but not necessary. Fluency in English is essential. There are many good places to hike in your free time including a great sunset look-out and a couple of waterfalls.

Volunteers receive free board and lodging for the enitre duration of their stay.

Street Kids Volunteer

This project provides daily meals, medical attention, and educational support to about 50 children from impoverished backgrounds who would otherwise be on the streets. Volunteers help out by teaching, playing, providing emotional support when needed, and supervising mealtimes. Volunteers also help organise extra-curricular activities such as excursions and sport competitions.

The project costs £195 per month which includes accommodation and food.

Support a Forest Community

This project offers various opportunities for people interested in collaborating with community sustainable development. In particular it needs volunteers to help with: community tourism (promotional work, tour guides); the investigation of flora and fauna; anthropological and sociological studies; English classes; fair trade work with women's groups; arts and crafts; gardening (medicinal plants, herbs and vegetables); environmental education; computer classes; health assistance; and maintaining trails.

Volunteers receive free accommodation but no meals. Food can be provided at a cost of £7 per day. If volunteers are prepared to cook for themselves they are charged less.

Trekking Volunteer

This project offers trekking opportunities and uses its proceeds to support children and communities living in poverty. Volunteer duties include general promotion, preparing for and leading tours/treks and also participation in activities with children from the project. Treks range from 1 to 5 days and allow you to view towering waterfalls, stay in indigenous communities, swim in mountain streams, walk along ancient trails and much much more.

There is no fee to participate but volunteers are responsible for living expenses. Private hostel type accommodation costs around £40 per month and a room in a shared house costs £25 per month. Food is very cheap and £5 per day is adequate.

Rock Art and Cultural Heritage

The main focus of this three week archaeological site survey is the recovery and identification of petroglyphs and associated archaeological sites. Volunteers help locate sites, map them, draw and photograph petroglyphs etc. Volunteers with no archaeological experience will be trained in petroglyph recording techniques. Owing to its popularity and limited availability advanced booking is essential.

The field survey costs £300 per week which includes lodging, food, archaeological training and equipment, transportation to site (in-country).

Eco-Apprenticeships & Free Spanish Classes

This project is seeking hardworking individuals to help revive and redesign an eco-village/educational enterprise. It needs help with organic gardening, eco-building restoration and maintenance, recycling, kitchen preparation, and general permaculture design. Experience in these areas is useful but not essential. Volunteers must be self-starters, good natured, flexible, and willing to learn.

The project costs £32 per week which includes food, lodging, yoga classes, guided meditation, and 2 Spanish classes per week. 3 lacto-ovo-vegetarian/vegan meals are provided daily.

Volunteer in Permaculture Village

This project welcomes volunteers interested in sustainable tourism, ecovillage living, outdoor recreation, personal development and creative activities. Depending on when you participate, you may learn about natural building, organic permaculture gardening, humanure composting, solar and cob ovens, solar panels and alternative energy, vegetarian cooking and outdoor cooking, and ecological living. You can expect to work on a variety of tasks based on your needs and interests.

This project also offers retreats for artists and writers, natural building classes (cob, cobwood, strawbale and adobe), wood and stone carving, ethnobotany, and much more. Other classes available include photography, cooking, and local crafts.

Volunteers pay a small fee (approx. £25 per week) to help cover the cost of their food and lodging.

Volunteer at Children’s Village

This project cares for malnourished, abandoned and orphaned children. It seeks long term volunteers to fill positions such as primary teacher, kindergarten teacher, English teacher, art teacher, teacher aid, librarian, physical education teacher, orientador or administrative positions. There are also opportunities for people with medical training (doctors and nurses) and short term volunteers. Volunteers can also work in the projects associated backpackers hotel, and those who opt to do so receive free board and lodging.

Long term volunteers make a 'one-off' donation of £195 to cover board and lodging. If you stay 12 months or longer the donation will be returned to you. The project pays a monthly stipend of £90 to teachers from the forth month of volunteer work.

Volunteer on Organic Farm

This project is working to transform a 10 hectare piece of degraded mountainside into a self-sufficient farm community, using permaculture design principles. There are many opportunities for volunteers including trail building, fencing, gardening, composting, irrigation, animal and tree care, building structures and furniture with local materials, and so on.

Volunteers receive free accommdation (platform bedroom, yurt bedroom or a dorm bed) and contribute to a food kity (approximately £13 per week).

Volunteer on Yoga Farm

This peaceful retreat centre is located in pristine virgin rainforest above a beach. The farm is currently seeking yoga teachers, massage therapists and people who are willing to take charge of the gardens and animals. In your spare time there are opportunities to go for hikes in the rainforest, go on horseback trips, and visit indigenous families to learn about traditional crafts. The close proximity of the beach presents volunteers with good swimming, surfing and other fun activities.

Volunteers receive free accommodation, food, and use of the yoga space.

Biodiversity Monitoring and Assessment

Biodiversity monitoring focuses on one species (i.e. agouti, deer, river otters, iquana, jaguar, white-lipped peccary, river turtle, green turtle, hawksbill turtle, manatee, yellow-headed parrot etc). Volunteers conduct population and mapping surveys to determine current numbers, range and habitat. This work contributes to best practice protection and conservation of the species.

Volunteers who can dive or who are willing to learn are needed for marine monitoring. Divers monitor conch, lobster, seagrass, and the coral reef. Divers also participate in assessments of fish species and other monitoring. Time spent out of the water will focus on data entry and data analysis.

There is no cost to participate but volunteers are responsible for covering their personal expenses. Accommodation starts £65 per month and food will cost around £100 per month.

Support a Rural Community

This project strives to empower and educate the local, mainly indigenous population. It has implemented various social and development programmes for the benefit of the rural community (i.e. the creation of community libraries). Volunteers can assist with the literacy programme in the library or get involved in other areas of work (i.e. educational in local schools etc). Volunteers can also get involved in environmental education for a condor project, economic development with an embroidery project, or help provide health care in the community medical facility.

The project offers free accommodation to long term volunteers (2 months plus). A small contribution for food might be necessary (approx. £2 per day). Short term volunteers pay between £5 and £8 per day.

Nature Conservation and Sustainable Community Development

This project is in a unique and mountainous region which is very rich in flora and fauna. However, it is jeopardised by illegal mining, forest fragmentation and growing anthropogenic pressure. Urgent action is required and volunteers are needed to participate in one or more current programmes working with the indigenous communities in surrounding forests. There are many conservation, community development, teaching and health care projects available. In your leisure time you can go trekking, hiking, biking or bathing in one of the nearby waterfalls.

The project costs £95 per month which includes accommodation in rooms with private bathroom, water and electricity, cooking facilities in a well furnished kitchen. Food will cost between £40 – £90 per month, depending on your diet and preferences.

Volunteer for Weaving Cooperative

This project supports indigenous weaving cooperatives and ensures the crafts people receive a fair wage. It provides an excellent opportunity for volunteers to learn about international development, cooperatives, weaving and fair trade. There are short term opportunities for volunteers with experience in graphic design, photography, fundraising, marketing, product sales, store management and translation. Long term positions are also available and the project seeks a volunteer coordinator, a marketing coordinator, and a fundraising coordinator. All volunteers are given the opportunity to learn how to weave (free of charge) using traditional weaving techniques.

There is no cost to participate but volunteers are responsible for accommodation, food and all their personal expenses. There are many cheap places to stay in the area including hostels and host families (from £60 per month).

Help in the Fight Against Hunger

This project helps those who suffer from hunger by distributing food to a large number of soup kitchens. The main work carried out by volunteers involves the classification of donated food products (i.e. checking expiration dates, separating products, preparing bags and boxes etc). This project provides a wonderful opportunity to meet local people and help those living on the streets. Everybody is welcome including volunteers with little or no knowledge of Spanish.

There is no cost to participate but volunteers are responsible for covering their accommodation, food and other personal expenses. Lunch is provided for volunteers working a full day.

Horse Trekking Adventure

This project seeks volunteers interested in horse riding and the great outdoors with some relevant work experience. The work includes fetching the horses from their paddocks, preparing the horses, and looking after guests. Once volunteers have been adequately trained they are given the opportunity to guide short tours of 3 - 4 hours with up to 6 guests. One or two volunteers are required for the following periods: 15 September to 15 December, 1 December to 28 February, and 1 February to 30 April. Female volunteers preferred.

There is no cost to participate. Volunteers receive free board and lodging.

Earthquake Relief Project

This project is responding to the August 15th earthquake of 2007 that devastated over 80% of Pisco, Peru. Although over a year has passed there is still a vast amount of work to be done as there are many families still living in tents or temporary accommodation without adequate sanitation. Volunteers support the recovery efforts through a variety of construction and community projects. Volunteers can stay for any length of time and are guaranteed a dynamic and rewarding work experience.

Volunteers contribute £4.50 per day to help cover the cost of accommodation and food.

Research Assistants

This project offers volunteers the opportunity to assist with various ongoing monitoring projects. Volunteers must be able to swim and be comfortable in the ocean. Ideally, volunteers should be scuba certified but this is not mandatory; however, it may limit involvement in some projects. Volunteers may take a scuba course if they wish. Projects include: coral reef monitoring; sea turtle, shark and stingray surveys; and the compilation and analysis of data sets from all of the projects mentioned. The project is based on a spectacular coral atoll.

The project costs £24 per day which includes food, lodging, free internet, laundry facilities, transport between the atoll and the mainland, and work related scuba diving.

Help Underprivileged Children

This project works in socially marginalized and extremely impoverished neighborhoods. It provides recreational, educational and social activities as well as food and clothing to underprivileged children and their families. Volunteers are needed to work closely with these children, helping them develop in a healthy and happy environment. No previous experience is required, just a real desire to improve the lives of children. There are also opportunities to help out in community centres, soup kitchens and hospitals.

There is no cost to participate but volunteers are responsible for covering their living expenses (i.e. accommodation and food). Volunteers are given assistance in finding a place to stay. The average cost of accommodation is £175 per month.

The Flying Doctor

This project provides free health care and education to people in rural areas. Volunteers are flown to remote clinics where they provide medical, dental, and eye care to people who would not receive help otherwise. The project seeks pilots, physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, optometrists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, interpreter’s technicians, medical and dental assistants; plus anyone willing to donate time, energy, and expertise to help impoverished people with medical and dental problems in rural areas.

Volunteers contribute £150 towards the cost of the flight, plus cover all their personal expenses (accommodation and food etc).

Environmental Education & Geographical Information Systems

This project preserves an area of tropical wet forest by means of environmental education to the local community and scientific research. Volunteers can assist staff with the development of the educational programs that are offered to local students, both in the reserve and in the surrounding communities. Volunteers can also help create a GIS database, collecting information by means of different devices such as GPS (Global Positioning System), compasses, measuring tape and others. Volunteers with advanced knowledge of GIS programs may convert the information into different layers. There are also opportunities for students with experience in AutoCAD.

Volunteers pay £10 per night for accommodation (including breakfast). The room has a fridge and all the facilities to prepare your own meals. The budget for food is about £65 per month.

Community Work & Optional Spanish Classes

This project works at grass roots level to promote and preserve the culture, traditions and heritage of the local people and their communities. The projects available include a youth environmental programme, a ceramics revitalization programme, and collaboration with a textile cooperative based in an indigenous community. Volunteers can dedicate themselves to any or several of these projects, as well as website design, brochure design, photography projects, or the exploration and mapping of trails and archeological sites in the area. Long term volunteers primarliy assist with the textile project. Responsibilities include working at the fair trade store and weekly trips to indigenous villages. Spanish classes start at £4 per hour.

Volunteers staying fewer than 2 months make a one-time donation of £315 which covers the first month in a homestay, airport pickup and project materials. After that, volunteers are resposible for their own costs (i.e. £140 a month in a homestay).

Childcare and Teaching Assistant

Volunteers assist in the operation of a children's home for children at social risk and in government care. Volunteers are immersed in the day-to-day life of the children and should be willing to help with all manner of tasks including serving meals and reading bedtime stories. The children come from all backgrounds and have experienced various types of abuse. Sensitivity and understanding are a must.

Volunteers can stay at the orphanage for £35 per week including meals or in a volunteer house for £22.50 per week excluding meals (kitchen provided).

Creativity and Human Rights

This project is seeking volunteers who want to help achieve long-term social change through arts education and human rights. It is particularly interested in volunteers with one or more of the following skills: circus arts and acrobatics; theatre and dance (break dance/hip-hop); puppet-making and puppeteering; costume and stage design; yoga and martial arts; music (singing, rapping, guitar, accordion, percussion; painting (murals); arts and crafts; photography and film-making; English teachers; administration and accounting; web design and development; construction and carpentry; permaculture and gardening; environmental education and recycling; cooking and baby-sitting.

The project costs £16 per day or £400 per month which includes on-site accommodation and three meals a day.

Green Sea Turtle Conservation

This project needs volunteers to help with research and conservation activities. Volunteers must be in good physical condition to be able to walk long distances on loose sand and know how to swim. It is not necessary to have previous experience in handling sea turtles as training is provided. In addition to this project volunteers are sometimes able to participate in other projects conducted in the area such as dolphin and sea lion projects. This coastal area hosts the largest sea lion population in Latin America.

The project costs £10 per day which includes accommodation and all meals.

Teacher Training Programme

This project is looking for recent graduates or undergraduates from Canada, UK, USA and other English speaking countries for a 12 month internship. Trainees teach English, learn Portuguese, and learn about the Brazilian way of life, its people, customs, and culture etc. Participates are awarded a recognised certificate if they have earnt enough credits by the end of the programme.

Participants pay a £200 administrative fee but receive a monthly allowance of £240 for their personal stipend, plus full board with a screened Brazilian family and local transportation.

Bird Monitoring and Conservation

This project requires seasonal volunteers to assist with identifying and counting birds, data entry, and flight interpretation to visitors. The site is located within an indigenous reserve which has around 330 species of resident and migratory birds; it is an obligatory passage area for Neotropical migrants, and therefore a privileged place to study bird ecology and conservation. Observations are made from a 10m tower with a 360º view. Bird observation experience or previous ornithology fieldwork experience preferred but not essential - full training provided. This is an excellent opportunity to gain fieldwork experience and to learn about conservation efforts with migratory birds in the Neotropics.

Volunteers receive free board and lodging.

Education and Research & Optional Spanish/Diving Courses

This project is dedicated to the conservation of fragile reefs, mangroves and island animals. It currently seeks volunteers (undergraduate or graduate) to work as research assistants and environmental educators. Research assistant's help manage the database of dive sites, patrol and monitor the reefs, organize eco-tours on foot or by boat, work in the information centre, and much more. Environmental education volunteers work on programmes in local schools, organize field trips, community workshops, beach and underwater clean-ups, reforestation, and many other activities.

Diving courses are optional but can be arranged at a cost of around £170. Spanish language classes cost £90 for 20 hours of tuition.

The project costs £230 per month which includes accommodation, electricity, (wireless) internet, TV/Video, water, and laundry. Volunteers should plan on spending around £190 a month on food and entertainment.

Whale Shark Monitoring and Research

This project seeks volunteers to assist with research, office and teaching duties. Research volunteers help man expedition boats and assist scientists in various activities such as photo ID and tissue sampling. Research volunteers must also carry out their own research and time is split between work duties and your individual project. There are also opportunities to help with office duties, organise special events and teach young children.

There is no cost to participate but volunteers must cover all their living expenses (accommodation, food etc).

Marine and Coastal Ecosystem Protection

This program monitors the health of coral, sea grass, and mangrove ecosystems and works towards their restoration and protection. Volunteers receive training in fish identification and reef monitoring methods, as well as participate in marine awareness projects and events. Volunteers can also attend workshops in coral reef conservation.

Volunteers pay £325 per month to cover the running costs of the programme (i.e. accommodation, boat and diving equipment, training, etc).

Volunteer in an Indigenous Mountain Village

This small grassroots organisation matches the skills of volunteers with various local groups and projects. There are opportunities to teach English, work with children, help out in a health clinic, work in a botanical garden, assist local artisans in marketing their products, develop ecotourism, and get involved in numerous environmental initiatives (i.e. environmental campaigning, solar panel maintenance etc).

Homestays are available at a cost of £24 per week. The fee includes a private room, 3 traditional meals per day and 2 gallons of bottled water per day.

Sustainable Community Development

The aim of this project is to protect the environment and to rescue the ancient culture of communities located on the buffer zones of natural protected areas. It offers (sustainable economic) alternatives to local communities in order to improve their way of life without affecting their culture or degrading the natural environment. Volunteers are needed for a wide range of projects in many threatened areas (i.e. biological field surveys, social work, education, art and design, architecture and construction, forestry, organic farming, community work, and tourism). There are projects in the Andes, the Amazon and in coastal areas.

The participation fee varies from project to project but the average cost is £225 per month which includes accommodation and all meals.

Plant Trees and Learn Spanish

The primary purpose of this project is local reforestation and volunteers are needed year-round to plant trees. There are also opportunites to get involved in organic gardening, environmental education, waste reduction and recycling initiatives and investigate sustainable economic alternatives (alternative crops, eco-tourism etc). The overall aim of this project is to inspire people to care for and respect the natural world. Volunteers are given the opportunity to learn Spanish whilst volunteering.

There is no cost to participate but volunteers must cover their living expenses. Homestays cost £30 per week including meals. One-on-one Spanish classes start at £32 per week (15 hours of study), group lessons start at £27 per week (20 hours of study).

Volunteer Work & Permaculture Design Courses

This demonstration Permaculture project offers internships and regular courses on the following topics: permaculture gardens, integrated animal husbandry, natural architecture, renewable energies (solar, micro-hydro, wind), cooperative community kitchen, biological waste treatment and a number of sustainable models for ecological living. It offers a six week volunteer programme where volunteers work within five specified areas (i.e. vegetable garden, bio-construction, habitats in schools etc). The programme is designed so that every volunteer spends one week working in every area. The final week is left open for the volunteer to decide which area they would like to focus on. Extended stays possible.

The volunteer programme costs £8 per day (includes board and lodging). Meals are mostly organic and ovo-lacto vegetarian. The permaculture courses cost from £124 to £280.

Teaching and Health Assistance & Free Spanish Classes

This project works with under-privileged children in depressed areas to improve their education and health. Volunteers have the opportunity to take part in teaching and health projects (mental stimulation and nutrition, dental programme and opportunities in hospitals). There is also a sports development programme which gives children the opportunity to play football and baseball. Volunteers are given the chance to improve the lives of the children and to get to know the local culture. No previous knowledge of Spanish is required as the language course will equip you with the Spanish needed for the project.

The project costs £90 per week or £320 per month (4 weeks). The fee includes accommodation (homestay available), 3 meals per day, orientation, supervision, support, Spanish lessons, tours, activities and pick-up from the bus station.

Help Out at Surf School

This project offers free surfing and skateboarding lessons and materials to local youth who can't afford these things. Volunteers are required to help out with daily activities in the surf school (cleaning, renting, promotion), repair surfboards in workshop, assist with surf classes for students, teach kids to skateboard, and various other tasks. The benefits of this programme include free housing, the use of surf and skate equipement, the chance to learn new skills (i.e. learn how to repair surfboards), and bundles of fun with kids.

Basic Spanish skills and a minimum commitment of 6 weeks is required. The project is available from December until April every year.

Volunteers receive free accommodation (tent on the premises of the surf school) but are responsible for buying and preparing their own food. Basic kitchen facilities, a hot shower and electricity are provided.

Save Teeth and Experience the Culture

This project provides low or no cost dental care to the region's poor through periodic groups of visiting dental care professionals (i.e. dentists, hygienists and assistants). Volunteers spend 5 days working in a dental clinic and then have the option of going on a 4 day trip to experience the local culture and natural environment (i.e. indigenous markets, world heritage sites, a hike or horseback ride to an active volcano etc).

The cost of the clinic or tour is dependent on your preferences (standard or luxury accommodation) and status. Prices start at £230 for both and include all meals, accommodation, transport, and admission fees.

Dental Programme for the Inhabitants of the Amazon

Volunteer dentists are invited from around the world to join with local dentists and hygienists to provide quality care to the needy in the Amazon. Dental volunteers provide general dental care to patients in a six-chair, air-conditioned dental clinic. The work includes restorations, extractions, root canals, and x-rays. A minimum commitment of 2 weeks is required. There are also sometimes opportunities for ophthalmologists, surgeons, dermatologists, and other specialists.

The project will cover the cost of food, lodging, laundry, and airport transfers. Donations to cover this cost are greatly appreciated.

Community Health Workers & Optional Spanish/Surfing Lessons

This project works in a small community to create sustainable, locally-run initiatives in the areas of community health, social services and education. The project serves the most vulnerable members of the community (i.e. women, children, the elderly, the poor, and people living with illness or disability). They are looking for doctors, nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists, sexual health educators, womens health specialists, social workers, and ESL teachers to participate in education and training programs for local volunteers, for counselling, primary patient care during regular clinic hours, emergency care after hours, and to assit with health promotion, education and the creation of educational materials.

Volunteers must be comfortable communicating in Spanish and preferably have some expeirence of living and working overseas (not essential).

The project costs £95 per week and includes: private room; meals; bedding; towels, wireless internet; telephone; the use of 2 surfboards, a boogie board, board games and table tennis. Spanish classes cost £2 per hour and surfing lessons cost £6 per hour.

Experience the Amazon and Indigenous Culture

This project is for people who actively want to engage in community development, conservation, and experience the Amazon as well as getting a unique insight into the contemporary life of Shuar and Quichua Indians and the flora and fauna. Volunteers can participate in a series of ongoing projects that include teaching in local schools, traditional farming, construction, trail creation, health promotion, reforestation, nursery work, raising native animals, and other community activities. There are also opportunities to carry out your own research according to your skills and the needs of the community. The involved communities are surrounded by lush rainforest.

This project costs £195 per month, £45 per week or £7.50 per day. The price includes lodging (own house) and 3 meals per day.

Assist Indigenous Communities & Optional Spanish Classes

This project was set-up to improve living conditions for the most disadvantaged children and families of more than 20 indigenous communities. Their work is based on the fundamental right to education according to Human Rights Conventions. The project aims to give people this right by helping them to help themselves, with the goal of making individuals and communities independent by giving them skills that they can use throughout their lives.

Motivated and creative volunteers are given the opportunity to use their capabilities to the benefit of the indigenous population, and are given assistance in finding a suitable project. Different projects in which you can work include: helping to renovate and build new schools and community halls; teaching English and other subjects (music, art, science, environmental awareness and sport); and a health education project.

In return for a one-off donation of £130 you will receive accommodation and meals from an indigenous family. A free airport pick-up service is available. Spanish classes cost between £2.50 - £3.30 per hour.

Street Kids Project & Free Spanish Classes

This project supports children who live in extreme poverty with the aim of getting them off the streets and into school. They are always in need of volunteers and welcome anyone with a positive outlook and bit of enthusiasm. There are lots of opportunities to help, whether working directly with the children or behind the scenes, and they currently need teachers, social workers, psychologists, project co-ordinators, medically trained people, language professionals, marketing and fundraising professionals.

The project costs £260 (1 - 3 months); £180 (4 – 6 months); and £100 per month (7 month onwards). The fee includes accommodation, 3 meals a day, free Spanish tuition, and free internet access. Short term stays possible (1 - 3 weeks).

Camp Watchers

This project needs a group of 2 - 3 people (couples are welcome) to take care of a sea turtle conservation camp during the off season (1 April - 30 June). This camp is extremely isolated and the closest community is almost a 2 hour hike on foot. There is no electricity, no running water and you will be living a camping lifestyle. The camp includes a well to get bathing and washing water, an outhouse, a gas stove (and all cooking utensils), 2 big canopy tents, and beds. Food and potable water will be brought in once a month. This is a great opportunity for a small group of experienced campers to stay on a beautiful beach for free.

Room and board is provided for the entire 3 months, plus a small camp petty cash box of £65 a month for provisions.

Volunteer at Botanical Garden

The gardens are in a beautiful area known for its diverse flora, archaeological sites and caves. This project is looking for volunteers with skills in horticulture, landscape design, conservation education, permaculture, marketing, grant writing and computer science/geography. Internships are also offered to students seeking work experience to complete their degree. If you would like to be an intern your degree should be in a relevant work topic such as ethnobotany, botany, environmental science or tropical ecology.

Volunteers/interns have the use of canoes and horses when available during their free time. The river that borders the garden has a small beach and is a perfect spot for swimming, tubing and canoeing.

The project costs £325 per month which includes includes room and food. The grant writer may be able to stay for free.

Volunteer in Eco Village

This self-sufficient and artistic community is based on a beautful stretch of coast. Residents and volunteers live together according to principles of non violence, simple living and high thinking, and visitors can learn and experience how it is possible to live happily in harmony with nature, others, and themselves. As a volunteer you will have the opportunity to experience a different culture and way of living. Volunteer positions include helping with and learning about vegetarian cooking, organic agriculture and nutrition, environmentally friendly construction/design projects, yoga, meditation, philosophy, and working with art and educational programs for the children living in and around the community. You can also use your creative energies in various workshops.

Volunteers make a donation of £95 per month which covers accommodation, food, and all activities.

Photography Trainers

This project produces and sells fair-trade photo cards and it needs volunteers to give photography, creativity and marketing training to underprivileged teenagers. The project provides these teenagers with employment opportunities and prepares them for the future. This project provides an wonderful insight into the lives of children that once lived on the streets, the dynamics of local photography, and the chance to leave behind your contribution to a beautiful product. Volunteering can be combined with a good surf and beach life.

There is no cost to participate but volunteers are responsible for covering their living expenses (accommodation, food etc). The average cost of housing and your food will be between £5 and £10 per day depending on your lifestyle.

Training Course in Organic Farming

This course enables volunteers to gain a greater understanding of organic farming and other methods of non contaminating sustainable agriculture. Some of the topics the course covers include: principles of organic farming; fertilizers; composting; seed saving; the principles of permaculture and design.

The 4 week training course costs £95 and there is also a regular volunteer fee of £230. The fee includeds accommodation and food. Most of the food served is vegetarian.

Volunteer Field Assistants

This projects seeks volunteer field assistants for an ongoing behavioural study of a tropical bird species. Responsibilities include conducting behavioural observations at male display sites, monitoring birds using radio-telemetry, nest-searching, mist-netting birds for banding and blood sampling, and data entry. Experience in one or more of these areas are required, and experience working in isolated field settings and/or living in close quarters with a small field crew is strongly preferred. This project is most appropriate for people who are interested in pursuing a career in behavioural ecology, and who have previous field experience.

Volunteers receive free accommodation, food and in-country transportation. The project will also contribute up to £350 towards international travel.

Guiding at Rainforest Lodge

The goal of this ecotourism facility is to protect an enormous tract of rainforest (37,000 hectares) and support the indigenous community. There are opportunities for volunteers interested in guiding, community development, office work, teaching English or environmental education. The guiding position is ideal for biologists that want to explore the endless possibilities of the Amazon rainforest. The guide needs to be fluent in Spanish as he/she will be translating to the guests of the lodge.

Volunteers receive free accommodation, food and local transportation.

Rural Development and Research

The aim of this project is to promote sustainable development via the active participation of men and women working to improve the community’s standard of living in a stable environment.

The location makes it an ideal place to study climate change, particularly relating to peoples’ perceptions and experiences of their natural environment. Water, rainfall, soil erosion and deforestation are all important and controversial local issues. Volunteers able to carry out research into the relationship between people and their environment are required. There are also opportunities for volunteers capable of carrying out socio-economic research, focusing on areas such as health, economy, basic services, housing etc. Additionally, the project welcomes volunteers with an interest in agriculture who would be able to carry out research into organic coffee production.

There is no participation fee but volunteers will require approximately £100 per month to cover their food, lodging and day to day living expenses.

Leatherback Sea Turtle Conservation Programme

This project welcome students, travellers and professionals from around the world who have an interest in hands-on conservation and data collection work with an endangered species.

No qualifications or previous experience is required but volunteers must be fit and healthy. The main work involves beach patrols and hatchery shifts. A minimum commitment of one week is required.

The cost of participating as a volunteer starts from £5 per day. There are options to camp, stay with a local family or share accommodation with other volunteers.

Creative Projects for Creative People

This project offers dozens of exciting and creative volunteer opportunities. It matches your skills to projects where you are best suited and returns 100% of its profits to the communities. There are projects for actors; guitar players; jugglers; singers; story tellers; dancers; painters; builders; teachers (circus skills, sculpture, design, puppetry), photographers, jewellery makers, film makers, keen gardeners and many others. Even if you think you are not creative, this project will find a creative way to apply your skills.

£400 for 2 weeks or £620 for 2 months. The fees include: travel insurance; homestay accommodation (with some or all meals); airport collection; all project planning and pre-departure advice; help finding the best flight deal, sponsorship and fundraising ideas.

Resident Naturalist

This project seeks a resident naturalist to facilitate academic programs for student groups and eco-tourists. Naturalists have the opportunity to advance their training in the fields of tropical ecology, natural history, environmental education, sustainability, conservation, agriculture, local culture and Spanish. Naturalists will participate in on-going long-term research projects and are also encouraged to develop their own individual projects within their areas of interest.

Room and board are provided in return for the services provided by naturalists (special rates to stay at the field station are available to family members).

Long Term Volunteer Teacher

This project provides the opportunity for individuals to make a meaningful contribution to international education by living and working as a volunteer teacher. Volunteers teach in public high schools in a variety of subject areas; science, geography, physical education and English. Most schools will be assigned two volunteers.

The project requires an 11 month commitment. Volunteers must be native English speakers, have a bachelor's degree, be flexible, mature, and have a genuine interest in teaching and cross-cultural experiences.

The programme fee is £995 for the year and includes: round-trip international airfare; health insurance; in-country orientation and training; in-country transportation; accommodation; meals; a living stipend of £150 per month; and 24-hour field support.

Primate and Wildcat Survey

This project carries out research on critically endangered primates and maintains a network of camera traps to monitor the status of wildcats such as puma and ocelots. As there is an urgent need to maintain field surveys and to monitor trends in population numbers, this project welcomes hardworking volunteers. You must be a self starter able to manage field surveys and data management. This project provides an excellent opportunity to gain valuable field experience. It is located in one of the most biologically diverse and endemic habitats on Earth.

There is also a much easier programme which entails a couple of long hikes per week to service camera traps. Other duties include assisting with the running of the centre, organic gardening, fence repairs, mule wrangling, general trail maintance and a little cooking at the weekends.

The project costs £285 per month for board and lodging. The fee also includes transportation from the bus station to the reserve (a four hour mule trek).

Conservation of Marine Mammals

This project is dedicated to the research, rescue and rehabilitation of marine mammals. There are data collecting excursions by boat and some excursions and hiking that require camping. There is an emergency rescue service for stranded or injured marine animals and volunteers are trained to participate in the rescue and rehabilitation of sea-lions and dolphins. Volunteers must be able to work in teams and must be tolerant, flexible and patient. A one week minimum commitment is required.

The project costs £230 per week or £800 per month. The fee includes lodging, local transport, official identification, academic certification, materials for collecting data, training, t-shirt, airport transportation, and donation to project.

Riding and other Therapies - Internship Programme

This project works with people with disabilities, providing riding therapy jointly with other alternative and conventional therapies (physiotherapy, language, art, dancing, occupational therapy, therapy with dogs etc). Depending on the interns experience and interests, the tasks to be fulfilled include the following: assistance during riding therapy; cleaning of stables; taking care of the horses, training of horses; maintaining and watering the riding area, office work and fundraising, and much more.

All interns pay a £95 inscription fee. Accommodation provided in volunteer house free of charge. Food is not included.

Conservation and Sustainable Tourism

This project needs volunteers will help build infrastructure within 6 newly established nature reserves. Work will entail creating and/or maintaining trails, constructing benches and cabins, posting signs, assisting with the implementation of specific action plans written for each site, helping gather information for the creation of brochures which includes wildlife observations, and other various tasks. There is also the possibility of getting involved with local environmental education efforts.

Volunteers with Spanish speaking skills, construction experience, a spirit of adventure and a serious interest in having an effect on rainforest conservation and sustainable tourism development are required. Couples are welcome to apply.

Free accommodation is provided at all of the sites but only three sites are able to cover food costs. Volunteers are expected to pay a small amount of money for food at these sites.

Educational and Community Aid & Optional Spanish Classes

This project supports the well-being and human growth of abandoned and disadvantaged children. Volunteers have the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational and community aid programmes. There are volunteer positions in the following areas: working in orphanages; caring for the elderly; health programmes for students and graduates; teaching; helping street children; providing day care for children; taking care of children with mental and physical disabilities; assisting farming communities; conservation work; making bricks and tiles; and an earthquake recovery programme (construction). Spanish classes cost £4 per hour.

The project costs £325 for 4 weeks. Shorter and longer stays possible (i.e. 1 week - 6 months). The fee covers accommodation, food, pick up from the bus terminal or the airport, support of local coordinator, information pack, and orientation.

Biological Research and Sustainable Living

This project studies the biodiversity of a cloud forest in order to make conservation work more effective. It also aims to create a model of sustainable living based on principles of permaculture. Possible work options include opening trails in the cloud forest, inventory of biodiversity, bamboo construction, organic gardening and permaculture, and eco-tourism related tasks. Spanish classes can be arranged at reasonable cost.

The project costs £45 per week or £160 per month and includes accommodation, 3 meals a day, and orientation. The food is mostly vegetarian.

Leatherback and Pacific Green Sea Turtle Research Project

The aim of this project is to improve the knowledge held on Leatherback and Pacific Green sea turtles and implement guidelines for better conservation actions. The project seeks regular volunteers and research assistants. Regular volunteers do not need any prior experience as full training will be provided upon arrival at project site. Research assistants need to be at least 21 years of age, have a strong background in biology and conservation issues, and preferably some conservation experience. The project needs volunteers from the 1 November to 15 March every year.

This is one of the best places in the world to see an arribada. This is when massive turtle nestings occur and up to 300,000 turtles (Olive Ridleys) may lay over a period of 8 to 10 days.

Regular volunteers pay £11 per day for accommodation and meals. Research Assistants pay £8 per day to cover accommodation and three meals.

Conservation in the Galapagos Islands

This projects offers volunteers the opportunity to help conserve the enchanted Galapagos Islands. Volunteers can get involved in various activities such as habitat restoration and reforestation, the eradication of invasive and introduced species, agroforestry, environmental education in local schools, and a community development program. Volunteers can also participate in guided hikes in the reserve and/or nearby areas to learn about biodiversity, natural history and ecology.

The project costs £275 for 2 weeks or £525 for 4 weeks. Longer term stays possible. The fees include housing and all meals.

Housing and Development

This project develops housing and provides education to families who are currently squatters. The goal is to bring to these families to a model of sustainable development. Volunteers are needed to help the families build their homes and are given the opportunity to get involved in all kinds of development courses and workshops. There are no fees or special requirements although it's desirable to have some knowledge of masonry, plumbing, electricity or carpentry.

Volunteers receive free accommodation and are provided with lunch whilst working.

Volunteer for Amazonian Lodge

This lodge is located within the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve between the Andean mountain chain and the Amazon basin. Volunteers can participate in all areas of work offered at the lodge.

They are reforesting an area of 20 hectares with native trees and medicinal plants and plan to expand this activity to nearby areas. You can choose to get involved in various volunteer assignments (i.e. nursery work, planting, documentating plants etc) and a list of possible activities. Each volunteer chooses an area of specific interest and dedicates one third of his/her time to this. Volunteers choose from the following activities: archaeology; horses (take care of horses and train them); building; teaching (teach English to the children of the local communities); guiding and bird watching.

The project costs £6.50 per day for accommodation and all meals. If volunteers stay for less than 4 weeks the price is £10 per day.

Help Out at Jungle Hideaway

This jungle lodge is surrounded by 500 hectares of virgin tropical rainforest. It affords visitors a cosy stay in a jungle environment and numerous close encounters with wildlife. Poison dart frogs, monkeys, toucans, parrots and caiman are common sightings in this tropical paradise.

Volunteers at the lodge help look after guests (helping on tours etc) and assist with general duties.

Volunteers are given complimentary food and accommodation whilst staying at the lodge. Volunteers also receive £50 per month pocket money and are offered a free pick-up from the international airport.

Volunteer Site Attendants

This project provides the rare opportunity to monitor and look after young Orange-breasted Falcons prior to and after they are released in the forests. Specific responsibilities include: monitoring, feeding, and ensuring the well-being of young falcons during the entire process of release; reading colour-coded bands through a spotting scope; and keeping detailed field notes of the falcons’ behaviour, movement patterns, interactions with other species, etc. Volunteers with skills in the biological sciences, wildlife conservation or basic Neotropical flora and fauna are encouraged to apply. Volunteers must be able to commit to eight to twelve week service, be in good health, and speak English.

This is an exceptional opportunity to gain field experience, work in a pristine rainforest and reintroduce a rare species into the wild.

Accommodation (may be only a tent) and food are provided. Appropriate recognition in scientific papers and personal references are given.

Cloud Forest Conservation Project

This project is extremely important in terms of preserving the biodiversity of the cloud forest and protecting local watersheds. The work focuses on protecting existing forests through reforestation, monitoring human activity and its impact, and environmental education.

Volunteers can participate in the following activities: forestry program (restoring degraded areas and sustainable wood production), sustainable agriculture, community involvement, research, eco-construction (environmentally-friendly building practices), and environmental education. No particular skills are needed; however, prospective volunteers should have an interest in conservation and related human issues.

The project costs £315 for the first month and £300 for every month thereafter. The fees include 3 meals a day plus lodging in cabins that are shared with other volunteers and researchers. Short term stays possible (i.e. 2 weeks).

Short Term Work Groups

This project offers one week working trips to help disadvantaged Peruvian families and children. Volunteers provide hope and vital services to some of the most impoverished communities in Peru. The next trips are scheduled for spring and autumn 2009. In addition to the work, volunteers have the option of visiting Machu Picchu and other tourist sites for an additional fee.

Volunteers receive accommodation and two meals per day. Volunteers will need approximately £130 to cover their personal expenses.

Human Development Volunteer

This project cares for orphaned and abandoned children and provides them with food, clothing, shelter, medical care and an education. Volunteers are asked to give a minimum of one year and may serve in a variety of positions, including house parents, nurses, physicians, therapists, teachers, secretaries, gardeners, kitchen help, librarians, or assistants in the clinics.

Long term volunteers receive free accommodation, food, access to medical care and a small monthly stipend.

Educational Projects in the Galapagos

This project is dedicated to improving the health and educational system of the Galapagos Islands. Short term (2 weeks) and long term opportunities (3 months or more) are available in a wide range of educational fields. These include giving workshops on conflict resolution or music, to teaching English or art in schools, to teaching English as a second language.

£30 application fee. There are some projects that offer free board and lodging, otherwise volunteers have to pay for everything. Staying with a host family ranges from £130 - 230 per month. There is also the option of staying in local hotels.

Adventure in the Andes (Internships)

This ecotourism and adventure travel company manages more than 12,000 hectares of private land, dedicated to sustainable farming production, cultural heritage, ecotourism and conservation. They specialise in offering adventure trips and seek young professionals that have experience in one of the following areas: mountain biking; horseback riding; rappel and climbing. A basic knowledge of Spanish and a commitment of between 3 - 6 months is required.

Interns receive free board and lodging.

Student Internship Programme

This ecolodge and botanical reserve is situated on 200 acres of untouched, protected land, preserving the natural habitat of many endemic plants, animals and over 110 different species of exotic birds.

Interns are required to assist with various activities at the ecolodge and botanical reserve (i.e. hotel management, tourism activities, bird watching tours, reforestation work, maintenance work, organic gardening, internet marketing and sales, research projects, biology projects, teaching English and environmental education, and much much more). Interns must be studying the fields of hotel and tourism management, hospitality and facilities management, green hotel management, sustainable eco-tourism and development, international marketing, conservation, biology, ornithology and/or ecology. Interns must have excellent computer skills and be conversational in Spanish.

The project costs £65 per month which includes accommodation in either a small dormitory style building or in private rooms. Meals are not included and interns must purchase and prepare their own food (kitchen provided).

Ecotourism and Community Support

This fair trade, organic coffee and macadamia project is owned and run by a cooperative of forty families. There are various ways to get involved and support the community: agricultural work (picking coffee, collecting and processing macadamia etc): eco-lodge renovation (construction work, painting and decorating, organic gardening etc); ecotourism assistance (teaching vegetarian, vegan and international cooking etc); and community services (medicine, marketing, teaching English and other subjects etc).

The project costs £25 – £55 per week depending on length of stay. The fee includes accommodation and a fully equipped kitchen to prepare your own meals.

Volunteer at Wildlife Centre

This project protects habitat, wildlife and encourages eco-friendly economic alternatives for local communities. It is based in pristine rainforest where you can enjoy close-up views of macaw clay licks, tapir clay licks, giant otters, and a dazzling array of birds (i.e. barbets, cock-of-the-rock, tanagers, hummingbirds etc). The area also boasts two canopy platforms and 10 species of monkey. Volunteers are required to help with teaching local children and guides, guiding tourists, and general day to day chores (no qualifications are required). There are also opportunities to carry out independent research.

The project costs £6.50 per day for board and lodging.

Resident Naturalist Programme

This programme offers professionals and recent graduates with a keen interest in natural sciences and teaching to spend an extended period of time in the richest and greenest corner of the Amazon rainforest. Volunteers help undertake numerous simple scientific-based tasks associated with the ongoing environmental monitoring programme (i.e. recording weather data; maintaining wildlife sighting logs; monitoring giant otters, macaws and parrots etc). Volunteers also help train resident guides in European languages and tropical natural history.

Volunteers receive free room and board in return for undertaking RN activities.

Wild Animal Refuge Volunteer

The animals here are rescued from circuses, animal dealers or homes and are brought to the refuge for rehabilitation and liberation back into the wild. For those animals that are debilitated or captivated for an irretrievable amount of time, the refuge provides them the care they need and a home in the jungle. The refuge houses about 200 monkeys, dozens of tropical birds and wild cats like pumas, jaguars and ocelots.

Everyone can volunteer, you don't need previous experience or a biology degree, all you need is a big heart and the will to work hard to save the animals. Volunteers who wish to be responsible for a specific animal need further training and therefore are required to stay for a month (usually more for the cats).

The project costs from £90 - £120 for the first 15 days (depending on accommodation). After 15 days the price decreases to £4.50 per day (including food and accommodation).

Education and Community Development Volunteers

The core of the work involves assisting teachers by tutoring 1st and 2nd grade in basic reading, writing and mathematics in 4 rural government schools. Other projects include teaching English to primary grades, promoting health care, community workshops and special activities, administrative tasks, and general school maintenance. This project also helps groups of women start their own small enterprises making handicrafts.

There are no fees to particpate but volunteers are responsible for their own living costs. Low cost housing options are available to longer term volunteers.

Radio Producer

This community-based radio station defends the struggle and objectives of social organisations, providing an alternative to the mass media. It provides an open space for creativity and diverse opinions. Volunteers help the programme coordinators with the production and transmission of the show which is aired every day. The work includes researching and summarising news stories, gathering information from newspapers and magazines, welcoming guests on the programme, taking calls, and other general tasks.

Volunteers can opt for homestays, hostels, or shared apartments with other volunteers. Prices start at £150 per month with breakfast included.

Birding and Natural History Guide

This small eco-lodge needs an extra guide from late December 2008 to mid March or early April 2009. The lodge is located in one of the most biodiverse places in the world with many local endemic species and excellent birding. Volunteers should have a strong birding/ornithology background with experience in tropical biology and birding, and have some knowledge of tropical natural history. The lodge will also consider a general tropical naturalist/biologist with some background in birding and some knowledge of tropical natural history. Guides receive 1 - 3 weeks (depending on experience) of training. During low periods guides might be asked to help with lodge related work such as correspondence, trips to town, light trail maintenance or natural history related projects and record keeping.

Two meals a day are provided. Guides stay in private cabins which cost £40 - £50 per month. Compensation is provided and most guides earn over £650 per month.

English Teaching Assistants

This project seeks native English-speaking volunteers to work in public schools as English-language teaching assistants. The programme is designed to compensate for the lack of exposure to native English speakers faced by most students in the public school system. Volunteers are assigned to public schools in regions throughout the country, live with host families in their community and receive a monthly stipend.

The project offers accommodation with a host family and meals, monthly stipend of £85, all-expense paid orientation in the capital city which includes TEFL training, cultural orientation and activities, all-expense paid regional orientation, assistance obtaining a temporary residence visa and I.D. card, round-trip transportation to regional placement site, airport transfer fees, ongoing Spanish lessons with diagnostic and exit Spanish tests to measure learning, materials for your classroom, ongoing teaching support, program certification by the Ministry of Education.

The 4 and 6 month programmes cost £400 and the 8 month programme costs £660.

Penguin Research Volunteers

A small number of volunteers are needed each year to conduct daily observations of penguin nests during November, December, January and February. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, have a working knowledge of Spanish, and be willing to work for a minimum of eight weeks. Volunteers stay in a lighthouse close to the penguin colony.

Volunteers receive free accommodation but must pay for their own food.

Animal Welfare Volunteer

This animal sanctuary is responsible for rescuing a wide variety of wild animals from unhealthy and illegal situations, which have been the victims of animal-trafficking or mistreatment. Volunteers are offered a unique opportunity to care for and help rehabilitate a diverse variety of wild animals. These normally include monkeys, cats, bears, reptiles, and parrots amongst many others. Volunteer duties include cleaning, feeding and veterinary care. Volunteers also help build new enclosures, renovate and modify existing ones.

There are no language requirements and volunteers can stay for as little as 2 weeks. Volunteers with a good command of Spanish may also assist with the education of visiting school children. There are also opportunities to teach English in nearby communities.

The project costs £80 per week for lodging and approximately £10 per week for food.

Ecolodge Volunteer & Optional Spanish Classes

This ecolodge and nature reserve provides outdoor activities for travellers as well as students who have an interest in nature, learning practical skills and scientific research. Volunteers require no specific skills to participate in this program. Volunteers normally work Monday through Friday, 4 hours per day. The rest of the day is usually spent reading, relaxing, walking or taking Spanish lessons. Most work is in open air and includes trail maintenance, reforestation, riverbank repair, gardening, minor construction, shaded-grown coffee picking/processing, making marmalades, etc. For scientific research projects, adequate knowledge is required (i.e. taxonomy, ecology, photography, geology, etc).

Volunteers can stay in the ecolodge for £3.75 per day or camp for £1.80 per day (own tent required). The ecolodge/campsite has furnished kitchens to prepare meals. Seasonal fruit and pure drinking water provided. Spanish lessons cost £2.50 per hour.

Volunteer for Artisan Cooperative

The women of this project make jewellery and other crafts from local natural materials (i.e. bamboo, coconut husks and vegetable ivory) in order to earn a sustainable income without having to cut down the local cloud forest. The crafts include earrings, pendants and seed/bead necklaces, as well as napkin rings, key chains and other articles. Volunteers are needed in three areas: developing new designs and products; teaching English and environmental education; organic gardening and reforestation. The project also accepts proposals from gap year/university students and researchers.

Volunteers must be respectful of the traditional culture in this small rural community. The village where the project is located is convenient to several reserves where visitors can hike, bird-watch, and swim in the local rivers.

Volunteers pay £8 per day for a homestay with 3 meals. Discounts are available for longer stays.

Volunteer in Communal Workshop

This project is a social and economic initiative working with indigenous women living in a village community. The women of the village live in extreme poverty, and for most, this is the first chance they have had to learn skills to earn money in a humane and respectful working environment.

The village creates child-friendly dress up dolls from natural materials. Homespun fibers and fabrics reflect a wide variety of traditional clothing and traditional skills of shepherding alpaca and sheep, carding, spinning, dyeing, weaving, knitting and embroidery. The combined qualities of imagination, color, and therapeutic work give rise to the healing environment in this women's workshop. Proceeds from the sell of these dolls contribute to the installation of water, electricity, and toilets in addition to providing a fair wage for labour.

The project welcomes volunteers that want to share their particular skills and talents.

There is no cost to participate in the project. Full room and board is provided for £5.50 per day.

Andean Bear Tracker

This is the only research in the world tracking wild Andean (Spectacled) Bears. As part of the long term efforts to save the Spectacled Bear from extinction, they have tagged twelve wild bears with radio collars and are tracking them using radio telemetry. The purpose of this project is to learn more about the bears' use of habitat for conservation purposes. The work changes daily in response to the activities of the bears. Sometimes they are climbing mountains, sometimes strolling on country roads, sometimes walking around in local communities. They are always listening on the radio for bear signals. Work also includes clearing trails used for tracking and moving cages (they are still catching bears). Volunteers spend a full week in training before being certified to track unaccompanied by a professional researcher. Volunteers on this project may also choose to teach (English or environmental education) in local schools.

Volunteers pay £400 for a one month stay and £370 per month thereafter. The fee includes training, housing and food. Volunteers can join the project for one week (£100) but will only accompany bear trackers on walks rather than assisting with actual data gathering.

Day-Care and for Disabled Children & Optional Spanish Classes

The aim of this project is to give disabled children an opportunity to develop into functional members of society and to make them less dependent on charity. The project welcomes volunteers with experience of working with the disabled such as teachers (special education) and occupational therapists. People with other skills who don't normally work with children but are blessed with a lot of patience and a willingness to teach their skills are also very welcome. There are several excellent Spanish schools surrounding the centre.

Volunteers can stay at a local hostel or with a local family for £50 per month. Both options provide the use of a kitchen to prepare meals.

Volunteer at Orphanage

This project is situated on the outskirts of a rainforest and it aims to take the children away from aggression, drugs and criminality of the nearby city. The project provides these children with shelter, nutrition, education and freedom to play. Work activities will depend on your skills, interests and the needs of the project. They are currently looking for a psychologist, social worker, educator, teacher, organic farming specialist, volunteer coordinator, IT expert, medical coordinator, electrician, sports teacher, theatre/art/music teachers, and a nutrition specialist.

Volunteers receive free accommodation, food, training and airport pick-up.

Education and the Rescue & Rehabilitation of Wild Fauna

This project carries out a wide range of essential conservation work, including animal rescue operations after oil spills, animal rehabilitation programmes, and educational campaigning. Some of the tasks include assisting with the first census of coastal contamination, the investigation of flora and fauna, collaboration and active participation in educational campaigns. Volunteers are also trained to act in situations of massive species loss associated with oil spills etc.

Volunteers pay for their own food but lodging is provided.

Volunteer for Children's Eco-Village

The project is building an eco-village for orphaned and abandoned children. This eco-village will use alternative power, have organic gardens and orchards. It welcomes enthusiastic volunteers who would like to participate in the following areas: research; writing; alternative energy/construction; fundraising; design; education; artistic support; office and online support. As this project is in the initial phases there are many ways to get involved.

There is no cost to participate but volunteers are responsible for all living expenses (accommodation and food).

Support Indigenous Communities

This project provides support and encourages entrepreneurship within native indigenous communities in the Amazon Basin by developing their institutional, cultural, and economic capacities in order to help them achieve fair and equitable opportunities within local government and society. Volunteers can work in the following areas: ecology; institutional strengthening of communities; tourism; and culture.

The project helps volunteers find budget accommodation or a host family (approximately £40 - £65).

Volunteer at Ecological Reserve

This project aims to conserve and sustainably manage local and national biodiversity through eco-friendly methods of production and integrated management of natural resources. The site also has an education centre where they teach environmental education to local students, tourists and organised groups. Volunteers are required for various duties including: tourist guide; bird monitoring; mammal, reptile and amphibian monitoring; environmental education; work in the butterfly garden; medicinal plants; agricultural related tasks; maintenance of the infrastructure and cleaning trails.

The projects costs £7 per day which includes accommodation and lunch. A kitchen is available to prepare breakfast and dinner.

Volunteer Builder/Carpenter

This project is dedicated to forest conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources. It is ideal for those who want to live in a beautiful tropical forest, experience rural culture and practice their Spanish. The responsibilities of the volunteer builder/carpenter depend on what project is chosen but some of the tasks include maintaining trails, repairing bridges, constructing bird watching towers, replacing roofing, and building bamboo houses. All projects require building, maintenance and carpentry skills. There is also an opening for a wood carver.

The project costs £300 per month for stays of less than 3 months or £240 per month for stays longer than 3 months. The price includes accommodation and three meals per day.

Permaculture and Creative Living

This training programme is perfect for students who want to gain practical skills or people who want to acquire the experience to start a sustainable project of their own. You also have the opportunity to learn Spanish whilst learning. Some of the topics the programme covers include: permaculture principles and ethics; forest garden; windbreaks; greenhouse; seed saving; pond construction/maintenance; natural building; appropriate technologies; wind energy systems; natural cooking; group dynamics and more. The cost for foreign participants is approximately £200 and includes accommodation and vegetarian meals.

If you successfully complete the programme you have the option of staying on for one month and helping with different areas of the Ecovillage project as a volunteer. Volunteers pay £3 per day toward food but receive their accommodation for free (in exchange for their work).

Medicinal Plant Garden

The goal of this project is to provide the region with free botanical remedies. In addition to these services, the garden has the potential to serve as an educational tool for both the children and adults of the community. The volunteer will be responsible for supervising the upkeep of the garden and developing a functional compost system. The project also seeks volunteers with biological or ethnobotanical backgrounds who are willing to improve the book of medicinal plants.

This project also requires volunteers for its vegetable/fruit garden (i.e. garden maintenance) and its environmental education and sanitation programme.

Volunteers pay £2 per day for lodging and about the same for meals.

Volunteer Field Assistants

This project accepts up to 6 volunteer field assistants per year to work as part of a research program on social learning in wild capuchin monkeys. Because the training process requires many months, only applicants who are willing to work for a minimum of one year are accepted. Fluency in English and basic Spanish skills are prerequisites for the job; prior field experience and/or work with primates are desirable but not absolutely essential.

If grant support is available, field volunteers are typically provided with room and board, and (sometimes) a very small stipend to cover living expenses. Transportation costs to the field site may be reimbursed following the successful completion of the one year minimum appointment.

Volunteer Mountain Guides

Volunteers are needed to lead hikes through cloud forest, remote farming villages and high grasslands on the way to beautiful lakes and volcanoes. Some previous trekking experience and a 3 month minimum commitment are required. All the proceeds from this project support charities that aim to improve the lives of destitute children (street kids).

All expenses and food are paid for whilst on treks. Volunteers receive subsidised accommodation (£9 per month). The money earned from tips is enough to pay for food.

Plant Trees and visit Machu Picchu

This project offers the opportunity to contribute to environmental efforts in the high Andes of Peru and visit Machu Picchu. Volunteers spend their first week planting native trees and providing environmental education to local communities. Afterwards they are taken on a mini-adventure which includes various archaeological sites (Ollantaytambo, Sacsayhuaman etc), the Sacred Valley of the Incas, an indigenous market, the magical Machu Picchu and much more.

This project costs £590 which includes accommodation, food, a Spanish/Quechua/English speaking guide, and local transportation.

Volunteer Expedition

This project is about getting off the beaten track, into nature, and away from the many blinding distractions of modern day western culture. You will be living and working high-up in the mountains with indigenous Indians. The forest camp overlooks one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The expedition includes an introduction into the internal martial arts (i.e. Taijiquan, Qigong), and the opportunity to practice yoga and meditation. Volunteers are encouraged to get to know local families, get involved in local community projects (i.e. working with children and teachers) and play some sport in the village. Volunteers can also get involved in various environmental initiatives such as teaching music, the arts, environmental awareness and English in local schools, and by actively taking part in a clean-up project on the lake through scuba diving.

The expedition costs £150 per week excluding scuba diving or £190 per week including scuba diving. The fees cover all food, accommodation, training and transportation whilst on the project. Discounts offered for stays of more than 4 weeks.

Theatre and Arts-Based Communication Project</