Plan a life changing trip to Latin America. Choose between a range of inspirational projects from working with communities, children to wildlife and conservation.
Best South America Volunteer Programs
Top Rated Organisations
• Global Work & Travel
• One World 365
How You Can Help
Are you bored of your current 9 to 5? Looking to use and build on existing skills and knowledge in a more interesting setting? If so, volunteering in South America is for you.
Volunteering in South America offers the opportunity to experience the Latin way of life, working with passionate and enthusiastic people across some very different placements. Whether helping out in the classroom in private schools, helping coach English students in schools or language institutes, or helping in the community, volunteers will be exposed to an incredible and diverse country. The placements give a chance to get involved in a new culture and learn or improve your Spanish language skills.
If you have a background in business, you could find yourself working alongside local artisans selling their handicrafts at traditional street markets. If you’re a medical student, you could gain key experience by working in health centres and caring for those in need. If your goal lies in education, there are endless programs across the continent which will allow you to teach English to inquisitive children. Maybe you have marketing experience which you could apply to projects aiming to expand their organisation, or maybe you want to experience the vast rural areas of South America by working with sustainable development projects.
Volunteering in South America will not only benefit local communities, but you yourself as well. In terms of your professional career, volunteering will allow you to boast international work experience, an ability to work in and adapt to an unfamiliar environment, as well as an acquisition of new skills which you can add to your CV/résumé and use time and time again in the future.
Popular Places to Volunteer in South America
Search projects by destinations:
• Amazon Rainforest
• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Galapagos Islands
• Falkland Islands
• French Guiana
• Guyana
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Suriname
• Uruguay
• Venezuela
FAQ
Language
Most projects are in English, but Spanish is beneficial and Portuguese in Brazil.
Is there opportunity to take classes such as language or cultural activities while on the program?
Yes, volunteers have the option of adding language classes each day for the duration of their project for an additional fee. All the teachers are professional teachers – either certified in teaching Spanish as a foreign language or with a Masters in Education. Volunteers will also be provided with basic terms and phrases during orientation to help with basic daily activities. Many volunteer group activities will give you the opportunity to participate in cultural activities and also go sightseeing.
Program requirements
As a volunteer in South America you generally must be at least 18 years of age, have no major health problems, a reasonable level of fitness for some programs, a medical qualification may be required for healthcare programs, basic Spanish and obtain a police check from your home country prior to volunteering.
Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement?
Volunteers from the majority of countries are automatically given a 90-day tourist visa on entry into most South American countries.
Will I need a police check?
If working closely with children and other vulnerable individuals, volunteers need to provide a police clearance document before volunteering commences. There are different types of police clearance but at minimum the check must include your full name and date of birth. Note, minor offences such as traffic infringements will not be taken into account. If you come from a country that does not issue police clearances for volunteer work, three character references from reputable sources (employer, justice of the peace, landlord, the minister of your local church, teacher, etc) may be substituted. Your character referees should know you well enough to vouch for your character.
What to eat?
In Brazil be sure to try the coxinhas, street food at its deep fried creamy best. If you head into Argentina then steak is a must and when you rock up to Chile be sure to try a completo, the hot dog of the gods.
If I see one thing?
Assuming you’re taking in the sights of Rio and Santiago, in between you can’t miss Iguassu Falls. It’s a roaring, thundering, inspiring and downright amazing series of waterfalls and well worth a couple of days of anyone’s time.