Volunteer in Central and South America

Volunteering in Central and South America is a wonderful career break opportunity. There are volunteering placements in conservation, childcare, education, business and entrepreneurship, as well as in some more unusual projects.

Projects (6)
Organisations

Volunteer as a medic in Borneo

Are you a doctor, nurse or paramedic? Spend your summer in Borneo's fragile rainforest. Places in Costa Rica and Nicaragua also available.

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Lead a team of young volunteers, Costa Rica and Nicaragua

You will receive training and will be responsible for guiding and motivating your team through an unforgettable adventure in the rainforest.

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Social Starters project in London - volunteer in social enterprise for entrepreneurs

Social enterprise volunteering in London and Brazil

If you want to use your skills to make an impact, you could volunteer on this unique placement in London or Brazil. You'll be assessed and matched with an entrepreneur or social enterprise, where you will use your skills to get a project off the ground.

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Volunteer as a teacher, Peru

This volunteer teaching placement works as a cultural exchange, allowing you to learn as much from your hosts as you teach! There's extensive support, allowing you to make the most of your experience and work to the best of your ability.

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Support young entrepreneurs, Nicaragua and Tanzania

Part of the government-funded ICS Entrepreneur programme. Help people work their way out of poverty, using your own unique set of business skills and experience.

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Volunteer in Incan and Wari archaeology, Peru

This is an exciting volunteer opportunity for those who are interested in history and ancient civilisations. On this placement, you’ll gain hands-on experience in a number of different archaeological activities.

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Central and South America are a fantastic place to visit on your career break, and why not spend the time there doing some volunteering?

South America has more volunteering placements than Central America, but it is still possible to volunteer in Central America. Most volunteers go there specifically for the placement, rather than as part of a bigger trip, as Central America is not on many round-the-world routes. However, if you want to volunteer there, you'll have time before and/or after your placement to travel around the area if you wish.

South America is a popular destination for career breakers on a round-the-world route (RTW routes usually pass through either the USA or a destination in South America). This means you can stop off to do some volunteering as part of a bigger trip. Of course, many career breakers go to South America just to volunteer, and there are a great many sustainable, worthwhile and exciting volunteer placements available there.

Volunteer placements in Central and South America are mostly in the following areas:

Working with children. This could be in education (see below) or in childcare. Some of these programmes are geared towards helping street children, and others in disadvantaged circumstances.
Education. You could be teaching English to children, or coaching sports. There are also opportunities to teach other subjects, such as art and music.
Wildlife conservation - most projects in Central and South America are in land, rather than marine, conservation. There are a number of amazing yet fragile ecosystems in the region, all of which need protecting.
Community development which might involve working with one of the indigenous communities in Central or South America - an experience like no other!
Something different. There are a number of unusual volunteering opportunities for career breakers in Central and South America, including archaeology, jewellery and photography.

Many of the volunteering placements in Central and South America also include cultural and language courses, so you will get as much out of volunteering there as you put in! Spanish courses are commonly included, and you may also get the chance to learn dancing (eg tango or samba) or take a cookery course.

There'll be plenty of time to explore the region of course, either during your time off, or after your volunteering placement ends. Your volunteer organisation may include trips, or they can advise on places to visit.

By volunteering in Central or South America, and working directly with its people, you will gain a deeper understanding of the place you are living and working, and will develop a range of skills that will look fantastic on your CV. It's also an unforgettable experience - one that you will keep with you forever.

See all our partner volunteer organisations in Central and South America.