How to Volunteer in South America in 2025/2026

Volunteering in South America is one of the most rewarding life experiences. Depending on your goals and passions, you can help with regional wildlife conservation, education and healthcare, women’s empowerment and more. Choosing South America lets you immerse yourself in its rich culture and biodiversity while making a real, positive difference. 

When it comes to volunteering, knowing how to get started is half the battle. Today, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about planning an exciting and meaningful volunteer experience in South America. 

Why choose to volunteer in South America? 

South America offers plenty of adventure and opportunities for personal growth through learning new skills and culturally specific experiences, as well as the chance to make a tangible difference. There are many reasons to choose South America, including:

Earn a deep understanding and appreciation of the country

For many of our volunteers, understanding and appreciating a country like South America isn’t possible until they’ve lived and worked there. Travelling through a country might give you a snapshot of its history and culture, but volunteering for a longer period of time opens up an entirely new experience. South American host communities are also known for their hospitality, letting you form long-lasting friendships throughout your time there. 

Learn new skills to carry with you throughout your future

Volunteering in a new environment is a huge shock to the system, but how you deal with this shapes your entire experience and future. South America volunteering programs take you out of your comfort zone to give you the opportunity of learning new skills, such as organisation, empathy, different languages and more. Not only is this a wonderful life experience you’ll always be able to look back fondly on, but it’s also a great boost for your CV.

There’s no shortage of rewarding opportunities and daily excitement

Throughout your responsibilities as a volunteer, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in the local community and culture. Whether that means trying out local cuisine or visiting a festival of the best South America has to offer, you’ll never be short on things to do! Our volunteers often note how rewarding it is to know that they’re making a difference in their area of expertise. No day is the same, and that’s where the excitement comes from!

How to choose the perfect volunteer placement in South America

Now that you’re sure you want to explore the volunteering opportunities South America has to offer, it’s time to find the perfect placement. There are two main ways of doing this: choosing a country or volunteering skill. 

Picking a volunteer opportunity based on country

There are plenty of countries to choose from in South America, so if you have one specific place in mind, this is the route for you. Some of the most popular South American countries include: 

• Argentina: Known for its rich cultural experiences, diverse landscapes and a vibrant social scene that blends both indigenous and European cultures. 
• Costa Rica: Rich biodiversity and a strong commitment to conservation mean plenty of opportunities to work with endangered species and protect rainforests and beaches. 
• Ecuador: Explore diverse landscapes like the Andes and Amazon, experience indigenous cultures, and make an impact on education, conservation and social development projects.
• Peru: Stunning landscapes and rich heritage make Peru a great volunteer destination to immerse yourself in culture, hands-on experiences and personal growth. 

Picking a volunteer opportunity based on your chosen skill

Some people are less concerned about what area of South America they travel to, choosing to focus on the skill they can offer. There are several volunteering projects depending on your skillset, such as: 

• Wildlife conservation: Foster connections between humans and wildlife, protect endangered species, support local ecosystems and get closer to Mother Nature.
• Childcare and teaching: Assist in local classrooms, offer one-on-one tutoring, or help build and renovate schools to make them more accessible for students. 
• Women’s empowerment: Contribute towards meaningful and sustainable women’s empowerment initiatives, work closely with people from different cultures and witness how impactful these programs can be. 
• Sports coaching: Support students in sports like football, basketball and artistic gymnastics, promoting physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle and boosting the self-esteem of young boys and girls. 
• Medical and care volunteering: Strengthen your medical knowledge by supporting clinics, interning with dental electives, and assisting with health education. 

Deciding how long to volunteer for 

Another thing you should consider is how long you’re going to volunteer for. While most of us wish we could volunteer for as long as possible, it’s not always possible to spend months of our lives in another country when we have other responsibilities at home. The longer you volunteer for also increases the price of hosting and other amenities.  

At Volunteering Solutions, our programs last a minimum of one week and a maximum of 24, giving you complete freedom to choose the right length of time. 

There are pros and cons to different durations, including: 

• Short-term volunteering programs: Volunteering for 1-2 weeks gives you the opportunity to make a real difference in South America, without disturbing your life at home too much. It’s ideal if you want to make a difference during school breaks or before starting university. The downside is that you don’t have much time to settle in before leaving again. 
• Mid-term volunteering programs: Most people recommend volunteering for at least 4-12 weeks to settle in properly and make meaningful connections with the locals you’re working with. However, this is a bigger commitment and requires a significant amount of time off school or work - unless you have a gap year coming up. 
• Long-term volunteering programs: If you have the time, volunteering for 3-6 months gives you the opportunity to make the biggest difference possible while immersing yourself in South American culture. If you choose this route, bear in mind you may need a visa to stay in the country longer than 90 days. 

Finding the best volunteer program for you 

Now you’ve got a rough plan of what type of work you want to do and where in South America you’re headed, it’s time to find a volunteering program to turn it all into reality. The prospect of finding a host in a different country and travelling to them without much support beforehand is a really daunting idea, which is why a trusted and professional program is so invaluable. 

A good volunteer organisation will help with everything from transportation links to advice on travelling to another country, taking the pressure off you and letting you enjoy the idea of volunteering rather than getting weighed down by the intricate details. 

When looking for the best volunteer program for you, keep the following in mind: 

• A wealth of experience: Not all volunteer programs have experience in South America, therefore offering you less of a tailored approach to your experience. Look for an organisation that has plenty of volunteer opportunities in South America, and that has been operating there for a long time.
• Affordability within your budget: The trick to finding the right program for you is balancing the best support and experience possible with a price that fits your price range. The best organisations will work with you to maximise your budget and help you do everything you want to without having to make extensive cuts. 
• Support every step of the way: Supportive volunteer programs ensure your safety and security while travelling and living in South America. If this is your first time volunteering, we’d recommend choosing an organisation that offers 24/7 support to maintain a smooth journey and meaningful experience. 
• Variety of programs: To keep your experience tailored to you, choose an organisation that offers a selection of volunteering programs and opportunities to choose from.
• Aligning ethics: If you’re passionate about things like animal wildlife conservation or sustainability, make sure the organisation you choose aligns with these principles. 
• Trustworthy and positive reviews: The more volunteers your chosen organisation has worked with, the more confidence you can put into them! Always read testimonials to make sure they garner positive feedback from previous volunteers. 

Choosing a reputable organisation like Volunteering Solutions makes the entire process much easier and more enjoyable. Rest assured that you’ll have plenty of time to plan and get excited about your trip to South America, while we handle the rest! 

Ready to plan your volunteer experience in South America? 

Volunteering in South America is an invaluable experience that provides you with a wealth of knowledge, experience and memories to look back on for years to come. Volunteering Solutions is here to help you every step of the way, with more than 15,000 fulfilled volunteers and 22 programs in South America to choose from. 

Check out our volunteer opportunities in South America.