South America has always fascinated you and travelling the continent is on your bucket list? Well, let’s take a closer look at the top 6 countries and different fields to volunteer in South America. Find out about characteristics, interesting facts and some of the most important areas the countries need support in.
Found your personal favorite? Move on to the country’s guide and learn about the best time to volunteer, program requirements, free time activities and how to prepare for your volunteer abroad experience. So let’s start exploring the continent of rainforests, mountain peaks, Incan ruins and vibrant cultures…
Volunteer in Peru
Peru – the “heart of the Inca empire” – is known for its rich cultural history. And looking back on history, the Inca empire’s development is pretty impressive. Starting to rise around 1430, the Incas were able to control a territory ranging from Argentina to Colombia within just a century, including an area of almost 1 million km². But Peru was not just home to the Incas. Many indigenous cultures, such as the Chavìn and the Sechìn, were living in Peru, some even long before the Incas arrived.
Today, people visit historical sites like Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city, its surrounding area in the Andes mountains, the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail and the lively city of Cusco to get a sense of these ancient cultures. As a volunteer in South America, you’ll also experience the friendliness of the locals in Peru and find many opportunities for lovers of the outdoors – such as rafting, hiking and mountain biking.
Areas of interest in Peru
So what are the areas you can support as a volunteer in Peru? Although the country’s economy is growing, poverty is still a big issue, especially in rural areas of Peru. One way to help is to become a community volunteer and work directly with the people, supporting sustainable tourism and local workers. Another great way is to support a local NGO with your skills: Help them to help the people by becoming a business volunteer.
Volunteer in Chile
Did you know that Chile is the longest country in the world? It stretches over 4260 km (2647 miles) from north to south. This characteristic makes for a lot of contrasts, with landscapes ranging from volcanic regions to rain forests and desert areas. Apart from the Chilean nature, the country is also known for its friendly and relaxed culture. Living and working with the Chileans as a volunteer in South America is a great way to get to know their lifestyle while supporting a local community.
Areas of interest in Chile
Chile has quite a strong economy, but there are still many people suffering from extreme poverty. Fighting poverty is one of the main areas where support is needed and a good opportunity for volunteers to help come up with sustainable solutions. In addition to that, volunteering in a local community is really diverse, so you’ll be able to use your talents and skills in those areas where they can have the most impact.
Volunteer in Ecuador
Ecuador is a tiny country compared to some of its South American neighbors, but it’s big in a lot of ways. An interesting, and possibly surprising fact looking at its size, is that the country is actually one of the most species-rich countries in the world.
From tiny hummingbirds to spectacled bears, monkeys, and the marine wildlife like giant tortoises and sea lions around the Galapagos Islands, a great variety of species lives in the tropical country. The reason for Ecuador’s diversity in flora and fauna lies in its big range of different habitats. The cold Andes, rain forests and coastal regions attract different animals and also many travelers and nature lovers per year.
Areas of interest in Ecuador
You’ll find a number of reserves and protected areas in Ecuador. But sadly, there are still many species that are endangered. The Mountain Tapir, the Pacarana, different Whale species, the Giant Otter, the Amazonian Manatee, the Bush Dog, the Amazon River Dolphin and the Galapagos Fur Seal are only some species that urgently need protection. So how can you help? As a volunteer in South America you can for example support these Ecuadorian reserves and work with local NGOs in the field of animal care.
Volunteer in Brazil
Brazil is a country of great environmental and cultural variety – which is no surprise looking at its size. About 60% of the Amazon rain forest lies in Brazil, it is home to the most known species of plants and one of the countries with the greatest diversity in its animal population. If you want to volunteer in South America and decide to go to Brazil, you’ll not just experience the country’s beautiful nature, but also Brazil’s culture. In Brazil, people know how to have fun. The music, the dances, the carnival – it all shows their contagious “joie de vivre”.
Areas of interest in Brazil
Brazil is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and interesting countries regarding its nature and wildlife. However, it also has to face a set of environmental issues. The country’s deforestation rate is the second highest worldwide, erasing huge parts of the ecosystem essential for removing carbon dioxide from the air every day. This also impacts the animals living in the Amazon, some of them rare or even threatened with extinction, because they’re losing their habitat. As a volunteer in Brazil you can support a social project dedicated to environmental conservation.
Volunteer in Argentina
Argentina? That’s tango, football and beef. So much for the stereotypes… But what else is there to know about Argentina? First of all, the country is the eighth largest country in the world, and definitely not just worth travelling to for its culture and food. The Argentinian landscapes range from the Andes mountains and beautiful glacial lakes to Pampas grassland – a great place for outdoor adventures.
But what’s also interesting to know is that Argentina is a high-income economy and the third largest one in Latin America. While there have been ups and downs in the economy and the economic growth, Argentina maintains a relatively high quality of life.
Areas of interest in Argentina
Although the living standards are generally good, they can vary outside of the big cities. This applies for example to health care. Argentina is a popular destination for medical tourists, who come to the country for plastic surgery. The clinics are modern and the personnel is highly trained.
But the access to good quality medical treatment is not guaranteed everywhere. The more remote the area, the harder it gets. This is why Argentina is a great destination for medicine students who’d like to gain experience in a different work environment and help in the country’s remote areas as a volunteer in health care.
Volunteer in Colombia
If Colombia had one claim to fame, it would probably be its coffee. Of course, there’s much more that makes the country unique: A coastline on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, Bogotá, as the highest large city in the world, the country’s history and the Colombians themselves, who are known for their positivity.
But still, Colombia is the third largest producer of coffee worldwide and the Colombian coffee is often said to be some of the highest quality coffee you can find. Needless to say, coffee has been Colombia’s main export crop for a long time and secures many famers’ income, whether they own a big coffee farm or a small family business.
Areas of interest in Colombia
If you’re interested in the environment and farming, you can become a volunteer in this field and work with small farmers to keep traditional coffee farms alive. Sounds like hard work? It is for sure, but there’s more to do than helping on the farm. As a volunteer in South America you can support Colombian communities in many ways. Help the farmers with research and marketing their products, or work with the youth, in health care or a local school.
How to find Volunteer Opportunities in South America
Ready to start planning? Find and compare volunteer programs in South America and find your very own volunteer opportunity on Volunteer World. This platform is all about making volunteering in South America simple and transparent. Featuring more than 800 volunteer programs in 80+ countries,Volunteer World is a one-stop resource for volunteer opportunities abroad.
