You don’t often hear the words “travel the world for free” and know that it’s not too good to be true. When the Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (or WWOOF) launched in 1971, it opened up an amazing new way for travelers to connect with farms all over the globe and exchange work for free housing. The new world of budget travel was born!
While WWOOF is an amazing organization, many travelers wonder about alternatives to WWOOFing that allow them to volunteer in other industries than agriculture. As it turns out, there are many programs similar to WWOOF that connect volunteers with local businesses. To help you get started, we’ve broken down our 10 favorite alternatives to WWOOF!
5 gap year programs similar to WWOOF
There are two different types of organizations similar to WWOOF: paid gap year/volunteer programs with structured projects and online exchange platforms that directly connect travelers with hosts. Organized volunteer/gap year programs are great options for students or young professionals looking to gain some skills and travel during school breaks or career transitions.
While volunteer abroad and gap year programs aren’t free, most are much more affordable than you might think! Many top programs start at as little as $10-20 per day and include housing, food, local language lessons, and cultural excursions. These alternatives to WWOOFing are excellent ways to travel the world and make a difference without breaking the bank.
1. International Volunteer HQ
- Highlights: With over 80,000 program alumni, International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) is one of the largest volunteer networks in the world. Not only do they offer an incredible range of locations and projects, but their prices are super budget-friendly and start at only $20 per day. Travelers can choose to spend as little as one week up to six months abroad volunteering on meaningful projects like sea turtle conservation in Bali or providing childcare in Ghana.
- Where: 40 countries
- Read IVHQ reviews
2. Projects Abroad
- Highlights: For over 30 years, Projects Abroad has been a leader in volunteering abroad. They send an estimated 10,000+ volunteers every year to some of the most exciting and worthwhile destinations. Travelers of any age can spend one week to one year helping out in almost any type of work, from conducting shark conservation projects in Fiji to working with children in Peru. Whether you’re a snow bunny or a sea-farer, Projects Abroad has something for you!
- Where: 21 countries
- Read Projects Abroad reviews
3. Maximo Nivel
- Highlights: If you’re considering volunteering in Latin America, Maximo Nivel should be at the top of your list. This provider focuses exclusively on meaningful travel opportunities in Central and South America, so whether it’s volunteering in jungle conservation in Peru or teaching English in Costa Rica, any traveler is sure to find their niche. Most of Maximo Nivel’s programs include awesome benefits like daily Spanish classes or scuba certifications, so you’re sure to have lots of fun while contributing to a good cause!
- Where: Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Peru
- Read Maximo Nivel reviews
4. Kaya Responsible Travel
- Highlights: Not all abroad programs are created equal, which is why we love Kaya Responsible Travel, the leader in sustainable volunteer projects. Kaya is dedicated to providing ethical solutions to our world’s most crucial issues. Anyone enrolling in their programs knows they are truly contributing to a good cause, whether you’re volunteering in wildlife rescue in Zimbabwe or teaching English in rural Cambodia. Kaya supports volunteers of any age and length of time, from two weeks to a full year!
- Where: 33 countries
- Read Kaya Responsible Travel reviews
5. Gapforce
- Highlights: One of our highest ranked volunteer providers, Gapforce offers incredible opportunities to volunteer abroad. Head to one of their many destinations for two weeks to a year to explore thrilling new places and make a difference. Their Southeast Asia Explorer and South America Explorer programs are super popular for travelers who want to cover more than one country and volunteer in a variety of ways, like rescuing jungle animals and marine conservation work. On top of life-changing travel and volunteer opportunities, most Gapforce programs include accommodations, food, local language lessons, and excursions like snorkeling or surfing trips.
- Where: 14 countries
- Read Gapforce reviews
5 organizations similar to WWOOF
Prefer to work with kids? There are programs similar to WWOOF perfect for you!
If you’re looking for more flexibility than a paid volunteer program and an even cheaper way to travel, check out some of our favorite organizations that are similar to WWOOF. These online exchange platforms connect volunteers directly with hosts offering free accommodations. Many of these alternatives just require a minimal membership fee and you’ll have access to thousands of exciting travel opportunities instantly!
1. Workaway
- Highlights: Workaway is one of the most popular online services that connects travelers with local hosts looking for volunteers. The typical Workaway host will expect about five hours of work per day in exchange for housing and food. While WWOOF focuses primarily on agricultural businesses, the Workaway community covers tons of different industries and helps travelers develop skills across many areas.
- Where: 170 countries
- Visit Workaway website for more info
2. Trusted Housesitters
- Highlights: Leaving a pet alone or at a kennel can be nerve-wracking for pet parents, so Trusted Housesitters has become a popular way to connect with verified and reviewed housesitters. Travelers simply exchange their time for unique homestays and travel experiences around the world. Trusted Housesitters uses a tiered membership platform, which allows sitters to pick the services you’ll most likely need, such as free video calls with veterinarians while you’re housesitting. That’s some meow-velous peace of mind that the pets will always be in good hands!
- Where: All over the world
- Visit Trusted Housesitters website for more info
3. Worldpackers
- Highlights: Worldpackers is a leading online service that matches volunteers with NGOs, start-ups, social projects, ecovillages, hostels, and farming communities. Travelers spend a few hours each day helping their hosting business in exchange for free housing and many other travel benefits. Worldpackers features a membership system with different options for solo travel and couples/friends travel, so you can volunteer with your best buds, too!
- Where: 140 countries
- Visit Worldpackers website for more info
4. Help Exchange (HelpX)
You’ll be showing off what you helped grow in no time.
- Highlights: HelpX is an online forum that connects hosts from all over the world with “helpers,” or travelers seeking free room and board in exchange for volunteer work. This budget-friendly platform features thousands of listings for all types of industries, including farming, education, hospitality, and animal conservation. HelpX also encourages making new friends while traveling by offering “companion” listings. Easily connect with like-minded travelers!
- Where: All over the world
- Visit HelpX website for more info
5. AuPair.com
- Highlights: If working with children is more up your alley than housesitting or volunteering on a farm, consider becoming an au pair. While traditionally viewed as a glorified nanny, au pair services aren't just cooking and cleaning anymore. Many families around the world look for native English speakers to immerse their children in the language. The skills of many au pairs have also expanded to becoming caregivers for elderly family members, not just their young children. AuPair.com connects travelers with local families in exchange for free housing, food, and sometimes even vacations with your host family!
- Where: 78 countries
- Visit AuPair.com website for more info
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Want an experience similar to WWOOF? Take your pick!
Once you find the experience that works for you, you’re ready to work, volunteer…and see the world!
There are so many ways to create your perfect volunteer abroad experience, so you shouldn’t feel limited to WWOOFing if it’s really not the right fit for you. Whether you only have two weeks to spend abroad or you want to travel with your entire family for a year, there are endless options for any type of traveler!
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