What inspired you to work for Voluntours Colombia?
At the dog sanctuary in Bucaramanga
As a Colombian, I've always believed that my country has so much more to offer than many people expect. I wanted to help visitors experience the real Colombia—not just its beautiful landscapes, but also its people, culture, and communities.
Working at Voluntours Colombia allows me to combine my passion for helping others with my love for meeting people from around the world. Every week, I see volunteers build meaningful relationships with our partner foundations, local children, and community members. Watching these connections grow and seeing the positive impact they have on everyone involved is what inspires me every day.
I also enjoy showing our volunteers the authentic side of Colombia and helping them feel at home. For me, the most rewarding part is seeing people leave not only with unforgettable memories, but also with a deeper understanding of our country and lifelong friendships.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Keep an open mind and don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. The most meaningful experiences often happen when things don't go exactly as planned.
I'd also remind myself that travel isn't just about visiting new places—it's about connecting with people and learning from different cultures. Take the time to listen, ask questions, and embrace local traditions. Those moments will stay with you far longer than any photo.
Finally, I'd say: learn a few words of the local language before you arrive. Even a simple "hello" or "thank you" can open doors, create genuine connections, and show respect for the community you're visiting. Language learning has been one of the greatest things I changed in my life recently.
Describe a typical day at work.
No two days are exactly the same, and that's one of the things I love most about my job. My day usually starts by checking in with our volunteers and making sure everyone is ready for the day's activities.
In the afternoons, I accompany our volunteers to one of our partner foundations, where we support local children through sports, education, or community activities. I coordinate with the foundation staff, help volunteers feel comfortable, and make sure everything runs smoothly. It's incredibly rewarding to see friendships develop despite language and cultural differences.
Some days, I also lead cultural activities, city tours, or excursions, giving our participants the chance to experience Colombia beyond the typical tourist attractions. Every day is different, but my goal is always the same: to create meaningful experiences for both our volunteers and the local communities we work with.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
Teaching English at the Prison
One of the biggest challenges is making sure that every volunteer feels comfortable and confident, especially during their first few days in a new country. Many arrive not knowing anyone, speaking little or no Spanish, or feeling unsure about what to expect.
I overcome this by creating a welcoming environment from day one. I take the time to get to know each volunteer personally, answer their questions, and encourage them to connect with the local community and with each other. Seeing them become more confident and independent over the course of their stay is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
Another challenge is coordinating activities with different partner foundations, each with their own schedules and needs. Good communication, flexibility, and close relationships with our local partners help us adapt and ensure that every activity benefits both the volunteers and the communities we support.
Why should someone choose Voluntours Colombia over competitors?
I believe what makes Voluntours Colombia different is the personal connection we create with every participant. We are a small, locally run organization, which means we truly get to know our volunteers and can provide a much more authentic and personalized experience than larger organizations.
Our programs combine meaningful volunteering with cultural immersion, Spanish learning, and unforgettable adventures. Volunteers don't just visit Colombia—they become part of our community. They work alongside local foundations, meet Colombian families, discover places that most tourists never see, and leave with a genuine understanding of our culture.
As a local coordinator, I'm with our volunteers throughout their journey, making sure they feel supported, safe, and welcome from the moment they arrive. For us, it's not just about completing volunteer hours—it's about creating experiences that have a lasting impact on both our participants and the communities we work with.
What is Voluntours Colombia's mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
Our mission is to create meaningful connections between international travelers and local communities through responsible volunteering, cultural exchange, and authentic travel experiences. We want every participant to leave Colombia with a deeper understanding of our country while making a positive contribution to the communities they visit.
We work toward this mission by building long-term partnerships with local foundations and making sure our programs genuinely support their needs. We also focus on small groups and personalized experiences, so every volunteer feels connected and can make a real impact.
As the local coordinator, I work closely with both our volunteers and our partner organizations every day. By maintaining strong relationships, listening to feedback, and continuously improving our programs, we ensure that our experiences remain meaningful, sustainable, and beneficial for everyone involved.
What makes Voluntours Colombia special?
What makes Voluntours Colombia special is that we're more than just a volunteer organization—we're a local team passionate about sharing the real Colombia. Our participants don't just complete volunteer projects; they become part of our community.
We combine meaningful volunteering with Spanish immersion, cultural activities, and unforgettable adventures, giving our volunteers a well-rounded experience that goes far beyond traditional volunteer travel. Because we work in small groups, we can offer personal support and create genuine connections between volunteers, local communities, and our team.
As a Colombian, I love helping visitors discover my country's warmth, culture, and diversity while working alongside inspiring local foundations. Seeing volunteers leave with new friendships, greater confidence, and a different perspective on Colombia is what makes our work so special.
Are there any developments with Voluntours Colombia that you would like to share with us?
With a group of Volunteers
We're very excited about how Voluntours Colombia is growing. What started with community projects in Bucaramanga has expanded into a nationwide network of meaningful volunteer and cultural experiences across Colombia.
While we continue to strengthen our long-term partnerships with local foundations in Bucaramanga, we're also developing new programs in destinations such as Cartagena, the Amazon, Nuquí, Los Llanos, and El Cocuy. Our goal is to give travelers the opportunity to experience the incredible diversity of Colombia while supporting local communities in a responsible and sustainable way.
At the same time, we're continuously improving the volunteer experience by introducing new cultural activities, adventure tours, and Spanish immersion options. As we grow, one thing remains unchanged: our commitment to offering authentic, locally led experiences that create a positive impact for both our participants and our partner communities.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
I hope every participant leaves with much more than great photos and unforgettable memories. I want them to leave with meaningful friendships, a deeper understanding of Colombian culture, and the feeling that they truly made a positive impact in the communities they visited.
Many volunteers arrive expecting to give something, but they often tell us they received even more in return. They gain new perspectives, become more confident, improve their Spanish, and discover a side of Colombia that most tourists never experience.
Above all, I hope they leave feeling inspired—to continue exploring the world with an open mind, to appreciate different cultures, and to remember that even small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Traveling abroad helps us see the world from a different perspective. When we experience another culture firsthand, we realize that people may live differently, but we often share the same values, dreams, and kindness. It breaks down stereotypes and helps us become more open-minded and empathetic.
I think it's especially important to travel with curiosity rather than expectations. By spending time with local communities, trying new foods, learning a different language, and stepping outside our comfort zone, we grow in ways that aren't possible from home.
For me, the greatest value of travel is the human connection. The friendships, conversations, and shared experiences with people from different backgrounds often become the most meaningful memories—and they remind us that, despite our differences, we have far more in common than we think.
What questions do participants often ask you, and how do you typically respond?
Before arriving, participants often ask if it's safe to travel to Colombia, whether they need to speak Spanish, and what they can expect from the volunteer projects. I always tell them that Colombia has changed tremendously over the years, and that with the right local guidance, it's an incredibly welcoming and rewarding destination. I also reassure them that speaking Spanish isn't a requirement—we're here to support them, and many volunteers see it as a great opportunity to learn.
Once they're here, the questions become much more practical: where to find the best local food, what to do on weekends, or how to connect with local people. I love sharing my favorite places and helping participants discover the authentic side of Colombia beyond the typical tourist attractions.
My goal is always to make our volunteers feel informed, confident, and at home. I want them to know that no question is too small and that our team is here to support them throughout their entire journey.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Activities with the foundations in Bucaramanga
To me, meaningful travel is about connecting with people, not just places. It's about taking the time to understand a different culture, learning from local communities, and leaving with experiences that change the way you see the world.
I believe the best travel experiences happen when you step beyond the typical tourist route. Whether you're volunteering at a local foundation, sharing a meal with a Colombian family, or practicing Spanish with new friends, those genuine human connections are what make a journey truly unforgettable.
Meaningful travel is also about giving back. Even small contributions—sharing your time, skills, or simply your kindness—can have a positive impact. When travel benefits both the visitor and the local community, everyone returns home with something valuable.
