Volunteer Programs in Brazil

The three most popular places to volunteer abroad in Brazil are Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Salvador. These three cities are the nation’s largest, and offer a variety of projects for those who choose to volunteer in Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro is a city located just above the equator on Brazil’s atlantic coast. Rio is Brazil’s second largest city and is surrounded by beaches, coastal mountains, the Brazilian Highlands, and the Tijuca Rainforest. The most popular volunteer placements in Rio range from social work and youth development to child care and environmental projects.

São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and the third largest metropolis on earth, with a population of 20 million people. Located in Southeastern Brazil, the most popular volunteer placements are in teaching english and youth development. Certain programs in Sao Paulo offer a variety of opportunities for those who choose to volunteer in Brazil, from social work to law.

Salvador, known as “Brazil’s Capital of Happiness”, is famous for having the largest Carnival festival in the world. Popular volunteer placements in Salvador include community development and social work, which allow volunteers to participate in a variety of projects geared towards community development.

Popular Providers

Latest Program Reviews

IVHQ Christmas Program in Guatemala

November 26, 2025by: Patty Urda - United StatesProgram: Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

10

I volunteered with IVHQ for their Christmas program in Antigua, Guatemala. This was my first experience with IVHQ and I will definitely volunteer with them again. I stayed with a local family who were kind, thoughtful and made me feel right at home. The accommodations were modest but clean and comfortable. The Christmas program was a great experience because we had the opportunity to do a variety of activities including working with seniors and children, picking coffee beans, and a cultural immersion. I appreciate that IVHQ partners with local organizations on the ground.

Incredible experience. So fulfilling!

November 22, 2025by: Yolanda Steiner - United StatesProgram: IPBio Amazon Biodiversity Research Assistant

10

Every activity was enjoyable, you almost forgot you were working! Truly will take this experience and hold it dear with me for the rest of my life. From the beginning to end, I felt like I was living out a dream. I hold a deep passion for the Amazon and being a part of its conservation was such a heart warming experience. From reforestation to inventories of mushrooms, birds, insects and fish, I participated in with enthusiasm. And the community is so lovely. I enjoyed meeting the locals, indulging in carimbo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and attempting to immerse myself to understand the beautiful language of Portuguese better. 10/10 experience.

IVHQ Christmas Program in Guatemala

November 26, 2025by: Patty Urda - United StatesProgram: Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

10

I volunteered with IVHQ for their Christmas program in Antigua, Guatemala. This was my first experience with IVHQ and I will definitely volunteer with them again. I stayed with a local family who were kind, thoughtful and made me feel right at home. The accommodations were modest but clean and comfortable. The Christmas program was a great experience because we had the opportunity to do a variety of activities including working with seniors and children, picking coffee beans, and a cultural immersion. I appreciate that IVHQ partners with local organizations on the ground.

Incredible experience. So fulfilling!

November 22, 2025by: Yolanda Steiner - United StatesProgram: IPBio Amazon Biodiversity Research Assistant

10

Every activity was enjoyable, you almost forgot you were working! Truly will take this experience and hold it dear with me for the rest of my life. From the beginning to end, I felt like I was living out a dream. I hold a deep passion for the Amazon and being a part of its conservation was such a heart warming experience. From reforestation to inventories of mushrooms, birds, insects and fish, I participated in with enthusiasm. And the community is so lovely. I enjoyed meeting the locals, indulging in carimbo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and attempting to immerse myself to understand the beautiful language of Portuguese better. 10/10 experience.