Volunteer Programs in Bucaramanga, Colombia

My week at the animal sanctuary was unbelievable. I had the chance to spend time with animals I've never seen before, Capybaras or howler monkeys. The mission of the sanctuary tough is not being zoo, but recovering those animals for letting them go to the wild again after their treatment. The biggest impact is probably for the birds and especially parrots. As they are kept in many households in Colombia as pets, cutting their wings, the sanctuary is saving and recovering them, helping them to learn how to fly again. It really stole my heart. Once the parrots are ready to be released to the wild again, they still occasionally come by to the sanctuary, so there are always dozens of beautiful parrots around. More than that, I was able to give treatment to young baby ocelots and different species of monkeys. I worked closely with biologist, all the work is really impressive and meaningful. Not to forget the other week at the dog sanctuary in Bucaramanga, which is also impressive. They host around 100 rescued street dogs, caring them and giving them treatment. They live on a big farm in the nature, the project is led by a vet. Very professional and heartwarming. 100% recommended.

The Voluntours program is small but they do a great job of networking to provide a balanced experience, including two hours of Spanish class per day, involvement with local educational programs in school and prison environments, and even an animal shelter (though I didn’t get to that one). They gave us great recommendations for things they didn’t provide directly: the nearby salsa class was great!

What a place! I couldn’t recommend more. If I had the time, I would stay here for months and will definitely be coming back without a doubt, already trying to plan when I can return. The most heartwarming ethical untoursity volunteering you can do. The foundations are Colombian founded and really support the children and adults in the country I fell in love with both Bucaramanga, the people and the foundations.

La experiencia fue inolvidable! Me gustó el plan de la semana y también las actividades en cada foundación. Simon and Laura are very accommodating, welcoming and are always open to feedback. Luisa who accompanied us to many foundations was great at including everyone and set a great example with the kids. Thank you for all the memories! I recommend this experience who anyone looking for a family feel way of experiencing the culture in Colombia and want to be involved in some great local social projects. I stayed with a Colombian family and I would highly recommend this option.

It was a rare opportunity for me to come to a place like this. I love animals and I am thinking about maybe later working in this field. It was definitely one of the greatest experiences of my life and it showed me how great it is to help animals. I got so inspired and really would love to do more in the future.

So grateful for this opportunity, without BucaraVolunTours it would not have been possible to work with these incredible foundations and meet so many amazing people. Definitely left a long lasting impact on me. Thank you so much for everything!

I had never volunteered before, but Bucara Voluntours made it easy. They were super helpful before and during my stay, so I didn’t have to worry about anything. The organizations they work with are great. The people are full of positive energy and love what they are doing. And, very important to me: everything felt super authentic. At the hostel, you can hang out with other volunteers, join the Spanish classes or head to salsa classes together in the evening. I just loved my time there -definitely recommended!

Voluntours Colombia responded to this reviewJuly 03, 2026

I had never volunteered before, but Bucara Voluntours made it easy. They were super helpful before and during my stay, so I didn’t have to worry about anything. The organizations they work with are great. The people are full of positive energy and love what they are doing. And, very important to me: everything felt super authentic. At the hostel, you can hang out with other volunteers, join the Spanish classes or head to salsa classes together in the evening. I just loved my time there -definitely recommended!

I had a wonderful experience with this volunteering organization! The program was diverse, and the team was very friendly and supportive. I particularly appreciated the variety of organizations we visited, including the prison, children’s centers, and authentic local areas of the city. I also liked the engaging Spanish lessons and the fun activities like paragliding. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in meaningful volunteer work and cultural immersion.

After spending 8 days in Bucaramanga working with Bucara Voluntours and the foundations they work with, I am in love! This was a great experience~ combining seeing the amazing things Colombia has to offer, as well as working with the social initiatives and foundations and learning about the challenges and importance of the work being done here. I came knowing very basic spanish and left after just one week of lessons being able to communicate better! I would recommend everyone to do this. My only con is that I was not able to be here longer!

During our 6-month trip through Latin America, my girlfriend and I decided to join a volunteer program with Volunteer Colombia — and it turned out to be an outstanding experience. We met amazing people and gained deep insights into Colombian culture. We had the chance to work with wonderful children at Goles por la Paz, which was incredibly rewarding. One thing that really stood out about Volunteer Colombia was the variety of activities they offer. From emotional visits to a Colombian prison that gave us goosebumps, to fun salsa lessons where we learned the basic steps — every part of the experience was meaningful and enriching. We would absolutely recommend this volunteer organization to anyone looking for an authentic and impactful experience in Colombia.

The experience I had with Simon and Laura’s Bucaravoluntours program was absolutely amazing — I truly hope more people get to enjoy what I did! Even though I’ve traveled quite a bit, this was my first time in Colombia, starting in Bucaramanga — and what a warm and inspiring welcome to the country it was! The program blends everything beautifully: volunteering with impactful local foundations, Spanish classes, salsa dancing, cooking workshops, and exploring Bucaramanga and its surroundings. It's the perfect mix of cultural immersion, learning, and fun. Bucaravoluntours truly lives up to the spirit of "social tourism" — a way of traveling that not only enriches you, but also gives back. Huge thanks to Tatiana for her incredible support! Despite my limited Spanish, she made everything feel easy — translating when needed and helping me genuinely connect with local people, while encouraging my Spanish practice too. And to Laura and Simon: the community you've built is extraordinary. Everyone I met spoke with so much love and respect for both of you. It’s clear how much impact you’ve had. If you're looking for a meaningful way to discover Colombia, meet kind and curious people from around the world, and dive into the country's culture, history, nature, and everyday life — don’t hesitate. Join Bucaravoluntours. You won’t regret it.

The guides are very kind, and there’s a different activity every day — with children, animals, in the prison, and on visits. It was an amazing and truly interesting experience. I totally recommend it!

Spending two weeks with Bucara Voluntours was truly one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. The local foundations they collaborate with are doing incredible, inspiring work — and being able to contribute, even in a small way, felt like a real privilege. It was especially touching to see how deeply loved and respected Simon and Laura are by the communities they serve. As for the activities — just amazing! There’s such a great variety, and the team goes out of their way to keep you informed about local events so you can fully immerse yourself in the culture and everyday life of Bucaramanga. What stood out most was how flexible, thoughtful, and well-organized everything was. From start to finish, Simon, Laura, Tatiana, and Juan made sure I felt supported and welcomed. Their passion and care truly made all the difference. This journey was a gift, and I’m already looking forward to returning!

I had a great time volunteering in Colombia. I played football with kids, taught them English, and enjoyed many excursions during my free time in the Bucaramanga, Santander region. I improved my Spanish, and overall, it was a really nice experience.

Our experience with Bucara Voluntours was truly exceptional. Everything was organized and carried out with so much care, passion, and heart that we're already thinking about coming back to Colombia soon — and booking another week with Bucara Voluntours!

Absolutely amazing!!! It was my first time in Colombia — and definitely not the last! I can only recommend the program run by Laura and Simon from Bucaravoluntours to everyone. My time there was one of the best experiences of my life. Everything was simply fantastic, and I’m already looking forward to going back — this time with my 12-year-old son Felix in the summer. If you want to experience the real Colombia, this is the right place to go!

Everyone involved is incredibly kind, and the all-around support was excellent! You get authentic insights into many aspects of Bucaramanga and a deep connection to Colombian culture. There are plenty of activities available, which can be booked flexibly and often tailored to your own interests. The hostel that comes with the program is totally fine and has a warm, almost family-like atmosphere (just a small heads-up: keep an eye on your belongings). All in all, it was a beautiful time at a fair price — and the best part is, you're doing something meaningful along the way. Thank you for everything!

This was my first time traveling solo and volunteering abroad — and it turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life. Simon and Laura went above and beyond to make sure I had an incredible time in Bucaramanga, and they truly succeeded. Everything was amazing: the foundations I volunteered with, the cultural activities, the chance to really get to know the city, and the Spanish classes with a fantastic teacher. If you want to experience the real Colombia — the side you don’t usually see as a tourist — this program is perfect. You’ll meet so many local people, visit unique places, and create unforgettable memories. One of the things I appreciated most was how customizable the program is. It really adapts to your interests and needs. Bucaramanga is a wonderful city, and the people are incredibly kind and welcoming. Thank you so much to Simon, Laura, and all the foundations for such an amazing and unforgettable time in Colombia!

Spending time in Bucaramanga through this program was nothing short of eye-opening. It’s more than just volunteering—it’s an invitation to experience the daily lives and challenges of communities, offering a deeper perspective not only on Colombia but on shared global realities. Simon and Laura were exceptional—always present, supportive, and passionate. Thanks to them, we had the chance to visit and engage with several inspiring organizations like Goles por la Paz, Nuevos Horizontes, Explora BGA, Huellas, and Capaz. Each one tackles social issues through different lenses—be it sport, art, education, or dance—giving us a multifaceted understanding of community development. And it wasn’t all work! The tourism side of the experience was equally unforgettable. Exploring Barichara, soaring over the Chicamocha Canyon, and enjoying the adventure vibe of San Gil made the trip even more special. All in all, this is a rare opportunity to step into worlds you might never encounter otherwise. Truly worth it.

Our experience with Bucara Voluntours was not only meaningful but also a lot of fun. Simon and Laura are truly dedicated, and the local organizations they collaborate with are doing incredible work within their communities. The program was well-organized from start to finish, and the accommodation exceeded our expectations in terms of comfort and quality. We wholeheartedly recommend this experience to anyone looking to make a positive impact while discovering the heart of Colombia.