Volunteer Programs in Cuba

Wherever you choose to volunteer in Cuba, you will find lively music, Cuban cigars, and salsa dancing. Havana is the country’s capital, and it is where many visitors will find themselves at some point during their trip. Another common destination is Trinidad, a much smaller city which is known for its picturesque buildings and quiet charm. Either city offers a variety of volunteer projects in Cuba. 

Havana. In Havana, you will be overwhelmed by the colors and spice of the city. There are various opportunities to volunteer within the community. After your volunteer shift, go to one of the city’s many museums and learn about the city’s history, and then salsa dance the night away—people in Cuba love to dance like nobody's watching! Bright buildings and tiny alleyways ooze charm and history in Havana. If you want to learn as much as you can about the country’s history while volunteering abroad in Cuba, then Havana is the place for you. There is always something exciting around every corner, even the antique cars puttering down the street tell a story. If a local asks you to go for a tour, jump in and take a ride—you won’t be disappointed! Havana is the perfect hub for balancing your extracurriculars with your volunteer opportunities in Cuba.

Trinidad. Trinidad is home to a lot of Cuba’s most well preserved architecture. It is much smaller than Havana, but it is known for being extra bright and colourful. Trinidad is a UNESCO heritage site, so many of the buildings are better maintained. If you’re looking for a quieter city to volunteer in, then Trinidad is the perfect place for you to volunteer in Cuba. Tourists come and go through Trinidad, but it still maintains a quiet and charming demeanor. It is perfect for volunteers in Cuba who want a more laid-back city experience!

Travel to Cuba is restricted, and although rules have relaxed a fair amount, U.S. citizens still face a number of barriers. This is why it is often recommended to participate in a volunteer program in Cuba instead of seeking opportunities yourself. Lack of internet in Cuba is one factor that makes it difficult for foreigners to find their own volunteer placements.

Volunteering abroad in Cuba through a volunteer program means you don’t have to deal with the headaches of trying to find your volunteer placement, or try to navigate through the ever-changing bureaucratic hoops to get a visa. Cuba is a relatively poor country, so there are many opportunities to help. Many volunteers abroad in Cuba choose to participate in construction, environmental conservation, or teaching English.

Construction. Trade embargos and lack of resources have made building repair and maintenance difficult. As lines start to reopen, opportunities have also opened up to volunteer abroad in Cuba repairing buildings and homes. Volunteering in the construction field means that you will leave behind a physical and lasting impact of your time spent volunteering in Cuba! 

Environmental Conservation. Cuba usually conjures up the image of colorful cities, but don’t forget it’s still a Caribbean island. This means it is home to a ton of wildlife and gorgeous white beaches. Cuba has magnificent coral reefs, and there are opportunities to volunteer to protect marine life and coastal habitats. Some examples of environmental volunteer projects are coral reef conservation and turtle conservation. 

Teaching English. As the tourism industry grows, and visitors pour into the country, English becomes more and more of a valuable asset to locals. There is money to be made in the tourism industry, so many locals are eager to learn a second language (Cuba is a Spanish-speaking country). You can help by volunteering to teach English in Cuba!

Cuba has two currencies: the Cuban peso (CUP) and the Cuban convertible peso (CUC). Cuba pays its citizens in CUP, which is the currency used to buy staple goods (eg. groceries) and non-luxury items. Visitors mainly use CUC, as it is used for non-staple goods and services (souvenirs, alcohol, going to bars, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, etc.). The CUC is pegged to USD (1 CUC= 1 USD).

Costs are relatively low in Cuba; you can buy a meal for $5-$10, and stay one night in a casa particulaire for around $20. Prices for volunteer programs can range widely, depending on if flights, accommodations, and necessary materials needed for your volunteer trip are included. To help offset some of the costs, check out FundMyTravel.

Many volunteer programs in Cuba offer accommodations as part of their costs. Common accommodations are hotels, guest houses, and casa particulaires. If you have the option, staying in a casa particulaire will give you the most authentic travel experience. Casa particulaires are similar to homestays. These homes usually rent out multiple rooms to travelers for around $20 a night. Not only are they cheap, but you have the opportunity to stay with a local family, and many will cook you home-cooked meals for a couple of extra dollars a day. There is no better way to get even closer to the community you are helping!

The type of visa you need to volunteer in Cuba will depend on where you are coming from. As mentioned above, volunteers from the U.S. are the most restricted. Most other countries are not as restricted. One main benefit of volunteering through a volunteer program is that you will get help with your visa application.

The benefits of volunteering abroad are endless. You will leave your volunteer abroad trip with amazing memories and new perspectives. Most importantly, you will leave a lasting impact on the community you visited! Cuba is vibrant, warm, and hospitable—what more could you ask for out of a volunteer abroad location? 

In Cuba, music is everywhere. The musicality of Cuba contributes to the lively atmosphere: while walking down the street, admiring the buildings in every mix of colors, you will hear the rhythmic beating of drums, strumming of guitars, and crooning of ballads—a true mix of genres, reflective of Cuba’s history and culture. From live performers on the street corners, to complicated rhythms pouring out of the local bar, music is simply a part of the Cuban identity.

Volunteering in Cuba is bound to be a magical experience; not only do you have the opportunity to help those in need, but you also get to experience the vibrancy and magic of Cuban culture—so why wait? It’s time to pack up your bags and volunteer in Cuba!