Located on the equator, Panama is a tropical country with a tremendous amount of ecological and biological diversity; thus, many volunteer opportunities in Panama are offered by organizations committed to wildlife and environmental preservation efforts, as well as responsible eco-tourism. A lot of volunteer programs in Panama combine work with adventure outings, such as surfing, trekking, and kayaking.

Individuals can also easily volunteer in Panama in the areas of education, healthcare, and community development. Panama is a fairly well-off country by Latin American standards, yet still lags behind the developed world in many measures of social rights, economic distribution, and institutional accessibility. Whether volunteering in Panama City or in rural areas, international volunteers will find ample opportunities to work with children, at health clinics, or spreading awareness of important issues facing the country.

Spanish is the national language of Panama, and it will be a great help if you are at least conversational upon arrival. Individuals can combine language learning with volunteer work in Panama, offering a rewarding opportunity for non-Spanish speakers to improve their language ability while also contributing to local communities.

Most volunteer abroad programs in Panama are offered year round, giving those who want to volunteer in Panama a good degree of freedom in designing their own experience. Adventure volunteer programs, which are more structured with a detailed weekly itinerary, will offer less flexibility however.