Community Development Volunteering in San Juan, Puerto Rico

The local team was great, really helpful and always on hand to support. Very friendly, approachable and gave great advice. The volunteering was a really great experience. My placement in Puerto Rico were very welcoming and kind and the kids were really well looked after. I gained a good understanding of the culture of Puerto Rico, immersing myself with locals. I also learnt a lot about the country and its people. It was an incredibly rewarding experience, the kids were great and in general, everyone was welcoming in Puerto Rico. For those hesitant, it’s not only very rewarding and fun to volunteer. You also get a lot of time to learn more about the place and are encouraged to explore the region, so the balance of the trip is great.

The local placement crew got together and did late night bioluminescent stand-up paddle boarding which was amazing. The bioluminescence was only a small portion of the adventure because the crew and the volunteers were all friends by then and we got to explore the "bio bay" area far beyond what guide groups offer. It was a wonderful way to wrap up a work week. The biggest impact my volunteering trip had on me was learning that Puerto Rico is an amazing place with amazing people. The island is like no other place I've been and the culture runs deep from the beaches to the rainforests. It's technically part of the USA, but Puerto Ricans do things their owns way which is refreshing and a total blast to get to experience. It's worth it and it's essentially a vacation with the bonus of leaving a positive impact on the community. The volunteer community is something special and organizers are available to listen and open up more doors than a self-guided trip can offer.