Biological Research Volunteer Programs in South America

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 155,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back; it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Medical and healthcare projects provide volunteers the opportunity to work in hospitals, clinics, assisted living, and other healthcare facilities. Work alongside doctors, nurses, therapists, and other medical professionals. Depending on your medical experience and Spanish language skills, you’ll have a number of responsibilities: shadowing a doctor or nurse, assisting with general check-ups, running medical campaigns, assist with vaccinations and triage, taking vital signs, organizing patient records, preparing materials and equipment, and assisting during mealtimes. This program is available all year round, with start dates every Monday. It’s designed to take place for as short as 1 week and up to 1 year. NOTE: This program qualifies for 3-4 university credits via our School of Record. Volunteers must be over 18 years of age or accompanied by a parent or guardian. We require background checks and proof of medical insurance.

This project is perfect for those interested in environmental science and conservation efforts in the stunning Cloud Forest in Ecuador. This family-owned reserve aims to preserve the cloud forest and restore land used for pasture through reforestation and agroforestry efforts. The aim is to create a sustainable forest environment through agriculture and eco-tourism. The program includes a mile-long canopy tour of the reserve, providing a unique bird’s-eye-view of the cloud forest. The local community is included in the reserve’s educational and community-building activities. Volunteers will develop their own environmental conservation knowledge and skills while helping in the socio-environmental development of the local community. If you are studying environmental science or conservation, this project will complement your theoretical learning with practical hands-on experience. This project is geared towards volunteers with a strong background in natural sciences, including biology, ecology, or environmental science. Those with research experience or who have their own independent research projects are especially welcome.

Volunteer at the Galápagos National Park and get the chance to assist at the tortoise breeding center. You will be a member of the research and zookeeping staff. Take responsibility for taking care of and measuring the shells of tortoises for their growth charts, as well as informing tourists of rules and regulations and other necessary tasks at the center, depending on individual skillset. Requirements for this program are: - Basic to intermediate level of Spanish - A genuine passion for animal conservation - An ability to openly communicate rules and regulations to tourists and follow instructions - Ability to work independently as well as in a team - Physical ability to work outdoors with a potentially high allergen, sun, and temperature exposure IOI encourages all volunteers to stay as long as possible to maximize local and personal benefits. We encourage longer commitments by heavily discounting each additional week. The minimum stay is two weeks, with a maximum stay of three months. All volunteers must arrive in Isabela on Mondays.

Join the ranks of forward-thinking healthcare professionals through International Medical Aid's (IMA) Physician Assistant and Pre-PA Internships. Our program, rooted in the educational standards of Johns Hopkins University, is designed to propel undergraduate students, PA school attendees, certified PAs, and high school students into the heart of global health care. IMA, a non-profit entity, extends beyond traditional borders to bring essential medical aid and education to underserved regions in East Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. The internship, underscored by an ethics-based approach to care, enhances clinical skills and lets you explore the cultural and societal nuances of healthcare, facilitated by our seasoned mentors. IMA's commitment to improving global health while also enriching the educational journey of each intern is evident in our comprehensive support system. From day one, interns receive personalized guidance, from field-specific orientation to admissions consulting for PA school, ensuring a seamless transition into international medical settings.

Do you dream of living and working in the Amazon Rainforest? This program is perfect for young conservationists and wildlife researchers to get the chance to work as closely with such an array of wildlife - monitor and study the flora and fauna of the Peruvian Amazon. During this program you’ll work as part of a conservation-focused nonprofit that takes a multi-faceted approach to protecting the rainforest - running youth empowerment and community development programs aimed at reducing the need for environmentally harmful activities as well as poverty in the area, monitoring endangered species and their habitats, organizing community outreach programs that promote sustainable practices. Your role will be to trek deep into the Amazon Rainforest where you’ll deploy camera traps, monitor habitats, and conduct surveys on specimens of mammals, birds, wildlife, fish and plants. You’ll work alongside international and national professional biologists, learn from their expertise, and receive training in the use of wildlife-monitoring equipment and biology research methods. You’ll also gain experience writing reports and corroborating your findings for informational resources.

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

We are a non-governmental, non-profit organization that develops and supports projects in environmental education and scientific research on biodiversity, ecology, as well as on the behavior of fauna and flora of Brazilian ecosystems. Volunteers can participate as Biodiversity Research Assistants and help us conduct long-term inventories essential for understanding trends in wildlife patterns and monitoring the effects of climate change. These activities are done in a group and are related to field research, wherein repetitive data collection is required to understand trends over long periods. This role is for individuals who like to be outside and enjoy physical activity. Projects all volunteers participate in: -Forest Inventory and Flora Survey -Bird Inventory -Fish Inventory -Search for Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Organisms -Mushroom Inventory -Camera Traps for Mammals We have a role for photographers and videographers as well! This program is also open to individuals who want to take on an internship.

Looking for an international internship that will set you apart—and give you the skills, experience, and confidence to thrive in your career? Connect-123 designs fully customized programs that match your background and goals, offering hands-on experience in some of the world’s most exciting cities: Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Dublin, and Sydney. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or experienced professional, our programs span dozens of fields including business, finance, medicine, public health, journalism, marketing, human rights, law, sustainability, education, and more. You’ll gain meaningful, career-related experience while also exploring life in a new culture. We take care of the details so you can focus on making the most of your time abroad. From the moment you apply, our team helps guide you through the process, secure your placement, and prepare you for your new adventure. With flexible start dates and customizable program lengths, your life-changing internship begins on your schedule.

Eco Caminhos is a sustainable eco farm that follows the principles of permaculture and works to produce our own food, energy, and building materials. Our international community in Brazil is located in the peaceful and stunning mountains of Nova Friburgo, Rio Janeiro. Here, we learn to co-live, co-work, evolve, and resolve our problems together. This program is meant for those who have a limited amount of time and still want to experience a sustainable and community life, and learn about bioconstruction (natural building), agroforestry (syntrophic farming), and renewable energy through hands on training. Throughout the week volunteers have free time to go sightseeing, relax, and deepen their connection with nature. Volunteers can choose to focus on permaculture or bioconstruction or have a wider experience participating in all the projects we run. It's generally a hands-on experience for three days each week and plenty of organized activities to choose from (such as Portuguese classes, outdoor activities, trekking, and mountain biking) on other days. This program doesn’t require any experience; only the motivation to learn, enjoy, and get your hands dirty.

Projects Abroad Ecuador is based on the Galapagos Islands, one of the world’s most incredible island chains. Spending some time here on a volunteer project will let you experience both the unique nature and the welcoming people of the islands. Our volunteer opportunities in Ecuador are available for anyone interested in volunteering overseas including those on a gap year, career break, or anyone interested in conservation work. In Ecuador, we have Teaching, Care, Sports, and Conservation projects. The Teaching and Care projects are based in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The town is the provincial capital of the Galapagos Islands and is located on San Cristobal Island. Volunteers also have the chance to take Spanish lessons with Projects Abroad to help them communicate and become part of the local community. If you join our conservation project, you’ll work with conservationists at the Galapagos National Park to help protect endangered animals and plants, and we are currently caring for Giant Tortoises. This certainly will be a truly unique opportunity to learn, help and explore.

Lima, the capital of Peru, is located on the west coast of the Pacific along the Rímac River. This large, international city balances both modern and traditional influences, which evolved from Peru's history as the home of the Inca and numerous other civilized cultures dating back as far as 2000 BC. Opportunities vary from rehabilitating marine life to working with disabled or at-risk youth to creating environmental protection campaigns. By partnering with community-based organizations and following a structured, reflection-based curriculum, you will learn how local experts address these issues with available resources while developing intercultural and leadership skills in a real-world context. Each of our community-based organizations is unique, so visit our website to learn more about your options. Although all our programs are great, we especially recommend Lima for students who are interested in marine biology or human rights.

Volunteer with the Peru Amazon Conservation Project through Globalteer to help research, conserve, and protect the rich and biologically diverse rainforest. Volunteers must be aged 18+, with a passion for conservation, learning, and the outdoors. A moderate level of fitness is important as this project requires hiking. Working alongside conservation experts, volunteers act as researchers, forest rangers, nature and wildlife photographers, or general conservationists. These roles allow them to live and work in an untouched part of the endangered Amazon rainforest. Based on a 5,000-hectare conservation area in the Madre de Dios region of the Amazon rainforest, the area is recognized by Conservation International as a biodiversity hotspot and wilderness area. This area has a huge diversity of plants and wildlife, including jaguars, pumas, sloths, boas, macaws, monkeys, and an array of other rare species. The project has been working for more than 15 years in the Amazon rainforests of Peru, focusing on research, education, and conservation to protect the forests and their biological diversity that are currently endangered by illegal gold mining and Brazil nut harvesting.

Inspire, Educate & Empower Communities Across the World Are you passionate about education and cross-cultural exchange? Do you dream of making a positive impact while traveling the world? With Volunteering Journeys’ English Teaching Programs Abroad, you can inspire young minds, build confidence, and open opportunities for children and adults across Peru, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Maldives. Whether you’re a student on a gap year, a certified teacher, or simply a fluent English speaker looking to make a difference, teaching abroad is one of the most rewarding ways to contribute to global education while immersing yourself in fascinating cultures. In many developing regions, English proficiency opens the door to education, employment, and better economic opportunities. However, limited resources and teacher shortages often leave students without access to quality English education. By joining Volunteering Journeys’ teaching programs, you’ll help bridge this gap. You’ll work in local schools, community centers, or after-school programs — improving English literacy, conversational confidence, and cultural awareness.

On the Ecuador: Galapagos & Andean Service Adventure program, immerse yourself in a meaningful homestay with local families on mainland Ecuador. Participate in impactful community service and cultural exchange. Work alongside community members, as well as visiting and learning from an indigenous community. Then, explore the biodiverse and historic Galapagos Island. Snorkel with penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas, and colorful tropical fish. Learn about the conservation efforts of a unique ecosystem! Hike one of the largest volcanic craters on earth at Isabella Island. Visit and interact with a giant tortoise breeding center. Traveling to Ecuador is truly the adventure of a lifetime!

Discover Patagonia like never before at La Esperanza Wildlife Refuge, where endless skies, red sunsets, and ocean waves set the stage for an adventure with purpose. Picture yourself living in the wild, surrounded by guanacos, maras, and the haunting calls of nature. This is more than just volunteering. It’s becoming part of one of the planet’s most breathtaking ecosystems. As a volunteer, you’ll help protect Southern Right Whales (June to December) and study the behavior of elusive pumas. You’ll also take part in vital research on sea lions, guanacos, tortoises, and maras, while supporting the daily care of the reserve. Every task brings you closer to understanding how life thrives in this remote land. You’ll work side by side with local experts, gaining skills, stories, and memories you’ll carry forever. Whether you’re building a future in conservation, boosting your CV, or simply craving a meaningful adventure, this program is your chance to leave a real impact. Patagonia isn’t just a destination. It’s the edge of the world, where nature rules and every day feels epic. Come live the adventure.

Considered one of the world’s most biologically diverse countries, Ecuador makes for an ideal setting to widen your knowledge of relevant topics and sectors. Offered through World Internships, this placement allows you to work alongside farmers, local citizens, and educators in Quito, the Galapagos Islands, or Bahia. The land in these locations is some of the most well preserved and least altered in the world, making it perfect for internships in Conservation, Botany, Wildlife, Ecology, and more. Also open to volunteers, these placements are located in the Andean city of Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thanks to its being "the best-preserved, least-altered historic center in Latin America".

The Opwall Peru project is based in the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, found deep in the forests of the Amazon basin—so deep that this project involves living and working off a river boat! The first few days are spent completing a wildlife ecology and conservation course en route to the site, traveling along the river on a restored and converted boat from the rubber boom era. Once at the site, your group moors the boat and conducts surveys involving everything from pink river dolphins to macaws to caiman alligators. Operation Wallacea is a research and environmental organization working alongside university and college academics to build long-term datasets to put towards various conservation management goals. We recruit volunteers who can help with data collection, training them in the skills and background needed to help effectively. There's also the option to complete dissertations or senior theses at our sites. This project is currently open to school/college groups every March.

Do you want to contribute to the research of the Amazon rainforest and learn about the rich flora and fauna of the Peruvian rainforest? Become part of an international research team of students, interns, and volunteers and support the protection and conservation of the rainforest through monitoring and research programs in tropical South America. As a volunteer, you will support the maintenance of the protected area, help monitor wildlife, tree, and plant species, and assist the current studies of students or researchers. As a student or intern, you can conduct your own research on other topics and get help with your scientific project and fieldwork or support other students with their data collection. Everyone can use this opportunity to learn about valuable research tactics, fieldwork, and identification skills useful for study, career, or personal development. Please note: Be advised that the presence of insects and other critters is common in this area. Also, hygiene standards will certainly be lower than what you are accustomed to.