Volunteer Programs in South America

Almost all the nations of South America offer multiple opportunities to volunteer abroad, including those not listed below, however the following tend to have the most prevalent and wide-ranging program options.

Peru – Located on the northwest coast of the continent, Peru is bordered by five countries and home to Incan ruins, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca. Its chief industries are mining, manufacturing, fishing, and agriculture. Volunteer work in Peru is common in urban centers like Lima and Cusco, with volunteer opportunities in education, medicine and community development, or choose a more rural experience volunteering with indigenous peoples high in the Andes. With several National Parks, Peru is also a great place to help volunteer in conservation and wildlife. 

Argentina – This country makes up the southeast tip of the Americas, home to world-renowned regions like Chaco and Patagonia. Cities like Buenos Aires and Cordoba offer many volunteer programs in community development, medicine, working with at-risk youth, the homeless, orphans, and the elderly. Volunteers can also find opportunities for volunteer work in conservation, farming and agriculture, and ecotourism.

Brazil – As the region’s largest country in terms of population, metropolises like Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo struggle with inner city poverty and have a high need for volunteer projects focused on community development, education, and construction and renovation. These large cultural centers offer more volunteer opportunities in the arts too, like music, dance, and photography. Outside the cities, in the vast Amazon basin, are some of the best volunteer programs in Brazil, specifically in conservation and wildlife biology.

Chile – This long strip of land on the southwestern coast of the continent is full of National Parks and volunteer opportunities in agriculture, sustainable living, ecotourism, summer camps, and trail maintenance. With such a long coastline, Chile is a particularly great location for marine conservation and biology. Popular cities for volunteering in Chile include Santiago, Vina del Mar, and La Serena.