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Best volunteer travel destinations in South America

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Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador
8.5
About 97.5 percent of the islands' land area became a national park in 1959. The Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island opened in 1964 and includes a tortoise breeding centre. UNESCO recognised the islands in 1978. Volunteer programmes cover sea turtle and marine iguana nesting and giant tortoise breeding.
Highlights:
  • 🦩 Walk among blue-footed boobies on North Seymour Island
  • 🐢 Spot giant tortoises roaming freely in the highlands
  • 🐢 Snorkel with sea lions and turtles at Isla Lobos
Argentina
Land of diverse natural wonders
8.3
Iberá National Park in Corrientes Province protects part of one of the world's largest wetlands. Rewilding began there in 2007 and has returned giant anteaters, pampas deer, tapirs and giant river otters. A captive breeding programme has introduced eight jaguars. Volunteer projects in Buenos Aires and Córdoba focus on teaching and community work.
Highlights:
  • 🥩 Taste authentic Argentine steak paired with Malbec wine
  • 💃 Dance tango in a traditional Buenos Aires milonga
  • 🌊 Marvel at the thundering Iguazu Falls from the Devil’s Throat lookout
Bolivia
Land of dramatic climate contrasts
6.3
Inti Wara Yassi began with youth work in El Alto in 1986 and was formally organised in 1992. It now runs three parks that care for about 500 animals, including monkeys, pumas and jaguars. Volunteers clean cages, feed animals and help with enrichment and construction. The minimum stay is two weeks.
Highlights:
  • 🚡 Ride the world’s highest cable car system above La Paz
  • 🧿 Visit the colorful markets and witches’ stalls in La Paz
  • 🌫️ Walk across the otherworldly Uyuni Salt Flats after the rain
Brazil
Vibrant diversity meets natural wonder
7.8
Tiny hatchlings scramble towards the sea at sea turtle bases along the coast. Projeto Tamar was created in 1980 and now runs 22 bases over more than 1,000 kilometres. More than 8 million turtles had been released by 2008. Volunteer projects also cover Amazon research near Alter do Chão and otter conservation in Florianópolis.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Marvel at Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado
  • 🎭 Dance samba with locals during Rio Carnival
  • 🌊 Experience the thunderous roar of Iguaçu Falls
Chile
Land of dramatic climate contrasts
8.3
In the Los Lagos Region, Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park covers about 402,000 hectares. It protects some of the last stands of alerce, one of the oldest species on Earth. Volunteers can protect a nature park in Puelo. Others assist rangers at a reserve in Panguipulli or work with Mapuche families in Currarehue.
Highlights:
  • 🗿 Visit the iconic Easter Island moai statues
  • 🌋 Hike to the summit of the active Villarrica Volcano
  • 🏜️ Explore the surreal landscapes of the Atacama Desert
Colombia
Where diverse landscapes meet culture
6.6
Since 2021 a reef restoration programme has worked to rebuild endangered Caribbean reefs off the coast. By June 2023 the One Million Corals for Colombia project had produced 735,822 new coral fragments. Volunteers in Rincón del Mar join beach cleanups, mangrove reforestation and turtle monitoring. English teaching runs in Ibagué and La Mesa.
Highlights:
  • ☕ Enjoy Colombian coffee at plantations in Salento
  • 🥾 Hike to the Lost City deep in the Sierra Nevada
  • 🏰 Wander the colonial streets of Cartagena’s walled city
Ecuador
Compact country, immense biodiversity
6.5
Most listings include housing and food. Wildlife rescue in Puyo, in the Amazon region, focuses on Amazonian monkeys. English teaching and childcare support run in Quito. A sustainable building internship runs in Guaranda. Placements last from one to 24 weeks. Most programmes require volunteers to be 18 or older.
Highlights:
  • 🌍 Stand at the Equator at Mitad del Mundo
  • 🛍️ Visit the iconic Otavalo Market for local crafts
  • 🥾 Hike the stunning trails of Cajas National Park
Peru
Ancient wonders meet diverse landscapes
7.6
Tambopata National Reserve covers about 275,000 hectares of Amazon rainforest in the Madre de Dios region. Clay licks draw macaws and parrots. The reserve has 1,713 vascular plant species and jaguars and harpy eagles. Volunteers in Peru can help with wildlife rescue in Iquitos or archaeology in the Sacred Valley.
Highlights:
  • 🏯 Discover the ancient ruins of Cusco’s Sacred Valley
  • 🛶 Take a boat tour on Lake Titicaca’s floating islands
  • ⛰️ Hike the Inca Trail to the majestic Machu Picchu
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