Travel and volunteering are both rewarding — so why not combine them? Voluntourism lets you see the world while supporting communities or the environment.
Voluntourism — or a vacation that includes volunteer opportunities — allows you to invest your time and money on a deeper level while you enjoy a region’s culinary, cultural, or ecological experiences. If you’re looking to make a difference and really connect with the places you visit when you travel, here are five amazing experiences that provide a chance to give back.
1. Help scientists protect the planet
What it is: Earthwatch Institute offers hands-on, science-based programs around the world that contribute to important research and conservation efforts. Trip possibilities include:
- Surveying dolphins and monkeys along the Yarapa River in Peru.
- Monitoring endangered whooping cranes along the Gulf Coast in Texas.
- Investigating the behavior and diet of killer whales in Iceland.
What to know: Voluntourism trips typically run between one and two weeks — and volunteers often add several days of sightseeing to their trip.
What it costs: Contribution costs, which are tax-deductible in the U.S., typically range from about $2,500 to $4,600 and include accommodations, food, and local transport.
2. Take a bespoke, family-friendly voluntourism trip
What it is: Elevate Destinations organizes custom trips with an emphasis on eco-luxury hotels and incorporating volunteer work into a fun vacation (it’s especially good at arranging family travel). Voluntourism opportunities — provided through partnerships with on-the-ground non-governmental organizations — include:
- Helping a wildlife rescue in Peru provide care and food to animals in the rescue.
- Monitoring elephants, tracking cheetahs, and getting involved with hands-on projects that support the local ecosystem on safari in South Africa.
- Learning about traditional crafts and supporting the ventures of local artisans in Guatemala.
What to know: Travelers usually do volunteer work for two or three days out of a trip of seven to 12 days. Through Elevate Destinations’ Buy a Trip, Give a Trip program, every voluntourism trip allows a group of local children to visit tourist sites in their own country.
What it costs: Costs for the voluntourism opportunities listed above typically start at $3,500 per person.
3. Revitalize coral reefs while diving in the Caribbean
What it is: At Harbour Village Beach Club, a boutique resort on the island of Bonaire, almost every room has a view of spectacular, clear turquoise waters. The resort is home to a five-star dive center as well as a coral restoration program that’s the basis of its voluntourism opportunities. There are 10 underwater “trees” made from PVC pipes where salvaged or broken corals grow. Guests and the dive shop help maintain the underwater nursery, eventually transplanting the rescued corals to the offshore reef. See Personalized Diving instruction on the Harbour Village website for information.
What to know: According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Bonaire boasts one of the most pristine reef environments in the Caribbean. The dive shop at Harbour Village offers certification in conservation and coral restoration — and guests can spend as much time as they want working with the salvaged coral.
What it costs: One-week accommodations in ocean-view rooms typically start around $3,000. Add the optional Club Dive Package to enjoy breakfast, diving, and airport transfers.
4. Get hands-on with Hands Up
What it is: Hands Up Holidays offers a unique voluntourism experience by combining luxury travel with light volunteer work in countries around the world. From helping build houses in Africa to helping preserve wildlife in Asia, each vacation is tailored to provide meaningful experiences that have a lasting impact. Voluntourism opportunities include:
- Building homes for teachers in Tanzania.
- Protecting endangered loggerhead sea turtles in Greece.
- Teaching computer skills or being a reading partner in South Africa.
What to know: Trips can be any length, but volunteering generally takes up three to five days of the experience. Sustainable eco-luxury accommodations are standard.
What it costs: As trips are tailor-made, prices vary. A nine-day trip to South Africa typically starts at $6,000 per adult, while a 10-day trip to Thailand starts around $11,800. The costs typically cover accommodations, expert local guides, private transfers, some meals, and volunteering expenses. International flights are not included.
5. Make a difference through sustainable travel
What it is: If you’re looking for more of a vacation combining upscale travel with voluntourism opportunities that contribute to a community, Trafalgar is committed to sustainability and helping travelers make a difference through unique experiences that give back. Here are some of the possibilities:
- On a tour of Italy, discover the history of hand-weaving during a private demonstration and learn how your visit helps preserve the traditional art form.
- Learn about the ecology of the Highlands and the reintroduction of native tree and animal species on a tour of Scotland.
- Support the future of the local Aboriginal people with a stay at a uniquely Australian resort on an Outback adventure.
What to know: Tours run between seven and 15 days and support local communities by including visits to family-run businesses, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and places of cultural significance.
What it costs: The voluntourism options outlined here range from about $2,000 to $6,000, which covers accommodations, some meals, activities, and transportation during the tour.
