Amazon Rainforest Volunteer Projects

While the Amazon counts for over half of the world’s remaining rainforests and boasts the largest drainage system, there are some other interesting facts that may surprise you:

• The Amazon Rainforest is twice the size of India and as large as 42 of the American states!
• Only 1-2% of the sunlight actually reaches the ground of the rainforest. It’s dark and humid down there as the canopy of trees blocks the sunlight.
• The temperature and rainfall stay constant almost year-round. There’s a bigger difference between night and day temperatures than there are between the seasons!
• The rainforest houses around 3000 edible fruits. We’re only familiar with about 200 of them
• Rainforest soil can only be used for farming for 1-2 years until it’s infertile

There are many different volunteering opportunities in the Amazon Rainforest. Whether you want to work with amazon animals or prefer engaging in an amazon rainforest conservation project, you'll find the right amazon volunteer project for you. Think about how many days or weeks you can dedicate to volunteering and check out the options. It will help you decide what works best for you!

Yes, you’re investing your time and resources to helping the rainforest, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the other perks this exquisite location has to offer! Depending on the location of the project and the amount of free time available, possibilities may vary. Situated in the heart of the rainforest or jungle, more adventurous volunteers will have easy access to hikes and other outdoor activities such as boat rides and kayak excursions. Those in need to just chill-out on their days off can hang out in some of the quaint bars and restaurants the nearest town has to offer and socialize with the locals!

Volunteers in Peru curious about one of the seven world wonders and eager to connect with locals can opt to visit indigenous communities and of course, Machu Picchu.

Volunteers staying around Quito have easy access to a cultural hotspot! Foodies can indulge in fine-dining while those fond of architecture can admire the churches and buildings scattered throughout this bubbling city. Those in Ecuador with more time on their hands can hop out towards the Galapagos Islands for a different type of untouched wilderness! Banos de Agua Santa is another must-see in Ecuador boasting exquisite nature along with a plethora of activities for the adventure seekers!

Most volunteer programs require a fee to be paid by the volunteer to cover the expenses of your accommodation. In some cases, the fee is also used to support the volunteer organization's activities. There are plenty of affordable volunteer programs in the amazon. You can search for volunteer opportunities within your budget by using your filter option. If you experience any issues, don't hesitate to contact our live chat team who will be happy to assist you in finding your perfect amazon volunteer program!

When traveling abroad, there are always a few things you should inform yourself about beforehand and that you should keep in mind to make sure that you will have a pleasant stay. This is some useful information about the Amazon Rainforest and some tips that might help you.

Best Travel Season

With temperatures remaining quite average year-round, it’s mainly the rainfall which will affect your decision to go. May until October are the driest months, allowing you to fully enjoy the activities. If you don’t mind heavy rain, pack a raincoat and go between November and April!

Culture & Religion

Hola! Que Tal? How is your Spanish? Heading to the rainforest in South America may require you to brush up on some Spanish to help you get around easily. People can be very warm and physical in this part of the world so don’t be surprised if you get lots of hugs and kisses. Just a few more points to take into consideration before you take off:

• Do not call a local indigenous person "Indio" or use this word at all. It is a derogatory term that is often used in Latin America in a rude way.
• If you are an American and someone calls you "Gringo", don't take this as an insult. It is a commonly used word in Latin America to refer to US Americans, and not at all used to offend anyone!
• Peru and Ecuador are not exactly known for efficiency. Do not expect things to be on time, or exactly as they intend to be.
• As English is not very common outside of the bigger cities, people might give you thewrong advice trying to be friendly.

We know, you can’t wait to join your amazon volunteer program! But before you go, there are a few things we want you to take into account to make sure this unique experience remains as pleasurable as possible:

• Pickpocketing is very common, so be sure to have your belongings with you at all times and keep a close eye on your bag or backpack.
• Leave your valuables, credit and debit cards as well as travel documents in a hotel safe.
• A great part of the population lives below the poverty line, therefore there are a lot of demonstrations. These protests can turn violent so avoid putting yourself at risk.
• A dirty old backpack with valuable contents is safer than a new one with old clothes in it. Leave valuables at home.
• Make sure to only take licensed taxis or a prearranged rides from the airport.
• You can't take any archaeological artifacts out of the country without permission.
• You shouldn't take pictures of military actions or staff as they are highly penalized.
• Small quantities of drugs for personal use or possession are permitted by law, given that the user is in possession of only ONE type of drug. Buying, selling or having more than 8g is considered illegal trafficking and can result in legal action.

As you will have noticed by now, there are many different projects that expect different skills and abilities from their volunteers. While you can find out the specific requirements for each project on their program page, here are some general requirements that apply to most projects in the Amazon rainforest:

• You need to be at least 18 years old for most of the volunteer projects. When in doubt, we advise you get in contact with the local project manager, as in some projects you can also volunteer when you're 16 years old. There’s no age limit upwards: just check the 50+ icon on the program pages.
• You need to have basic English skills to join an Amazon rainforest project. Please note that some projects might ask for Spanish skills as well though.
• Depending on the project you're interested in, you might need to provide a criminal background check and a health declaration before volunteering.
• You are more than welcome to bring your friends or family to work for the social project. Just contact the project manager and ask them for the available opportunities.