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Volunteering in Bali: Get ready to go
Do you have a volunteer spirit and want to travel? Volunteering in Bali lets you discover which projects you can support with your skills.
If you’re considering doing volunteer work in Bali because you want to help and contribute to a social, educational, or environmental cause, this is an experience that will undoubtedly transform you from the inside out. This Indonesian island, well-known for its stunning natural landscapes, temples, and beaches, is a place where you can engage in various volunteer programs, depending on the candidate’s profile and preferences.
To sign up and be accepted, it’s necessary to study each project, understand the legal requirements, evaluate the activities, and be clear about the responsibility required. So, if you’ve reached this point, it means you’re committed to helping, and we’re here to explain step by step how to prepare, what benefits you can gain, and which are the best programs to start your volunteer adventure in Bali.
Benefits of Volunteering in Bali
Not sure if volunteering in Bali is right for you? The first thing you need to understand is that the activity you’ll undertake on the island is completely voluntary and you won’t receive financial compensation. In return, you’ll leave your mark, and thanks to your work, the well-being of others, communities, or the environment will improve.
Bali is a highly touristy destination with a high quality of life in general, but there are many local areas with problems, limitations, and inequalities that urgently need help. Here are the top five reasons to volunteer and what you’ll gain personally:
- Contribute to local development: You’ll help directly with projects such as children’s education in rural areas like Tegalalang, environmental conservation, like the coral reefs of Pemuteran, health talks in Ubud schools, or community empowerment in rural areas like Singaraja.
- Cultural exchange: You’ll live with local communities, which will allow you to learn their customs, the Balinese language, Hindu religious ceremonies, and a more spiritual way of life.
- Personal and professional growth: You’ll improve social skills like empathy and develop competencies such as leadership and conflict resolution. Also, having a volunteer experience in Bali on your CV will be valued by other companies.
- International network of contacts: Bali attracts volunteers from all over the world with similar interests, committed to social change on the island, and these friendships last a lifetime.
- Paradisiacal environment: You’ll carry out meaningful activities surrounded by beaches, rice fields, ancient temples, volcanoes, and tropical nature. In your free time, you can explore the island and all its charms.
Requirements for Volunteering in Bali
It’s important to know the requirements to volunteer in Bali, as, for example, it’s prohibited to do so on a tourist visa. The reason is that Indonesian law classifies any type of organized activity as work if it’s done in an NGO, even if it’s unpaid.
Therefore, avoid organizations that encourage you to join their programs with a tourist visa, as you may face fines, sanctions, or even deportation. We recommend you ensure that all your paperwork is handled responsibly through a reputable organization before travelling to Bali. Here’s a list of the requirements you must meet:
- Specific visa: To volunteer legally in Indonesia, you need a sociocultural visa, called Visa C6B, which is managed by the organization. It’s not allowed to volunteer with a tourist visa.
- Minimum age: Generally, it’s 18, although some programs accept minors with parental permission.
- Travel insurance: To join this volunteer program in Bali, you must have international medical insurance and civil liability insurance to cover any medical needs on the island.
- English level: Some organizations require an intermediate level of English to communicate better with the team.
- Minimum commitment: The required minimum commitment is 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the assigned work. You can stay longer if you wish, but you must be committed and not quit early.
- Costs: although the work is voluntary, many programs may charge a fee to cover accommodation, meals, local transport, and materials.
Connectivity during your volunteer work
Don’t lose internet connection while volunteering in Bali so you can stay in touch with family or manage your necessary paperwork. We recommend Holafly’s monthly plans with 5G coverage across the island, stable, secure, unlimited data, and the option to connect two devices simultaneously.
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Alternatively, for short-term volunteer work, the eSIM for Bali from Holafly provides unlimited data only for the days you need.
Top 3 Volunteer Programs for Bali
Now that you know what conditions are required to volunteer in Bali legally, let’s explore the available programs, their goals, conditions, duration, and price. This way, you can choose the one that best aligns with your personal motivations.
1. The Green Lion – Sea Turtle Conservation
If you’re an animal lover, you’ll love this volunteer work in Bali, as it involves helping protect endangered sea turtles in Nusa Penida. What will you do in this program? Activities include cleaning beaches, identifying turtle species, collecting eggs, caring for nests, or supervising the hatchlings’ journey to the sea. Here’s more information about this program:
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Requirements | Minimum age 18, basic English level, Visa C6B, and medical insurance. |
| Duration | 2 to 12 weeks |
| What’s included | Accommodation, meals, cultural orientation, and community activities. |
| Price | From $450 USD (€398) for two weeks |
The Green Lion volunteer program in Bali.
2. IVHQ – Teaching English in Bali
International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) is an organization with over 17 years of experience that promotes teaching English in local communities with fewer economic resources like Ubud and Lovina. If English is your native language or you have a high level, you can volunteer in Bali. Your mission will be to work in schools and community centers offering English classes to improve the language skills of children and adults, giving them more opportunities.
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Requirements | Minimum age 16, intermediate English level, Visa C6B, and medical insurance. |
| Duration | From 1 to 12 weeks, 5 hours a day, Monday to Friday |
| What’s included | Accommodation, three meals a day, airport pick-up, orientation, and 24/7 support |
| Price | From $395 (€350) per week |
Projects Abroad volunteer program in Bali.
3. Projects Abroad – Health and Nutrition Education
This international organization runs several volunteer programs in Bali, one of which focuses on health and nutrition education. If you have training in these fields, you can provide talks on healthy practices, conduct hygiene workshops, and disease prevention. You’ll spend about two hours each morning preparing lessons and three hours in the afternoon teaching at a primary, secondary, or university school in Ubud. Here’s more information:
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Requirements | Minimum age 18, basic English level, Visa C6B, medical insurance, and studies in health. |
| Duration | From 2 to 12 weeks, 5 hours a day, Monday to Friday |
| What’s included | Accommodation, three meals a day, airport transfer, and orientation |
| Price | From $326 (€288) per week |
Projects Abroad volunteer program in Bali.
Types of Volunteer Projects in Bali
You can choose from various types of volunteer projects in Bali and we recommend you pick something you’re truly passionate about, whether you have experience or skills in it. By doing so, not only will you help the island, but you’ll also feel fulfilled working on something you love. These are the main types of programs on the island:
- School teaching and educational support: In rural areas like Denpasar or Bangli, access to education is limited. With your help, many children and teens will have better opportunities in the subject you’re skilled in.
- Childcare: There are orphanages and care centres in Bali with children in need of emotional support, like in Ubud and Karangasem. Daily care, play, and workshops have a positive emotional impact.
- Women’s empowerment: In the north and west of the island, like Singaraja or Negara, women have fewer job opportunities. You can run workshops in training, marketing, and financial education to give women more knowledge.
- Animal and environmental protection: The effects of mass tourism are impacting the southern coast of the island, like in Sanur or Nusa Penida. Marine cleaning programs, turtle conservation, and environmental education are vital to protect Bali’s fauna.
- Health and nutrition: Healthcare in rural areas like Gianyar or Buleleng is very limited, so health campaign projects are essential for the population that lacks knowledge of healthy habits.
How Much Does Volunteering in Bali Cost?
Volunteering in Bali, contrary to what many people think, won’t be free, as all the procedures carry a cost for the interested person. The organizations running these volunteer programs are non-profit, but they need to cover accommodation, meals, and transport for each volunteer. This would be impossible if a weekly fee wasn’t charged. Below, we’ve listed an approximation of your main expenses:
| Category | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Programme Fee | From $326 (€288) per week |
| International flight | $700 – 1,200 (€620 – 1,062) |
| Travel Insurance | $40 – 100 (€35 – 85) per month |
| Indonesian Visa | $100 – 300 (€88 – 248) |
| Personal expenses | $100 – 200 (€88 – 177) |
Approximate expenses to volunteer in Bali.
We’ve detailed the main expenses for any volunteer program in Bali, but you also have the advantage of saving on other factors that organizations often cover. This is why you have to pay a weekly fee, so the organization can cover your upkeep:
- Accommodation: Included in most programs, so you can save on hotels or monthly rentals.
- Meals: Many projects offer two or three meals a day.
- Airport Transfer: In most cases, the airport transfer is included, as well as transport to the work site.
- Cultural Activities: Balinese cooking classes, traditional dances, or local tours at no extra cost.
Frequently Asked Questions About Volunteering in Bali
Yes, volunteering is not allowed with a tourist visa. You must apply for a sociocultural visa C6B, which gives you permission to do volunteer or social work legally and in a regulated way.
It depends on the type of program. Generally, motivation and a basic or intermediate English level are required. For medical-related projects, you’ll need to show qualifications or experience.
Most programs charge a fee that covers accommodation, meals, local transport, and logistical support. Costs typically range from $250 to $700 (€221 to €620) per week.
Volunteer jobs in Bali usually require four to five hours of work from Monday to Friday. In your free time, you can do other activities like remote work, but remember that volunteering is your main responsibility.
The island is generally safe. Volunteer work is commonly done in Ubud, Sanur, Lovina, Tabanan, and Nusa Penida—areas known for being peaceful. The most important thing is to join a program run by a legally registered organisation.
