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Volunteering in Brazil: Get ready to go
Would you like to volunteer in Brazil but don't know where to start? Here's what you need to know to achieve your goal.
Brazil is a destination that attracts thousands of tourists seeking to experience its natural wonders up close. However, you can do it differently, through volunteering that allows you to immerse yourself in its culture and support causes advocating for animals, communities, and nature.
To do so, you’ll only need some documents and to meet a few requirements that we will detail throughout this article. We will also show you the most important volunteering programs and the platforms you can apply through, along with their fees.
Stay tuned to find out how enriching it will be to volunteer in Brazil and everything it will bring you professionally and personally. You won’t want to stop exploring the world this way. Let’s begin.
Why Volunteering in Brazil?
Volunteering in Brazil means learning and gaining valuable professional experiences, but it also becomes a personal reward. Furthermore, supporting social, ecological, and animal causes will take you to places you never imagined.
Additionally, you’ll have the chance to learn or improve your Portuguese and discover more about Brazilian culture, its qualities and needs. There are many more benefits that you’ll discover during your volunteering. Let’s explore 4 key benefits of volunteering in Brazil.
- Accommodation and food savings: Most programs in Brazil ensure these benefits, allowing you to invest in exploring other places or gaining more experiences.
- Environmental learning: Brazil, a natural powerhouse, offers projects focused on sustainability, farming, recycling, and water conservation.
- Access to tourist sites at a discount or for free: Some programs collaborate with museums, nature parks, and cultural centers, allowing you to experience cultural events without typical tourist expenses.
- Bicycle as a means of transport: Some programs provide bicycle loans, helping you get around cities and save money during your volunteering experience.
Requirements for Volunteering in Brazil
There are certain requirements you need to keep in mind when looking for a volunteering opportunity in Brazil. Some are general, while others, depending on the program you apply for, have specific requirements.
In this section, we’ll outline the documents, visas and other requirements usually requested for volunteers to enter the country and carry out their work.
1. Types of visas
The Brazilian government states that to enter as a volunteer, you need to apply for a specific visa. However, factors such as your stay duration and nationality determine the type of document required and whether it is necessary at all.
If you’re from countries like the United States, Canada, or Australia, there are two types of visas you need to be aware of:
- Visitor visa (VIVIS): This is issued when the visa or volunteering lasts less than 90 days. For these countries, it is available electronically and is called an eVisa, which you apply for entirely online through the Brazilian Government website.
- The cost is $80 (€68) and it takes approximately 5 business days to process. With this visa, you can’t earn any income.
- VITEM VIII Visa: This visa is for stays longer than 90 days. This document also does not allow you to work or engage in paid activities. The requirements to apply are listed on the Foreign Relations website, and it costs $40 (€34).
Citizens from the rest of the world, except Cuba and Haiti, can enter Brazil without a visa if their stay or volunteering is under 90 days. However, if the stay is over 90 days, regardless of nationality, you must apply for the VITEM VIII visa.
2. Languages
Languages are important when volunteering in Brazil, as they are a primary communication resource with the local population. It’s recommended to have a medium level of English and Portuguese, although it is not an exclusive requirement.
3. Age range
Most volunteer programs require participants to be aged between 18 and 40 years, depending on the case. Some minors may participate in certain programs, but they need specific permissions to carry out any work.
4. Education Level
Your education adds value to volunteering programs, so you must at least have completed secondary school. Some programs prioritise higher education, depending on the activities required. For example, when it comes to teaching or training communities.
5. Connectivity:
This is not a strict requirement, but having good connectivity during your volunteering allows you to stay informed, learn more about the work you’re doing, and also stay in touch with friends and family.
The monthly plans from Holafly in more than 170 countries worldwide will keep you connected from the moment you arrive, with stable and secure 5G coverage. You won’t have to worry about changing your SIM card or monitoring your data usage. Plus, with the unlimited plan, you can connect multiple 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! 🚀🌍
On the other hand, for short-term volunteer stays, the eSIM for Brazil from Holafly is another option, with unlimited data only for the days you need.
Best Volunteering Programs for Brazil
Volunteering programs in Brazil offer a wide variety of themes, so you can choose the one that best suits your interests and abilities. Here we have chosen 4 programs, but you will always have the chance to explore more topics on different platforms.
1. Cooperating Volunteers
This program offers volunteer opportunities focused on child education, wildlife conservation, and community work.
The projects have different fees and requirements, so check the specific requirements before applying, and if you have any doubts, get in touch via any of their contact channels.
| Requirements | Duration | What’s included | Rate |
| – 18+ years old – Submit a CV – Passport photo | Between 1 week and 3 months. | -Accommodation. -2 or 3 meals per day. -Support and training. -Volunteering certificate. | Registration is €210 ($231). |
2. Ecocaminhos
This is a local program that supports communities in different parts of Brazil, environmental conservation, and promotes ecotourism. Its programs include tasks related to restoring natural spaces, bioconstruction, and sustainability.
For these types of programs, health and fitness are important as you will need to do physically demanding tasks, and the working days are often tiring.
| Requirements | Duration | What’s included | Rate |
| – 18+ years old – Genuine interest in the programme’s focus areas – Basic/intermediate Portuguese | From 1 to 3 weeks. | -Accommodation -Meals -Support during the volunteering. | Between $200 (€180) and $500 (€450) per week, depending on the program. |
3. International Volunteering Headquarters
If you are interested in supporting programs where sport and culture are the main pillars, this program is perfect for you. Here, you can help with sports education for children or even volunteer for the organisation of the Rio Carnival, one of the largest in the world.
| Requirements | Duration | What’s included | Rate |
| – 18+ years old – Interest in the work to be carried out – Basic/intermediate Portuguese | From 2 weeks onwards. | -Accommodation -Meals -Activities -Guidance -Local transport (optional). | Depending on the program, the fee ranges from $300 (€270) to $700 (€630) per week. |
4. Workaway
This platform promotes volunteering related to agriculture, working with children and young people, and in accommodations for foreigners where they provide you with food and lodging in exchange for a few hours of work.
The locations are diverse in Brazil, but all are in rural areas. A desire to learn, adaptability, and a willingness to share knowledge with the team are highly valued.
| Requirements | Duration | What’s included | Rate |
| -Over 18 years old. -Portuguese. | From 1 day to several months. | -Accommodation -Meals -Cultural experiences -Opportunity to learn about Brazilian culture. | Monthly subscription of $50 (€45) annually. Program costs vary depending on the project. |
Types of Projects for Volunteering in Brazil
Brazil is focusing on environmental education projects, natural conservation, farms, and ecotourism projects. They also aim to reach places where basic services like healthcare are not easily accessible, so there are programs in health prevention and supporting hospitals and clinics.
Most of the programs you’ll find in Brazil are related to nature, health campaigns, and some also involve culture and sports.
Environmental Programs
Brazil is a country with vast natural territories. Timber, oil, and mining industries affected many of them.
The purpose of each environmental project is to restore areas damaged during resource extraction processes. Another goal is to protect the natural environment and wildlife surrounding certain communities.
As a volunteer in Brazil, you can contribute your strength, knowledge, and experience in areas such as planting, gardening, animal rescue on farms, and bioconstruction.
Sports and Cultural Programs
These programs aim to provide educational support in various areas. Volunteers may assist in classes, workshops, and sports events in communities or even be directly involved with their knowledge of languages and other professional areas.
Brazil’s cultural richness transcends borders with events like the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, where you can help with costumes, float construction, and even decorate places where the carnival takes place.
Brazil is known for its passion for sports, especially football, as well as water and beach sports like surfing and volleyball. So, you can support sports events for children and young people in various communities.
Social Welfare Programs
Social welfare covers many areas in Brazil. Some campaigns are designed to reach places where public services like healthcare or drinking water are not guaranteed. These programs are divided into different areas of support.
For example, you can participate in training communities in good hygiene practices and environmental care, accompany health brigades, collect and dispose of waste properly, or assist doctors and nurses in hospitals and clinics in patient care.
How Much Does it Cost to Volunteer in Brazil?
The costs of volunteering in Brazil vary depending on the program you apply for or the platform you use to search for projects of interest.
However, we can average some expenses unrelated to accommodation and meals, as most programs guarantee these. We’ll look at the costs for flights to the country, internal mobility, leisure, and visa fees if needed.
- Flights: Between $500 (€450) and $800 (€720), depending on the country of origin.
- Program fees: between $300 (€270) and $800 (€720) per week depending on the program.
- Visa: For citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia, the visitor visa costs $88 (€80), and the VITEM VIII visa costs $44 (€40). This price also applies to other nationalities wanting to stay more than 90 days in Brazil.
- Medical Insurance: Not mandatory for any program, but it’s always better to be protected for health circumstances: it can cost between $40 (€36) and $200 (€180) per month.
- Other expenses like leisure and local transportation during volunteering: these can amount to around $100 (€90) per month, with bus fares in Brazil being approximately $0.80 (€0.70).
Frequently Asked Questions About Volunteering in Brazil
It’s not mandatory to speak Portuguese, but it will help with communication during your volunteering work.
The costs charged for volunteering cover accommodation, meals, and other necessary expenses. They also help sustain the programs.
There is no specific professional qualification required to apply for volunteering programs. You just need to show that you have completed secondary education.
Yes, minors have no restrictions for volunteering, but they must have the necessary parental permission or be accompanied by their parents.
Brazil offers programs related to the environment, health, culture, and sports.
