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Volunteering in Colombia: Get ready to go
Are you interested in volunteering in Colombia? Join us, and we will tell you all about the requirements and programs you can participate in.
In Colombia, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for volunteering. You can support the conservation of different ecosystems, help rescue and protect wildlife, and even make a meaningful impact in vulnerable communities where children and the elderly need care and resources.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the benefits of doing volunteer work in Colombia, the requirements you’ll need to meet, the best programs available, and the types of projects you can apply to join. Stick around until the end to find out even how much it might cost to volunteer in the coffee-growing country.
Why volunteer in Colombia?
Colombia is a country of incredible diversity, offering a mix of climates, cultures, cuisines, and accents. All of this will enrich your experiences, spark your creativity, and help you grow both personally and professionally.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll see that you’ve chosen a place that helps you grow and prepares you for future volunteer experiences. And that’s only the beginning. Here are a few more reasons why Colombia is such an incredible country to volunteer in.
- You’ll discover unique places in Colombia: The country is home to jungles, high mountain plains, and coastlines unlike anywhere else. You’ll also come across remote communities and cities that each have their own distinct needs and cultural identity.
- You’ll help native animal species: Colombia is a paradise for bird lovers, and volunteering here gives you the chance to protect their habitats and help some recover and return to the wild. You can also support conservation efforts for other wildlife, including spectacled bears, primates, reptiles, and various mammals that need our help.
- You’ll contribute to the preservation of ecosystems that are unique in the world: You’ll have the opportunity to explore and support some of the world’s most unique ecosystems, from the Amazon rainforest to the Andean highlands. These natural wonders are places you can experience firsthand while volunteering in Colombia.
- You’ll learn about different indigenous cultures: Across Colombia, you can support indigenous communities in areas like education, sustainable development, or construction, all while learning about their history, worldview, and rich cultural traditions.
Requirements for volunteering in Colombia
Meeting the requirements for volunteering in Colombia is important, as they not only allow you to enter the country but also help ensure a safe and smooth experience during your stay.
Be sure to keep in contact with the agency you select for your volunteering, since rules or requirements can change before your trip to Colombia. For now, these are the main requirements you’ll typically need to meet:
- Passport. Your passport should be valid for at least six months if your volunteer program lasts a few weeks. For programs longer than six months, it’s best if your passport is valid for at least a year.
- Visa. The V visa for volunteers and aid workers is the best option for projects lasting more than 90 days. If your program is shorter than six months, you’ll only need the Entry and Stay Permit, which is granted upon arrival in Colombia with a stamp in your passport.
- Travel insurance. Having travel insurance is mandatory if you want to take part in any volunteer activities in Colombia through a volunteer agency.
- Vaccinations. If you are traveling to jungle areas, the yellow fever vaccination is important.
- Criminal record. This certificate must be recent and show no problems with the law.
- Financial solvency. There’s no set minimum financial requirement, but it’s important to be aware of the expenses you’ll need to cover and to create a realistic budget.
- Invitation letter from the organization. The volunteer agency should provide full details about the work you’ll be doing, including the location and the duration of the program.
- Payment of participation fee. The volunteer agency charges a fee for participating in these programs, which must be paid before you travel to Colombia.
- Age. 18 years old or older.
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Best volunteer programs for Colombia
There are several platforms that can help you find volunteer opportunities in Colombia. Most focus on ecosystem conservation, ecotourism, wildlife protection, and supporting communities across different regions of the country.
Below, we present some agencies and their most important programs to develop in Colombia:
ONG Voluntariado (Bird Banding Program)
This organization runs various animal care and conservation programs, supporting local communities with both labor and expertise. Their bird banding program, in particular, combines environmental work with strong community involvement.
This program engages local communities in studying humpback whales, searching for sea turtle nests at night, and observing, cataloging, and banding migratory birds that arrive in Nuquí, Chocó, on Colombia’s Pacific coast.
The program runs from May to September, and to participate you must meet the following requirements:
- Good physical condition, as there are long walks.
- 18 and older.
- Helpful attitude (no specific knowledge or university degrees required).
- Adaptability to different environments.
- Travel insurance.
The cost to join this program is around $800 for two weeks. If you want to extend your stay, each additional week costs about $250. This fee covers participation in the project, accommodation, airport transfers, and 24/7 support from the agency.
You’ll also receive a volunteer certificate that can be used for tax purposes, training on local flora and fauna, a guided tour of the area, and a diploma recognizing your participation in the program.
Adventure Volunteers (Productive Patios in Colombia)
This program invites volunteers to help establish and build gardens in the backyards of low-income families in Cartagena. Your role will include selecting the families and households that want to transform their spaces into productive gardens.
As a volunteer, you’ll help train families and turn their backyards into productive gardens, growing a variety of herbs and vegetables such as arugula, lemongrass, mustard, oregano, and cilantro, all supplied by the organization.
This project is designed to help families earn an income by selling their crops, while also addressing the food insecurity that often affects them.
You can participate in this program from February to December, provided you meet the following requirements:
- Be over 18.
- Be in good physical condition.
- Have travel insurance.
- Have sufficient funds to cover expenses not covered by the program.
The cost for two weeks starts at around $375, plus a $315 donation to Adventure Volunteer to support the continuation of their global projects. If you want to stay longer, each additional week is about $190.
This program includes accommodation, breakfast, and access to kitchens for preparing the rest of your meals. You’ll also receive orientation, ongoing support throughout the project, and a certificate of participation.
Cooperating Volunteers (Turtle Program)
In Colombia’s Chocó region, the community works in various ways to protect hawksbill and loggerhead turtles. This effort brings together professionals, researchers, and volunteers alike.
Together, they combine their skills and knowledge to protect the nests of turtles that come to the beaches of Colombia’s Pacific coast. Nighttime searches are also conducted to locate new visiting turtles.
Cooperating Volunteers helps strengthen these efforts by connecting volunteers with local communities. You can join this program any time of the year, and here’s what you’ll need to participate:
- Arrive at Nuquí airport on a Saturday or Sunday, where you will be picked up by a team from the agency and taken to your accommodation.
- Be over 18.
- Travel insurance.
Your participation begins with a program registration fee of about $225, followed by a weekly participation fee of around $440. If you want to stay longer, each additional week costs about $365.
How much does it cost to volunteer in Colombia?
The cost of volunteering in Colombia depends on the registration and participation fees charged by the agency you choose, the length of your stay, any personal expenses during the project, and your departure location.
Below is a list of approximate costs you might incur when volunteering in Colombia:
- Flights: From Europe, you can find flights starting at around $540, and from anywhere in Latin America, prices start at about $215, depending on the season.
- Visa: The cost to initiate the application process and review your application is $70. Once approved, you must pay $200 to issue it.
- Participation and registration fee: Prices will depend on the agency you decide to volunteer with, since each one sets its own fees. To give you an idea, using Cooperating Volunteers as an example, you’d pay about $225 to register and roughly $440 for the program fee.
- Food: Meals are usually included in most volunteer programs, though sometimes you’ll need to cover one of your daily meals. In places like Chocó or Cartagena, eating at an average restaurant typically costs between $4.50 and $7.50.
- Internal transfers: If you want to explore nearby areas, transportation costs can range from about $5 to $11, depending on the distance you need to travel.
- Travel insurance: The cost for one week can be between $30-45, depending on the insurance company you choose.
Frequently asked questions about volunteering in Colombia
While Colombia doesn’t require visitors to have insurance, most volunteer agencies do. This ensures that volunteers are covered for medical expenses in case of emergencies and other situations.
If you’re volunteering in a jungle area in Colombia, the single-dose yellow fever vaccine is required. It’s not necessary if you’re visiting the main cities.
Volunteer agencies and programs usually charge a registration and participation fee to cover operational costs such as accommodation, meals, transportation, and other essentials. It’s also often their only source of income to continue supporting their projects.
Turtle conservation programs in Colombia run year-round, as communities work through different stages of care. From the turtles arriving on the beaches to the hatching of their young and their journey to the sea, the process can take an entire year.
With a V cooperation visa, you can stay in the country for up to two years, solely for the purpose of volunteering.
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