Volunteer in Peru – the ‘heart of the Inca empire’ – and discover a country with a cultural history as rich as its part of the lush Amazon rainforest. Hiking up to Machu Picchu is a bucket list must-have! Take the volunteer opportunity to give back to your host country and work for a good cause at a social project in Peru. Do you come from a medical background or plan on studying medicine? The healthcare projects in Peru need skilled and motivated volunteers. Win-win! Volunteer in Peru at community projects in Cusco or Lima and improve your Spanish skills at the same time. Pass on your knowledge and teach English to underprivileged children. Apply to volunteer in Peru and start making a difference in South America!
Peru – the ‘heart of the Inca empire’ – is known for its rich cultural history. Hiking up the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a must on everyone’s bucket list! Peru’s lush nature offers exciting activities like rafting, hiking, and mountain biking. This is truly the perfect travel destination for adventurers and volunteers! The friendliness of the Peruvians will motivate you to volunteer for the many volunteer programs in Peru and support local rural communities. Grab this chance to be the meaningful explorer you’ve always wanted to be! Start your volunteer adventure abroad today!
If you ask volunteers about their volunteering experience in Peru, the answers are quite similar: Peru is a country that impresses everyone because of its natural diversity, vibrant colors, and wonderful people.
Discover the wonders of the Incas, the ancient city of Cusco, and assist other volunteers by joining one of the volunteer opportunities in Peru. If you plan on taking a career break and want to do something meaningful, consider volunteer work in Peru! Before we continue with the volunteer opportunities in Peru, let’s take a look at some interesting facts about this tourist hotspot:
Cusco and Lima are the largest cities in Peru with a high number of volunteer programs. Other programs are spread across the country in rural areas. Whatever your preferences are, whether it’s volunteering in the city or the country, you’ll find a program that will meet your expectations in Peru.
Volunteer in Cusco to admire the lost city of Machu Picchu tucked away in the Andean mountains. Help with various volunteer opportunities in Cusco ranging from working with Andean communities to medical care or helping stray dogs. Volunteers who want to admire some amazing landscapes are in for a treat in Cusco.
Volunteers who prefer a more urban environment can volunteer in Lima where teaching opportunities are abundant. Discover Lima, the coastal capital of Peru, and join a social project!
The amazon rainforest is an enchanting destination where volunteers can truly escape the daily realities. Volunteer for a rainforest conservation project. You will help with reforestation efforts and protect its precious wildlife. Get ready for an unforgettable once in a lifetime opportunity.
The suggested daily budget for living as a volunteer in Peru is between US $21 and US $35. This is an estimate made considering the average price of some of the goods and services you may want to buy. It gives you a general overview of how much things cost in this country, so you can be prepared and save the money you will need.
Additional costs you should consider will be:
Most volunteer projects will require volunteers to pay a fee. This fee usually covers the volunteers’ accommodation and provides the volunteer organization in Peru with the necessary funds to support their cause. There are quite a high number of volunteer programs in Peru that are free. This is great for those who are on a budget. The majority of free projects are located in Lima, the capital of Peru. This may require you to arrange your own accommodation so definitely keep this in mind when booking your volunteer adventure abroad. Be sure to check the program page to find out exactly what is included in the program.
When you volunteer and travel abroad, it is important to familiarise yourself with the culture. This will help you to settle in quickly and avoid misunderstandings. These are some tips you may find helpful when preparing for your volunteer work in Peru:
The people in Peru are generally very friendly. These are some of the most important things to know about Peru’s culture:
When visiting a new country, it’s good to be informed about their laws and safety precautions. Generally speaking, Peru doesn’t call for severe safety measures but keep the following tips in mind:
When it comes to the law, it’s always good to remember:
Traveling abroad always requires some precautions when it comes to your health. This is our health advice for volunteering abroad in Peru:
Please note: the Zika virus is a risk in Peru. This means that pregnant women should NOT travel to or join a volunteer project in Peru. All travelers should follow steps to prevent mosquito bites during and after their trip such as using insect repellents, wearing long sleeves and trousers, and sleeping under a bug net.
You may be wondering what to pack for volunteering abroad in Peru. We’ve listed a few packing essentials for your time abroad:
This is an extensive blog post on the ultimate packing list which will come in handy when you start backing for your volunteer project.
Each project requires different skills and abilities from their international volunteers. While you can find the specific requirements for each project on their profiles on Volunteer World, here are some general requirements that apply to most projects in Peru:
Please take into account that the following information is based on a best practice approach, made in cooperation with several volunteer organizations. That’s why you should discuss your visa requirements with your contact person at Volunteer World. If in doubt, we also recommend getting in touch with the Embassy or Consulate of Peru in your country.
There are some general requirements all volunteers need to comply with upon arrival in Peru:
As a citizen of most American and Western European countries, you can enter Peru on a so-called tourist visa which is obtained when entering the country. With this visa, you can volunteer in Peru for up to 90 days continuously. Here is an overview of the countries that can enter without a visa.
Please keep in mind that this is the maximum amount of days and is not extendable once you have entered Peru. If you intend to stay longer than 90 days, you need to apply for another visa. You cannot reenter the country to get a new visa for 90 days. Another option is to pay a fee of $1 per exceeded day at your date of departure.
We hope you’re excited about volunteering abroad in Peru. This will be an incredible experience that is an opportunity for self-development and contributing to something greater.