Top 10 Volunteering Vacations - Latin America

The magnificent coastlines, rainforests and densely populated cities of Latin America provide a variety of opportunities for field research and volunteers. Orphans in Brazil, sea turtles in Mexico and whales in Puerto Rico await.

1. Inca projects, Peru

   Discover and reconstruct pre-Hispanic, Incan agricultural terraces, roads and ancient walls. Help map the ruins and explore the ruins and remote communities.

2. Orphanages, Brazil

   Teach English, play sport or generally love the engaging children of Brazil, many of whom are rescued from waste sites.

3. Whale research, Puerto Rico

   Explore how noise pollution might prevent whales from interacting through song. Use state of the art recording equipment and advanced computer algorithms.

4. Sea turtles, Mexico

   Help protect endangered sea turtles through night watches and research.

5. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

   Fabulous opportunities to work on sustaining the local ecology of these remote islands. Clear invasive plant species, dig and plant new gardens, maintain water supplies and enjoy the amazing array of wildlife.

6. Amazon Rainforest Conservation, Peru

   Help turn sections of this amazing rainforest into recognized reserves.

7. Building projects, Honduras

   If you fancy getting hot and sweaty take part in any of the laboring, renovation, painting and decoration of houses and schools in communities in dire need of assistance.

8. Indigenous communities, Bolivia

   Work amongst native communities teaching English, developing sustainable tourism and helping orphans.

9. Study and volunteer, Guatemala

   Study and learn Spanish in Guatemala and engage in medical health, helping orphans or building projects.

10. Upper Iguazu River, Argentina

    Help with bird and butterfly inventories, study medicinal plants or restore plant species deep in the forest near the famed Iguazu falls.