Cheap or Free Volunteering in Central America

Central America is one of the richest places when it comes to natural attractions and culture. However, all that richness is under the shadow of lack of proper health care, a high level of illiteracy and poor to none eco-friendly culture.

However a few years ago organizations started being created by locals and foreigners to work towards changing those conditions for Guatemalans. Many of them don't receive enough support so they are constantly looking for volunteers to help them out.

Following is a list of organizations that are constantly needing volunteers and don't charge a large amount of money.

01 of 06

El Salvador

- Homies Unidos – Works on gang prevention and to rid violence in El Salvador through education and the empowerment of youth.

Phone: (213) 383 7484
Email: misoardia@homiesunidos.org

- God’s Child – They focus on assistance for women, education, health, human rights, nutrition, social work, clothing distribution, emergency relief, field clinics, solar energy and homeless shelters.

Phone: +1 (612) 351-8020 / +1 (701) 255-7956
Email: info@godschild.org

- Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Initiative – It promotes recovery and protection of hawksbill sea turtles. To work with them you have to be able to live in extremely basic conditions.

Phone: (619) 818-0041
Email: info@hawksbill.org

02 of 06

Nicaragua

Atelier Favela – Supports the poverty-stricken children of Ticuantepe. They believe that their goals can be achieved through arts of all kinds.

Email: info@atelierfavela.org

La Esperanza – As a volunteer you will go to rural schools and assist teachers to provide a better quality education.

Phone: (505) 8913-8946
Email: info@la-esperanza-granada.org

SONATI – This one offers environmental education & nature conservation programs. They are always looking for volunteers to help them with their objectives.

Phone: (505) 2315 4696
Email: ambiental.leon@sonati.org

Waves of Hope – Their main goals are to transform local communities into educated, healthy and prosperous. They are more than glad to receive groups of 10 to 20 volunteers.

Phone: 011-505-8737 3797
Email: info@waves-of-hope.com

03 of 06

Guatemala

Photo by Flickr Creative Commons User: hrvargas

Ak’ Tenamit – The organization is a development project in Eastern Guatemala. The projects include a school, a health care clinic, and a community and gender development program.

Phone: (561) 747-9790
Email: info@thegtfund.org

Buenas Cosas – This organization serves 11 communities and over 3,000 families in Guatemala. One of their main goals is to convert tourists into eco-tourists with the help of and to benefit locals.

Phone: (502) 4864 2056

Safe Passage – Non-profit organization that works in Guatemala City to bring hope, education, and opportunity to the children and families living in extreme poverty around the city’s garbage dump.

Phone: (502) 7832-8428
Email: infoguate@safepassage.org

Seeds of Knowledge School – Ixtatan Foundation – This organization works provide access to education and community development programs.

Email: info@ixtatan.org

04 of 06

Honduras

Cofradia Bilingual School – They provide bilingual education to local children, and they depend on volunteers for the classes in English.

Phone: (504) 2509 2666
Email: volunteer@cofradiaschool.com

Walk Beside me for Knowledge – They are dedicated to breaking the circle of poverty by providing children with a better education. Volunteers are welcome to stay for as little as 2 weeks or up to a year.

Phone: (504) 9790 3540
Email: info@wbkhn.org

Continue to 5 of 6 below.

05 of 06

Costa Rica

Gaia Vista – They are slowly building the first sustainable eco-resort and community dedicated to environmental and sustainable research, collaboration and education.

La Tortuga Feliz – This organization is dedicated to the protection of sea turtles. They aim to improve the locals’ income so that they don’t need hunt turtle eggs.

Email: latortugafeliz@gmail.com

Monte Verde Butterfly Garden – This volunteering opportunity is for anyone that is interested in insects and arachnids. It lasts about two months.

Phone: (506) 2645 5512
Email: monteverdebutterflygardens@gmail.com

06 of 06

Belize

- Belize Audubon Society - This is an environmental protection organization looking for volunteers that are available for three months. They work on protected areas such as the Blue Hole Natural Monument, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary, and Guanacaste National Park.

Phone: +(501) 223-5004 / 4987 / 4988
E-mail: base@btl.net

If you know of any other organization where travelers can volunteer for free leave it in the comments so we can all benefit from it.