Volunteer Travel in Central America

There’s nothing more rewarding than giving – particularly where it is most needed. Your visit to a beautiful country can be further enhanced by giving something to that country – and you might be surprised how small an effort on your part can make a significant difference in the lives of others. Central America is a land of lush forests and stunning ancient ruins, vibrant cities and serene beaches – and also alarming poverty. The developing nations of this region including Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica are undergoing rapid economic and social change. Schools, clinics, and other essential services are in need of support.

Volunteering can not only be a way to express your values, but provide an intimate glimpse into the country that most tourists would miss. A team of Canadian RealTravelers, the Rotaract Club, wrote this of their volunteering experience in Honduras:

“After a musical and festive lunch by the pool, Amelia, a Rotaractor from Guatemala, showed us to a nearby village, where we wandered around the marketplace and soaked up some local culture. We came back to meet up with the other Rotaracters to work on our community project: we sorted and organized an entire roomful of donated clothing to give to impoverished members of community. We helped children choose clothes that fit, and then watched them scramble away smiling as they eagerly clutched their new belongings.

We returned to our hotel to prepare for our safari- or animal-themed dinner. After a candlelit meal by the pool, we went to go see the Miss and Mr. Central America Rotaract contest, which our lovely Uliana was a contestant in. There was some very intense competition, but Uliana triumphed as Queen of Central America with an improvised ballet rendition to “Lady in Red,” with her King of Central America being a wonderful young man named Hershel from Belize. Still glowing with victory, we all headed to bed.” (more…)

It is definitely possible to combine volunteering with tourism, taking in the local sights and attractions as well as working to benefit your host country. However, it is important to plan ahead and organize your trip around your volunteer opportunity, rather than try and casually pick one up after you arrive. Many organizations exist that can help you, either with a group tour that includes volunteering or that can welcome you when you arrive. These include Rotary International, Habitat for Humanity, WorldTeach, and others. Volunteer groups are usually based on one service they provide or value they promote: providing shelter, food, or health services; teaching literacy and languages; assisting with farming or ecological conservation.

Some service organizations provide packages that require a fee to take care of your lodging, administrative costs, and support of the program. This shouldn’t discourage you, since it will most likely still be a bargain compared with resort-style travel. If the package doesn’t include a home or hotel stay, don’t worry – hotels in most of Central America are very inexpensive.

A volunteering visit often will take the willing traveler to a rural area most tourists would miss. Chances are good that you will fly in and out of a major city, offering plenty of chances to indulge in some urban or resort tourism before and after your volunteer opportunity. After helping build an orphanage or clothe the needy, that margarita on the beach will taste so much sweeter.

Resources:

Costa Rica Travel Guide
San Jose, Costa Rica Hotels
Costa Rica Trips
Honduras Travel Guide
Honduras Trips
Guatemala Guide

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