Travel more for less
Become a member by 10/31 and get 10% OFF on bookings at Hostelworld!
Search

Filtering by:

  • South America
  • Opportunities for couples and pairs
  • Social Work

Destination

Program Types

Work exchange

Exchange your skills for accommodation
Social Impact

Volunteer in NGOs, Schools & Social Projects
Eco Program

Learn in Ecovillages, Farms & Permaculture Projects

Availability

Last minute

Needs help immediately
Oct
2025
Nov
2025
Dec
2025
Jan
2026
Feb
2026
Mar
2026

How do you help

Host type

Style

Hours of collaboration per week

Up to 32h

Travel Length

Meals

Accommodations

Perfect for digital nomads

Additional Benefits

Places to do a cultural exchange in South America

237 opportunities found

Animal Shelter Trujillo, Peru

Volunteering with purpose, animal loving volunteers needed.

18h/week Animal Care Building & Repairing Social Work
From 2 weeks to 2 months Team Dorm
  • 5.0
  • Sustainable project
  • Higher approval
  • Needs help immediately

NGO Iquitos, Peru

Empower through Education: Volunteer with kids in Iquitos, Peru!

16h/week Arts Social Work Teaching Sports Teaching Languages
At least 3 weeks Shared Dorm 1 meal
  • 5.0
  • Sustainable project
  • Top Host
  • Higher approval

Ecological Reserve Tena, Ecuador

Assistance in conservation at an Amazonian ethnobotanical garden.

30h/week Social Work Building & Repairing Farming Gardening
At least 1 week Shared Dorm 3 meals
  • 4.5
  • Sustainable project
  • Higher approval
See all

A day in the life of a worldpacker

A day living in the mountains in India⛰️
My morning volunteering in Malaysia 🦋​
Volunteering at a dog shelter in Peru 🐶
My days in Thailand 🌺​

Social Project Cautín Province, Chile

Voluntarios del mundo para el bienestar de las sociedades!

30h/week Kitchen Hand Gardening Child Care Social Work
At least 2 weeks Shared Dorm 2 meals
  • 5.0
  • Sustainable project
  • Higher approval

Animal Shelter Urubamba Province, Peru

Brand new rescue centre for stray dogs in Sacred Valley, Peru!

30h/week Animal Care Social Work Building & Repairing Gardening
From 2 to 12 weeks Shared Dorm
  • 5.0
  • Sustainable project
  • Top Host
  • Higher approval
  • Needs help immediately

Ecological Reserve Dibulla, Colombia

Profesor apoyo para escuela Rural Multietnica

10h/week Music Arts Social Work Teaching Languages
At least 2 weeks Shared Dorm 2 meals

NGO ICA, Peru

1.- "Semillas de Salud " Contribuyendo a los ODS 3,4,15.

20h/week Social Work
At least 4 weeks Shared Dorm 3 meals
  • 5.0
  • Sustainable project
  • Higher approval

NGO ICA, Peru

" Sinchi Warmi " Contribuyendo a los ODS 3,5, 8 ,10

20h/week Social Work Teaching Sports
At least 4 weeks Shared Dorm 3 meals
  • 5.0
  • Sustainable project
  • Higher approval

NGO ICA, Peru

"Green Travel Challaca "Contribuyendo a los ODS 8,12,13,15,17

25h/week Painting & Decorating Building & Repairing Gardening Social Work
At least 2 weeks Shared Dorm 3 meals
  • 5.0
  • Sustainable project
  • Higher approval

NGO Puerto Inca, Peru

Help us teach English and enjoy the Amazon Rainforest!

15h/week Social Work Child Care Teaching Sports Teaching Languages
From 2 to 12 weeks Private Room
  • 4.5
  • Sustainable project
  • Top Host
  • Higher approval

Farm Arbeláez, Colombia

Coworker - Facilitator

25h/week Farming Painting & Decorating Social Work Building & Repairing
From 1 to 4 weeks Shared Dorm 3 meals
  • 5.0
  • Sustainable project
  • Top Host
  • Higher approval

Farm Fortim, Brazil

Junte-se a nós e faça parte da Recuperação Ecológica! 🌳

24h/week Cleaning Social Work Farming Gardening
At least 2 weeks Shared Dorm 1 meal
  • 5.0
  • Sustainable project
  • Top Host
  • Higher approval

Ecological Reserve Tena, Ecuador

Ayuda en el Desarrollo de Nuestra Finca en la Amazonia

25h/week Social Work Farming Kitchen Hand Building & Repairing
At least 5 days Shared Dorm 2 meals
  • 5.0
  • Sustainable project
  • Top Host
  • Higher approval

Farm Inzá, Colombia

¡Espacio de bioconstrucción, permacultura y café!

25h/week Social Work Building & Repairing Farming Gardening
At least 1 week Shared Dorm 3 meals
  • 5.0
  • Sustainable project
  • Higher approval

Private School Quito, Ecuador

Help our students practice English in a different and fun way!

25h/week Social Work Teaching Languages
At least 2 weeks Private Room 1 meal
  • 5.0
  • Top Host
  • Higher approval

Non-Profit Project Medellín, Colombia

Come join us as a social volunteer in Colombia! :)

20h/week Child Care Arts Social Work Teaching Languages
From 2 to 12 weeks Team Dorm 2 meals
  • 5.0
  • Sustainable project
  • Top Host
  • Higher approval

How many countries are there in South America?

South America includes 12 sovereign states: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela, and a part of France (French Guiana). Most countries speak their specific dialects of Spanish, but Portuguese is the majority language by a small margin due to the fact that Brazil is the largest country in the continent. South America is home to more plant and animal species than anywhere on Earth. 

3 things I learned from biking across South AmericaTravelling with a disability in South America

What are the best places to see animals in South America?

There are many places to observe animals in natural habitat. Just be careful with places that exploit animals instead of helping them. Please, always research before visiting. An example of a trustworthy place to see wildlife in South America is the Bird Park at the Iguazu Falls National Reserve. In Peru, you can feel the spirits of the Andes at Parque Nacional Manu. In Argentina, Unesco World Heritage site Península Valdés is home to sea lions, seals, penguins and numerous seabirds, being one of South America’s best wildlife reserves. 

20 best cities to solo travel in South America2 weeks vacation in South America for free? It is possible!

How can I use Worldpackers to visit South America?

South America is the place for a classic backpacker adventure. You can use Worldpackers to save some money by exchanging work for accommodation in Sao Paulo, Lima, Buenos Aires and a lot of other places included in our host list. From big cities to beaches and countrysides, we’ve got you covered! You can explore South America by applying to the positions that match your skills, once you become a Worldpackers member for only $49 a year. Maybe come visit Worldpackers headquarters in Sao Paulo! 

How Worldpackers works: the complete guideTime to prepare for your trip as a worldpacker!

How do Worldpackers trips work?

As a member, you can contact as many hosts and travel safely as many times as you want.

Choose your plan to travel with Worldpackers as many times as you like.

Complete your profile, watch the video lessons in the Academy, and earn certificates to stand out to hosts.

Apply to as many positions as you like, and get in contact with our verified hosts.

If a host thinks you’re a good fit for their position, they’ll pre-approve you.

Get your documents and tickets ready for your volunteer trip.

Confirm your trip to enjoy all of the safety of Worldpackers.

Have a transformative experience and make a positive impact on the world.

If anything doesn’t go as planned with a host, count on the WP Safeguard and our highly responsive support team!

After volunteering, you and your host exchange reviews.

With positive reviews, you’ll stand out to hosts and get even more benefits.

Check out all our plans Learn more about how it works