Volunteer at guest houses worldwide

Worldpackers allows travelers to have immersive cultural experiences where they can live with locals and enjoy a new way of life. Through work exchanges, travelers can find people all over the world and apply to volunteer with them.

One of the most popular places to volunteer is in a guest house, and Worldpackers has a very long list of international guest houses that are looking for volunteers. 

What is a guest house?

A guest house is a form of accommodation that is very unique. It is much nicer and more private than a hostel, but it is cozier and more familiar than a hotel.

Guest houses are private properties rented out by locals. Whether a family lives there and rents out part of their house, or whether they live separately and rent out their entire house, staying in a guest house means you will be staying in a home. 

Some guest houses are more geared towards young budget travelers, and therefore they will have a few bunk beds and communal rooms. These types of guest houses are great alternatives to crowded, crazy party hostels. 

Not everyone likes to party every night, so staying in a guest house with dorm rooms allows you to be social and save money, while still enjoying a bit of peace and quiet.

Everyone runs their guest house differently and gives their guests different levels of privacy. Some guest house owners will be in a small flat next door, or even in a different part of the house. In this scenario, you can get to know your hosts, ask them questions and learn about the culture and the area from them.

Sometimes hosts make their guests home-cooked meals, and sometimes they take them out exploring. Other times, guest house owners won't be around at all to give their guests some privacy, though they will always be reachable by phone or email.

Why stay in a guest house?

Guest houses are perfect for having comfortable, local experiences. Instead of staying in a fancy hotel where everything is designed the same, every guest house is unique. Locals design and decorate their guest house using their own styles, so you will get a taste of the local's personal preferences and the culture by visiting a guest house.

Some people have turned their own homes into guest houses, and some people have bought a separate property solely for the purpose of renting it as lodging. 

Either way, a guest house has been set up and designed by an actual person, rather than by big businesses or corporations.

So not only are guest houses cozier and more intimate than other forms of accommodation, they are usually affordable as well. Slightly more expensive than a hostel dorm room, but much cheaper than a hotel room, guest houses are suitable for all types of travelers on different budgets.

They are also usually located in favorable areas that are close to the main attractions of a place but not right in the middle of the hustle and bustle. Guest houses offer a more private and quiet atmosphere, which is great for travelers looking to relax, unwind, and soak in the local culture. 

How to find guest houses? 

There are so many amazing guest houses that are very easy to find. 

If you are just traveling and want somewhere to stay on vacation, you can simply do an internet search for "guest houses near me", or you can check Airbnb. Hosts on Airbnb or any other platform are always very good at communication, so message them about any special requirements you need or any questions you have.

If you are looking for an immersive and interesting work exchange abroad, and you'd like to live in a guest house for free, consider volunteering with Worldpackers. On the Worldpackers website, you can easily search for guest houses and see which ones are accepting volunteers.

You can send a direct message to the host of a guest house and explain why you would be a good fit for their volunteer program. Tell them about any relevant skills you have, and that you are willing to learn more to help them out.

Volunteering at a guest house is a collaborative experience, so in exchange for your free stay you'll have to contribute some work and commit to helping your host with whatever they need.

After you have discussed your application with a host and decided on some dates, you are all set to go! All you have to do is book your flight, apply for any visas you might need, and organize your transportation to the guest house from the airport when you arrive.

Most hosts are very helpful with helping you arrange transportation, and sometimes they even offer to pick you up themselves. Once you arrive, you can enjoy your time in one of the many amazing guest houses in the world. 

Amazing opportunities to stay in guest houses

There are over 400 amazing guest houses listed on Worldpackers!

There are so many opportunities for travelers to volunteer in guest houses and get valuable work experience while living in and exploring a different area of the world. 

Guest houses lie in every corner of the world, including Mexico, Iran, India, South Korea, Israel, Ireland, Malaysia, Jamaica, and the list goes on and on!

The guest houses on Worldpackers are looking for volunteers with a wide variety of skills and personalities, and there is something for everyone. If you are extremely sociable and extroverted, there are plenty of guest houses looking for party promoters to make sure their guests are having fun.

For example, this guest house in Brazil is looking for someone to help with administrating, reception, and organizing events and parties.

This guest house in Italy needs a volunteer to help with photography, video making, and social media in addition to party promoting.

This guest house in Egypt is looking for people to organize parties as well as play music and entertain their guests.

If you're not into partying, but you have a green thumb and love working outdoors, there are many guest houses looking for some outdoor help.

For example, this guest house in Alaska, USA needs help with their oyster farm, this guest house in Colombia needs volunteers to help with general gardening and landscaping, this crop farm and guest house in Japan needs help with a bit of farming, and this guest house in Byron Bay, Australia is looking for dedicated volunteers to help with planting fruit trees and maintaining their property.

At all of these guest houses, you'll get a free cozy bed and some food in exchange for your efforts.

So no matter where you choose to travel, or what type of work you are interested in, there are so many amazing guest houses all over the world looking to welcome in travelers and volunteers!