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

Filtering by:

  • South America
  • Work exchange
  • Kitchen Hand
  • Basic Internet Access

Destination

Higher chance of approval

Hosts that recently have approved volunteers and are looking for more applications
Top Hosts

Hosts that have good ratings and receive many worldpackers
Opportunities for couples and pairs

Hosts that welcome couples or two friends traveling together

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

Additional Benefits

Work exchange opportunities in South America

145 opportunities found

Hostel Acandí, Colombia

Ven a ayudar a nuestro ecolodge en Acandí, Colombia

32h/week Night Shift Kitchen Hand Cleaning Reception
At least 1 week Shared Dorm 2 meals
  • 4.5
  • Higher approval
  • New

Hotel Valparaíso, Chile

Stay in the most recycled Hotel in Chile

25h/week Cleaning Housekeeping Kitchen Hand
At least 2 weeks Shared Dorm
  • 4.5
  • Top Host
  • Higher approval
  • Needs help immediately

Hostel Villa de Leyva, Colombia

Sé parte de la familia del hostal

25h/week Painting & Decorating Cleaning Housekeeping Kitchen Hand
From 3 to 6 weeks Private Room 1 meal
  • 5.0
  • 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 🌺​

Hostel Villa de Leyva, Colombia

🌟Únete a nuestro vibrante hostel y comparte buena energía en Colombia ✨

25h/week Painting & Decorating Cleaning Housekeeping Kitchen Hand
From 4 to 10 weeks Shared Dorm 1 meal
  • 5.0
  • Higher approval

Eco Lodge Villagarzón, Colombia

Ayúdanos a crear un espacio de conexión con la naturaleza

25h/week Housekeeping Gardening Kitchen Hand Cleaning
From 2 to 4 weeks Tent 2 meals
  • 5.0
  • Higher approval

Hostel Alter do Chão, Brazil

Faça parte de nossa familia,colabore cm nosso espaço.

25h/week Kitchen Hand Cleaning Reception Gardening
At least 3 weeks Shared Dorm 1 meal
  • 5.0
  • Top Host
  • Higher approval

Hostel san jose de suaita, Colombia

Ayúdanos haciendo limpieza y mantenimiento general en mi hostal

25h/week Kitchen Hand Painting & Decorating Cleaning Housekeeping
At least 1 week Shared Dorm 1 meal
  • 5.0
  • Higher approval

Eco Lodge Malargüe, Argentina

Únete a nuestro equipo y conoce Malargüe!

24h/week Kitchen Hand
From 4 to 8 weeks Team Dorm 1 meal
  • 5.0
  • Top Host
  • Higher approval

Private School Cuenca, Ecuador

Se parte de actividades divertidas con gente de Cuenca

20h/week Kitchen Hand Party Promoter Administration
From 2 to 8 weeks Shared Dorm 1 meal
  • 4.0
  • Higher approval

Inn Aiuruoca, Brazil

Venha ajudar a Pousada e curta cachoeiras e belezas naturais!

24h/week Kitchen Hand Cleaning Housekeeping Gardening
At least 4 weeks Team Dorm 3 meals
  • 5.0
  • Top Host
  • Higher approval

Homestay Torres, Brazil

Help our family and enjoy our artisan bakery in a beach village!

25h/week Painting & Decorating Kitchen Hand Cleaning Building & Repairing
At least 7 days Tent 1 meal
  • 5.0
  • Higher approval

Hotel Puerto Iguazú, Argentina

✨¡Conecta, Sirve y Disfruta en un Voluntariado Único!🍸🛎️

25h/week Kitchen Hand Bartending Cooking
From 2 to 3 weeks Team Dorm 1 meal
  • Higher approval

Hotel San Clemente, Ecuador

Join Our Culinary Team at Cocomar Restaurant

25h/week Kitchen Hand
From 4 to 12 weeks Shared Dorm 3 meals
  • 5.0
  • Higher approval

Camping Riobamba, Ecuador

Help us with reception and cooking in our Lodge in Chimborazo

30h/week Kitchen Hand Cleaning Housekeeping Reception
From 2 to 12 weeks Team Dorm 3 meals
  • 4.5
  • Top Host
  • Higher approval

Other Pimenta, Brazil

Auxiliar de Cozinha em frente ao Mar de Minas

30h/week Cooking Kitchen Hand
At least 4 weeks Tent
  • 4.5
  • Top Host
  • Higher approval

Hostel Buenaventura, Colombia

Voluntario en el Paraíso

32h/week Kitchen Hand Housekeeping Reception Bartending
At least 4 weeks Team Dorm 3 meals
  • 5.0
  • Top Host
  • Higher approval

Why work abroad in a hostel in South America?

South America is one of the best destinations to work abroad, with amazing sites and culture. Work exchange in South America can be your chance to develop new skills, like learning spanish! Besides, each country is special in its own way. You can go deep into the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, Ecuador or Peru. Go to Argentina to hike in Patagonia or admire amazing wildlife in the Galapagos Islands. Work in a hostel in South America and save money while you meet the world!

Travelling with a disability in South America

3 things I learned from biking across South America

Do I need a visa to work exchange in South America?

In general, a tourist visa is enough for a work exchange program in South America. Each country has its own requirements, but most South-american countries are pretty open to foreigners. For example in Peru, Europeans and North-americans can stay up to 183 days with a tourist visa! In Brazil, Americans can apply for the new e-visa, making it easier to get to the country without having to apply in person at an embassy.

20 best cities to solo travel in South America

2 weeks vacation in South America for free? It is possible!

Work exchange in South America with Worldpackers

You don’t have to pick only one country to work in exchange for housing in South America! At Worldpackers you will find hostels, camping sites, NGOs and much more in several countries of this continent. Use your skills to exchange work for accomodation in South America. You can start by making a profile. Once you provide info about your skills and travel goals, find a host that suits you and make your trip happen by becoming a member of the Worldpackers community.

How Worldpackers works: the complete guide

Time 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