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
  • Basic Internet Access
  • Free Events

Destination

Highlights

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

125 opportunities found

Coliving Medellín, Colombia

Ayuda a nuestro equipo de recepción! / Help our front desk team!

28h/week Night Shift Administration Reception
At least 3 weeks Shared Dorm
  • 4.5
  • Top Host
  • High demand

Hostel Santiago, Chile

Ayuda en Limpieza y Atención de huéspedes

28h/week Night Shift Party Promoter Cleaning Reception
From 3 to 12 weeks Team Dorm 1 meal
  • 5.0
  • Top Host
  • High demand

Hotel Isla Fuerte, Colombia

Host en una Isla paradisiaca de Colombia

32h/week Administration Reception
At least 4 weeks Team Dorm 3 meals
  • 4.5
  • Top Host
  • High demand
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 🌺​

Hotel Provincia de Cartagena, Colombia

Deja tu huella artística pintando en nuestro hostal

30h/week Painting & Decorating Arts
From 30 to 60 days Shared Dorm 1 meal
  • 5.0
  • Higher approval
  • Needs help immediately

Hostel Santiago, Chile

Recepcionista e Auxiliar geral - Santiago Centro

24h/week Cleaning Night Shift Housekeeping Reception
From 3 weeks to 2 months Team Dorm
  • 5.0
  • High demand
  • Needs help immediately

Hostel Buenos Aires, Argentina

@IlveroHostel Join us! Content creator! + Activitie leader :)

22h/week Party Promoter Photography Video Making Social Media
From 2 to 4 weeks Shared Dorm
  • 4.5
  • High demand

Hostel Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

🌙 Night Guardian Wanted — Keep the Magic Alive While Rio Sleeps!

32h/week Night Shift Kitchen Hand Housekeeping Reception
From 4 to 8 weeks Team Dorm 1 meal
  • 4.5
  • High demand
  • Needs help immediately

Hostel Angra dos Reis, Brazil

Help us at our Amazing Hostel in Angra dos Reis, Brasil!

28h/week Reception Bartending
At least 4 weeks Shared Dorm 1 meal
  • 4.5
  • High demand

Hostel Comuna 1, Argentina

Intercambio en Bar – Experiencia en Buenos Aires

30h/week Bartending Kitchen Hand
From 2 weeks to 2 months Team Dorm 1 meal
  • 4.5
  • Top Host
  • High demand
  • Needs help immediately

Hostel Comuna 1, Argentina

Explora Buenos Aires mientras ayudas en nuestro Hostel

30h/week Cooking
At least 3 weeks Team Dorm 1 meal
  • 4.5
  • Top Host
  • High demand
  • Needs help immediately

Hostel Comuna 1, Argentina

Únete como voluntario y ayuda a transformar espacios

30h/week Painting & Decorating Building & Repairing Gardening
From 3 to 6 weeks Team Dorm 2 meals
  • 4.5
  • Top Host
  • High demand

Other São Paulo, Brazil

🎭 Curador(a) de Experiências Artísticas Imersivas em São Paulo🌆

28h/week Kitchen Hand Cooking Bartending
At least 2 weeks Team Dorm
  • High demand
  • Needs help immediately
  • New

Other Ushuaia, Argentina

Vive la experiencia Ushuaia en Cumbres del Martial

32h/week Painting & Decorating Gardening
At least 3 weeks Team Dorm 2 meals
  • 4.5
  • High demand

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