South America is one of the most exciting continents to travel in the world, but has experienced great deprivation and the loss of many of its stunning natural environments due to industry and deforestation.
If you are concerned about ethical travel in South America, we have many fun but effective voluntary ethical travel programmes in place. They will enable you to contribute to establishing ethical travel in South America as a viable eco-tourism industry that builds local communities and their traditions rather than destroys them.
The following South America ethical travel projects include:
Help Wildlife with Ethical Travel in South America Helping at the many animal rescue and conservation centres all over South America.
Help Children with Ethical Travel in South America Assisting on children's outreach programmes working with deprived or orphaned children in large cities in most countries of South America.
Sports based Ethical Travel in South America South America is crazy about its football and you have the chance to work at a number of South American football academies for deprived children across the continent.
Ethical Travel in South America Language - Spanish is essential for travelling through South America. You will get so much more out of your ethical travel in South America if you know how to speak some of the language.
Volunteer Work and Ethical Travel in South America If you have the skills and abilities to work with disabled children, there are a number of deserving charities that need human resources and volunteer help that we work in partnership with.
Conservation and Ethical Travel in South America If marine conservation is your special interest, you will find some satisfying South America ethical travel programmes helping with the protection of dolphin and turtle populations as well as Coral Reef preservation.
Cultural and Ethical Travel in South America - If you want to see the authentic culture of indigenous tribes of South America, we have one in particular that requires genuine and caring volunteers to help nurture and continue its traditions and customs by assisting them in building sustainable methods of living.
A rewarding programme that will see you help build stronger homes for families having to make do with cardboard and dirt floors. Their smiles when you hand them the keys will be more than enough compensation for your efforts.
A four-week trip of a lifetime, during which you’ll learn Spanish, volunteer in an orphanage or school, live with a Costa Rican family, sail along the Tárcoles River, bathe in volcanic hot springs and learn about the local fauna.
Change the lives of children and young adults who live in some of Peru's poorest areas by volunteering on one of four excellent social programmes. You will work in schools, orphanages or day-care centres and will help make a considerable difference to their lives through teaching, activities and games. Project Video Now Online
Get off the tourist trail in a destination that has it all – vast Amazonian lowlands, stunning Andean Mountains and a narrow strip of coastal plain. Trek in the Cordillera Blanca, explore the jungle by dug-out canoe, and discover a truly fascinating cultural heritage.
The perfect combination of sport and conservation. Help look after turtle eggs and the baby turtles - not difficult when they’re so sweet! Then learn to surf or improve your technique at a nearby beach.
A trip that combines an incredible variety of sights and experiences: living with an indigenous family, being awed by the world’s biggest salt lake, volunteering on a project, learning to speak Spanish, dancing salsa and much more.
Trek in the Andes, surf on the coast, learn Spanish, go fruit-tasting, make your own chocolate, go canoeing, kayaking and rafting, visit the Inca ruins, practise salsa dancing and volunteer on the Galapagos Islands – leaving might be hard!
Volunteer in the Amazon and help with the day-to-day care and rehabilitation of animals that have been abused or injured. These might include monkeys, jaguars, lions, parrots and other native species.
Nurse injured and confiscated wildlife back to health. You might care for monkeys, parrots, ocelots, taras or kinkajous, carry out wildlife surveys or get see the animals released. Take a trip to the Mayan ruins, too.
Embark on a life changing marine odyssey and feast your eyes on rare and beautiful species as you travel from the shores of Mozambique to coast of Costa Rica. Mozambique – Sri Lanka – Peru – Costa Rica
Be amazed and humbled at the spirit of Guatemala’s poorest communities. You’ll play a vital role in improving their lives by teaching English and other lessons, or by helping to look after the health of local children.
Give orphaned and injured sloths the TLC they need. You’ll help out at a centre dedicated to the protection of these endangered creatures, feeding them and helping them return to the wild.
You’ll be invaluable to the over-worked leaders of orphanages and homes. Finger-printing, hopscotch or baking cakes will encourage abused, neglected and orphan children to smile again, while you’ll get a rare insight into Costa Rican life.
Take a unique and memorable trip around Peru - trek to Machu Picchu, learn the lingo and dance the dance, haggle at the markets, visit an alpaca farm, work with local children, sail around Lake Titicaca and more.
The Community and Environmental Conservation programmes aim to improve the relationship between local communities and their natural environments. There are several projects working to improve the overall quality of life in rural communities around Buenos Aires.
Immerse yourself in the fascinating Ecuadorian culture and explore this beautiful country, whilst teaching conversational English to a host family. You will be helping Ecuadorian families to develop their English skills as well as gaining a greater insight to the daily lives of a typical Latin American family and forming long lasting friendships along the way.
Spend an action packed two weeks in this beautiful country. You will begin by travelling to the coast, learning to surf with qualified instructors and spend time in the captial, San Jose. You will also have awesome days out white water rafting, trekking to volcanoes, experiencing canopy tours and visiting colonial cities. All with a great group of people!
Learn how to identify and photograph dolphins, penguins and other sea creatures. You’ll be working towards making dolphin watching a tourist attraction, and thus persuading fishermen not to kill them for food.
Volunteer with needy youths from poor communities and help to fight poverty in various areas around the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Working towards integrated social and economic development through organising events, community support and promoting social studies and research this programme will allow you to give a great deal back whilst experiencing an exciting new culture.
The Youth Outreach programme offers volunteers who are passionate about children’s rights, the opportunity to work with local youth in Argentina who are in need of day to day assistance, health education, and most importantly, who are looking to spend time in a safe and secure environment.
Organise fun activities that allow the vulnerable children of Bolivia to enjoy themselves and be children again. Run painting, dancing, drawing, music or sport sessions, and help out with cooking, cleaning and feeding the children.
Teach English or computer skills or organise fun activities such as plays, arts and crafts and sport in schools or centres around Costa Rica. Living with a family will give you an excellent opportunity to practise your Spanish.
There is no better place to learn a new language and completely immerse yourself in South American culture than in Buenos Aires. Where the nightlife never stops, football is a religion and tango is a way of life. It is one of the most lively and diverse cities in the world and often referred to as the “Paris of the South”, voted in the top ten destinations for European travellers.
The Galapass Introduction is the perfect jumpstart to any trip to the Galapagos Islands. We will help you get there and get settled in. You'll then have the freedom to decide on your next adventure with the support of our staff.
Get a recognised TEFL certificate, teach English to disadvantaged children and make a valuable difference to many lives. Any extra time you spend with them – even just helping brush their hair - will be gratefully received.
A brilliant way to learn enough of the language to take part in a Spanish-speaking project or to travel around South America. Small classes and living as part of a Bolivian family make learning fast and fun.
Help give children in Quito a better future by working with them on the streets or in a special summer school. Your work improving parent-child relationships or planning activities will make a difference. Project Video Now Online
Teach English and other activities to underprivileged children on two of the most remote and beautiful islands in the world. The help you give them will greatly improve their chances of working in tourism or other industries.
Internationally recognised all over the world, the online TEFL courses will enable you to teach and travel wherever you want, the only question is deciding where you want to teach!
Get up close to jaguars, parrots and other wildlife. The creatures have been held captive, but will hopefully be returned to the wild. Help nurse them back to health and educate the public about the centre’s work.
Escort baby turtles to the sea, take part in patrols to protect the eggs and observe turtle behaviour. Working next to the Pacific Ocean, you’ll be part of a highly successful conservation project.
Experience Ecuador through Spanish lessons, cooking classes, trips around Quito, community and conservation projects in the Andes and the Amazon, horseback rides, sunbathing on the beaches, surfing, scuba diving, a night forest walk and lots more!
Learn one of the most rhythmic languages in the world and experience the culture of some of the friendliest people on earth! One-to-one teaching and activities such as salsa lessons make for progreso rápido.
Volunteer on the coast of Ecuador and help with the day-to-day care and rehabilitation of animals that have been abused or injured. These might include monkeys, jaguars, lions, parrots and other native species.
Ride some of the warmest waves in the world, against a backdrop of beautiful sand and a deep blue sky. Suitable for beginners and amateurs, the course includes intensive coaching and unlimited use of a board.
Use your background in medicine to assist medical clinics in underdeveloped and impoverished neighbourhoods outside Buenos Aires. The neighbourhoods often lack basic amenities and services and are home to a community of people who do not have access to proper health care of education.
Assist in our Wildlife Rescue Centre in Brazil and help animals to survive and have a better quality of life. Based on the beautiful island of Florianópolis, the aim of the project is to provide injured, neglected and orphaned animals primarily river otters, weasels and stoats.
Make a difference from heart of the Amazon Jungle by teaching English and other subjects to local children – vital if they want a job in the future. Help preserve the traditional values of Ecuadorian tribes too.
Help the local community in a rural fishing village on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. You will be warmly welcomed by the locals and spend time with other volunteers teaching children and developing key skills given them more opportunities and a brighter future.
Join other medical interns and a team of multidisciplinary professionals to provide support in complete medical treatment and exams, prosthetic and orthotic laboratory, physical, language and occupational therapy and psychotherapy and technical aids.
Get totally immersed in Peruvian culture as you’re taken to Lima, Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu and Huascaran National Park in the Andes. You’ll also study Spanish, stay with a Quechua India family and more besides.
We’ve spiced up our complete South America gap year option with a Galapagos adventure! Combine volunteering with intrepid exploration, a linguistic challenge and a trip to these awe-inspiring islands! Ecuador - Galapagos Islands - Peru – Bolivia
Learn hablar español in record time, with experienced teachers, small classes and lots of opportunities to practise. Activities such as tours of Cusco, cooking lessons, dance classes and parties make it even more fun.
Put yourself at an immediate advantage in South America and take Spanish lessons at whatever level suits you. Cultural activities such as cooking and dancing are included and staying with a family means you can practise at home.
Pick up the phrases that’ll make travelling round South America more enjoyable or equip you for our Spanish-speaking programme. You’ll enjoy individual tuition, excellent facilities and activities such as craft sessions and meringue classes.
With no previous medical experience necessary, you can help improve and implement new health care programmes in local communities in need. Assist in many areas of health including HIV/AIDS and STD prevention, youth empowerment, nutrition and gender issues. Through active participation, this programme aims to foster strong community leadership initiatives.
A massively rewarding project that involves helping wash, feed and look after mentally and physically handicapped children, and, if you wish, getting involved in their lessons. Great whether you have care experience or just want to make them smile.
From the busy streets of Quito to the awe-inspiring and tranquil beauty of the ancient Inca ruins, take in the most incredible sights and experiences of South America! Ecuador - Peru - Bolivia
An action-packed, adrenaline-pumping holiday that will have you kite surfing, learning Spanish, white water rafting, cooking traditional dishes, surfing, dancing the Latino way and more – all amid seriously spectacular scenery!
Help with PE lessons in local schools and organise games of football and other sports. Your skills and enthusiasm will inspire underprivileged children who often have to make do with little or no equipment.
Peru has an amazing amount to offer - and this trip gives you everything. After visiting the Ballestas Islands, Nazca Lines, Cusco and the Sacred Valley you will embark on the Inca Trail to discover Machu Picchu!
Take part in this incredibly worthwhile project, helping to improve the lives of the local community whilst broadening your own horizons and gaining an insight to another culture and way of life. Based in Rio de Janeiro, you will also have plenty of free time to explore arguably the most beautiful city in South America.
Do something completely different in stunning surroundings – kite surfing! You’ll learn to glide across the waves of the Pacific Ocean and if you wish, you can take language lessons and discover the culture in San José.
Learn the lingo in the mornings with small classes that focus on speaking and understanding. Dance the afternoons away with lessons in Salsa and Chachacha and take part in cultural activities in between.
Learn what you need to get around Brazil through small, relaxed classes that encourage conversation. You’ll stay with a family in Rio and extra curricular fun could include sunbathing on Copacabana beach or climbing Sugarloaf Mountain!
Step back in time in Cusco, once the capital of the Inca civilization. Trek into the Peruvian Andes and explore the ancient pathways the Incas once followed. Marvel at the spectacular ruins of Machu Picchu before enjoying a soak in the hot springs at Aguas Calientes.
Join this tour and experience a 6,000km overland adventure! Starting in Ecuador's mountain capital city of Quito, we travel through the Amazon jungle, down the Pan American Highway to Lima and finish in La Paz, the world's highest city.
Experience the stunning Andes and amazing Amazon jungle on this flexible and fun bus pass around Ecuador. Get off the beaten track without missing out on the major stops along the way.
Experience surfing, snorkelling, National Parks and abundant wildlife on this flexible bus pass around some of the best parts of Ecuador. Get off the beaten track without missing out on the major stops along the way.
A classic train ride through the mountains to Machu Picchu is the thrilling end to this 14-day adventurous tour of Peru. You will combine domestic flights and a mixture of local transport to discover the incredible Colca Canyon, Lake Titicaca and more!