How to Volunteer in the Caribbean

Apply to volunteer in the beautiful Caribbean, you will get to experience a stunning area of the world and help make a difference to local people, the environment and wildlife. Volunteer projects in the Caribbean are becoming increasingly popular where you can escape the tourist resorts and give back. We have some rewarding community and conservation projects where you can escape the resorts and do something beneficial. 

Although this region of the world is popular with tourists seeking sun and sport activities, there are so many rewarding and worthwhile local projects which need assistance. You can also join marine conservation projects in the Caribbean, expect stunningly beautiful beaches, hot weather and amazing resorts. If you are the adventurous type then you will be in heaven in your spare time with the amazing array of water-sports you can do, from diving to kite surfing and what better way to spend your weekends than to relax on a beach, lying under palm trees sipping from freshly opened coconuts?

 

Popuar Places to Apply

The following countries make up the Caribbean region:

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Aruba
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Caribbean Netherlands
  • Cayman Islands
  • Cuba
  • Curaçao
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Grenada
  • Guadeloupe
  • Haiti
  • Jamaica
  • Martinique
  • Montserrat
  • Puerto Rico
  • Saint Barthélemy
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • Saint Lucia
  • Saint Martin
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Sint Maarten
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turks and Caicos Islands
  • United States Virgin Islands

 

What to Expect

  • A chance to give back and help worthwhile charities and local causes
  • The opportunity to make a real difference
  • A plethora of activities allowing you to see more of your destination
  • Memories to last a lifetime

 

Community Development Programs in the Caribbean

Not everyone benefits from the luxury tourism and many people and communities live in poor housing and conditions. Some organisations work to improve living standards and improve facilities and infrastructure. Other placements can include teaching, education and helping children. These programs can be booking in advance and are organised in groups throughout the year.

 

Conservation & Volunteering with Animals in the Caribbean 

The caribbean is a spectacular region of the world to live and work in, but because of tourism and also human population growth there is a really present need to protect the environment, nature and wildlife. You could be working on marine based research projects helping exotic animals like sharks, whales and sea turtles.

Education and awareness is a big part of these programs and now more and more hotels and local communities are getting involved in efforts to help animals. For example some hotels have special areas for turtle nesting season and have information available for tourists about how to not cause any damage. You can get involved these in projects, either through hotels or by booking a program through our website.

 

Requirements & How to Apply

No previous experience is required for general placements but you must be willing to work hard and want to make a difference. Usually organisations will require you to be aged 18+ but there are family projects available and specific trips for 16-17 year olds and families. 

You can search international and local volunteer organisations in the Caribbean, some placements are flexible and free whilst others you will need to pay a fee to participate. If you haven't pre-booked a project you can find some free and low cost opportunities once in-country, a lot of hotels offer educational awareness programs for tourists where you can see efforts being made to protect sea turtles.

There are opportunities to help too with activities like beach cleans up - these are fun ways for you and your whole family to get involved. You can also practise responsible tourism and pick up and litter you see which also helps. 

Some organiations charge a sign up fee to volunteer in the Caribbean region, on these placements you usually get a structured experience including

  • Airport pick-up and transfer to project
  • All food and accommodation
  • Training materials and science equipment
  • Pre-departure support and services
  • Comprehensive training necessary for research techniques
  • 24-hour in-country support and a 24-hour emergency phone line

 

Caribbean Volunteer Reviews & Testimonials

Would you like to share your experience of volunteering in the Caribbean? Get in touch with us today. Below you can read some project updates...

"Even though the sad truth is the majority of the coral reefs in the Caribbean (world) are dead or dying there is still glimmers of new and budding coral all over the Turks and Caicos. I would accredit this to their tourist model of higher end tourism that results in a fewer number of tourists, and therefore, less impact on the landscape. Several people in the local tourist industry mentioned this to me and I have to agree; going the route of Mexican tourist destinations like Cozumel, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and to the extreme, like Greece, seeking to draw enormous crowds and have high density tours and beach side cities is not the key to sustaining a long term tourist economy. Local volunteer organisations are working to help and the work is incredible."

"I had a holiday planned to Jamaica and didn't want to just spend the whole time on the beach so I contacted some local charities who help animals. I then arranged a placement to help dogs which was so much fun. I really enjoyed my experience and would recommend it to anyone who is of like mind." - Marsha, UK