Full Guide by Personality, Skills & Goal
When deciding to volunteer abroad it is important to take the time to choose the right volunteer program. But with so many different opportunities available, how do you know which project is the best fit for you ?
The truth is that the best volunteer program in Peru is not going to be the same for everyone. Some people want meaningful work with children. Others want hands-on experience with animals or healthcare. Some want to improve their Spanish while living in Cusco and experiencing local culture. For some the kind of work is less important than knowing it has a positive impact. Others simply want something active, outdoors, and different from their everyday life.
If you are wondering how to volunteer in Cusco or which project suits your personality, skills, and goals, this guide will help you choose. At Proyecto Peru, we help volunteers (and international interns) find placements that match their interests, confidence level, and travel goals. Whether you are taking a gap year, studying at college or university, planning a career break, or just looking for a rewarding adventure, there is likely a project in Cusco that is just right for you.
Why volunteer in Cusco, Peru?
Cusco is one of the most popular places to volunteer in both Peru,, and for good reason.
As the former capital of the Inca Empire and gateway to Machu Picchu, Cusco combines history, culture, mountain scenery with a vibrant welcoming international atmosphere. It is also one of the best places in South America to learn or improve your Spanish due to slower speaking pace and clear accent.
Many of our volunteers choose Cusco because they can combine:
- Meaningful volunteer work that makes a genuine difference
- Spanish classes
- Weekend travel adventures throughout Peru
- Host family immersion
- New friendships with people from around the world
- Affordable living compared with Europe or North America and other Latin American destinations
If you are searching for a volunteer experience in Peru that offers more than just a placement, Cusco is a strong choice.
How to Choose the Best Volunteer Program in Peru
Ask yourself these three questions
1. What kind of work motivates me?
Do you enjoy helping people, caring for animals, teaching, being outdoors, or learning professional skills?
2. What kind of environment suits me?
Would you prefer city life in Cusco, a quieter rural setting such as the Sacred Valley, or something more physical and hands-on?
3. What do I want to gain?
Do you want experience for your CV/resume, Spanish fluency, confidence, cultural immersion, or simply to do something meaningful?
Once you know the answers to these questions, choosing becomes much easier.
Best Volunteer Programs in Peru by Personality Type
I Love Animals and Want Hands-On Work
Best Fit: Horse Care Project or Animal Care Placements
If you naturally connect with animals and enjoy practical work, these projects can be highly rewarding.
Horse Care Project
One of our most unique opportunities, this project is ideal for volunteers who enjoy being active, outdoors, and, of-course, around horses. Tasks may include feeding, grooming, cleaning stables, helping with daily care, and supporting the running of the project. For more experienced volunteers there may be the opportunity to ride and help with riding tours.
This can be a particularly good option for volunteers who want a calmer environment outside the city. The project is based in Urubamba, which is around an hour from Cusco.
Best for:
- Animal lovers
- Active people
- Volunteers who enjoy routine
- Those wanting a more rural Andean experience
Honest Note:
This is real animal care, not a petting zoo experience. Expect early starts, physical tasks, and getting dirty. Being based in Urubamba rather than Cusco also means that English is not widely spoken, so you should be prepared to work on and use your Spanish every day.
Street Dog Shelter or Wildlife Rescue Centre
We also offer placements focused on caring for dogs rescued from the street and a variety of animals being rehabilitated or protected.
Best for:
- Compassionate volunteers
- People comfortable with emotional environments
- Those wanting practical service work
No experience is required for these projects, just enthusiasm and a love of animals.
I Want Something Outdoors and Meaningful
Best Fit: Organic Farming Project
If you like nature, sustainability, healthy living, or escaping office life, organic farming can be one of the most satisfying volunteer programs in Peru.
Tasks may include planting, harvesting, composting, garden maintenance, learning sustainable techniques, and supporting local food and aesthetic plant production.
This project is also based in Urubamba in the Sacred Valley.
Best for:
- Outdoorsy personalities
- People who enjoy exercise and fresh air
- Volunteers interested in sustainability
- Travelers wanting a different pace of life
Honest Note:
Farming projects can be hard work. Challenging weather, dirt, and long active days are part of the experience.
Why It Is Growing in Popularity:
Many younger travelers now want hands-on, eco-conscious travel rather than purely tourist experiences.
I Want to Help Children and Communities
Best Fit: After School Club for Disadvantaged Children
If you are patient, warm, creative, and enjoy helping others, our After School projects can be a very impactful way to volunteer in Cusco.
Depending on the placement, tasks may include helping with activities, games, homework, basic English, arts and crafts, and supporting local staff in providing pastoral care. Projects often also involve preparing food for the children.
Best for:
- Caring personalities
- Gap year travelers
- Future teachers or social workers
- People who enjoy teamwork
Honest Note:
This work can be emotionally demanding. Reliability and consistency matter more than “saving the world.”
I Am Interested in Teaching or Education
Best Fit: Teaching Assistant or Education Projects
If you are confident, communicative, and enjoy helping others learn, education projects can be excellent experiences. Proyecto Peru works with kindergartens, elementary and high schools in Cusco.
You may support English learning, classroom activities, pronunciation practice, or conversational confidence. We also offer sports teaching placements for the actively inclined.
Best for:
- Future teachers
- Strong communicators
- University students
- Volunteers wanting transferable experience
Honest Note:
Flexibility is important. Schools and schedules may differ from what you may be used to at home. Be prepared for large classes and different behavioural standards.
I Want Medical Experience
Best Fit: Medical and Healthcare Placements
Our medical placements are especially popular with pre-med students, nursing students, healthcare trainees, and those exploring future careers in medicine.
Depending on qualifications and regulations, volunteers may observe professionals, assist appropriately, and learn about healthcare in a different cultural context. A wide variety of placements are available in both public and private clinics including, Doctor’s/Nurse’s Assistant, Physiotherapy, Midwifery, Psychology and Dentistry. These primarily operate as electives or internships, and are accepted by universities from around the world.
Best for:
- Pre-med students
- Nursing or healthcare students
- Serious career-focused volunteers
Honest Note:
The Peruvian medical system is not as developed or well-funded as in many western countries. The system can be bureaucratic and frustrating. Responsibilities depend on experience, local rules, ethics and most of all the relationship you build with your supervisor/s. It is also important to work on your Spanish as many patients will not speak much English.
Important:
Summer spaces (May to August) can be limited due to high demand, so applying early is recommended.
I Want CV Experience and Career Skills
Best Fit: Operations or Marketing Internship
Not every meaningful placement involves manual work. If you want practical experience for future employment, these opportunities can be valuable. We offer placements in our own team here at Proyecto Peru as well as with other organizations in and around Cusco
Tasks may include:
- Social media
- Marketing support
- Content creation
- Administration
- Organization support
- Event planning
- Logisitics
- Customer support
Best for:
- Graduates
- Career changers
- Remote work-minded travelers
- Business, marketing or tourism students
Why It Matters:
Professional experience abroad can stand out strongly on a CV. It is also a great way to improve your professional/business Spanish skills.
I Mainly Want to Improve My Spanish
Best Fit: Any Project Combined with Spanish Classes
Many people come to Peru wanting to volunteer, but leave saying the Spanish they learned was the most valuable part of the trip.
At Proyecto Peru, Spanish classes can be combined with many placements. This means you improve your communication, confidence, and local integration while volunteering.
Why Spanish Classes Matter
- Better communication in projects
- Deeper cultural immersion
- More confidence in daily life
- Useful long-term life skill
- Stronger employability
Best for:
Almost everyone.
Even beginners can start from zero.
We offer group and private classes, with the option to continue online after you leave Cusco.
Best Volunteer Programs in Peru by Goal
If You Want Adventure
Horse care or organic farming in Urubamba. These projects bring you close to the incredible natural world of the Andes.
If You Want to Help Others
Childcare or teaching support. These projects make a real difference in the lives of disadvantaged children in Cusco.
If You Want Career Experience
Medical, marketing, or operations internships. These programs give you valuable experience and skills and look great on your resume.
If you want Spanish fluency
Combine classes with any placement and stay with a homestay family. Using what you learn in the classroom in your daily life reinforces your progress and is the fastest way to achieve genuine fluency
If You Want Confidence and Growth
Choose something slightly outside your comfort zone. Volunteering of any kind can be rewarding, but trying something new can make the experience even more memorable.
Best Volunteer Programs in Peru by Age
18 to 22
This is one of the most common age groups for volunteering in Cusco.
Popular choices:
- After School Program or Kindergarten
- Horse care
- Dog Shelter or Wildlife Rescue
- Organic farming
- Medical
- Spanish + volunteering combinations
23 to 28 and older
Often looking for stronger CV value or more independent travel.
Popular choices:
- Medical
- Teaching
- Marketing internships
- Spanish immersion
- Farming or horse care for a break from office life
Under 18
We also offer volunteering opportunities to older teens and families. Options include
- After School Program
- Animal Care Projects
Do I Need Experience to Volunteer in Peru?
Usually, no.
Many placements welcome motivated first-time volunteers. What matters most is attitude, reliability, respect, and willingness to learn.
Some specialist placements, especially medical-related roles, may require relevant study background or clearer expectations.
Our Honest Advice: Do Not Choose Only the “Best Looking” Project
Sometimes people choose what sounds impressive rather than what suits them.
For example:
- A shy person may thrive more in farming than teaching
- Someone burned out from study may love horse care
- A future doctor may gain more from medical Spanish classes alongside a placement
- A city lover may prefer Cusco-based projects over rural ones
The best volunteer in Peru experience is usually the one that fits your personality and goals.
Still Unsure? We can help you choose
At Proyecto Peru, we speak with volunteers every week who are unsure which project suits them best. That’s normal.
Tell us:
- your age
- your interests
- your Spanish level
- your travel dates
- your goals
We can help recommend the best volunteer program in Cusco or Peru for you. Just drop us an email at info@proyectoperucentre.org
Final Note
There is no single best volunteer program in Peru. There is only the best one for you .
Whether that means caring for horses in the Sacred Valley, working on an organic farm, gaining medical experience, helping children, or improving your Spanish in Cusco, the right placement can become one of the most rewarding parts of your travels.
If you are ready to volunteer in Cusco or volunteer in Peru, start by choosing the experience that matches who you are and what you want to grow into.
Visit our volunteering and internship pages for more information, or get in touch with the team at info@proyectoperucentre.org