There are many decisions to make and many places to choose from when it comes to volunteer abroad. One of the most important decisions you will have to make is where to volunteer and for how you will be doing it. No matter the country, you have to find a place and project that suits your skills, this way you will be making an impact in the project.
Peru is, indeed, one of the best places to volunteer abroad. You can help educate children in one of its cities, work in a local hospital in the Andes or help reforesting the Amazon. Peru is a very multicultural country that offers a unique experience to visitors and volunteers.
Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu, Peru is a country full of history. Thanks to the Inca Empire and many other older and newer cultures, this South American country is one of the richest in history.
Apart from its history, Peru is also rich in its environment and food. From beaches to mountains on the to jungles and food that represents every corner of the country.
We believe there is a place and project in Peru for every type of volunteer. This is why we will present you with the best four places to volunteer in all Peru!
1. Cusco: Home of the Incas
Cusco is home to Machu Picchu National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The capital of the Inca Empire was located there and it covered parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina.
Also, Cusco is home to many local and international NGOs seeking volunteers to help them develop their projects in the city and other communities. In Cusco, there is an abundance of projects that will suit your abilities. There are many opportunities to teach English, work in health care, help the environment, and take care of abandoned animals. There is also the chance to work with dentists if you’re building a career around that and archaeologists if you want to discover Peru’s history.
The best advantage you’d have volunteering abroad in Cusco is that there are countless hikes you can go on during the weekends. Definitely, Cusco is the perfect place to volunteer abroad!
2. The Jungle
We don’t mention a specific place in the jungle as this cover more than 60% of the Peruvian territory. But if you’d like to be close to Cusco for weekend trips, we’d recommend Puerto Maldonado.
Puerto Maldonado, as well as other regions in the jungle, is the perfect place to volunteer abroad if you’d like to make an impact with wildlife and conservation of the environment. You can also teach English in these areas, as well as volunteer doing construction work.
The main difference when volunteering abroad between the jungle and Cusco is the weather and altitude. The weather in the jungle is humid and hot, while in Cusco and the Andes is dry and cold. So it’s better to be prepared for both types of climate!
3. Arequipa
Knows as the White City, Arequipa is the choice for many people that don’t want to experience the busy life of Lima and the cold of Cusco.
Arequipa is a region located in the southwest of Peru. It’s full of historical buildings and houses made of volcanic white rock, hence, the White City .
Just like in Cusco or the jungle, you can work in educational projects such as after-school programmes. You can also volunteer abroad helping in animal shelters and zoos. And on the weekends, you can go on hikes around the city or explore the Colca Canyon, which is the second deepest canyon in the world!
4. Trujillo
Located in the north of Peru, Trujillo, also known as the City of the Eternal Spring, is a beach town on the way to the popular Máncora. This town is not very popular amongst tourists, so it’s the perfect if you are looking for a place that’s not too crowded.
In Trujillo, you can also find yourself exploring through its historic areas such as the Chan-Chan Museum. And on the weekends you can head to Huanchaco beach to ride some Caballitos de Totora (reed boats).
See? There’s a lot to see and do when volunteering abroad. You can find yourself on a beach town, in the city, or in the Mountains!
Check our projects and internships in Cusco and emails us if you’d like us to organise your project placement!