When you think of the Caribbean, you probably picture beautiful beaches, exotic wildlife, thrilling ziplines, and crazy adventures – but there is so much more than meets the eye.
The Caribbean has long been a vacation destination for spring breakers, honeymooners, and everyone in between. But behind the scenes and beyond the tourist attractions, you’ll find families struggling to stay healthy and stable. As you travel to rural communities, you’ll see deteriorating buildings and meet people who are ill without proper access to healthcare.
You certainly shouldn’t be deterred from visiting the beautiful islands that comprise the Caribbean – in fact, tourism is a major part of this region’s economy! To visit responsibly though, there are ways you can make a difference while enjoying the beaches and sunshine.
The volunteer projects we’ve outlined below give you the chance to explore the wonders that come with visiting the Caribbean, while also giving you a sense of fulfillment in knowing that you’ve made a positive impact. If you’re looking for a Caribbean volunteer adventure, there’s a lot to choose from – whether you want to coach sports, sharpen your journalism skills, or even lend a hand with environmental conservation.
On these service projects, you will help to build a stronger foundation for healthier and happier lifestyles in the communities where you volunteer. You also will have the amazing opportunity to learn about a culture different from your own – through sustainable and responsible volunteer programs, not only will you make a difference through your skills and hard work, but you also will get to know the locals, engage in their customs, explore their community (and embark on side trips!), and work alongside them to provide local solutions to local problems.
These rewarding experiences will allow you to enjoy time in a new and exotic place while helping create a better world. If you’re ready to head to the Caribbean and soak up the sun, keep reading to learn about just a few of the many amazing volunteer programs that will get you there!
Volunteer Opportunities in the Caribbean
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International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) offers many different meaningful programs across 40+ destinations in Asia, the Pacific, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Working with local NGOs, IVHQ invites volunteers to gain experience on projects that improve developing communities.
Since its founding, IVHQ has hosted over 80,000 participants and sends more than 10,000 volunteers overseas each year.
IVHQ is connecting volunteers with communities in need in Puerto Rico to support the island’s long-term success. As the recovery efforts continue, volunteers can choose from a variety of meaningful projects, including:
These programs focus on building and repairing communities, conserving the environment, mentoring young people, and providing hands-on assistance where it’s needed most. All projects are based in San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital and largest city, with accommodation provided in a dormitory-style hostel.
Volunteers aged 16 and up, including families, are welcome to join. Learn more and sign up here!
Travel to Belize and become a certified scuba diver while you help protect the marine ecosystem! On this trip, you will work alongside trained biologists on a private island 26 miles off the coast of Placencia. Volunteers focus on researching and gathering data on marine life, including lobsters, whale sharks, and queen conchs, as well as conducting surveys of coral reefs.
On this program, you can expect to conduct 13 dives each week, including one night dive. A variety of certifications are available – stay for a month and earn your PADI Dive Master certification, a specialty that can advance your career. During the weekends, you’re invited to rent a kayak or paddle board and go exploring. There also are prehistoric Mayan archaeology sites to visit, as well as spice farms and waterfalls within a day’s trip. The adventurous diver can also visit the Great Blue Hole. Learn more about this exciting volunteer opportunity here!
Choose from five outstanding volunteer projects when you travel to Jamaica with IVHQ. You’ll stay in the parish of Saint Mary, near the popular resort town of Ocho Rios. Choose an area of interest from one of these projects:
- Teaching and School Support: Take a hands-on role in supporting local teachers
- Kindergarten: Assist with informal learning and developmental activities
- Sports Development: Use sports to strengthen community ties and promote exercise
- Animal Care: Work in a shelter for abandoned dogs supporting their health and wellbeing
- Business and Community Development: Facilitate learning exchanges between volunteers and start-up enterprises
You will stay with a host family or in a dormitory-style volunteer house in Ocho Rios, with running water, electricity, and Western-style bathrooms. Wifi is available and breakfast is provided, but you’ll cook lunch and dinner in the communal kitchen at your house. Spend your weekends traveling Jamaica, or settle in Ocho Rios, a cruise ship harbor town with restaurants and markets. Discover the beautiful beaches and waterfalls of the island, or go hiking or snorkeling.
Sign up for a trip to Kingston, visit the Bob Marley Museum, and take a cultural music lesson. Cruise down the Black River and see alligators, tropical birds, and mangrove trees while on the safari. Learn more about this island opportunity here!
Volunteering in Trinidad and Tobago offers a unique chance to make a meaningful impact while experiencing the vibrant culture of the Caribbean. With International Volunteer HQ, you can participate in various projects such as:
Based in the coastal village of Crown Point on the island of Tobago, volunteers work alongside local communities to support education, environmental conservation, and social development. Accommodation is provided in a local apartment complex shared with fellow volunteers, fostering a communal atmosphere.
You’ll have free weekends to explore Tobago’s stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and diverse wildlife, making your volunteer experience both rewarding and unforgettable.
Volunteering in Belize with GoEco offers an exceptional chance to contribute to marine conservation while living on a private island paradise. You’ll assist in preserving the diverse underwater ecosystem of the Belize Barrier Reef by participating in tasks like lionfish hunting, lobster surveys, species identification dives, and beach cleanups.
The program provides opportunities to become PADI Open Water certified or to enhance your existing dive skills with specialty courses. Volunteers stay in shared stone cabanas on the island from Monday to Friday, enjoying three home-cooked meals each workday. Weekends are free to explore mainland Belize, where you can embark on eco-resort stays or other adventures.
This program welcomes volunteers aged 18 and over, with special provisions for younger participants accompanied by families. As a special offer, you can receive a third week free when you sign up for two weeks or more.
For over 25 years, Projects Abroad has offered impactful volunteer programs and internships overseas. As one of the world’s largest volunteer travel organizations, Projects Abroad sends more than 10,000 volunteers each year to Africa, Asia, Europe, the South Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean to help with programs ranging from teaching to conservation to construction, and much more.
Travel to the Caribbean with Projects Abroad and help support local communities in need on the island nation of Jamaica. The organization offers a variety of volunteer opportunities to suit different interests and goals.
Gain invaluable practical experience to boost your resume during a global medical internship in Jamaica. You’ll work in a large hospital shadowing doctors, observing as they diagnose and treat patients with various conditions, and asking questions about what you see. You can spend time in different departments like surgery, gynecology, and pediatrics. You’ll also take part in important outreach work to take healthcare to underprivileged communities in need.
You’ll live and work in Mandeville, where you’ll have an unparalleled learning experience surrounded by the beauty of the tropical Caribbean! Read more about this unique opportunity here.
Support children in underprivileged communities in Jamaica by helping with their educational development. You’ll provide much-needed assistance to teachers and caregivers at daycare centers, kindergartens, or at a special-needs center. Play educational games with the children, teach them songs and dances, and contribute to the country’s long-term early childhood development goals.
If you would like to travel to Jamaica and work in other areas, Projects Abroad offers the following:
Get ready to dance to reggae rhythms and enjoy the warm Caribbean sunlight. You can also relax on the beautiful white beaches or explore Jamaica’s lush green interior on hikes. Learn more.
Ready to travel?
Volunteering in the Caribbean is an incredible experience that will let you enjoy some of the world’s most beautiful beaches and exotic adventures while also making a lasting, positive impact on the people you meet.
With each adventure, you will be left with a full heart and a lifetime of memories (and enviable photos). You will make friends with your fellow volunteers and everyone you’ll meet along the way, and fall in love with Caribbean culture. If you have the opportunity to change even one life while exploring the beautiful islands of the Caribbean, take it – you definitely won’t regret it.
Jordyn Hotchkiss ยท Guest Writer
Jordyn Hotchkiss is a Guest Volunteer Travel Writer for Volunteer Forever.