Guatemala Volunteer Programs from $28/day | Most Affordable & Trusted

My time in Guatemala was nothing short of the most amazing experience of my life to date. If you want to get a new perspective on the world and become a better person go volunteer abroad. Everything was perfect from IVHQ and the Maximo Nivel team on the ground in Antigua. From all the experience I gained working in the medical clinic at Puesto de Salud in Ciudad Vieja to climbing to the summit of a volcano the only regret I have is not having more time. The people are amazing, the culture is vibrant, and the opportunity is life changing. Go live it!

Seeking medical experience for med school applications, I hopped on a plane headed to Antigua, Guatemala to volunteer with the medical team with Maximo Nivel through IVHQ. I was nervous and overwhelmed at the thought of traveling alone and forcing myself to meet new people and speak a foreign language, so I kept telling myself to push forward because I seriously needed the clinical experience. Honestly though, my two weeks there ended up being WAY more than I ever expected. Yes, I gained invaluable clinical experience working at El Centro de Salud Santiago (about 45min away from Antigua via chicken bus), but my heart and eyes were opened in ways I never would have imagined. The onsite clinical team didn't have much, but their hearts were bigger than their lack of resources and they helped each patient out to the best of their abilities. I made innumerable friends from all over the world, I was able to communicate at a surprisingly proficient level of Spanish in the clinic and around town (granted, Maximo Nivel's Spanish lessons were AMAZING and I highly recommend them!), and I explored so many places and did so many things that were outside of my comfort zone. I signed up just to check off an item on my med school list, but I walked away with an unreal amount of joy and excitement from the experience overall. Definitely almost cried when saying goodbye to my housemates at the volunteer house. Volunteering abroad has certainly been one of the most humbling and incredible experiences I've ever had in my entire life. If you're scared, it's okay -- just jump in and see where it takes you!

I was fortunate enough to be able to travel to Antigua, Guatemala for 10 days earlier this May with IVHQ. I was placed in a clinic in San Antonio, which is about a 25 minute bus ride from Antigua. One day, the dentist I was volunteering with took me to a school to distribute fluoride to first grade students. Even though I did not speak much Spanish, the school kids showed me that love is universal. They were the happiest people that I have ever met, with the biggest smiles and heartiest laughter. It was an experience that I will never forget. The people of Guatemala are the most giving, selfless people that I have ever met. Even though I was only there for a short time, Guatemala felt like a home away from home.

One day, I packed my backpack, left the comfort of my little bubble in Canada, and traveled 6200 kilometers away to a land that spoke an unfamiliar language and worked in a clinic that is far too underfunded for the services it provides. I spent 3 of the most memorable weeks of my life so far volunteering and exploring Antigua and surrounding areas and I have to thank IVHQ for setting me up with the local team in Guatemala. They supported me all along the way with emails checking in with my progress and experiences. The local volunteer company they set me up with in Guatemala was fantastic. While I was in Guatemala I did so many things way out of my comfort zone. I volunteered in a unfamiliar environment, I hiked and camped on a volcano, I hopped in a van and rode to the black sand beaches, and I met so many new and interesting people along the way. I've made new life long friends from many different countries and grown immensely both personally and professionally.

Having never been out of the country before or never even gone on an airplane before this trip was a bit intimidating for me, especially since I was going by myself. I braved myself and got on that plane anyways and I am so so glad that I did. This trip made such an impact in my life and even though I was only there for 2 1/2 weeks I feel as if it changed my life. I was about to get a new perspective on things and be immersed in a culture while also helping out. The children that I got the chance to meet were nothing short of amazing. They were kind and sweet and so eager to learn and play. They teachers and day care staff were so thankful that we were there that it made volunteering truly worthwhile. I also got the chance to work at an animal clinic and to work on coffee farms and these experiences were just as fulfilling. Guatemala is a beautiful place and the local team there was so supportive and helpful. There are also tons of things to do in your off time, like hiking one of he many amazing volcanoes, jet skiing at Lake Atitlan, viewing Tikal, or taking an awesome journey at Semunc Champey, whatever you do it will be an amazing experience. Of course there were times That I was scared out of my mind and wanted to just go home to my mom lol. I was stuck at the airport for a few hours because of flight changes and traffic so at this point I was ready to check into a hotel and turn right back around the next day and go home but I'm so thankful I decided to stick it out. Traveling or volunteering solo can seem very intimidating and scary but it is so worth it. It's something I will recommend to any and everyone and I can't wait to go on my next IVHQ trip.

I absolutely loved my time in La Antigua! I went for my spring break during my sophomore year of college, and I really, truly enjoyed every second of my time there. I volunteered each day in a nonprofit school for kids with disabilities called Vida in a nearby town (Dueñas) and the children were absolutely incredible! So sweet and welcoming! I highly recommend this program to new travelers, high school and college students and even older individuals! Antigua is honestly such a beautiful ciudad! I went during La Semana Santa, which was an absolutely amazing experience as well!

I absolutely loved volunteering in Guatemala. Having volunteered abroad before in other places, I know that sometimes it can be difficult to adjust to a new environment, but I felt at home the second I got to my home stay with Marta. To start, the home stay is in the heart of Antigua, which is a beautiful colonial town full of culture, markets, shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. There is always something going on, whether it be ladies night at the club (free massages and manicures), free salsa and cooking lessons through Maximo Nivel, movie night at a cafe, bike tours, coffee plantation tours, live music...the list is endless! My home stay mom, Marta, made incredible meals (and there was always more if you wanted seconds) and the house was spacious and clean.

My volunteer placement was through Maximo Nivel, at a reptile rescue sanctuary, Antigua Exotic. Originally I had thought I would be working with cats and dogs, but I'm happy I got to do this instead. When else in my life would I have gotten the opportunity to wrestle an crocodile and hold a rattlesnake! I don't have a bad thing to say about my volunteer project. The project director, Danny, was full of interesting information on amphibians, reptiles, snakes and wildlife in general. Everything was super hands on, but you weren't made to do anything you weren't comfortable with. Really, there isn't a bad thing to say about my volunteer placement.

In terms of travel outside of Antigua, there are so many options. My suggestion to new volunteers would be to shop around and bargain before settling on prices for travel packages and shuttle buses. Travel can be really cheap if you are smart about it. During my five weeks, I went to Semuc Champey (beautiful limestone lagoons and waterfalls), Tikal (Mayan pyramids), did surf lessons in El Peredon, spent the weekend at Lake Atitlan, hiked the Pacayan Volcano, and visited 4 different zones of Guatemala.

Overall, this was an awesome experience, and I'm looking forward to volunteering through IVHQ again (which I am now in Peru!) and hopefully visiting Guatemala again!

This was my first time volunteer travelling abroad so I was very skeptical and approached with caution. I found the IVHQ team to have the informative and best reviewed available with the best prices that went were the funds went to the most appropriate places so I decided to go with them. When I arrived in guatemala city they were there to pick me up with no wait time which immediately calmed my nerves some.They brought me right to my home stay which I was pleasantly surprised with that my family and I had our own quarters (like a mini apartment minus a kitchen) and we would meet at her home for meals. The meals were a nice social event every time as others were staying there as well from all parts of the world for different opportunities in the area. The following day we did orientation where a member from the team came with us the first day and showed us the best transportation options to the placement and introduced us to our placement facility. The workers were very accepting and the children were very loving. We stayed 1 week which barely scratches the surface for this area as there is so much to experience. We spoke very little spanish upon arriving (which is not required) however I wish I had the opportunity to learn more so that I could have taken place in more personal conversations. We brought our 5 year old with us and everything worked out perfect. The travel canada reviews are much more harsh for this area then required. It makes you wonder if the reviewer has been to the area. I recommend travelling smart and safe of course but I didn't feel anywhere like what the reviews advise. I would like to go back again and again and experience more. I truley fell in love. The IVHQ TEAM and the local team Maximo Nivel that handled us in country did a marvelous job together and the staff support is very strong. I highly recommend this experience for anyone wishing to try for whatever reasons your going.