Location
  • Guatemala
    • Antigua
Length
1 to 24 weeks

Program Details

Language
Spanish
Timeframe
Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Guesthouse Host Family
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
385
Price Details
Fully hosted experience from only $385 for 1 week - this includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Some Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
May 01, 2024
Apr 27, 2025
32 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 136,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the world's #1 rated volunteer programs in Guatemala and 50+ destinations worldwide.

For the past 6 years, we've won the "Top Volunteer Abroad Provider Award" from GoOverseas, so you can trust that you're in the safest hands with IVHQ in Guatemala.

Our affordable projects start from $28/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement and local support. Projects run year-round, with durations from 1-24 weeks. Choose from 12 projects, ranging from Childcare, Medical, Teaching and Construction in the colorful city of Antigua and surrounding rural and coastal locations. Plus, you’ll stay with other like-minded, impact-focused travelers from around the world (private room options available).

With IVHQ’s superior pre-departure support services, you’ll gain exclusive access to your own Volunteer Travel Specialist, comprehensive preparation tools and volunteer training before you leave home.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Cheapest volunteer programs from $28/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement & local support.
  • Volunteer for 1-24 weeks, year round start dates most Mondays
  • 15+ years experience & only B Corp certified volunteer travel organization
  • Get free changes up to 14 days before you start with our flexible booking policy
  • Affordable way to earn college credit - gain 5 credits for only US$500!

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Program Reviews

4.91 Rating
based on 67 reviews
  • 5 rating 91.04%
  • 4 rating 8.96%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.75
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.95
  • Value 4.8
  • Safety 4.8
Showing 41 - 48 of 67 reviews
Winter
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Making My First Volunteer Trip Count

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What would you improve about this program?
Honestly, my only real issue was with my homestay. I felt like a complete burden on the family and felt badly asking for anything, even though they never directly made me feel that way. I didn't get toilet paper until the 3rd day, even though I asked for it. I felt like a bother when I asked to have a shower. My room was not very clean (mainly the bathroom), and I didn't have one single warm shower (which I realize is a learning curve, and I still couldn't make it work).
75 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Winter, We're glad that you both took the spontaneous plunge to volunteer! I'm sorry to hear that your accommodation wasn't up to scratch we have followed up with our local team about this, but it's awesome that got stuck into the work at your Medical placement and enjoyed all the beauty Antigua has to offer! ^Charlotte - IVHQ Guatemala Program Manager

Torre
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Awesome Experience

I had an amazing time during my two weeks in Antigua, Guatemala. My project during the first week was holiday experience where I worked with the elderly, painted a school, and worked with children at an orphanage. During my second week I worked with kids at a different orphanage just outside Antigua. I really loved the holiday experience and getting a taste of a few of the different projects IVHQ has to offer. The staff were all very supportive and quick to respond with anything I needed. The housing was very safe and clean and the staff there were very kind and helpful. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants to volunteer, learn about Guatemala, live in a beautiful city, and practice or learn Spanish. It was truly a memorable experience!

76 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Torre, Thanks for your lovely review! It's great to hear that you enjoyed working at a range of different placements over the holidays and found the whole experience memorable. Thanks for being an IVHQer! ^Charlotte - IVHQ Guatemala Program Manager

Default avatar
Dinoji
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life-changing Trip

I spent my 2017 holiday season in Antigua, Guatemala, to volunteer with the Holiday Experience project, and it absolutely was one of the best trips of my life. In the 1 week that I spent with Maximo Nivel-Guatemala, I had the opportunity to volunteer at a coffee plantation, an orphanage, and a disability facility. All three of these placements opened my eyes in different ways; I was pushed out of my comfort zone (in a good way), and found myself appreciating all the little things as a result.

I was drawn to IVHQ because they had the most reasonable fees of all the other volunteer organizations I found in my research, but my entire experience with them has been exceptional. They were very responsive throughout my application process and helped to clear my doubts before I officially applied.

I came to Antigua wanting to give back over the holidays, but left with the realization that you don't have to wait for that time of year to do so. This was my first time throwing myself into anything like this, but it definitely won't be my last!

79 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Dinoji, Thanks for your lovely review and for choosing to spend your Christmas helping out in Guatemala! It's great that you found the range of different volunteering placements on the Holiday Experience project eye-opening. We look forward to having you volunteer with us again! ^Charlotte - IVHQ Guatemala Program Manager

photo
Michael
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Had a Blast in Antigua!

In the summer of 2017, I volunteered in Antigua, Guatemala with the construction group. The work was enjoyable and I felt like what I did had a positive impact on the community. I met a lot of cool people and made new friends. I did quite a few excursions which I enjoyed. The staff was extremely helpful, friendly, and accommodating. Being a vegetarian, I was worried that it would be an inconvenience, but it didn't turn out to be that way. I would definitely volunteer with IVHQ again.

What would you improve about this program?
Everything was fine.
75 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Michael, Thanks for your lovely review! It's great that you found the construction work beneficial to the local community and an enjoyable experience. We look forward to having you volunteer with us again in the future!
Charlotte - IVHQ Guatemala Program Manager

Default avatar
Taylor
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Simply Amazing

The program was simply amazing! Couldn't ask for more. As someone that has been abroad with other volunteer organizations I can tell you that IVHQ is the best. From the freindly staff, affordable prices and the unique range of projects to work on. You feel welcomed from the begining. You may arrive there on your own but you will quickly meet amazing people that will become life long friends. I would recomend this trip to anyone from new travel to the most experienced, the views and experience are spectacular and you wont regret it!

84 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Taylor, Thanks for your awesome review! We are so stoked to hear that you found the Guatemala program to be simply amazing - what more could we ask for! Thanks for recommending IVHQ and we hope you will join us on another program soon!
Charlotte - IVHQ Guatemala Program Manager

Default avatar
Gustavo
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What are you looking for?

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What would you improve about this program?
I think the program was really amazing, can't think of anything to be improved.
84 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Gustavo, Thanks for sharing! It's awesome to hear that you enjoyed teaching English to the local firefighters in Antigua and connecting with other volunteers from all over the world.
Charlotte - IVHQ Guatemala Program Manager

Read my full story
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Heather
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Eco-Agricultural Conservation in Guatemala

I had an incredible time in Guatemala. My host family was incredibly kind and caring, and incorporated me totally into their family. I got the opportunity to work with De La Gente, a coffee cooperative that facilitates direct trade opportunities with local coffee farmers. Every two days we would work with a new farmer, helping him out with whatever he needed done that day: hiking into the mountains to pick coffee cherries, sorting beans at the farmers houses, or washing and drying the cherries. It was a great opportunity to see into the lives of these farmers, and I really felt like we were helping them, as you could see the effects of our work immediately. I had a fantastic time learning Spanish as well, with the farmers in the morning, but I also took classes in the afternoons, and my host family was always happy to converse with me and help me if I needed it! I also got to live with some incredible other volunteers, and they truly made the experience unforgettable.

What would you improve about this program?
I honestly didn't find there to be anything wrong with the program. For other volunteers, some intro Spanish classes might be beneficial before arrival, as I was the one volunteer who knew the most Spanish, so was translating for everyone while I was there, and I was fairly comfortable with it, but think it would have been a shame if I hadn't been there and there would have been little communication possible between the farmers and the volunteers!
70 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Heather, Thanks for sharing! We are so glad to hear that you had an incredible time in Guatemala and found working on the Eco-Agriculture project worthwhile. It has been awesome to have you join us and hope to see you again in the future.
Charlotte – IVHQ Guatemala Program Manager

Read my full story
Default avatar
Mercedes
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Experience in Antigua

I could not say enough amazing things about this program! The staff was so friendly and accommodating, and made sure our experience was worthwhile and smooth sailing. I always felt safe and the homestay was homey and comfortable. The most rewarding part of my trip were the amazing children that I volunteered with. They were so loving and so kind and They truly did more for me than I did for them. I made many amazing memories during this experience. This is my second trip with IVHQ and they didn’t disappoint!

What would you improve about this program?
Perhaps we could have been given more food option but overall I wouldn’t complain
82 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Mercedes, We are delighted to hear that you had a worthwhile and smooth sailing trip to Guatemala! Thanks for joining IVHQ for a second time and we would love to have you join us again.
Charlotte – IVHQ Guatemala Program Manager

Questions & Answers

Hi Henry, The program fee for two weeks is $515, add to that either $50 - $55 a week (depending on if you want a 2 hour small group language class or a 1 hour private one) which bring the total to around $625. Hope this helps!