How To Volunteer in Cusco, Peru

How to volunteer in Cusco, Peru. Many folks travel to Peru to not only visit the sites, but to spend time volunteering and Cusco is a favorite destination for both.

We spent two months in the city; it is lovely. Lovely to walk around in, lovely architecture to admire, lovely people… loved it. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Culture site.

I was hell bent on volunteering in South America at the time and as soon as we arrived started researching online for an orgranization I could work with.

I connected with a very cool guy who found volunteers for the Mother Teresa House, which cared for severely disabled adults and children. A write-up of the experience is here: Volunteering at Mother Teresa Charity in Cusco.

The best way to find a volunteer opportunity is to do the same; get online, find organizations to contact and email or call.

Some charge a fee, others do not. Some offer housing (with a local family usually), others do not… you just have to check what is available for the time you want to visit.

I did not pay to volunteer, as we were on a tight budget and I felt offering my time and energy was payment enough. If I had had more cash, I probably would have made a $100 USD or so donation; the kids had an old, barely functioning television, would have loved to have bought a new one for them to enjoy.

Some have you pay for your time volunteering, and I think that is ok as long as the amount is reasonable and you are assured it is going to a local family or charity. Many poor Peruvian families make income from hosting volunteers in their home.

Below are a few organizations that assist those wanting to visit Cusco and help out in some way. Working with children is very popular; tutoring in schools, working in a daycare, etc.

The easiest way to volunteer in Cusco is to plan a month or so of Spanish language courses, and then have the school place you as a volunteer for another month or so.

Placements include education, social work, working in an orphanage, marketing… whatever your skill set is most likely they can find you a suitable gig.

AMAUTA Volunteer Program – AMAUTA is a Spanish language school that also offers volunteer opportunities. It was recommended by a traveler from Norway we met in Paracas, Peru.

They have 8 and 16 week long programs, only a small fee required – you pay for your language course and then can volunteer.

Proyecto Peru – They offer free volunteer opportunities for a minimum of 4 weeks committment, and you need to also take Spanish language classes to participate (how they make their cash)

International Volunteer HQ – Don’t want to take any language courses but want to volunteer? This may be the organization for you and it is low cost; only $250 USD. You do not have to speak any Spanish to volunteer.