Volunteer in Bali

Due to unequal education, wage gaps, unregulated policies, and corruption, Bali has its fair share of negative consequences that came along with the positive aspects of tourism. If you want to enjoy the beautiful idyllic landscape and culture in Bali, and want to give back to the people and the environment, this is your chance. Help Bali maintain its natural beauty and support the locals by joining forces with local NGOs and become a volunteer in Bali.

There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer and help in Bali. Teaching volunteer projects are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers. If you like working with young children then you will also find childcare programs that will be very fulfilling. Are you more of an environmentalist? If you're also a fan of diving, you've come to the right place. Continue reading to find out more about the variety of volunteer opportunities in Bali.

English is already a crucial skill for the majority of the Balinese people and the necessity for language skills is increasing. Especially since 80% of the economy relies on tourism. The majority of people are employed in the tourism sector. This consists of accommodation, restaurants, free time activities, tours, etc. Due to the globalization, English has become inevitable in today’s society and is crucial for future employment opportunities. Support local people by attending a Bali volunteer program focusing on English teaching. Here is a list of typical daily tasks awaiting you as an English teaching volunteer:

• preparing and giving lessons
• creating and playing educational games
• motivating and empowering local youths

To many, Bali represents the perfect beach vacation. Sandy beaches, turquoise ocean, and superb waves. However, the Indonesian island also offers adventure below its surface. Located within the so-called coral triangle, Balinese waters boast staggering numbers of coral species, fish, and other marine life.

Going for a snorkeling or diving trip? Chances are you will come across a bunch of sea turtles. Six of our planet’s seven marine turtle species grace the local waters and forage for food in the bustling coral reefs.

Each year, female turtles emerge from the ocean and crawl onto Balinese beaches to lay their eggs. The precious eggs are then left to their own devices – high tide can sweep them away, wild dogs can devour them, fires can destroy them, poachers can steal them, beachgoers can crush them. Only one out of 1,000 sea turtles makes it to adulthood.

And even then, life isn't easy for sea turtles. As local communities struggle with the environmental impacts of tourism, beach erosion, fishing nets, and shoreline trash threaten the survival of grown sea turtles.

Today, all of the six species found in the coral triangle are classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. That’s why sea turtle conservation projects and sanctuaries in Bali are super important - and you can be part of this exciting endeavor as a Bali conservation volunteer!

Join a sanctuary to nurse injured turtles back to health, or work at a hatchery to protect nesting sites and release baby turtles into the ocean.

Volunteering at a Balinese sea turtle conservation project or sanctuary involves the following tasks:

• Welcome and guide Bali’s visitors through the turtle hatchery or sanctuary
• Patrol the beach and find nesting sea turtles
• Relocate sea turtle eggs from the nest to the hatchery
• Release baby turtles into the ocean
• Document the status of hatching turtles
• Provide food for injured turtles
• Visit schools and attend educational awareness classes

If releasing baby turtles into the wild is not enough for you, guess what? There's more! During your volunteer work at a turtle conservation project or sanctuary, you may also encounter other fascinating marine animals like whale sharks and manta rays. Get ready for an amazing experience in one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world!

If you are a nature enthusiast who prefers to volunteer on the land, you could also help to save one of Bali’s local symbols, which is the Bali Starling. As an environmental volunteer in Bali, you will live in the beautiful and quirky town Ubud and get involved in conservation work such as:

• providing food to the birds
• cleaning activities around the enclosures
• conducting and evaluating qualitative and quantitative data

Although Bali is called the Island of the Gods and seems like a paradise on earth, not everything is heavenly. In the last couple of decades, tourism has created a lot of jobs and brought in significant revenue to the small Island. But there are always two sides to the story. While some individuals have improved their living conditions, for others, barely anything has changed. High paying jobs often only get filled in by foreign workers, while the unskilled local employees work for low wages in unfair working conditions. Inland communities also don’t benefit from tourism flows as much as the coastal cities do.

If you are interested in volunteering with these communities, there is a wide range of volunteer programs in Bali that are waiting for you. Whether you are eager to aid families by becoming a childcare volunteer in Bali, dream of empowering women or if you’re more of a handy man or woman, you’ll find a great volunteer program in Bali. Your daily tasks as a volunteer in Bali will vary based on your volunteer program. These are some possible tasks:

• helping children with homework
• creating playful activities for the children
• teaching healthcare programs
• working side-by-side with the project coordinators on site
• secure funding and maintaining sponsorship relations for the programs
• painting walls
• renovating old houses and schools and further constructional work

Although this is not your typical lazy package holiday, that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy Bali’s perks. As a volunteer, you will generally be working from Monday to Friday and have plenty of time to enjoy the weekends and explore the island on your own. Bali is a true surfers paradise. From the world-famous Kuta beach to Dreamland Beach, Bali offers beginner waves as well as waves that challenge professional surfers.

Most volunteer programs require a fee to be paid by the volunteer. This fee covers accommodation and in some cases also supports the volunteer activities of the volunteer organization. There are some very affordable volunteer programs in Bali. You can use the filter option on our website to find programs within your budget. If you experience any issues, our live chat team is always here to help!

When you travel to volunteer in a different country, it is important to familiarize yourself with its culture and social characteristics. This will help you to settle in quickly and avoid misunderstandings. Here are some helpful tips for preparing for your volunteer opportunities in Bali:

Culture & Religion

Bali has a unique culture influenced by a synergy of Hinduism, Buddhism, and indigenous animistic customs. Tradition plays a crucial part in the daily lives of the Balinese people and manifests itself in dance, drama, and architecture. No matter where you go as a volunteer in Bali, you will be able to see beautiful sculptures and fascinating temples. Although Indonesia is a predominantly Muslim country, Balinese people follow a Shivaite interpretation of Hinduism, called Agama Tirtha,which translates to “Holy Water Religion”. A beautiful way to experience spiritual purification through water can be experienced in Tampaksiring. At the Tirta Empul Temple, you can immerse yourself in the Balinese Hindu culture and have a once in a lifetime experience.

If you plan to travel to Bali in March, you will also experience the most unique festivities revolving around the Balinese New Year. Hari Raya Nyepi or just short Nyepi is the Balinese “day of silence”, where all activity is strictly forbidden. The day before Nyepi, Balinese people will partake in a ritual called Bhuta Yajna, where malevolent demons are called, represented by richly painted statues (called ogoh-ogoh), and get burned while people are dancing and celebrating. This day is meant to overcome bad spirits and is followed by the day of silence.

On Nyepi, it is strictly forbidden to leave your house and even walk around in the streets or go to the beach. This day is meant for self-reflection and is spent at home meditating and praying. During this time, devout Hindus do not even use electricity nor do they cook or eat for 24 hours, starting at 6 AM until 6 AM on the following day. Tourists are allowed to spend the day however they like as long as they stay in the hotels or bedrooms.

It is always advised to be cautious, no matter where you travel to. Bali is a relatively safe place, compared to other destinations. Nonetheless, you should be aware that you are in a foreign country where different rules apply. Therefore, the following segment will give you some information on how to avoid any unnecessary trouble during your Bali volunteer trip:

Drink responsibly:

Whether you are in your home country or at a foreign destination, this recommendation should not be new to you. In Bali, this is especially a valid case regarding Arrak. Arrak is an Indonesian hard and has been making international headlines due to many tourists poisonings. You’re only advised to drink Arak in well-established bars and hotels.

Stay away from illegal drugs:

Illegal narcotics is a bad idea, no matter where you are. More often than not, possession of small amounts of drugs (even cannabis), has lead to serious prison sentences. Under no circumstances should you try to bring any drugs in or out of the country, as this federal crime can lead to death penalties.

Beware of scammers:

There are many scams out there. These are some of the most common ones, so please stay alert if you run into a similar situation.

• Cash scams: only change money at certified exchange offices. If the offer sounds too good to be true, it mostly is! Scammers will use tricks like "hand of slides" or rigged calculators.
• Car/motorcycle breakdowns: It could happen that you are getting stopped by a passing driver and notified about a flat tire or defect lights, while his companion is actually creating the problem. They will offer to bring you to a nearby service, friend or family member who can fix the problem. Finally, after all the kindness, they will charge you an outrageous fee.
• Pickpocketing: Beware of thieves in crowded areas. Pickpockets will try to steal your wallet or jewelry while you are distracted.

As you will have noticed by now, volunteer programs in Bali that expect different skills and abilities from their volunteers. While you can find out the specific requirements for all volunteer opportunities in Bali on their program page, here are some general requirements that apply to most volunteer programs in Bali:

• Volunteers need to be at least 18 years old for most of the volunteer opportunities in Bali. When in doubt, we advise you get in contact with the local project manager. In some projects, you can also volunteer when you're 16 years old. There’s no age limit upwards: just check the 50+ icon on the program pages.
• Volunteers need to have basic English skills to join one of the volunteer programs in Bali. Please note that some teaching projects may require more advanced English skills though.
• Depending on the project you're interested in, you might need to provide a criminal background check and a health declaration when applying.
• You are more than welcome to bring your friends or family to work for the social project. Just contact the project coordinator and ask them for the available volunteer opportunities in Bali.

You have made it to the last section of this guide, which is another really important aspect while planning your trip: getting your volunteer visa for Bali.

Please consider that the following information is based on a best practice approach, which has been made according to the best of our knowledge and in cooperation with several volunteer organizations. That's why you should please make sure to discuss your visa requirements with your contact person on Volunteer World. If in doubt, we also recommend getting in touch with the Embassy of Bali or consulate in your country.

There are some general requirements volunteers should comply upon arrival:

• Please check the current validity of your passport. Your passport should have at least 6-month validity from the date of arrival in Bali
• Make sure your passport has at least two blank Visa pages. Bali requires that you have adequate unused pages in your passport, allowing for any necessary stamps upon arrival and departure
• Please check if a transit visa is required for any connections
• Make sure to be in possession of a valid return ticket
• Visa regulations are based on your passport/ nationality
• 140 nationalities need no Visa (max. stay 30 days). However, for volunteering purposes you need to apply for a C6B (previously B221A) Visa - your project coordinator is happy to guide you!
• A Free Entry Stamp CANNOT be extended
• Penalty fee for overstaying IDR 300,000 per day
• For more information check the entry requirements to Bali