The Project
This project takes place in a village that is located beside the Beni River in the Bolivian Amazon. It is nearby a national park, which is known worldwide for its biodiversity. The village is only accessible by a 40-minute boat ride. You will live with a local community that has around 235 people. A few years ago, the community built an eco-lodge, which has cabins and a restaurant for guests. The money from the lodge goes towards preserving the nature and improving education and health in the local community.
When the nearby Madidi National Park was created, the community was complete against it, however, overtime they changed their opinion after seeing the many benefits that tourism has brought to the area. Instead of protesting against the park, they now protect it as park rangers. The community lives directly in nature, and depends on it for survival.
This project will show you how to live in harmony with nature, without the need of modern technology. You will be welcomed warmly by the community and learn about their way of life.
Typical day
Your Tasks
As a volunteer, you will live and work in an indigenous community, which is home to Tacana indians. You will learn how the indigenous people plant rice and collect fruits and vegetables for their food in addition to learning about the way they hunt and make medicine. You will learn to live like them by working and directly interacting with members in the community.
On a daily basis, you will teach the adults and children English/ your native
language, guide tourists, help in the kitchen, and assist with household
chores. There are many things volunteers can do, so you should be flexible to
help wherever the community needs you!
Please keep in mind that you will live a very simple way of life. You should be
respectful of the people and their traditions, which span several centuries.
Free-time activities
In your spare time, there are a lot of different activities to choose from, such as playing sports in the local community or hiking around the jungle or just admire the exotic wildlife.
Program Requirements
Included Services
Before your journey
On-site services
- Accommodation in volunteer house or with Host Family
- Full-board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Round-trip flight La Paz-Rurrenabaque-La Paz
- Pick-up in Rurrenabaque by boat
- Consultation from our experienced staff
- Translation of application profile
- Volunteer work placement
- Advice regarding travel insurance
- Advice on local travels
- Orientation session upon arrival
- Orientation kit
- Country handbook
- Local support
- 24/7 Emergency Number
- Certificate of Participation
You will be picked-up by boat in Rurrenabaque and brought to the project site in the middle of the jungle.
During your volunteer work in Bolivia, you will either live with a group of tourists at the Eco-Lodge or in the especially built volunteer cottage which is taken care of by an indigenous host family. Your host family will provide you with meals and you may even receive an invitation to stay in one of their typical houses. You will be surprised to see that in the typical household all family members sleep in the same room, which also serves as the kitchen and the living room. In their home, you will have the opportunity to learn and practice indigenous cooking techniques and try the delicious recipes. Take your chance, This is a completely unique experience that is not offered to mere tourists.
The meals provided by the host family typically contain the ingredients that the family grows, hunts, and fishes. Mostly, they eat fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, corn, rice, and occasionally some red meat.
Volunteers can also eat and live with other tourists at the Eco-Lodge. In the lodge, the meals are more international and may also include chicken and beef.
Full-board is provided (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
Program Fees
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