Accommodation in a nice hostel with full breakfast;
The program fee includes: airport pickup, orientation + tour downtown, accommodation, placement & program supervision, 24×7 emergency support, local administration costs, 20h Portuguese course (for programs with 4 weeks or more), and donation to local projects
Program fees from only U$400 for 2 weeks
Volunteer in Rio de Janeiro – Overview
Jissaura, volunteering on Arts in Rio
If you have a cheap volunteer trip to Rio de Janeiro in mind, try out some of the best and highly affordable projects to volunteer in Brazil! People are very welcoming in Rio, where some of the most exciting projects for volunteer work in Brazil are waiting for you. Get involved with social volunteering projects in Rio’s favelas, contribute to education as a volunteer teacher or even bring your artistic talents!
While volunteering in Rio de Janeiro, you will stay at a hostel in Santa Teresa, right in the heart of this wonderfull city! The hostel features shared rooms, and also some private rooms. You will find a varanda too, and volunteers can use a kitchen and dining area as well.
Rio de Janeiro is located in one of the most beautiful places in the world, where the sea, mountains, forests, and lakes all merge together. Therefore, Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful cities in Brazil – dubbed as “Cidade Maravilhosa” by the Cariocas, residents of Rio. Cidade Maravilhosa means the Wonderful City, as it stretches out with curving hills overlooking magnificent beaches, and protected by “Christ the Redeemer” on top of the Corcovado mountain.
Volunteer Work in Brazil: Support the Communities in Rio de Janeiro
Delphine at her Child Development programs (she came back two times!)
Since the local people are determined do make Brazil a better place, your volunteer work will help to improve the life of the residents of Rio’s communities (or favelas) directly.
Did you already fall in love with the beautiful nature in Rio? Join the environmental project in order to preserve the Tijuca Rainforest. If you are a medical student or nurse, you may also experience the Brazilian health system interning in a local clinic on our Medical & Health Promotion program.
And you can also view from inside how we prepare the biggest show on earth working side by side with locals on our special Carnival Preparation program.
We are committed to long-term development, with 15 years of experience, we are able to offer you a unique experience as a volunteer in Brazil, and accompany your stay and work like nobody else.
Enthusiasm for Learning English: Teaching kids and young adults in Rio de Janeiro
Bob Black with his English Class in Rio de Janeiro
I had a great time working with the kids and young adults in Rio de Janeiro. I worked in English, Art, and dancing classes and they all had their different challenges in terms of resources available, students at different ability levels. It was very uplifting to be able to share my skills and hopefuly make a small difference to the lives of these young people.
Their enthusiasm for learning and determination to make their country a better place was inspirational. – Bob Black
About Volunteering Brazil in Depth
Brazil is the size of a continent and covers almost half of South America. While volunteering in Brazil, you’ll also get in touch with the great cultural diversity and discover a huge variety of landscapes. The friendly and open-hearted leave a profound impression on everybody who chose to volunteer in Brazil.
With a tropical climate and vibrant colors. Brazil features a large variety of fauna and flora.
Brazil’s attractions range from the impenetrable jungle to a variety of different mountain ranges. In the interior, large swamplands and a network of several large rivers stretch out until they arrive at the Atlantic coast with its 8.000 kilometers of continuous beautiful beaches.
Enjoy Brazil’s Vibrant Colors and the Joyful Temper of the Brazilians as a Volunteer in Brazil
While Brazil´s natural beauty is impressive, it´s the country’s culture that captivates visitors who come to volunteer in Brazil. The cultural identity emphasizes values such as tolerance, solidarity, and the joy of living. Brazilians are warm hosts who love to laugh, sing and dance.
Football equipment bought through donations.
“The Smiles on People’s Faces when I Bought Football Equipment”
My favourite memories are the smiles on people’s faces when I bought football equipment and stationary with money raised by friends and work colleagues. I was able to raise £530 in two weeks and would highly recommend raising some money through a donation website, so you can go the extra mile with supporting the locals. – Afonso, 31 years, from London
Volunteer in Brazil to Help Giving Equal Opportunities for All the Brazilians
As a volunteer in Brazil, you will also experience a complex country, contradictory, sometimes unfair and unequal, which reflects one of the highest concentrations of income in the world. But, at the same time, it is a land full of opportunity.
The complexity of Brazilian society accounts both for its difficulties, through its huge social contradictions, and for its great creative energy, which is necessary for Brazil to assume a place among nations more in keeping with its potential.
Local Partner Organizations in Rio de Janeiro ensure Quality and Success for your Volunteer Work in Brazil
IKPVA works with a wide range of local partner organizations closely involved in improving the lives of the residents of Rio’s favelas. So, all the volunteer projects in Brazil are tailor-made for the residents of the communities in need of support and help.
In exchange, you will have a beautiful cultural experience as a volunteer in Brazil, meet open-hearted people and see them grow.
Amazing Experience as a Medical Volunteer in Rio
Ana Norleyne
Volunteering with Iko Poran is definitely one of the most amazing experience I ever had. The organization gives you the freedom to help in your own ways.
Working with kids was certainly a challenge but the support of other volunteers and people in charge of the projects make everything so much easier.
I also volunteered in a health project where people from the communities work together to inform people about important health issues. – Ana Norleyne – University of Texas
Volunteer Projects in Brazil: Wide Variety of Workaway Opportunities in Rio
Join our cheap volunteer programs in Brazil for the experience of your lifetime!
Most Affordable Fees of our Volunteer Projects in Brazil
Please Note:
The program fee is paid directly to the local organization in Brazil.
All of the programs incur a registration fee of U$ 199 on top of the program fee.
What is included in the program fee for the volunteer projects?
Airport Pickup
Orientation plus tour in the area including some tourist sites
Accommodation for all projects
Breakfast
Support from local staff & Program supervision
In-country 24/7 support throughout your stay as a volunteer in Brazil
In-country administration costs
Donation to support the local project
SPECIAL: 20 hs Portuguese course for programs with 4 weeks or more
There are no hidden costs for you. These are the most affordable programs to volunteer in Brazil.
Iko Poran is an NGO based in a developing country. We are dedicated to helping you help others, at the cheapest possible prices. One of our goals is to offer cheap volunteer programs in Brazil so that more people can help to do really important work.
Participants in our cheap volunteer programs in Brazil normally find US$100 to be sufficient for weekly expenses in the country.
The program fee should be paid to the host country and it is due 30 days before the project start date.
*Refundable up to 60 days before the program start date according to our Terms & Conditions
Free 20 hours Portuguese course for volunteers in Brazil who stay 4 weeks or more!!
If the duration of your program includes the New Years Eve in Rio de Janeiro, you are required to pay a surcharge of U$ 100 to cover accommodation premium prices from Dec 29 to January 2nd.
Also, Carnival in 2019 is from March 1st to 9th. If you fancy volunteering in Brazil during the Carnival week in Rio, you have to pay a surcharge of US$ 200 to cover accommodation premium prices during this period. All projects will be closed during the Carnaval.
Volunteering in Brazil – Program Details
Location in Rio de Janeiro
Our cheap volunteer programs in Brazil are based in Rio de Janeiro, which was the capital of the country until 1960.
Therefore, Rio de Janeiro is a highly cosmopolitan city. Rio de Janeiro stands out for a wide range of attractions for visitors, including its legendary Carnival.
The cultural diversity of Rio de Janeiro, with more than 400 years of history, attracts many visitors who come to work as a volunteer in Brazil.
Accommodation & Meals for Volunteers in Rio de Janeiro
As a volunteer in Brazil, you will be staying in a happy and charming Hostel located on the lower part of the Santa Teresa neighborhood.
The hostel provides many leisure areas for you as a volunteer in Brazil, free Wi-Fi everywhere, and laundry service. Breakfast is provided and there is also a fully equipped kitchen that volunteers can use to prepare other meals. All rooms have lockers (just bring your own lock).
Hospitality on Three Floors
The house in Rio for the volunteers in Brazil has 3 floors. On the first floor, there is the reception where you can always find a friendly face, a large living/TV room, a veranda with a bar and tables to chill out, a big kitchen with a dining area next to it, a big dining table, and even a music room. If you are here as a volunteer in Brazil and play an instrument, you are welcome to bring it along and/ or play with the instruments that the hostel already has.
On the second floor, there are the shared dorms where our volunteers and other guests stay, and bathrooms. If you fancy a private room as a volunteer in Brazil, you find them on the third floor. They are available at an extra fee.
Exclusive Room for the Volunteers
The hostel tries to book one room exclusively for the participants of our volunteer programs in Brazil. However, when this room is full, we accommodate volunteers in other rooms.
All services, such as supermarkets, drugstores, banks (ATMs), bars & restaurants, delis, fruit store, bus stops, and others are literally 5 minutes walking distance
The metro station to get to Ipanema, Copacabana and other areas is only 15 minutes walking distance. While working as a volunteer in Brazil you will stay in a peaceful oasis right “next door“ to the most vibrant and picturesque area of Rio de Janeiro!
While volunteering in Brazil, enjoy the Vibes of Lapa’s Nightlife
Lapa is Rio’s buzzing nightlife spot with lively bars, pumping nightclubs and street parties that last all night.
Lapa attracts foreigners and locals every weekend to drink caipirinhas and dance out some moves with many varieties of music playing. Whilst at night it comes alive, during the day it is a quiet neighborhood.
Enjoy walking in its winding streets with its tourist sites and have a break in on of the small bars around.
The neighborhood Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro
Santa Teresa is a bohemian area with an intense cultural life. The charming neighborhood stands out for its unusual architecture.
During your stay as a volunteer in Brazil, you might enjoy a trip with the hundred and ten years old tram which still runs through its winding cobbled streets!
A Residential Sanctuary in the Heart of Rio de Janeiro
A residential sanctuary in the heartbeat of the Mata Atlantica (Tijuca National Park), the world’s largest urban subtropical rainforest, it provides access to the Christ statue of Corcovado as well as to the city center. The Sambodromo (where the samba schools compete during Carnival) is close. To go to Rio’s beautiful beaches will take you only a short ride with the metro.
Santa Teresa prides itself of the atmosphere reminiscent of that of a small town. The artistic neighborhood also enchants visitors with its panoramic views. During your stay as a volunteer in Brazil, you will enjoy eating out in Santa Teresa. Here you can find everything from local Brazilian dishes to international cuisine.
Start & Duration of the volunteer projects in Brazil
Volunteer programs in Brazil start on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. Participants should arrive on Sundays.
You can choose to volunteer from 2 to 24 weeks
Arrival & Orientation
Volunteers should organize to arrive at Aeroporto Internacional Antônio Carlos Jobim – Galeão – GIG.
Orientation for you as a volunteer in Brazil takes place on Monday after the arrival date.
Requirements for the volunteer projects in Brazil
You must be at least 18 years old at the start of your placement.
All volunteers must have adequate volunteer travel insurance. Moreover, as a volunteer in Brazil, you are required to provide a criminal background check to local staff on arrival in Brazil or during orientation.
Language Requirements for your Volunteer Work in Brazil
Knowledge of basic Portuguese is desired but not mandatory to join our volunteer programs in Brazil.
Since most Brazilians do not speak good English, you will learn a lot from your volunteer project and train naturally your Portuguese.
However, there is a way to speed up your learning curve. During your stay, you can take advantage of a very affordable 20 hours Portuguese course taught at your accommodation for only U$ 150.
Safety
During your stay, you will have a competent support and advice from the local team and project leaders.
Someone will always be available in the case of an emergency.
Please keep in mind that you are in a different country where you should take some precautions to avoid exposing yourself to certain risks.
The local coordinators will give you all the information you need during your stay as a volunteer in Brazil.
We are a local organization based in Brazil that has been receiving volunteers since 2003 without any major problem.
Still in doubt? Read some testimonials of our volunteers in Brazil!
Mariangel Chaves Rodriguez, from Costa Rica, Iona MacTaggart, from Scotland, and Laura Vidal Llonch, from Spain are working as volunteers ... Read More
Brazil 
Brazil is the size of a continent and covers almost half of South America. While volunteering in Brazil, you’ll also get in touch with the great cultural diversity and discover a huge variety of landscapes. The friendly and open-hearted leave a profound impression on everybody who chose to volunteer in Brazil.
As a volunteer in Brazil, you will be staying in a happy and charming Hostel located on the lower part of the Santa Teresa neighborhood.
instrument, you are welcome to bring it along and/ or play with the instruments that the hostel already has.
The metro station to get to Ipanema, Copacabana and other areas is only 15 minutes walking distance. While working as a volunteer in Brazil you will stay in a peaceful oasis right “next door“ to the most vibrant and picturesque area of Rio de Janeiro!
subtropical rainforest, it provides access to the Christ statue of Corcovado as well as to the city center. The Sambodromo (where the samba schools compete during Carnival) is close. To go to Rio’s beautiful beaches will take you only a short ride with the metro.
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