GoEco

GoEco

Why choose GoEco?

GoEco is a leading eco-tourism company with a varied selection of affordable volunteer projects abroad. We act as a gateway to over 150 extraordinary community, wildlife and environmental initiatives all over the world thanks to our great partnerships. Join one of our rewarding projects and become a part of the global volunteer movement!

Reviews

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Gali
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Week of Family Volunteering in Sri Lanka

My husband and I, along with our two kids (ages 7 and 9), spent an incredible week in Sri Lanka volunteering through GoEco’s Family-Friendly Sea Turtle Program. It was an experience unlike any other, blending meaningful conservation work with plenty of family bonding and adventure.

We started our journey with a smooth pickup at the airport, which took us to Unawatuna, a small coastal town where the program is based. Our accommodation was simple but just right for our family: an en-suite room close to Unawatuna Beach, with the added bonus of a pool at the main volunteer house. This made it easy to relax after our shifts. The meals provided were delicious, offering a variety of Sri Lankan dishes, and we were just a short walk away from restaurants where we could try both local specialties and more familiar options like pizza and pasta.. perfect for the kids!

Our daily schedule included a mix of activities, with at least two shifts a week dedicated to working at the sea turtle hatchery. This was the centerpiece of the program, and it quickly became the highlight of our trip. We were involved in feeding the turtles, cleaning their tanks, and even releasing baby turtles into the ocean—a truly unforgettable moment for our family. The kids especially enjoyed “spa day,” where they helped scrub the turtles’ shells using toothbrushes. It was a simple task but one they took seriously, and it gave them a hands-on way to connect with marine life.

Beyond the hatchery, the program also introduced us to other meaningful conservation work. One day, we joined a lagoon clean-up by canoe, collecting over 80 kg of trash in a single shift. Seeing such an impact firsthand was eye-opening for the kids, and it sparked conversations about how we can reduce waste. We also took part in a beach clean-up and had a chance to break from the hard work with a surfing lesson. To my surprise, our kids picked up surfing quickly and had a blast riding the waves!

The program wasn’t all about volunteering, there were plenty of opportunities to experience Sri Lanka’s culture and natural beauty. We visited a Buddhist temple with the guidance of local staff, giving us a deeper understanding of the country’s traditions. Another highlight was a jungle bike ride through rice paddies and scenic countryside, where the kids loved spotting wildlife along the way. Our trip ended on a high note with an elephant safari at Udawalawe National Park. Watching elephants in their natural habitat was a magical experience that we’ll remember for a long time.

This program was a perfect balance of work, exploration, and family time. It allowed us to contribute to important conservation efforts while also discovering the rich culture and natural beauty of Sri Lanka. For families looking for a trip that’s a little different—one that’s both rewarding and memorable—I can’t recommend this program enough. It’s a great way to create lasting memories while making a meaningful impact.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would stay for longer period in Sri Lanka, it's a beautiful and interesting country and the people are so nice!
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Ronald
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching Buddhist Monks in Nepal

The program overall was excellent. The 5-week program began with culture week in Kathmandu followed by four weeks at Nala Gumba monastery an hour’s drive east of Kathmandu. Culture week was great. Lead by Abhay Shrestha, we got an intro to Nepali history, language, and religion. Several trips in the Kathmandu area for scavenger hunts, landmark searches, and trips to various sites. I arrived at the monastery on Feb 13, but being Tibetan New Year, there were no classes until March 6, and by then my time was nearly over. It didn’t matter to me since I came with my own reading and study agenda (read books, learn Tibetan). But I’d seemed like a funny way to run things. Life at the monastery was great. All the monks from little kids to adults were very friendly and helpful. The provided meals were very tasty and better than I had expected.( no stomach problems the entire 5 weeks). There is a little shop within the monastery which carries an amazing amount of stuff. The accommodations were fine, though you might want to do a little cleaning on your own upon arrival. I had arranged a shared room but due to the New Year holiday, I had my own room for much of the time. Since it was holiday I took off for a week to Dhulikhel and stayed at the Tashi Delek guest house just for a change of pace. The whole week, with meals was $146. With my T Mobile coverage I didn’t need to purchase a SIM card for texts, web pages, and emails, but no YouTube without finding Wi-Fi somewhere. My biggest disappointment had nothing to do with the arrangements, but was in the poor air quality. Never was there any view of the snow-capped Himalayas. The air was often smokey and smelled of burning plastic. When I visited here before in the 1980s is was beautiful and pristine in this area. The dogs at the monastery can be a little noisy at night. “We play all day we fight all night” as Dr. Seuss said. Fortunately I had good ear plugs. Some others indicated they had trouble sleeping. Overall a great experience! Though a Christian, I enjoyed the pujas and tried to make even the early morning ones. A great environment to read my Bible, meditate, and pray. Overall a big thumbs up!

Pros
  • Opportunity to learn Tibetan
  • Learn about Buddhism
  • Experience Nepal in a most unique way
Cons
  • You need to clean your own room upon arrival
  • Noisy dogs at night
  • Bad air quality
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James
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage

This program is so rewarding and also educational. Learning about the different animals there and being able to spend time and play with some of these animals is a once in a lifetime opportunity. From booking the trip with Goeco to actually spending almost a month at Chipangali, everything was simply amazing. The Wilson family are so passionate and treat you like family from day one. They truly appreciate every volunteer and everything they do. The trip to Victoria Falls was breathtaking and being able to jump into 2023 was an adrenaline rush like no other. So many things to do so if you go make sure it’s at least three weeks.

Pros
  • Experience like no other
  • Fun and friendly
  • Rewarding from day one
Cons
  • Had to leave
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Amalia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Tropical Volunteering

The program is very well structured with enough room for spontaneity. The support before arriving there is really helpful and once you are there the local team and goeco take great care to make sure you are having a good experience. I loved the project and the interaction i had with sea turtles, I could work so closely to them and truly learn new things. To top it all up, the staff and other volunteers were awesome so managed to make everything so fun, not just volunteering but also hosting parties, taking time to explore and doing weekend trips!

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Rebeccah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience!

Volunteering at the Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center was the most fun I’ve ever had. I got to spend everyday feeding animals I’ve never heard of until I had arrived. And the other people I worked with were so kind and fun. And almost all of the volunteers were 18-25 years old. The center helped organize trips for us to go out every week (waterfalls, volcanoes, beaches). So grateful!!!
The accommodations were very basic. I would recommend this trip for female travelers as well since 80% of the volunteers were women at the time.

Pros
  • Fun
  • Animal care
  • Wifi

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Koron Michie

The story of Koron Michie the young man who wanted to have a hand on experience on learning how to become a zoologist.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose the project in Costa Rica because it was my first time traveling out of the country alone and I knew it was still Central America, so I wasn't exactly too far from home. also, Costa Rica is a nice warm tropical area. the amount of I had to learn before the trip was immaculate, but I knew I would learn more on the trip. which I did.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

I signed up through the Go Eco volunteer abroad. they were very helpful in helping narrow down to which project I would want to work with. The go eco program was nice enough to arrange my stay in Costa Rica with a nice family and my way to the animal sanctuary as well as giving me a list of things I needed for the trip. I had to organize my own flights, shots and packing arrangements.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I only wish knew how exactly hot it was in Costa Rica. I recommend that you learn A decent amount of Spanish before your trip and don't be afraid to travel alone in my experience I think it's better to go alone because you can be true self it's only a leap of faith. Also have fun and learn as much as you can while you're out there.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

So, it starts off with you waking up every morning at five getting ready and heading down to the meeting area, there you will collect the plates of the animals bring them back and make the animals breakfast then return them. after you will eat breakfast be assigned in different groups and then get ready of day of work.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

my biggest fear was traveling alone, but I overcame my fear because I was determined to get out and accomplish one of my goals which was to travel and have a hand on experience with working with animals. I was so driven by my passion of animals as well as wanting to meet new people and learning new languages.

Write and answer your own question.

while I was in Costa Rica, on the fourth day I accentually sprayed bug spray in my eye without flushing my eye out, it then got infected but i still carried tackled any chore I had to do for the day, and I didn't let that stop me from having a great time. the workers in Costa Rica were very helpful though.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Cassandra Federbusz

Job Title
PR Manager
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What is your favorite travel memory?

In October 2013, I spontaneously decided to join my friend in Nepal to do the Annapurna Circuit Trek after a three-month backpacking adventure in Europe. It was the most awe-inspiring journey I have ever taken. When I finally reached Thorong-La Pass (5416 m. high) I was extremely proud of myself (and stuffed from all the Dal Bhat I ate to get there)!

Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

I think any destination that isn't filled with tourists is definitely worth exploring.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Since working at GoEco, my knowledge of the world has expanded, from discovering new destinations to learning about issues I never knew existed. I've come to truly appreciate international volunteers' contributions around the globe and the role GoEco plays in the industry.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

We hear some incredible stories from returning volunteers each year, but I think the one that stuck with me the most so far is from Lucas after his participation in the Medical and Health Care project in India. In his blog he wrote:

"The small hospital waiting room was crowded -- full of patients from the surrounding villages seeking medical treatment. The doctor and medical staff hurried to and fro, despite the stifling heat, to treat the overload of patients. This was the scene in Karan Hospital every day. The doctors are heroes there, working endlessly to observe, diagnose and treat the plenitude of patients––a job of at least five doctors in a Western medicine facility. This is what medicine, the pursuit of helping people, is all about."

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of your current team.

GoEco was recently named "Top Volunteer Abroad Organization" of 2015. It was an extremely proud moment for all of us.