IPBio - Biodiversity Research Institute

Program Reviews

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Sophie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Childhood dream come true

My one month volunteering in The Amazon Rainforest was absolutely incredible, I really can't recommend it enough. It had always been my dream to go to the Amazon and everyday I was so happy to be there! Imi and Marleen, our coordinators were so welcoming when I first arrived and the other volunteers ended up becoming fast friends that I felt so at home there.

The work can be challenging in the heat, you are sweating 24/7, but you know you are making a positive impact and it feels very rewarding. Every day is different ranging from measuring and planting trees to identifying fish, frogs, birds, and mushrooms.

The volunteer lodge is beautiful, (you feel like you are on holiday!!) the locals are so kind, the neighbours are the best and the food is delicious. I went on so many amazing excursions out on the river, danced a lot of Carimbo and learned a traditional martial art called Capoeira. I'm now solo travelling around South America and EVERY time someone asks me what the highlight of my trip has been so far, I always say volunteering in Alter do Chao. I will definitely be coming back.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The most unique thing I saw was Caire. This is an Amazonian festival that takes place in September and I was so so lucky to be there when I was. It was a fun 5 days of dancing, singing, and immersing myself in the local culture.
Pros
  • The people - volunteers and locals
  • The location - beautiful town, beaches and excursions
  • Being surrounded by nature everyday
Cons
  • Not staying long enough and saying goodbye to fellow volunteers
  • Understanding the locals - learning Portuguese is paramount
  • The tarantulas... eek
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K
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A well-rounded program and good value-for-money

I spent a month volunteering with IPBio in the Amazon rainforest whilst on a career break. I joined while the program was still relatively new; having volunteered in conservation before, I wanted to participate in a program at an earlier stage of development.

On the whole, the program is well-organised and it has a lot of variety, with different themes for each day - trees, fish, mushrooms, amphibians and birds. There is also a day dedicated to reforestation activities (e.g. potting seedlings, planting trees) - I always enjoyed these as you could feel an immediate sense of your contribution. The activities rotate between locations every week so no two weeks are the same either.

Whilst I liked the breadth of the program, this does come with one drawback - you gain surface-level familiarity in each area but never develop any deeper understanding. Some people may find this lack of depth unsatisfying. Currently there are no specialist staff on base so opportunities to nerd out on particular areas are limited e.g. you're not going to have an in-depth discussion about frogs with a herpetologist. However, this may change in future as the program develops.

Working hours are generally 8am-2pm so there is a lot of downtime. As mentioned by other reviewers, there is a wide range of extracurricular activities available and I have lots of fond memories of capoeira lessons, carimbo nights and weekend tours.

Pros
  • Immersion in local community and culture, opportunity to learn and practise Portuguese
  • Lots of variety in the program - good if you want to try a bunch of different things
  • Friendly and welcoming staff, volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds and interest areas
Cons
  • There are no specialist experts on base so opportunities to have in-depth discussions and build on your knowledge are limited - this might change in future though
  • Due to inventories being in the early stages, there is a heavy focus on photography so if you don't have a good camera it can feel harder to make a meaningful contribution
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Roxanne
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience in a beautiful location

I spent seven weeks volunteering with IPBio in the Amazon and was extremely sad to leave. My primary reasons for choosing the program were to experience conservation work in a different country and to get the opportunity to see some of the Amazon's wildlife (insects and arachnids included) - and see wildlife I did! Almost every day brought a new creature of some kind, from birds and monkeys to spiders and scorpions. The program's location was also a massive plus - the town of Alter do Chão is amazing, with the best parts being the gorgeous white sand beaches and the weekly carimbó nights (which are ridiculously fun and attended by people of all ages). A fantastic experience overall!

Pros
  • The location - particularly the beautiful beaches and weekly carimbó nights
  • Wildlife - birds, monkeys, insects, fish and more!
  • Fieldwork is both interesting and fun
Cons
  • The heat - sweating ALL day every day
  • Can be difficult to communicate with locals if you don't speak Portuguese
  • Few to no mosquitos around but was still getting bitten by SOMETHING
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Maria
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I want to go back!!!

I had the best 5 weeks of my life volunteering in the Amazon rainforest.

The whole time I was there I was like “I can’t believe I’m in the Amazon” surrounded by such beautiful scenery and amazing biodiversity.

I was a bit nervous when I first arrived, but everyone was so lovely and welcoming. The staff were amazing - so enthusiastic and passionate about their work.

Each day was an exciting adventure not knowing what cool animals you’d see that day. Seeing a potoo for the first time was mind blowing!!!

I really liked that each day was different, dedicated to a different project. One of the most memorable for me was searching for bioiluminscent species at night. It was magical -being in complete darkness listening to the sounds of the rainforest and staring at the clear night sky.

The work to life balance is great. There is plenty of time to relax and explore around Alter do Chão or chill at the beach at the weekends as well a chance to engage with the culture. I really looked forward to the Carimbó dance in town every Thursday night.

It was a truly fulfilling experience and one I will never forget. My only regret is that I couldn’t stay longer. I met some amazing people, saw some really cool wildlife and stunning landscapes. It’s an experience that will stay with me forever and would certainly recommend it to anyone if they have the chance.

Pros
  • Being in such a unique environment, doing meaningful work and seeing wildlife in their natural habitat.
  • There are plenty of things to do in your free time (beach, hikes, organised tours etc.)
  • The friends you make along the way
Cons
  • Leaving. It was really hard saying goodbye :(
  • The heat and being constantly sweaty (but you soon get used to it)
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Julia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I couldn't recommend it more!

I volunteered with the Amazon programme and I couldn't recommend it more. It has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. The coordinators are excited about the work you do and it's very contagious. The work can be tiring due to the heat sometimes so if you are someone who would identify as lazy I wouldn't recommend this. I personally really enjoyed the work, we do half days and we have plenty of free time, the house is gorgeous and it feels like you are on holiday - you really can't complain. Everyone was so positive and supportive, I felt very welcomed. The people in Brazil are super friendly and I felt safe there. The area is gorgeous too, the town is great and there is so much to see and do out of work hours. I didn’t expect it, and I was so pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed meeting new friends throughout my stay and seeing wildlife in its natural habitat out of sheer luck. Every day is a different adventure and completely unique to everyone.

Pros
  • The people! Working with like-minded people, the opportunity to create meaningful connections, immerse in the culture
  • Becoming more confident with the work overtime, witnessing change, seeing wildlife in its natural habitat just by chance.
  • Alter do Chao, a beautiful town we are very close to - with lots to do
Cons
  • Seeing other volunteers go from the program:(, but I guess that's to be expected...
  • getting bitten from bugs, although there were no mosquitos, by the end I was getting bitten by something. But also, this is to be expected...
  • Not very much alone time since you are sharing a room, but I enjoyed this aspect!
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Jessica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Most Special 12 Weeks!

My 12-week volunteering experience with IPBio in Alter do Chao was incredible. Each day involved diverse tasks vital for Amazon rainforest conservation, including tree phenology and measurements, bioluminescence, fluorescence, reforestation, fish, mushrooms, frogs, and bird inventories. Despite some challenging days in the Amazonian heat (you will be sweating 24/7!), our efforts felt significant to preserve the rainforest, especially in the face of climate change. There is a sense of camaraderie among the volunteers and staff, and every new finding in the field is celebrated. The town of Alter do Chão, nestled in the Amazon and along the Tapajos river, offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and a welcoming community. The town's culture, cuisine, and the Carimbo dance every Thursday night add to its charm, and it will always have a special place in my heart. Although the program is conducted in English, having a basic understanding of Portuguese is beneficial for interactions in town and tours around the region. The staff is dedicated and attentive to all volunteers and any feedback that they have during their time at IPBio. This is a perfect place if you love nature and wildlife and want to make a conservation impact!

Pros
  • Amazing location (rainforest, beach, town)
  • Biodiversity, wildlife, & meaningful work
  • Ability to explore the region outside of working hours
Cons
  • Bugs! (although you get used to them! Also, rarely any mosquitos in this region)
  • Communal living
  • Heat & humidity, constantly
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kijun
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Enjoy communal living

The room is used by many organisms. Keep it clean. I really enjoyed my stay in santarem. Volunteering will be a wonderful experience! Nice designed guesthouses may also feel cozy! The support they offered was good, and People and other volunteers were very helpful and kind. I had the chance to live an experience I will never forget. I will really recommend this experience to anyone. There is no other place like it, it was such a special experience to have in santarem. I am tremendously grateful to have found this place!

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Grayson
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible Experience

My time at IPBio was absolutely priceless for me as a student and individual. I can’t lie, the work can be physically difficult and mentally tedious, as is all research. But the importance and the impact that our work plays is incredibly emotionally fulfilling in a truly unique way. Additionally, the beautiful location, amazing biodiversity, and admirable work-life balance that IPBio has managed to achieve, a very work-hard, play-hard environment, ensures that the work is sustainable for the volunteers.

Pros
  • Fantastic location
  • Flourishing Biodiversity
  • Great work-life balance
Cons
  • At times physically demanding
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Ming Lin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing volunteer program!

The volunteer program was located in a small town called Iporanga. Being born and raised in big cities, I thought I would not get used to living here. However after 5 months I fell in love with the town and the people. Brazilians are so warm and welcoming. Other than the amazing volunteer program, I had the opportunity to attend some school activities with the staff at the reserve, thereby conversed with the local children. All in all it was a very rewarding experience. Thank you to IPBIO I had such wonderful time volunteering here.

What was your funniest moment?
Visiting waterfalls and caves with other volunteers. Also, working with the Brazilians as well!
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Thomas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What an adventure

Hiya, I´m not a man of great words, but able to capture my surroundings with my camera.
That´s why I don´t have to much to say, but more to show: Check out my personal travel related website for the images I took while spending 3 months in the beautiful and stunning Atlantic Forest at IPBio Reserva Betary as a volunteer and check my YouTube playlist „IPBio“ to see what it is like to volunteer at IPBio and what you can expect to see, if you observe the world with an open mind, a bit of luck and some patience.

https://www.snowmanstudios.de/reise/forschungsabenteuer-brasilien/fotoalben/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMsmIZvnnr4&list=PLXIVgljOWR8UIXFnziYFa9CwTJNdHW1U2

Cheers Thomas

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I watched a pair of flirting hummingbirds for about 2 hours.
I did a 5 days timelapse recording of mushrooms growing
I did a 6 hours nights sky timelapse watching the milky ways galatic center appearing and rising
Read my full story