Program Reviews

I spent five weeks volunteering here at IPBIO's Amazon Program, located in Alter do Chao, Para. The volunteer group became like a family over the five weeks, and I'll never forget the people I met. The inventories range from birds, fish, arthropods, and trees. This means, even if you are very knowledgeable already, you will learn a lot about a different element of biodiversity you may not know as well. Imran is very knowledgeable and a very interesting person I am glad to have been able to work with.

I spent a month in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, in the Jutuarana reserve. I think this program is perfect for people like me, that studied something correlated to environment and animals, conservation and biodiversity. This program can offer a practical view of researcher's work. I think that people who participate in this programme should be aware that it is work and that they are making a real contribution to the world, so it is not just fun.

One of the thing that I apprecied the most is that We were able to meet people from the local community who are also integrated and involved in the project.

I was volunteer for a month, both as research assistent and as photographer/videographer. I loved my time there. Alter do Chao is a really nice city and the people are incredible. The people working for IPBIO are incredible as well, really nice and helpful. For me the only negative was that I expected to be fully in nature, and we are still somewhat in the city, making going into the rainforest more of a hassle. The thing is though that it was the people and the town that eventually made my time there so incredible. Everyone works hard and is there to help you. The house was very comfortable and the living cost quite cheap. If you go, give hugs and kisses to Nala (the cat that lives around the house) for me.

I had a magical time volunteering for IPBio in the Amazon. I arrived as a photographer for the program and had plenty of opportunities to take control of my own creativity and work on my own projects, whilst also involving the other volunteers and staff who were more than happy to play a part. I've always had a passion for wildlife as well as photography, so combining the two was the perfect opportunity for me.

The hands on work as a research assistant was fascinating and although could be seen as repetitive, it felt like genuinely important work for the world. Each week the locations of the field work was different, so it was never truly the same.

As a photographer, I would suggest perhaps a little more structure to the program with a mid-point meeting to provide feedback and even some constructive criticism. I was consistently praised for my work which was very uplifting and made me feel like I was a valued member of the team and feel appreciated! Thank you IPBio for an experience I'll never forget.

This is a highly engaging, hands-on field research programme, led by a team who are genuinely passionate about biodiversity and conservation. The staff are extremely dedicated to discovering species and often go above and beyond their scheduled tasks. It’s not unusual for meetings or transitions between activities to pause so that everyone can observe and document a cool sighting, like a new bird. This approach fosters an environment that encourages curiosity and scientific interest.

One of the programme's best features is its variety of activities and field sites, which provide exposure to a wide range of ecosystems, species and research methods. Some monitoring tasks are repeated as part of standard data collection, which maintains a methodical approach to the work and helps to build reliable long-term datasets.

The overall atmosphere is welcoming and positive, balancing focused fieldwork with moments of humour and casual interaction. Short breaks, including a swim in the river, help keep the team feeling refreshed during long days. Clear, respectful and fair communication makes it easy to understand what is expected and collaborate effectively.

Overall, the programme successfully combines high-quality scientific work with a supportive and motivating team, making it a truly rewarding experience.

Absolutely loved the program. From living in the cute home we had in the caranazal community with the relaxed pace of living surrounding us, made for the perfect work life balance. Hands on field work environment in beautiful places, honestly didn’t make it feel like work. I loved the reforestation on the beach, where we would plant trees on the island and it was like a nice workout on the beach where we got some good sun on the skin surrounded by crystal river waters and gorgeous Caribbean like sand. Our night hikes were always an adventure, from catching frogs to looking into the darkness for fluorescent and bioluminescent organisms, we made each activity fun and silly and rewarding. Took the work seriously, but the environment itself was like hanging and playing with friends in nature. Knowing that the work we did takes part in many projects with profound reach, made it all the more rewarding. I took a lot from this experience with me and I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life. It was incredible and so worth every bit of effort. Thank you for sharing the opportunity with me!

This was the best expirience for me ive learned so many things that im gonna keep it for my life. The people I met and the work was always amazing. The inventories were amazing especially the arthropod because it was always something new that we found. The frog inventory was fun too because we had to catch the frogs and and analysis them. The people I met and the work was always amazing. The inventories were amazing especially the arthropod because it was always something new that we found. The frog inventory was fun too because we had to catch the frogs and and analysis them.

Volunteering as a 21-year-old photographer from Belgium in Alter do Chão, Brazil, was an unforgettable experience that helped me grow both personally and as a photographer. Capturing the beauty of the Amazon rainforest and the day to day life of the local and volunteer community was an inspiring experience that deepened my passion for photography and travel. Every day brought new adventures and opportunities to learn from the incredible people around me. It was a journey filled with inspiration, connection, and moments I’ll remember forever.

Hey, I'm Cristina and after I discovered the IPBio program through https://www.volunteerlatinamerica.com/ had an online interview with Imran, the manager of the Amazon program, who shared all the details about the volunteer opportunity I had chosen.

What followed were five intense and unforgettable weeks, full of discoveries from the animal and plant world. I became part of the daily life of the community, explored Santarém and Alter do Chão (the “Caribbean Paradise”), and embraced the volunteer lifestyle—between bird, frog, and arthropod monitoring, relaxing by the pool, and witnessing for the first time the magic of bioluminescent mycelium and fluorescent spiders. I also experienced the vibrant Sairé festival and the pure joy of dancing carimbó, a traditional rhythm, every Thursday night.

I’m truly happy I chose IPBio—and grateful that they chose me too!

The experience with IPBio was amazing. It is a beautiful place where you can feel nature in its purest form. The field research activities have been very stimulating, encouraging you to focus on the environment, pay attention to small details and enjoy every minute. The way of working is very organised, which makes it easy and motivating, and the staff take care to teach and accompany each volunteer during their stay.

On the other hand, the village and its surroundings offer many things to do. The local community is very friendly and it was fun to join their cultural events; they made me feel at home. There are also countless tours and activities to do on the weekends.

It has been a very valuable experience that has undoubtedly helped me to get to know myself better and to know what I need in my life.