IPBio - Biodiversity Research Institute Reviews

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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

I absolutely had a great time during my 8-week stay as an Eco-Volunteer. I highly recommend volunteering if you are a recent graduate who wants more hands-on work in collecting data. The staff at IPBIO are very friendly and the locals are so hospitable. The other volunteers were amazing and the volunteer house itself was very comfortable.

During the weekends you can stay at the reserve and relax or you can make plans with the other volunteers to visit Petar State park or some local waterfalls.

The owners, Sergio and Val come to the reserve every couple of weeks, and Val at times surprises you with home-cooked meals. I'm vegan so it was so sweet of her to go out of her way to make me some extremely delicious meals! I had such a wonderful time and I plan to return! :)