Location
  • Brazil
    • Rio de Janeiro
Length
2 to 24 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
18
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Hostel
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
570
Price Details
Fully hosted experience from only $570 for 2 weeks - this includes accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, orientation and 24/7 in-country support.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
May 01, 2024
Nov 06, 2023
50 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 136,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the world's #1 rated volunteer programs in Brazil and 50+ destinations worldwide.

For the past 6 years, we've won the "Top Volunteer Abroad Provider Award" from GoOverseas, so you can trust that you're in the safest hands with IVHQ in Brazil.

Our affordable projects start from $23/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement and local support. Projects run year-round, with durations from 2-24 weeks. Choose from 5 projects, ranging from Community Development, Sports and a unique Carnival project all based in the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. Plus, you’ll stay in a dormitory-style hostel in central Rio with other like-minded, impact-focused travelers from around the world (private room options available).

With IVHQ’s superior pre-departure support services, you’ll gain exclusive access to your own Volunteer Travel Specialist, comprehensive preparation tools and volunteer training before you leave home.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Cheapest volunteer programs from $23/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement & local support.
  • Volunteer for 2-24 weeks, year round start dates most Mondays
  • 15+ years experience & only B Corp certified volunteer travel organization
  • Get free changes up to 14 days before you start with our flexible booking policy
  • Affordable way to earn college credit - gain 5 credits for only US$500!

Popular Programs

Carnival Volunteering at a Samba School in Brazil - Rio de Janeiro

Get your dancing shoes on and pack your bags for Brazil! Join International Volunteer HQ's Carnival project and experience one of the world's most iconic celebrations up close. As a volunteer, you'll be part of the action, helping with the intricate preparations that go into this unforgettable event. From dazzling costumes to incredible floats, there's no shortage of excitement in store.

childcare volunteer in Brazil

Ready to make a difference in the lives of Brazilian children? Join International Volunteer HQ's Childcare project in Rio de Janeiro! Help provide a safe and engaging environment for kids to learn and play while their parents work. With your support, they'll have the opportunity to thrive and grow.

Program Reviews

4.68 Rating
based on 25 reviews
  • 5 rating 76%
  • 4 rating 20%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 4%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.35
  • Support 4.6
  • Fun 4.6
  • Value 4.8
  • Safety 4.35
Showing 9 - 16 of 25 reviews
Flor
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

I really loved my time as a volunteer in Brazil. I got to help out in a summer camp with wonderful kids, ages ranging from 5-13. I got to experience what it was like to live as a local and try their cultural food. My free time in the weekend was well spent exploring the area as well as learning more about the culture and their language. I will never forget my days in Brazil, it’s definitely an experience I will remember forever. They have many programs to choose from and many countries to go to. If I could I would go to all of them because it’s that amazing. The prices are affordable and the programs offered are amazing. You won’t regret your time as a volunteer. I definitely look forward to volunteering again because it’s that amazing. I didn’t want to leave my volunteer program in Brazil, I wanted to stay there forever. I never thought I would make it to Brazil, but thanks to the IVHQ program I was able to make my dream come true.

117 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Mubin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Rio 2017 - Sports Development (2 weeks)

Truly a remarkable experience! This was my first volunteer experience and I have to say IVHQ made it easy for me throughout the planning stages to actually stepping foot in Rio. The team in Rio was really sweet and made you feel at home. Pick-up, accommodation, support, placement and most of all the other volunteers were beyond my expectation! In a way I felt like I got lucky with the group I was with but after conversations with the team and others who have volunteered before you will see this is an IVHQ thing, being surrounded by like minded folks who genuinely want to give back.

I did the sports development project which was in a beautiful setting, the community was nice and welcoming to us. If was pretty safe because the school and soccer field were close to each other and to top it off everyday there was at least 2 or 3 police officers posted in front. The commute is simple, you'll get a hang of things within days and there are several inexpensive places to eat at. The coach and the kids were the highlight of my trip, they are full of energy and will school in soccer so be prepared! I got to do a bit of both in my placement, first half you spend in the classroom and then you go play soccer. We did this twice, once with the morning class and then again with the afternoon class (9am - 3pm, Mon. - Thurs.).

Overall the place we stayed at was great and safe as long as you follow all the protocol I think Brazil is what you make it out to be. That is what the orientation is for so ask away if you have questions and stick with your group. Very cost effective place so no need to carry a ton of cash with you, just know your budget. Ton of options to buy food (they have uber eats!) or cook your own food. Plenty of time to go out, do activities and make the most of your time in Rio. I was there for 2 weeks and am satisfied with everything I did because I was always ready to do something did not matter what it was. Just be open minded and go with flow, I think that is the best way to approach any volunteer or study abroad experience and glad it turned out to be an amazing experience.

Highly recommend IVHQ and looking forward to doing my next one with them! I will miss you Rio!!

What would you improve about this program?
I think there is a lot of information to take in when you arrive. Perhaps a bit more information prior to arriving that can help you prepare and then when you get there give some refreshers so you can apply what you learned. The accommodation was great but will no longer exist, so I would highly recommended finding a similar place because that house did change our experience significantly.
112 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Mubin, Thanks for sharing! We're happy to have helped make the planning stages easy for you and we are stoked to hear that your time in Brazil was a truly remarkable experience. We love our volunteers and are not surprised to hear that you were surrounded by an awesome bunch of people. Thanks for recommending IVHQ and we can't wait to see where you will volunteer with us next!
Charlotte - IVHQ Brazil Program Manager

Default avatar
Jocelyn
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My 3 weeks in Rio

Brazil is the first country I have visited in South America and I was very surprised by the lack of English speakers in Rio. Regardless of the language barrier, I had an amazing time in Rio with other volunteers and the locals at my placement. All the locals were very friendly and were willing to help. Safety is a huge concern but I didn't feel in danger at any time during my visit. Just try to dress casually and keep a low profile, only take what you need for the day. Overall, it was an amazing experience that I would absolutely repeat if I had the chance!

112 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Jocelyn, We are so glad to hear that you had an amazing time in Rio and we hope to have you join us again in the future!
Charlotte - IVHQ Brazil Program Manager

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Hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Rio 2016

My time in Rio was my first time leaving my own country in Australia. So you would think that it would no doubt be a little overwhelming. However the team and other volunteers in Rio made me feel so welcome and at home the instance i arrived. The house atmosphere was such a good/positive vibe filled with happy people.
Before leaving for Rio, the media were hyping up the dangers etc particularly with the Olympics upcoming. However, once being exposed to the city, i did not encompass one bad experience and there is nothing to worry about if you use a little common sense.
The team members went above and beyond to make my time in Rio memorable and an experience that i would never forget. Being surrounded by such helpful people really allowed me to explore Rio in a way that you never could if you were just a typical tourist. I got to see the favelas from a local who has lived there his whole life. This never would have been possible if you were just touring Brazil.
Therefore, i think Rio is a perfect location to volunteer if you want to experience a city that is full of amazing views and activities with outstanding team members to help you along the way.

88 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Hannah, It’s nice to hear from you. We are so glad that you had such a warm and happy atmosphere to greet you when you arrived in Rio, what a great start to your experience. It sounds like you had an amazing first trip overseas and we would love to see you on another of our programs in the future. Thanks for being an IVHQer!

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Fahim
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Brazil-Rio-Sports Program

I arrived in Rio to be greeted by the IVHQ driver, who transferred us to the IVHQ house. The entire time I spent in Rio was amazing, the people are amazing, the city itself is unreal. If you love a view, then Rio would be the place for you. Nearly everywhere in Rio provides a dramatic view of the city or the beach. Especially the favelas, which are quite high in the sky, they provide unreal views of the city. The food is next level nice over there, especially the cheese.

50 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Fahim, We are so glad that you had an amazing time in Rio! We would love to have you volunteer with us again in the future. Thanks for being an IVHQer!

Default avatar
Annie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Awesome experience!

My time in Rio with the other volunteers was hands down one of the best experiences of my life!
Helping on the Carnavale program was incredible and the level of industry and passion I witnessed and shared was inspiring. As I am an Art teacher in Australia, I found the immersion in the Carnavale culture exciting and educational - I can't wait to share it with my students.

As I was quite a bit older than the other volunteers and on my Long Service Leave, I was relieved to discover that, it turns out - age doesnt matter at all! There were so many people of different ages, backgrounds and personalities, there was always someone to share the fun with. Did I mention how much fun the Lapa night life and beaches are???
If you really want to connect with the locals and immerse yourself in the culture, this is the perfect way to travel. You will get so much more from the experience and you will be helping out and making a little difference in the lives of others. The level of support you will recieve will help you to stay safe - I was so glad I had the IVHQ network around me.
I encourage you to give it a go! You will come away touched by a beautiful city, lifelong friends and a yearning to go back.

What would you improve about this program?
The house still needs a litle more attention to run optimally, but it was new, and those improvements will happen.
51 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Annie, It's so nice to hear from you!! We are so glad that your time in Rio was so positive. It sounds like you had the ultimate volunteer abroad experience and we are glad we could facilitate this for you. It is really great to have you as an IVHQer and we hope to have you on another program soon!

Read my full story
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Karrah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a Lifetime Experience

Volunteering in Brazil completely changed my whole perspective on the world. My problems back home seemed minuscule compared to the problems I saw in Rio De Janeiro. It is crazy how different they live there compared to the United States. I recommend this program to anyone that enjoys culture shock and is open to new life experiences. I worked with the Carnaval program and it was amazing to be able to see the floats and elaborate costumes before the parade took place. It is absolutely beautiful there. I will forever cherish my time in Brazil!

What would you improve about this program?
The Carnaval project could use more supplies. Often times the volunteers would need to take turns due to the lack of supplies.
43 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Karrah, Thanks for sharing a little from your experience volunteering in Brazil, it sounds like you had a really memorable time in Rio. Thanks for being an IVHQer!

Read my full story
Mandy
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Brazil - Old, New, Wonder and Food!

During the course of this program I was able to starting learning a new language, see old friends, make new ones, visit a Wonder of the World, eat amazing food, and make a small impact in the local community. All for a reasonable price and with great support.

What would you improve about this program?
This program is still relatively new and there were a few kinks with the housing. The placement I was on was also better for one or two days of work at most but the coordinators were very open to suggestions and comments. They were very helpful.
57 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers