Location
  • Brazil
Length
4 to 24 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
18
Housing
Guesthouse
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
240
Price Details
Volunteers at IPBio are required to pay 1200 reais per week (please check up-to-date exchange rate in your currency) for the specific dates agreed upon. This fee covers the volunteer’s coordinators, airport pick-up (not drop off), accommodation, internet access and project costs. A volunteer only confirms their placement once their payment is made and it is only valid for the specific dates agreed upon. Once a volunteer makes their payment there is no refund if they decide to cancel for whatever reason.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Transportation Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Meals Travel Insurance Visa
Aug 23, 2024
Nov 05, 2024
10 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

IPBio – Biodiversity Research Institute is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that develops and supports projects in environmental education and scientific research on biodiversity, ecology as well as on the behavior of species of fauna and flora of Brazilian ecosystems.

Volunteer conduct long term inventories essential for understanding trend in wildlife patterns and monitoring the effects of climate change. These activities are done in a group and are field research activities where repetitive data collection is required to understand trends over long periods. This role is for volunteers who like to be outside and enjoy physical activity.

Projects All Volunteers Will Participate In:
- Forest Inventory and Flora Survey
- Bird Inventory
- Fish Inventory
- Search for Bioluminescent and Fluorescent Organism
- Mushroom Inventory
- Camera Traps for Mammals

We also want to recruit people who can capture nature and our projects through photography and video-editing.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Help conservation in the Amazon
  • Learn about Amazonian culture and wildlife
  • Develop friendships for life
  • This experience can be used for internship credits

Related Programs

Program Reviews

4.86 Rating
based on 22 reviews
  • 5 rating 86.36%
  • 4 rating 13.64%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.7
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.85
  • Value 4.85
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 1 - 8 of 22 reviews
Default avatar
Andy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What a great experience.

As a first time overseas volunteer and wildlife researcher, I found this program an awesome experience on so many levels.

It was great to be part of a group that really cares about not only wildlife conservation but also providing the best for the local community.

I felt that the work we undertook really made a difference and this was such a good feeling.

The staff were awesome and very supportive.

I'm running out of space but all I will say is if you have chance ... Do it, you won't regret it

What was your funniest moment?
There were so many, hard to choose just one.
Pros
  • Interesting work / projects
  • Very supportive team
  • A great place with awesome wildlife and things to see
Cons
  • Sometimes the hot weather made it hard work
1 person found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Martha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

One of the best experiences

I had the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge regarding the research and conservation methods for different aspects of nature. The work was harder some days than others, but super rewarding. The staff was very kind, knowledgeable, and welcoming. We had the opportunity to interact with the local community on various occasions and even participate in some of their local celebrations. This deepened my appreciation for their culture and the work that IPBio is doing. Lastly, the town is beautiful and offers a variety of things to do from the beach, restaurants, dancing, different tours, water activities, and more. I would definitely recommend to anyone interested in nature or conservation.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Try to learn some Portuguese beforehand. Most locals do not speak English or other languages.
Pros
  • Beautiful views from the rivers to the forest
  • Super unique wildlife and Biodiversity
  • Interact with the locals and people from all over the world
Cons
  • Can get very hot
  • You may get some bug bites and stings
4 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Loïs
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience !!!

I am an engineering student specializing in agronomy, environmental science, and agri-food. I completed a 2-month internship at IPBio, and it has been the best internship I have had so far. Both the setting, which is exceptional and the diverse and interesting missions made it an outstanding experience. There is something for everyone. Regarding the staff, they were excellent, and everyone was very kind and attentive. What I enjoyed the most were the reforestation days we participated in, as they allowed us to contribute directly to environmental conservation and combat the massive deforestation of the Amazon.

11 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alisa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience

I greatly enjoyed my time volunteering at IPBIO. The program combines so much diversity in activity types and locations for biodiversity research. Coordinators are very responsible and open. Help is available at any moment, I felt very secure going to a new country. Group dynamics is amazing, I learned a lot from the people I met during the trip. Housing has all utilities that you can think of. The nature can not be fully described in words; The diversity of species you see during work and free time is breathtaking!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Read up about the nature and wildlife of the region before arriving at the location
Pros
  • Wildlife
  • Safety
  • Landmarks
Cons
  • Close to urban areas
15 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Boston
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Greatest experience

This was one of the best experiences I’ve had in my life so far. Alter do chao is so beautiful the location you are in is amazing many activities to do many necessities near by and so many great people. It’s truly amazing, irman and Marleen the people that run this organization are such amazing people they are so nice and so helpful with anything you need they truly are friends for life. The other volunteers are also so amazing you meet so many cool people that all have the same interests it’s truly amazing. The living quarters are amazing I couldn’t ask for more, you have an amazing pool with a big kitchen and the rooms are nice and cold with good beds it’s great. This was truly one of the best experiences ever and I recommend it to everyone. Definitely will do again!!!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The Brazilian thorn spider it looks like something from another planet it’s truly one of the coolest creatures I’ve ever seen
Pros
  • The people
  • The location
  • The wildlife
Cons
  • None
  • None
  • None
12 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Benaiah
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fun and meaningful

I am an undergraduate biology student. During my 7 weeks at IPBio, I witnessed a lot of biodiversity in the Amazon forest. The programme itself is well organised and executed, with the volunteer coordinators Imran and Marleen being very responsive, supportive, and instructive. The only drawback was that the location of the programme is in close proximity to human settlements, which restricts the extent of biodiversity present. However, this is balanced out by the close proximity to food shops, cultural immersion, and social activities.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Familiarise yourself with biodiversity in the amazon forest before coming.
Pros
  • amazing biodiversity
Cons
  • insect bites
12 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Peyton
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An amazing experience!

We were well looked after by the coordinators Marleen and Imran from start to finish. The trip gave me a really genuine experience of Brazil, experiencing capoeira, carimbó and the local food including fish. It was a really good chance to help out the organisation, learn loads about biodiversity research, and practice your photography skills. It was amazing to see the huge range of animals in the Amazon. On top of this there was plenty of exciting excursions to go on such as hikes, kayaking, visiting manatees in the zoo and visiting Santarem.

16 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ava
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

IPBio Amazon Program Review

I chose this program to fulfill an internship requirement for my degree program but the IPBio Amazon volunteer program went above and beyond my expectations. Not only did I have the opportunity to engage in meaningful work everyday either the field or in the local community in Alter do Chao but I got to work alongside brilliant and passionate volunteers and staff. I will always look back on my 8 weeks in the Amazon fondly. If you are looking for an opportunity to participate in field research, explore amazing wildlife, and make great friends then this is the program for you!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
We had the most amazing opportunities to see and photograph wildlife. From toucans, tarantulas, parrots, sloths and so much more in the wild!
Pros
  • Manageable schedule
  • Access to weekend excursions & a short walk from town
  • Amazing accommodation with a pool!
14 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers