Location
  • Jamaica
Length
1 to 4 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
18
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Guesthouse Host Family
Groups
Small Group (1-15)
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
525
Price Details
Fully hosted experience from only $525 for 1 week - this includes accommodation, breakfast, airport pick-up, orientation and 24/7 in-country support.
What's Included
Accommodation Airport Transfers Some Meals Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
May 17, 2023
Jan 05, 2024
35 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 125,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the world's #1 rated volunteer programs in Jamaica and 50+ destinations worldwide.

For the past 5 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 Jamaica.

Our affordable projects start from $58/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement and local support. Projects run year-round, with durations from 1-4 weeks. Choose from 11 projects, ranging from Teaching English and Veterinary Care to Sustainable Agriculture and Feeding the Homeless in the idyllic coastal town of St Mary. Plus, you’ll stay 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 $58/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement & local support.
  • Volunteer for 1-4 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

Animal Care Volunteer Program in Jamaica - St Mary

Volunteer your time with a dog shelter in Jamaica and help with the care and rehoming of stray dogs. On this project you will gain experience looking after animals while providing the dogs with human companionship, medical treatment and everyday care.

Sustainable Agriculture & Community Development Volunteer Program in Jamaica

Support local Jamaican youth and promote sustainable farming practices by volunteering in Jamaica! This project encourages youth to get involved in agriculture and develop an interest in farming, beekeeping, soap making, paper making and other skills which may help generate future income opportunities.

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 20 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.9
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.95
  • Value 5
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 17 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 2018
Scott
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best week of my life!

I volunteered with IVHQ and V2 Volunteers for their Jamaica program in July of 2019. My volunteer work consisted of business and community development; my friend and I helped a local business owner find and finalize packaging, labeling, and branding for her company's locally-sourced, handmade soaps. We lived in a volunteer house with seven other volunteers and the program coordinator, Mark. Over the course of our time there, we all became close enough to consider each other family (Mark included!). The program staff was a great help when it came to addressing issues, recommending activities, and coordinating transportation for us. Mark especially was a critical part of what made our experience so enjoyable; he consistently went above and beyond to socialize with all of us, give us advice about the surrounding area, and simply make us feel at home. This trip not only provided me with lifelong memories and a plethora of first-time experiences that I will never forget, but it also provided me with a wonderful group of people who I was able to bond and share these experiences with. The other volunteers and I are already planning our next trip through IVHQ; this is an unforgettable experience that I would recommend to everyone!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
The most unforgettable part of my time in Jamaica is all of the interactions and experiences I had with the locals. In your downtime when you're not volunteering, make it a point to go out of your way to interact with locals and go to local bars and restaurants! The people of the country are really what makes spending time in Jamaica such a great and fulfilling experience.
69 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story
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Marie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

Volunteering with IVHQ in Jamaica was amazing! This was my first trip and it was bery organized. The support team there was very friendly and helpful. You could tell that they actually cared about our wellbeing while we stayed there. The school that we volunteered at welcomed us with open arms. Getting around town was relatively easy since the taxis ran very frequently. There is a ton of stuff to do and to site see. I wish I could have stayed longer to see more instead of just a week. The food was delicious and youbhave the option to choose a meal plan provided by the support team in case you did not want to constantly eat out. I loved this program and have absolutely no complaints. I am definitely volunteering again with IVHQ because of them.

What was your funniest moment?
Catching the taxis since the taxi drivers were hilarious
71 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Marie, Thanks for your lovely feedback - it's awesome to hear that you felt well-supported by the local team in Jamaica and enjoyed your time teaching sport at the local school! We look forward to having you volunteer with us again soon! Charlotte - IVHQ Program Manager.

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

AMAZING TRIP!

We had the most magical time in Jamaica working with the Kindergarten program. The staff, children, and program in its entirety was incredible from start to finish. The food was amazing, the people were so kind, the excursions were breathtaking, and the other volunteers have become fast friends. We loved every exhilarating and beautiful moment of this trip.

The worst part of the program was having to leave this adventuring and heart-felt and impactful week.

We had the most magical time in Jamaica working with the Kindergarten program. The staff, children, and program in its entirety was incredible from start to finish. The food was amazing, the people were so kind, the excursions were breathtaking, and the other volunteers have become fast friends. We loved every exhilarating and beautiful moment of this trip.

The worst part of the program was having to leave this adventuring and heart-felt and impactful week.

I wish we would have known how difficult and expensive it is to mail items after leaving the program. Had we known this, we would have packed a suitcase with school supplies and left with the school upon leaving. Aside from that, I would change nothing about this incredible experience.

What would you improve about this program?
I wish we would have known how difficult and expensive it is to mail items after leaving the program. Had we known this, we would have packed a suitcase with school supplies and left with the school upon leaving. Aside from that, I would change nothing about this incredible experience.
69 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Chelsea, thanks for the lovely review! We're stoked that you and Eric enjoyed your time in volunteering with the children in Jamaica and look forward to having you volunteer with us for your third program soon! Until next time! Charlotte - IVHQ Program Manager

Sofie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

One love

Hey Everyone. I’m relatively new to the IVHQ community. As a matter of fact, this is my first experience being abroad by myself. I’ve been in Jamaica for 4 weeks and have another 4 weeks left to go. Im working with the students at Boscobel Primary as part of the Sports Development Program. This experience has beyond exceeded any expectation I could have possibly hoped for. Going somewhere by myself with a program I came across on a google search was a significant stressor on the family, to say the very least. I was honestly pretty nervous to finally see what kind of situation I had gotten myself into, however, any shred of concern vanished after one conversation with the program director Jade Whyne. She was incredibly warm, welcoming and she cares about all the volunteer members like family. I know with absolute confidence that I can always count on the team here, Jade and Mark, for anything I need. There is always room for improvement in any project and it takes quite a bit of effort, resources, and experience to wrinkle out all the “kinks” in any developing organization. The team here is more than receptive to new ideas and any suggestions we have on how to help the program better thrive. Furthermore, despite tireless efforts, there are sometimes factors beyond anyone’s control. Anyways as I did recognize, it may not always be perfect, but in all honesty I would say that it would be a disservice to deprive yourself of the opportunity to experience Jamaica firsthand for yourself. I understand with this being my first time volunteering with IVHQ, I may not know the comparative value of programs in different countries. However, what I absolutely do know is that I am grateful I never switched the location of my program. I love the primary school kids with all my heart and it is an honor to help make a difference in their lives. Jades determination to better the community is absolutely commendable. The children’s hearts are filled with love and the school needs more volunteers who are persistent on making a difference. Overall, this project needs more help not less. The foundation is strong and change will be positively correlated to the number of volunteers who choose Jamaica. If you are still hesitant then in the very least give Jade a call. Because of this experience, I look forward to volunteering with IVHQ in the future. I really hope you consider coming to Jamaica because I standby it as being one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The other volunteers I’ve met are more of a family to me than a coworker or friend. If you have any other questions or concerns feel feel free to ask. I’m grateful to Mark and Jade for everything they’ve done and continue to do. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I look forward to possibly volunteering with some of you in the future. One love

What would you improve about this program?
With more Volunteers
69 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers