The 10 [Best Cheap] Volunteer Overseas Programs Providers 2024

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)

International Volunteers HQ (IVHQ) is one of the world’s leading charity volunteer organizations founded in New Zealand in 2007. The company was first established by Dan Radcliffe, a veteran volunteer with a lifetime of experience, with a vision to make affordable volunteer opportunities more accessible to the public. IVHQ goes to great lengths to ensure that their volunteer programs are both socially and environmentally responsible as well as sustainable. Their support for their volunteers is excellent, something that many former volunteers brag about in reviews. The company is one of the best volunteer overseas providers in the world.

IVHQ Best Volunteer Overseas Programs

While IVHQ manages overseas volunteering in a wide variety of countries and locations, for this article we’ve decided to highlight their efforts in Costa Rica, Thailand, and Guatemala. In these countries, you can take part in a wide variety of projects from turtle conservation to sports teaching or helping make agriculture more sustainable.

Childcare volunteer program in Thailand – This is a youth overseas volunteering program well suited for those who have a passion for education and enjoy working with young children. You’ll work in day-care centers in the local villages around Chiang Rai, helping with children between the ages of 2 and 6. You’ll help to run educational and learning activities, maintain the classroom and assist during mealtimes. Each day you will also assist with general duties required around the center and planning for upcoming lessons.

Sea Turtle Conservation Costa Rica – Costa Rica houses a range of turtle species, including the endangered Leatherback, Green, Olive Ridley, and Hawksbill. As a volunteer in this program, your role would encompass protecting these remarkable species and you’ll be based on either the Nicoya Peninsula or the Caribbean Coast. Depending on the time of year, you’ll work a variety of day and night shifts, helping with beach patrols, building hatcheries to protect eggs from predators, beach cleaning, and more.

Animal Care Volunteer Program Guatemala – In a country where animals are not often treated as they would be in more developed countries, injured, abandoned, sick, or neglected animals are the norm. On this animal care volunteering opportunity, there are a number of placements that have a high demand for assistance; everything from volunteering at a dog and cat shelter and a veterinary clinic to and an exotic animal refuge caring for crocodiles, snakes, lizards, and turtles.

IVHQ Fees

IVHQ is wholly dedicated to make your overseas volunteer trip as affordable and comfortable as possible. Their Guatemala volunteer programs start off at $385 for a week, with an additional registration cost of $329. Services include accommodation, meals, program orientation, in-country support and a volunteer certificate.

IVHQ Reviews

IVHQ is one of the best companies when it comes to volunteering overseas. Past volunteers only have good things to say about IVHQ’s programs and provision of facilities. You can read more about it on their own volunteer reviews page of their website. IVHQ has 2,227 reviews on Go Overseas and 1,675 reviews on Go Abroad.

Read all reviews of IVHQ on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of IVHQ on Go Abroad.

Love Volunteers

Founded in New Zealand in 2009 by brother and sister Julian and Kelly, Love Volunteers aims to offer great overseas volunteer opportunities with a focus on transparency and reasonable prices, so that volunteers can rest easy knowing exactly where their money is going. Love Volunteers has been in operation for a long time and they have yet to disappoint any of their clients or volunteers. All of their programs are highly impactful in their own way, and they are continually thriving for more growth and success in this enterprise.

Love Volunteers Best Overseas Volunteer Programs

After researching various overseas volunteering destinations offered by Love Volunteers, we were most taken with three countries, namely South Africa, Brazil, and Honduras. See some of the amazing projects below.

Wildlife program in South Africa – Like many overseas conservation volunteer programs, funds are low so volunteers are essential to the success of the project. This amazing project was developed to simply save the lives of the magnificent wildlife animals of South Africa. The Wildlife Protection program is based on a spectacular Game Reserve just outside Port Elizabeth. Your duties would vary on a day-to-day basis, dependent on factors such as the weather. The work is mostly outdoors and will sometimes be in unpleasant conditions, so you’ll need to be willing to lend a hand with all sorts of tasks.

Great Barrier Reef Conservation in Australia – This program offers a wonderful opportunity to all volunteers to experience the majestic beauty of Australia while also helping to save marine life. As a volunteer here, you’ll first learn how to dive from a certified diving instructor. Then, you will act as a full time marine conservationist helping in coral and fish identification surveys and beach and water clean-up programs.

 English Teaching in Honduras – This wonderful teaching English project was created with the goal of helping to advance the English speaking abilities of the residents of El Porvenir. The program provides completely free English lessons for kindergarten, elementary, teenage, and adult students.

Love Volunteers Fees

Love Volunteers has affordable overseas volunteer programs, no matter which country you choose. For their Honduras Teaching English program, the price is $339 with an initial registration fee of $299. These prices will get you accommodation at a volunteer house, meals, airport transfer, and program support and orientation.

Love Volunteers Reviews

While Love Volunteers doesn’t have the same quantity of reviews that IVHQ has, their feedback is nonetheless overwhelmingly positive. Love Volunteers also has its own reviews section that you should check out. This fantastic organization has 140 reviews on Go Overseas and 271 reviews on Go Abroad.

Read all reviews of Love Volunteers on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of Love Volunteers on Go Abroad.

MaximoNivel

Maximo Nivel stands out as the premier institution for educational travel and study abroad experiences across South America. With four locally accredited institutes spanning three stunning countries—Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru—it provides top-tier overseas volunteering opportunities. Students have a diverse array of programs to select from, including volunteer abroad initiatives, international internships, TEFL Certification courses, Spanish immersion studies, and beyond. The company takes care of all arrangements, ranging from in-country projects and academic offerings to lodging, excursions, and transportation, ensuring a seamless experience for participants.

Maximo Nivel Best Volunteer Overseas Programs

Maximo Nivel has excellent overseas volunteer programs in South and Central America, chiefly in Peru, Guatemala and Costa Rica. Volunteers will surely make innumerable memories while also helping people in need.

Teaching English in Peru – MaximoNivel’s teaching English program works to provide English lessons to those who cannot afford proper education due to poor financial situation. As a volunteer, you’ll work in community settings – developing lesson plans, delivering lessons and organizing educational games and activities.

Medical Program in Guatemala – If you’re a medical student/professional seeking experience in Guatemalan healthcare, this program is the perfect fit for you. As an overseas volunteer, you’ll shadow local doctors and nurses and aid with check-ups, taking vital signs, updating patient records and organizing medical campaigns.

Eco-Agriculture in Costa Rica – The eco-agriculture program in Costa Rica is an excellent overseas volunteering opportunity. You’ll help local farmers practice sustainable and responsible farming. You yourself can also get involved in every step of the coffee making progress, responsibly ofcourse!

Maximo Nivel Fees

Maximo Nivel’s overseas volunteer programs for Guatemala and Peru are more affordable than the one in Costa Rica. While volunteering in Costa Rica for a week costs $785 in total, Peru and Guatemala’s programs only cost $685! These prices include your stay with the host family, meals, airport transportation, program certification and program support.

Maximo Nivel Reviews

We chose Maximo Nivel because of the high number of reviews and ratings the company has gathered over the years. They are certainly one of the best overseas volunteer providers in South/Central America. Maximo Nivel has 1,304 reviews on Go Overseas and 1,843 reviews on Go Abroad.

Read all reviews of Maximo Nivel on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of Maximo Nivel on Go Abroad.

RCDP International Volunteers

Founded in Boulder, Colorado in 1998, RCDP International Volunteers distinguished itself by being the first organization in the world to offer volunteer programs in Nepal. Since then they expanded rapidly, first to India, Sri Lanka, and then to destinations across Asia, Latin America, and Africa. All the while, RCDP International has always prioritized their grassroots approach – working and collaborating with local organizations to bring the true, needed change in societies around the world. Without a doubt, RCDP International is one of the best volunteer overseas providers in the world.

RCDP International Best Volunteer Overseas Programs

We like RCDP’s overseas volunteering programs in Kenya, Costa Rica, Nepal, and Uganda. This gives you a varied selection of destinations, with wildly different cultures, climates, wildlife, and scenery. Projects include sea turtle conservation, working with indigenous tribes, and a very unique photojournalism internship in the mountains of Nepal. See a breakdown of some of the cool projects run by RDCP.

Medical Program in Kenya – This is the best volunteer abroad program to gain medical experience in an absorbing country with a distinct and dynamic culture. With RCDP’s health projects in Kenya, you’ll be able to go where the poor and the sick are and help them have a healthier life. You will need to have some sort of healthcare certification, such as being a medical student, EMT, or paramedic.

Sea Turtle Conservation in Costa Rica – This volunteer program is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the Costa Rican landscape while also contributing to preserving natural life.  As a volunteer, you’ll help nurse sick sea turtles back to health and study the habits and lifestyles of the sea turtles to form conclusions about what can be done to help make them as comfortable as possible in their natural environment. 

Healthcare Project in India – If you are a healthcare professional or in medical school, this is a unique chance to get hands-on experience in one of the most densely populated countries of the world, with many who still live below the poverty line and have little access to proper healthcare. As an overseas medical volunteer, you will not be involved in independently treating the patients but you will shadow local medical practitioners. You can also involve yourself in other hospital activities such as record keeping, checking blood pressure and measuring patients’ temperature.

RCDP International Fees

RCDP has some of the most affordable program fees without the need to sacrifice basic facilities and services. Their volunteer program in India starts at just $200! There is, however, a registration cost of $279 that you should pay first. These costs will cover your accommodation, meals, airport transfer, in-country support, program orientation and volunteer certification.

RCDP International Reviews

RCDP receives great reviews and feedback from former volunteers. There are a good number of reviewers as well, with more than 300 former volunteers chiming in. RCDP International has 62 reviews on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of RCDP International on Go Overseas.

Global Crossroad International Volunteers (GCR)

Global Crossroad is a 501 (3) (c) volunteer organization founded in the city of Dallas, Texas. Starting in 2003, GCR has accrued tons of experience facilitating adventures to volunteering projects and internship programs. The company adopts a grassroots approach to changing the life of struggling people in developing countries, which we think is the perfect way to go about things. Your overseas volunteer trip will be made as comfortable and safe as possible with GCR at your side.

Global Crossroad Best Volunteer Overseas Programs

While all of GCR’s projects and destinations look very interesting, we think their strengths are best displayed in the countries of Tanzania, Costa Rica, and Nepal.

Orphanage volunteering in Tanzania – There are many orphanages in Tanzania trying to alleviate the problem of poverty; however such humanitarian institutions lack resources and manpower. As a volunteer in Tanzania, you’ll be making a positive impact on the lives of orphans by engaging them in creative endeavors and helping them in academic work.

Sea Turtle Conservation in Costa Rica – Have you always dreamed of saving endangered species, perhaps in one of the most pristine locations of the world?  The sea turtle program needs devoted volunteers to help them gather data and protect nesting sites when the turtles are able to return. This will be a wonderful hands-on learning experience and you’ll feel highly satisfied knowing that your contribution to the volunteer overseas makes a huge difference in the present and future lives of these special marine animals.

Monastery volunteer in Nepal – On this volunteer abroad program, you will get to learn, participate and practice Buddhism in an authentic Nepalese monastery. Your support and passion will improve English and allow the monks to communicate outside their borders. You will be happy and fulfilled knowing that you will help transform lives for monks as they broaden their perspectives outside the monastery.

Global Crossroad Fees

Global Crossroad’s overseas programs are incredibly affordable. After paying a $299 USD registration fee, you can find programs in the countries listed above for as little as $150 USD. Even destinations that are usually very expensive to do volunteer work overseas in, like Argentina, are on offer for as little as $488USD.

Global Crossroad Reviews

Global Crossroad has plenty of positive reviews online. The company boasts loads of satisfied past volunteers and all of them praised GCR’s efforts to provide the best overseas volunteer opportunities. Global Crossroad has 94 reviews on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of Global Crossroad on Go Overseas.

Plan My Gap Year

Plan My Gap Year (PMGY) is one of the best organizations in the world offering affordable gap year and volunteer travel opportunities. This well-reputed agency was first established in the UK in 2011. Their main focus lies in responsible travel and they also support a social platform where all of their volunteers can bond and make new connections. PMGY’s overseas volunteer programs are meaningful considering the work they do and you’ll surely make some great memories on your trip abroad!

PMGY Best Volunteer Overseas Programs

We think Plan My Gap Year is at its best when volunteering overseas in Ecuador, Nepal, and Ghana. Projects include teaching English, caring for disabled children, language immersion, and more.

Teaching English in Nepal – English is not the local language of Nepalese, though it is a language that is important to their tourism industry, as the country is one of the most popular destinations in the world.  As a teaching English volunteer, you will be either teaching English to young people or teaching English to monks in monasteries.  

Childcare in Ghana – Your role in this program would be to do your bit to help care for Ghanaian children with special needs in a world where disabilities still aren’t widely understood, cared for, or accepted. You assist local staff by getting involved in essential education and rehabilitation sessions and help young children become engaged in various forms of artistic activities.

Childcare in Ecuador – As a volunteer in Ecuador, you can be a helping hand to a beautiful child, teaching them how to clean their clothes, speak English or even sing songs; or spend your days with a generation of inspired students teaching English while learning about the local indigenous culture.

PMGY Fees

PMGY would much rather have its volunteers focused on the impact they have than worry about the incredulous fees they must pay. Overseas volunteering becomes fun and exciting with PMGY. Their program fees can start as low as $275 and there is an additional registration cost of $249.

PMGY Reviews

PMGY has earned the massive amounts of reviews and 5 star ratings they have on different review platforms online. An overseas volunteering experience with PMGY is well worth the money, or so past volunteers say. Check out more of past volunteer reviews on their own website. PMGY has 404 reviews on Go Overseas and 77 reviews on Go Abroad.

Read all reviews of PMGY on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of PMGY on Go Abroad.

GoEco

GoEco is a top-rated volunteer and eco-tourism company that focuses on changing the world for the better. The company was first established in 2005 and they are now committed to providing the best volunteer abroad programs for those who want to follow in their footsteps in an ethical, responsible, and sustainable way. Their conscious and impactful effort, high-quality services for volunteers and affordable prices makes them one of the best overseas volunteer providers in the world.

GoEco Best Overseas Volunteer Programs

When looking through GoEco’s catalog, we were most impressed with their offerings in India, Guatemala, and Zimbabwe.  Here you can take part in projects such as community work, medical internships, and more. See the details of some of the projects here:

Teaching and Community Work in India – Have the chance to help the people of Goa learn English while simultaneously touring around one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. You’ll volunteer in meaningful teaching projects with migrant children, staying in private accommodations especially for families, and furthermore enjoy lessons in the Hindi language, as well as cooking lessons too.

Medical Program in Antigua – This is a wonderful volunteer program for those thinking about doing a medical internship – why not become a medical intern in Antigua? You’ll gain hands-on experience in medical care, enhance your CV with clinical skills, work one-on-one with a medical professional and even have daily language Spanish lessons.

Wildlife Orphanage in Zimbabwe – This program offers a superb chance to volunteer at one of the largest and most successful wildlife sanctuaries and rehabilitation centers in Africa. As a volunteer, you will provide care for injured animals that cannot be released into the wild, assist with releases whenever possible and work alongside animal professionals at this world-renowned center and a range of other ethical wildlife interactions and volunteer tasks.

GoEco Fees

We chose GoEco to grace our list precisely because of their affordable overseas volunteering opportunities. Their programs don’t have any registration cost and are quite inexpensive when compared to other conservation programs. Their India volunteer program is just $640 for a week! That is definitely a fascinating price for such a wonderful opportunity.

GoEco Reviews

GoEco’s commitment to responsible and sustainable volunteering has earned them dividends with their clients. More than 800 reviewers have left their feedback on various travel platforms online. You can even check out GoEco’s own reviews and awards section on their website. This prestigious organization has 89 reviews on Go Overseas and 729 reviews on Go Abroad.

Read all reviews of GoEco on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of GoEco on Go Abroad.

Global Vision International (GVI)

Global Vision International (GVI) is a US-based company, founded in 1998, that runs the best volunteering programs in 21 locations and 13 countries around the world. Each of the programs is managed by Global Vision International’s staffs and they are all closely aligned with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and partners on the ground in host countries. With the aim of turning volunteers into global citizens who can help make the world a better place, the worldwide team of Global Vision International has a united passion for making a real difference. This overseas volunteering opportunities provider runs high-quality programs that have earned it recognition from numerous credible organizations such as Panthera, Save The Children, and many others.

GVI Best Volunteer Overseas Programs

We were most impressed with GVI’s overseas volunteer programs in the countries of Thailand, Nepal and Fiji. Greece and Fiji especially are unusual destinations for volunteer work, which makes them an excellent choice. Across these countries you can take part in all sorts of projects like turtle conservation, working with disadvantaged kids and more.

Rainwater harvesting and water security in Fiji – Where water isn’t so clear for all in Fiji, the need for an advanced water system grows. Set in Dawasamu, in this volunteering program, you will be taking part in a range of activities, from the installation of waste management and rainwater harvesting systems and assessing and enhancing sustainable agriculture by building veggie gardens to interacting with villagers, all while making lifelong friends from a range of cultural and geographical backgrounds. 

Public Health Project in Nepal – This is a top-rated volunteer overseas program where you’ll be able to contribute directly to the health and wellbeing of the communities in Pokhara and surrounding areas. You will work with local staff and students to facilitate workshops concerning a range of health-related topics such as teaching the principles of UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) program, basic first aid skills, road safety, puberty and menstruation, and vocabulary related to other broad health topics.

Volunteer with elephants in Thailand – If you want to do wildlife and conservation volunteering whilst simultaneously making a trip to Thailand, this volunteer abroad program is for you. You’ll have the chance to volunteer in the mountain forests of Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand and spend time in the fields with elephants relieved from working in the harmful tourism industry. You’ll get the chance to help take care of them and also learn about elephant history, behavior, training, biology, social interactions, and more.

GVI Fees

Global Vision International doesn’t charge a registration fee for your volunteer work overseas, but their project prices are higher than usual to reflect this, but not so much that they become unaffordable. On the low end of the featured countries above is Nepal at $1,395 and Thailand at $1,895.

GVI Reviews

GVI is a highly-accredited organization and volunteers often talk about the superior quality of services and placements on their volunteer overseas programs. GVI has its own volunteer reviews section that you can check out. GVI has 706 reviews on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of GVI on Go Overseas.

African Impact

African Impact has been the leading volunteer overseas programs provider in Africa since 2004. They have implemented a large array of sustainable projects which have yielded very fruitful results for the communities living there. As the name suggests, the organization’s sole focus is on “impact” and their volunteer programs certainly deliver maximum impact every time! They also have a team of experts and specialists working around the clock to assist volunteers like you have a memorable and fruitful volunteer journey abroad.

African Impact Best Volunteer Overseas Programs

We were most impressed with African Impact’s programs in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Kenya. From what we can gather, programs in these countries have brought a significant positive change to the communities residing there. Let’s check them out:

Big Cat Conservation in Kenya – Africa is renowned all over the world for its safari, savannahs and exotic wildlife. Well how about a chance to get up close with exotic animals and big cats and actually help them?  On this conservation program, volunteers will conduct research and surveys on big cats, monitor and evaluate their movements and patterns and also help in some direct reforestation and erosion control work.

Sports Coaching in Cape Town – Sports are a great way to stay fit and healthy. The youths of Cape Town love engaging in sports activities and you, as a volunteer, could actually help them reap more benefits. You’ll assist coaches during sessions, design better sports lessons and plans and even get to coach yourself during afterschool programs. Do all this while enjoying the serene beauty of South Africa’s Cape Town.

Black Rhino & Elephant Conservation in Zimbabwe – Work at the very heart of an African Game Reserve and get to work with the exotic but endangered black rhinos as well as elephants. This volunteer overseas program will provide volunteers with the opportunity to learn from rangers on how to manage parks, reduce poaching and track animals. Additional tasks may include researching about the rhinos’ behaviors and patterns.

African Impact Fees

Like GVI, African Impact does not charge a registration fee and instead opts for a single sum. Their overseas volunteer programs, considering the high quality of placement, services and experience, are quite affordable. Programs in South Africa start at $1,850 and those in Zimbabwe start from $1,900.

African Impact Reviews

African Impact is a well-known and well-respected organization in the volunteer market. Many volunteers have put their trust in this company to organize them their very own volunteer overseas trip and African Impact has yet to disappoint! Read through the reviews and testimonials page for more information. African Impact has 194 reviews on Go Overseas and 2,731 reviews on Go Abroad.

Read all reviews of African Impact on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of African Impact on Go Abroad.

A Broader View

Here’s a name that has been spotted quite often on our top-rated volunteer overseas providers! A Broader View (ABV) has long stood as a premier non-charity organization offering enriching cultural interactions and meaningful experiences on their volunteer abroad programs. The organization aims to provide volunteers with the platform to “broaden their views” and emerge as kind, compassionate and altruistic global citizens. ABV offers more than 345 programs in several destinations across the world.

A Broader View Best Volunteer Overseas Programs

You cannot go wrong with any of ABV’s programs! With that being said, our personal favorites are their programs in Laos, Nepal and Bolivia. Down below, we have done our best to describe these programs in short:

Street Kids Program in Bolivia – This Street Kids program in Bolivia aims to help at-risk, homeless kids living in Lucre. As a volunteer, you’ll help these kids adapt to a normal and healthy life by educating them, teaching them arts and music and assisting them during mealtimes.

Teaching English in Laos – This volunteer abroad program in Laos will have volunteers assisting local teachers in under-funded and under-resourced community schools. Speaking in English with a foreigner will be a good way to bolster students’ confidence and improve their conversational English. While on this program, volunteers can engage in quite a bit of cultural exchange as well.

Premedical Program in Nepal – If you’re a medical student seeking opportunities to enhance your experience then the premedical program in Nepal is your best-suited option. You’ll be based in the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, where you’ll work alongside qualified doctors and nurses helping in general checkups, update patient records and even do rotations through different departments of the charity hospital.

A Broader View Fees

Being a 501 c (3) non-profit organization, ABV allows volunteers to fundraise for their volunteer overseas trip. On top of that, ABV’s programs are rarely costly. Their program fees for Bolivia stand at $895 for 1 week and those in Nepal and in Laos stand at $890 and $860 per week respectively. ABV also does not charge a registration fee to their volunteers.

A Broader View Reviews

A Broader View has gained a lot of praise from its past volunteers and many organizations have partnered with ABV because of their trustworthiness and reliability. Put your trust in ABV and let the company design you a near flawless volunteer overseas program! Check these volunteer feedbacks if you’re still not convinced. A Broader View has 178 reviews on Go Overseas.

Read all reviews of A Broader View on Go Overseas.

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