VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN COLOMBIA
Colombia, with so much beauty, is a country where we also find difficulties and poverty. When volunteering in Colombia we will see high rates of poverty and a low quality of life, especially in its coastal towns and cities.
The lack of provision of basic services such as health, drinking water and electricity are scarce. Not to mention the violence that has hit many Colombian towns. So, we encourage you to be part of a volunteer program in Colombia.
We invite you to be part of this journey, through an international volunteer program in Colombia. Where you will have the opportunity to know, live and feel for yourself the Colombian people.
PRODUCTIVE YARDS IN COLOMBIA
Support low-income families in Cartagena de Indias by creating and maintaining vegetable gardens in their homes.
SCHOOL REINFORCEMENT IN COLOMBIA
Support us in generating a change in the living conditions of children and young people in Cartagena, by means of education.
CULTURE AND SPORTS IN COLOMBIA
Complement sports and cultural activities with health care, training in values and disciple.
REQUIREMENTS FOR VOLUNTEERING IN COLOMBIA?
If you want to join a volunteer program in Colombia no specific training is necessary in most cases, it is only required that you:
- Be of legal age.
- Have availability for various jobs.
- Be a participative and committed person.
- Have a good conduct and to be respectful with the people who collaborate and the community.
- Be aware of the culture and customs of the country in which you are collaborating.
- Have the ability to work in a team.
Also in your registration process we will ask for the following information:
- A passport-size photo
- Photocopy of passport
- Criminal record sheet (police control)
- Vaccination card in case they are required.
- Copy of the confirmation date of the return flight ticket.
WHERE WILL I BE DURING MY VOLUNTEERING IN COLOMBIA?
The volunteer projects in Colombia are located in Cartagenas de Indias, 20 minutes by taxi from the Walled City and the hostels where the volunteers stay.
WHEN CAN YOU COLLABORATE ON VOLUNTEERING IN COLOMBIA?
You can participate all year round in the following volunteer programs in Cartagena Colombia:
- Productive Patios
- Culture and sport
- Education
Volunteering in Colombia take place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Each program has a schedule in the week.
See specifications of times and dates of arrival in each program through its link.
ARRIVAL AT YOUR DESTINATION
When you arrive at Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG), located 5 km from the city center, you will be met by the taxi driver responsible for the organization. This will have a sign with your name or the organization’s name on the way out, after you pass the immigration controls. It will recognize you by the photo that you sent us attached in the extended form. He will then take you to the hostel.
Depending on the time of arrival and facilities in the accommodation, you will be made the orientation of the place. The first day in the project, which is usually on Mondays, will be conducted induction to the project and the activities to be done, you will also tell the rules, rules and procedures to follow during your volunteering.
VACCINE
Only the yellow fever vaccine is mandatory (in theory, only for people who have spent time in countries at risk). Also, check with the embassy of each country weeks before flying in case they require to show the vaccination card.
International travelers entering Colombia are not required to present a negative PCR test to enter the country. They only need to check in 24 hours before their flight using this link.
COVID–19 REQUIREMENTS
- Download the application, Corona App-Colombia on your phone and input your health status
- Bring various face masks
- Complete vaccination record or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of your departure
- Fill out this form 24 hours before your flight (Have it easily accessible on your phone).
VISA TO ENTER COLOMBIA
For people coming from Spain, no visa is required, other countries consult the Colombian embassies in your country.
Necessary documentation:
- Depending on the country of origin, no visa is required for stays of between 30 and 90 days.
- Passport in order and valid for at least six months.
- Return ticket.
SECURITY IN COLOMBIA
As in many countries of the world you have to take certain precautions and know how to drive in certain zones and areas of the city.
Tourist areas are generally safe, but we still recommend that you keep these details in mind:
- Notify your coordinator if you are going on an excursion.
- Have your coordinator’s phone number and address handy.
- Avoid giving out information about where you are staying, the project and your fellow students.
- Avoid risk areas in every place you visit.
Travel in austerity in your daily transfers and on your excursions. - Avoid attracting attention with jewelry and accessories.
- If you can avoid taking your mobile phone out in public places.
- Try to use the country’s safe transport services or services such as Uber or taxis.
- Avoid walking alone on unknown streets at night.
- Never put someone you don’t know into an unknown vehicle, or someone you don’t know into yours.
- Do not drink any drink of which you do not know the origin.
HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION
All volunteers collaborating in the volunteer projects in Cartagena stay in hostel selected by the organization.
WHAT DOES HOSTEL ACCOMMODATION INCLUDE IN A VOLUNTEERING IN COLOMBIA?
- Bed in a shared room with other volunteers.
- Breakfasts during your volunteering.
- Use of common areas.
- WIFI connection (internet).
- Low cost laundry.
The contribution in the volunteer projects in Colombia for a period of 14 days is 495€.
| WEEKS | ALL PROJECTS |
|---|---|
| 2 | 495€ |
| 3 | 640€ |
| Additional | 145€ |
WHAT ARE YOU PAYING FOR A VOLUNTEERING IN COLOMBIA?
- Accommodation and breakfast.
- 24/7 support from the
- Adventure Volunteer team.
- Orientation and induction to the program.
- Monitoring and evaluation of the program.
- Certificate of weeks spent volunteering.
- Guidance, advice and management in choosing the program.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN A VOLUNTEERING IN COLOMBIA?
- Flight to Colombia.
- Welcome at the airport and transfer. 5€
- Return to the airport on the last day.
- Visa if required.
- Vaccinations, if necessary.
- Internal transportation to project 15€/day
- Trips inside or outside the country.
- Travel medical insurance (obligatory).
- Drinks, diets or special meals.
- Bottled water.
HOW TO BOOK MY VOLUNTEERING IN COLOMBIA?
COLOMBIA
Colombia, the fourth largest country in South America Privileged by its location, between the Amazon jungle, the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, besides bordering another interesting country to know as Panama.
Its biodiversity and the great variety of climates make it a natural paradise for volunteering. We cannot fail to mention its diverse regions that make it more impressive and beautiful. We mention some of them like:
- The Andean Region, one of the centers of the coffee triangle.
- The Amazon Region, which in each of its corners is home to an extensive diversity of vegetation and fauna.
- Cartagena, Santa Marta and Barranquilla, are home to beautiful beaches and valleys of the Magdalena and Cesar rivers, where you find spectacular and unique landscapes.
There are many things and details that differentiate each region. Even in the same place you find very different cultures and customs, which makes Colombia an authentic place to volunteer.
CLIMATE
- December to April, you find temperatures between 28ºC and 31ºC (82ºF to 87ºF).
- May to November is considered rainy season, but the temperatures are the same, but the nights are cooler.
CURRENCY
The official currency in Colombia is the Colombian Peso (COP). Convert it.
In order to exchange foreign currency, you will find it in almost all tourist places (Bocagrande, Ciudad Amurallada).
Examples of costs in Cartagena: 1 € is about 3781 Colombian pesos.
- A cappuccino coffee 3900 Colombian pesos (1,00).
- A menu of the day, in economic places 10500 Colombian pesos (2,78€).
- A bottle of water 1900 Colombian pesos (0,50€).
- Transport by bus 2300 Colombian pesos (0,61€). This may vary depending on the type of transport you use.
FLIGHTS
For your volunteer work in Cartagena Colombia, your flight must have a final destination at Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG), where one of our coordinators or taxi driver from the organization’s team will be waiting for you.
- Flights range from 600€ to 800€ approximately.
- You can find good flight offers on google flights or skyscanner.
TOURIST SITES
WALLED CITY
A unique and fascinating place, which you can travel with family, friends, couple and alone.
It is an interesting destination, not only because of its walls but also because it is a place that witnessed great historical moments such as:
- Prowess of independence
- Confrontation and looting
When you are inside you will be surprised by all the things you can see, here I leave you some of the places you can visit within the Walled City:
- La Plaza de la Aduana: You can see different historical buildings, such as the one where the founder of the city Don Pedro de Heredia lived. You can also see the statue of Christopher Columbus in the central part of the square and the House of the Marquis of the Royal Prize.
- Palace of the Inquisition: it is a place where they expose instruments that they used to torture people that they considered a danger or integrated, it was very common in that time.
- Churches: You can visit the convent of San Pedro Claver, the church La Trinidad, Santo Toribio, La Ermita del Cabrero.
NEIGHBORHOOD GETSEMANÍ
You only have to cross the entrance of the clock and you will find this wonderful neighborhood thats full of life and color. A place where you find a variety of hostels and inexpensive restaurants with good atmosphere.
It is a safe neighborhood, its humble and hardworking people, many small businesses. It is a neighborhood that you fall in love with, the perfect place to soak up the life of the Cartagena people, to taste and live the true essence of Cartagena.
THE BEACHES
Depending on the area where you drive, you can go to some of these beaches as:
- The Laguito
- Large Castle
ROSARY ISLANDS
A place where you can find truly beautiful beaches, quiet and with the possibility of many activities during the day.
In Baru you can find one of the most beautiful and in Isla Grande one of the quietest. To get to these beaches you can hire a tourist package, ranging from pasadia to packages of several days. They usually include transportation (round trip), meals, accommodation in case you go for several days and tour to other islands.
WHAT VACCINATIONS ARE NEEDED TO THE VOLUNTEERING IN COLOMBIA?
At the moment there is no mandatory vaccine for people who are not from countries where yellow fever is.
IS IT SAFE TO DO A VOLUNTEERING PROGRAMS IN COLOMBIA?
Of course it is safe, it is a destination that receives many tourists from different countries all year round, especially Cartagena, which is a safe place, its people very friendly and treatable.
WHERE CAN I CHANGE MONEY IN THE VOLUNTEERING IN COLOMBIA?
In all the tourist sector of Cartagena and in the airport you find a house of change. In the historical center (Walled City) is where you find more places. and with better offers of change.
WHERE CAN I EAT TYPICAL COLOMBIA FOOD IN THE VOLUNTEERING?
Within the walled city you can go to the restaurant El Portón de San Sebastián and Az-zahr are very visited. However, you can find many other places that offer typical Colombian and economic food. There will also be Italian and fast food restaurants.
If we go to Gethsemane you will find cheaper food and places. Here you can find menus of the house for about 4 euros. Locals or restaurants are more modest, but that’s a way to interact and share with the local people of the city.
A good typical dish usually includes salad and soup and you can not miss the meat or fish with coconut rice, potatoes and beans or lentils. In addition to the delicious juices
Be sure to try the great natural fruit juices and meat skewers from the street stalls outside the walls. In the beach area you can choose between expensive restaurants or grilled fish from the beach bars. I advise you this last option.
WHERE CAN I GO OUT IN THE VOLUNTEERING IN COLOMBIA?
I’ve already told you how beautiful this city is, but there are a few places to go out. The two places we can say safe to go out at night are the places within the walled city and Gethsemane.
You like salsa so Café del Mar, Café Havana is for you. For a slightly different night La Movida is an exclusive place, that is more expensive.
A place with more atmosphere in the week that is Tu Candela, the music is varied and is one of the few places that opens until late weekdays. There’s also Mister Babilla, it’s a good place to go in group, the atmosphere and the very nice people. You will listen to local music such as vallenatos, salsa, reguetón and of course the champet.
