Business and Community Development Volunteering in Jamaica

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The IVHQ Jamaica volunteer program is based in the parish of St Mary in the northeast of Jamaica. Volunteer projects are located in St Ann and St Mary, within 10 to 50 minutes from the volunteer accommodation. The program is located in close proximity to the popular port town of Ocho Rios, which is a resort and cruise ship harbor and has plenty of restaurants and craft markets which volunteers can explore in their free time.

The Jamaica volunteer program begins on the first and third Monday of each month. Volunteers can choose to volunteer for periods ranging from 1 week to 4 weeks.

Volunteers traveling to the program are asked to fly into Sangster International Airport (MBJ) on the Sunday prior to your program start date.

The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of each month and volunteers need to arrive in Jamaica on the Sunday before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Sangster International Airport (MBJ) which is the closest airport to the volunteer accommodation. Airport pick up is provided on Sundays only. Canadian travelers do not require a visa to enter Jamaica for a duration of 90 days.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in the Parish of St Mary (around 1.5 - 2 hours away). Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are traveling in Jamaica prior to your volunteer program, you will need to liaise with the local team to arrange a pick up from your location.

Orientation is provided by our Jamaica team at the volunteer accommodation. Orientation begins at 9am Monday morning and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Jamaica – Introduction to Jamaica, Jamaican Customs, Rules and Expectations, Safety, Travel Opportunities in Jamaica, Introduction to your Project and Placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.

On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff. You may have a morning or afternoon shift, or both, and can expect to work a minimum of 3 hours, Monday through Friday. A typical daily schedule would be as follows:

Weekdays

7.30 AM Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation.

8.00 AM Travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project.

12.00 PM Break for lunch.

1.00 PM Work at the placement commences if you have been assigned with an afternoon shift.

3.30 PM You are free to travel back to the volunteer house to relax, go sightseeing or do some shopping.

Please note, this is an example schedule as some projects take place in the afternoon. Start time and daily workload depends on your chosen project.

Volunteers are accommodated alongside other international volunteers in a dormitory-style volunteer house. Living is comfortable in the volunteer house with electricity, running water, WiFi and western bathrooms. There is no air-conditioning in the accommodation, however fans are provided.

Bedrooms are comprised of single bunk beds and you can expect to share a room with one to three other volunteers of the same gender. Tap water in Jamaica is generally safe to drink but please check with your accommodation host if you are unsure. We encourage you to bring a reusable water bottle to refill each day, as this will avoid you having to purchase plastic water bottles. Low pressure showers should be expected and the water is usually not heated. You should bring your own toiletries and towels.

A basic daily breakfast (toast, spreads, cereal, milk, tea and coffee) is included in your Program Fee and you’re free to help yourself to these each morning at the volunteer house.

For lunch and dinner, you can cook for yourself in the communal kitchen at the volunteer accommodation - this includes a gas hob, oven, jug, microwave, fridge, freezer and pantry space. Alternatively, you can purchase lunch and dinner from nearby restaurants for between $5 and $25 per meal.

For volunteers who would like to have their dinners catered for, a home-cooked weekly dinner plan (Monday - Friday) is available for US$40 per week. You can arrange this at your program orientation and pay for it through the local team in Jamaica. Vegetarians and vegans can be catered for, however not all diets can be covered - speak with the team in Jamaica about any requirements you have before you book the dinner plan.

Blue Hole Excursion: The Blue Hole is located in St Ann, Jamaica, and is a perfect 2.5 hour excursion for outdoor adventure enthusiasts looking to spend an afternoon cliff jumping and swimming in a natural series of waterfalls and swimming holes.

This excursion cost US$46 (approximately CA$61) per person and is available on the first and second Tuesday of each month. This fee includes your entrance fee, transportation, a locker, and a personal guide for your 2.5 hour visit.

Green Grotto Caves & Luminous Lagoon Excursion: The Green Grotto Caves & Luminous Lagoon experience is a 4.5 hour tour where you will visit the historical caves of Green Grotto once home to the first inhabitants of the island. You’ll participate in a guided tour of these caves and then enjoy lunch at a local famous jerk chicken hot spot. After lunch your tour will continue with a swim in the glowing water of Luminous Lagoon, one of only a few like it in the world. This natural wonder offers a once in a lifetime experience.

This excursion costs US$98 (approximately CA$130) per person which includes your entrance fee, transportation, lunch, boat tour and a personal guide for your 4.5 hour visit.

Kingston City Tour: The Kingston city tour is not one you’ll want to miss! On this 5 hour guided tour, you’ll dance through Kingston - known as the city of music, discover the home of the iconic Bob Marley. Followed by a trip to the historic Devon House home of Jamaica’s first Black Millionaire. Driving around Kingston you will see the hustle and bustle of the city and the heart of Reggae music.

This excursion costs US$85 (approximately CA$112) per person and includes your entrance fee to the Bob Marley museum, transportation, and lunch.

Reggae & Dancehall Class: Learn the latest Jamaican dance moves with a local reggae professional during a reggae dance class with your fellow volunteers!

This activity costs US$20 (approximately CA$26) per person and the dance class will take 1.5 hours to complete.

Jamaican Cooking Class: Learn to prepare Jamaican dishes from a local expert alongside your fellow volunteers; you’ll be sure to impress everyone back home!

This activity costs US$20 (approximately CA$26) per person and includes a professional instructor, ingredients, and a complimentary beverage for the cooking class which will take 2.5 hours to complete.

Please contact us or your IVHQ Program Manager to sign up or to get more information about any of these activities and tours.

You have the weekends free to relax and sightsee and there is no shortage of things to see and do in Jamaica! Ocho Rios is a popular destination for resorts and cruise ships, and you can expect to discover beautiful beaches, waterfalls and art galleries within close proximity of the volunteer accommodation. Snorkeling, hiking and other adventure activities are also popular with travelers to Jamaica.

The team in Jamaica also have a range of tours that you can book directly with them, either before or after you arrive in Jamaica. These include but aren’t limited to a Kingston city tour (visiting the Bob Marley Museum, an eco-community and a cultural music lesson), Black River safari (cruise down the Black River and see alligators, tropical birds and mangrove trees in their natural setting) and a surf camp.

See our Jamaica Travel and Tours page for more volunteer travel options in Jamaica!

Weather and climate: The climate in Jamaica is typical of a Caribbean climate - warm days year-round with rainy winters and dry summers. The pleasant Jamaican climate makes travel possible at any time of the year. The rainy season is generally from May to November. Average temperatures in Jamaica range between 70°F and 80°F (21°C to 28°C), with July and August being the hottest months and February the coolest.

Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate on this program, unless volunteering with a parent or guardian. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.

Volunteers must speak English. Volunteers must provide a recent criminal background check. Volunteers must have adequate travel insurance.

Free Interactive Volunteer Training - All volunteers are encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training, which is available exclusively to registered IVHQ volunteers. The training is designed to build an understanding of important aspects that need to be considered before embarking on an IVHQ program. It helps volunteers to prepare in the right way by providing advice on what it takes to be a safe, responsible and valuable volunteer. Try a sample of the training here.