Community Development Volunteer Project in Puerto Rico - San Juan
Inspired to volunteer in Puerto Rico? International Volunteer HQ’s Community Development project is a fantastic way to have a positive impact on low-income neighborhoods in San Juan. Volunteers will work at a grass-roots level to give the community support and where the skills, experience and knowledge of volunteers can be put to best use helping to foster positive development and prioritizing the needs, voice and choice of the local community.
Highlights:
- Programs start every Monday
- Affordable fees from CA$895 for 1 week
- Includes accommodation, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
-
Varied volunteer work supporting local initiatives to improve their community
-
See the iconic and colorful buildings of Old San Juan
-
Stay in a modern hostel near fabulous beaches and eateries
Key information
This program is ideal for:
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Puerto Rico is an island of tight-knit neighborhoods, each unique and vibrant in its own way. Each neighborhood also faces unique issues and challenges. One of the best ways to support the communities on the island is from the ground up; by working in an individual neighborhood on its own development efforts and addressing the specific issues it has.
As a Community Development volunteer your duties will be fluid, and will depend on the local needs and priorities when you visit. This type of volunteer work is often varied and changeable, requiring plenty of initiative and interaction with different stakeholders. Duties could involve:
- Renovations
- Gardening
- Painting
- Clean ups
- Food distribution
- Administration support such as fundraising, clothing donation collection
You can work in local neighborhood organizations, community centers, parks, urban gardens, shelters and schools, helping each to improve their local communities.
Why do Community Development volunteering in San Juan with IVHQ?
Why do Community Development in Puerto Rico with IVHQ? When you volunteer in communities Puerto Rico you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Supporting low-income communities with local initiatives
- Using your existing skills and experience to make a difference
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining community development experience
- Immersing yourself in Puerto Rican culture
- Exploring Puerto Rico’s interesting history
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- This program requires all volunteers to be over the age of 14, even when accompanied by a parent or guardian
- All volunteers aged 14+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 14-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Apply For FreeNot sure which program to join?
Puerto Rico photo gallery
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditRead reviews from Community Development volunteers in San Juan
”Once in a lifetime experience to get to know the culture, country, and community! You will never regret not participating (if anything, I regret not staying longer).”
Fatmah, Kuwaiti, 21
Read reviews from Community Development volunteers in San Juan
Location
The IVHQ Puerto Rico volunteer program is based in and around the region of the island’s coastal capital of San Juan, renowned for its beautiful beaches and vivid history. Set on the outer edge of the Caribbean, San Juan has long been an important international port and remains so to this day. As a result it is also a hub for industry, finance, culture and tourism.
The city is also home to around 80 percent of Puerto Rico’s population, and took a serious hit when Hurricane Maria ripped through the region in 2017.
While huge recovery efforts have returned much of the city to a habitable state, there are still many people and parts of the region feeling the longer-term effects of the crisis. Volunteers can have a meaningful impact on these communities by choosing to give their time and energy to projects which aim to give people a hand up in the ways they most need it.
Arrival and orientation
The Puerto Rico volunteer program begins every Monday. You need to arrive in San Juan for pickup on the Sunday before your chosen start date.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU). Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee if you arrive on the Sunday before your program starts. The pick-up window is from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM so please ensure to arrive during this period.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation, which is a 20-minute drive away. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the Sunday night prior to your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Puerto Rico prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up from a meeting point in San Juan on the Sunday before your program start date. Alternatively, you can choose to make your own way to the volunteer accommodation.
On the first Monday of your program, orientation is hosted by our local team in San Juan and runs for a half day. Orientation covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Puerto Rico – introduction to Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Puerto Rico, 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.
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays
A volunteer day is subject to change depending on your specific project and your placement. A typical daily schedule might be as follows:
| 9:00 AM | Volunteer work begins |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch breaks can vary depending on the working schedule, but all volunteers get time to have their own lunch and relax. After lunch you will have free time to explore the area, do some shopping or plan for your next day’s work. If your project calls for it, you may be involved in more afternoon volunteer activities. |
| Evening: | Volunteers have free time to spend as they wish. You’ll definitely want to head out to local restaurants for dinner, though volunteers who prefer to cook for themselves do have access to the hostel kitchen. |
Weekends
During the weekends, volunteers have spare time to relax or explore San Juan and other parts of Puerto Rico.
We recommend taking a walking tour of Old San Juan to absorb its vibrancy and colonial history, taking a trip to the tropical rainforest for hiking and waterfalls or enjoying the white sand beaches and soaking in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean.
It’s a great idea to do your own research before you go to get an idea of what you may want to see and do once you are in Puerto Rico. Volunteers often get together once they’re in the country and organizing travel and tours together.
Accommodation and WiFi
You will be accommodated with other volunteers in one of two public hostels in San Juan. The hostels also cater for independent travelers who book rooms from time to time. The hostels are centrally located in San Juan, close to beaches, shops, restaurants and amenities.
You should expect basic dormitory style accommodation. Rooms are mixed gender and you could share a room with up to 16 other volunteers. Bedrooms are comprised of bunk beds with bedding provided but you will need to bring your own towel.
You can also expect to share a communal bathroom with toilets and showers. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to ensure their room and shared bathroom is kept tidy, although there are staff who clean the accommodation throughout the week.
Free WiFi is available at the volunteer accommodation, as well as at many cafes and restaurants in the area. A local SIM card with data can also be used in unlocked phones.
Private room upgrades are also possible for an additional cost, subject to availability. The cost varies according to the season and the upgrade and can be arranged with the local team directly, once you are registered.
Meals
Meals are not included in this program, so you will need to arrange your own breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hostel has cooking facilities to prepare meals and there are nearby shops and restaurants to purchase food from.
Pricing
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | CA$895 Equivalent to CA$128/day |
| 2 weeks | CA$1360 Equivalent to CA$97/day |
| 3 weeks | CA$1783 Equivalent to CA$85/day |
| 4 weeks | CA$2248 Equivalent to CA$80/day |
| 5 weeks | CA$2711 Equivalent to CA$77/day |
| 6 weeks | CA$3172 Equivalent to CA$76/day |
| 8 weeks | CA$4029 Equivalent to CA$72/day |
| 10 weeks | CA$4812 Equivalent to CA$69/day |
| 12 weeks | CA$5665 Equivalent to CA$67/day |
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Airport pick-up
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately CA$471) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in CAD.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, meals, public transportation to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Puerto Rico generally find US$300 - US$400 per week to be sufficient for expenses, such as meals, and in-country tours.
- Any cancellations or changes within 14 days of a volunteers start date is subject to a minimum 25% late change/cancellation fee.
Check what's required to visit Puerto Rico
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
| Capital | San Juan |
| Population | 3.68 Million |
| Languages | Spanish, English |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| Time zone | UTC-04:00 |
Weather and climate
Puerto Rico has a tropical climate with warm to hot temperatures throughout the year. The average top temperature each day is around 85°F (29°C). Easterly trade winds can cross the island year round. Puerto Rico’s rainy season is from April to November, and the dry season is from December to March. The temperature in San Juan, where our program is based, varies very little throughout the year and can be very humid.
