How to Volunteer in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a jewel nestled into the Caribbean Sea and has attracted tourists from the United States for years. This US territory is made up of four small islands and blends American and Spanish culture with a Caribbean twist.

But what many people don’t see in the guidebooks is the continuous need for volunteers in this tiny island nation. If you’re wondering how to volunteer in Puerto Rico, there are endless paths you can take.

Despite being a popular tourist destination filled with gorgeous beaches, turquoise blue ocean, and palm trees galore, the continuous development of Puerto Rico has severely impacted the natural landscape. On top of that, with turbulent politics and disadvantaged communities, volunteers are needed both in rural areas and main cities. There are programs to suit every volunteer and placement, and here you’ll find everything you need to know about volunteering in Puerto Rico.

Can I volunteer in Puerto Rico?

There’s no doubt that Puerto Rico is in need of volunteers. Because there are two official languages—English and Spanish—it’s quite an easy destination to volunteer in if you’re coming from an English-speaking country. Not only is the language barrier slim, but Puerto Rico is also a fairly inexpensive destination compared to other places in the Caribbean, and the immigration policies are quite relaxed for most of North America and Europe.

The bigger question is—what kind of volunteer work can you do?

The biggest areas for volunteering in Puerto Rico fall under environmental conservation and community development. If you’re a nature lover, you can volunteer in rural areas—from mountains to rainforests to beaches. You’ll learn all about prevention for pollution, waste management, soil erosion, marine conservation, and the battle against invasive species. Or if you prefer to be in the busy cities, you may decide to immerse yourself into the local cities and villages to assist with construction projects, social empowerment, or teaching English.

Do Americans need volunteer visas in Puerto Rico?

If you’re wondering how to volunteer in Puerto Rico, travel logistics are one of the most important things to consider. It can be a hassle to obtain visas to volunteer in certain countries, but luckily Puerto Rico isn’t one of them. Because Puerto Rico is a United States territory, all of its visa policies are the same as those for US immigration.

That’s good news for Americans! If you have a US passport, you don’t need to obtain a visa to go to Puerto Rico, even if you’re volunteering. You won’t even need to travel with a passport—simply bring a government-issued ID, like a driver’s license, to board your flight and you’re good to go.

What are Puerto Rico visa requirements for non-US citizens?

Your passport will determine your visa requirements.

While the visa policies are a bit different if you’re traveling with a non-US passport, Puerto Rico is still a fairly easy destination to get a visa for most volunteers. However, visa requirements will differ depending on your nationality.

Canada is one of the few countries besides the USA whose citizens can travel to Puerto Rico visa-free. Because Canadians can enter the US for 90 days without a visa, they won’t need one for Puerto Rico either—as long as their stay is for less than three months.

Other volunteers can travel on an ESTA, which allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days at a time as a tourist or unpaid volunteer and is valid for two years. Much of Europe, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and a handful of other countries are eligible for the ESTA.

Other nationalities will need to check the most up-to-date policies for US travel and should leave plenty of time to apply and potentially even interview to enter Puerto Rico as a tourist.

3 other requirements for volunteering in Puerto Rico

There’s a fairly relaxed process to volunteering in Puerto Rico, but it’s always important to prepare in advance to make sure you tick every box before you go. Consider a few things before volunteering in Puerto Rico:

• Brush up on your Spanish skills: While English is an official language and is spoken in the main cities in Puerto Rico, learning Spanish will be extremely helpful, especially if you’re volunteering in more rural areas. Download Duolingo before you go to learn the basics, or take a short Spanish language class so you can feel confident.
• Make sure you have an appropriate ID: As a US citizen, you’ll need to bring your government-issued ID with you, while citizens of other countries will need to travel with a passport and valid visa.
• Check the program requirements: As with any meaningful travel opportunity, every program will have its own requirements. Double-check what is required of you with your program before you make travel plans. You might have to fill out an application, have a background check, or pay a volunteer fee before you go. Most will advise you so that the process is effortless and easy.

How to volunteer in Puerto Rico

Whether you’re looking to volunteer in a city, village, or rugged landscape, Puerto Rico is the perfect place to go.

Traveling to new places can be a little overwhelming, but volunteering in Puerto Rico can be simple! Just give yourself plenty of time to do one thing at a time. Follow these steps on how to volunteer in Puerto Rico, and you’ll be off on the adventure of a lifetime in no time at all:

1. Decide when and where to go.

Luckily Puerto Rico is a tiny island nation, so it’s easy to figure out when and where to volunteer in Puerto Rico. If you’re leaning toward more of a city-vibe, San Juan is usually the go-to destination.

San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and the island’s biggest city. It’s nestled on the northern coast and filled with narrow cobbled streets and gorgeous colorful houses. San Juan is quite modern, but it still deeply needs volunteers in community development. Outside of San Juan, you’ll find smaller local villages and rugged landscapes perfect for those who want a wilder experience that’s off the beaten path.

Because of the tropical environment, Puerto Rico never gets cold and programs are available all year round. However, there are certain times of year that are better to travel than others.

June to November is hurricane season and isn’t the most ideal time to travel due to torrential tropical storms. Outside of these months, the climate is quite mild with constant sunshine, with December being the busiest time when Americans escape the cold of winter.

2. Find your perfect program.

Once you figure out when and where to volunteer in Puerto Rico, it’s time to pick your program. There are endless programs to choose from when it comes to volunteering in Puerto Rico, so it’s important to consider your skills, passions, and the impact you’d like to make.

Environmental conservation is one of the most popular types of programs, taking you to rural areas to get lost in the rugged parts of the island. Whether you want to immerse yourself in rainforest, mountains, or coastal destinations, Puerto Rico’s diverse landscapes are all seeking volunteer assistance.

Community development and education programs are perfect if you want to make an impact on disadvantaged communities. You may have the opportunity to teach valuable skills—in nutrition, health, or English—to local communities, or take a more physical approach with manual construction projects to better a community’s infrastructure.

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3. Triple-check the program requirements.

Check those requirements one, two, even three times to make sure you’re prepared to volunteer.

Each program has their own requirements, so it’s important to double- and triple-check what you need to do before beginning to prepare for travel.

What exactly do you need to apply for the program of your dreams? Do you have enough time to reach all the requirements before you’d like to go? Are there travel or vaccination requirements for COVID-19 or other illnesses? Make yourself a list and get organized so the logistical process is easy.

4. Apply for your program.

Once you know when and where you’d like to go, you’ve selected a program that feels aligned with your goals, and you know exactly what you need to get started, it’s time to apply for your program.

Be thorough in your application, highlighting the skills that are unique to you, as well as the impact you believe you can make in the community. What do you have to offer that no one else can?

Make sure you pay all visa fees and tick all the boxes on the application with plenty of time before your travel dates.

5. Apply for a visa if necessary.

If you’re a US citizen, you can skip this step. But if you’re traveling from elsewhere in the world on a non-US passport, give yourself plenty of time to apply for your visa. Whether that’s a simple ESTA application or a lengthier visa application, you’ll be glad your visa is sorted well in advance before volunteering in Puerto Rico.

6. Book your flight.

The last part of the travel logistics is easy! It’s time to book your flight. You’ll usually want to book flights—especially internationally—at least three months before traveling to get the best price.

7. Get yourself a SIM card.

Travel is always easier when you have a working phone. If you’re on an American phone plan, your phone will luckily work while volunteering in Puerto Rico.

A local SIM card will let you do a whole lot more than scroll through photos.

If you’re traveling from another country, you may want to look into international phone plans. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to have access to a phone while traveling abroad is by buying a local SIM card. Do a little research and choose a SIM that suits your needs.

8. Brush up on your Spanish.

No matter where you’re volunteering in Puerto Rico, Spanish will come in handy. You may not need it in the big cities, but speaking their other official language can only help you better connect with the community. If you’re volunteering in more rural areas, Spanish will be more important, so spend the months leading up to your trip brushing up on the basics to help you get by.

9. Pack your bags and hit the tarmac!

Feeling overwhelmed with the packing process? You’re not alone! Check out GoAbroad’s packing list for international travel to make sure you have all your bases covered. Once your bag is packed, you’ll be ready to hit the tarmac!

Get matched with 5 volunteer programs in Puerto Rico for FREE

Make a difference by volunteering in Puerto Rico

Now that you know how to volunteer in Puerto Rico, it’s time to use your skills to make a difference.

You won’t regret volunteering in Puerto Rico. This island territory is the perfect blend of North American comforts with an international flare. You’ll fall in love with the diverse natural landscapes, the colorful cities, and the people. Most importantly, you’ll make a lasting impact on a community that’s always in need of more helping hands.