Location
  • Brazil
    • Rio de Janeiro
Length
2 to 24 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Hostel
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
545
Price Details
Fully hosted experience from only $545 for 2 weeks - this includes accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, orientation and 24/7 in-country support.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Jan 03, 2023
Aug 28, 2022
42 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 124,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the most popular volunteer programs in Rio de Janeiro and 50+ other destinations around the world.

You can choose from 5 volunteer project options in Brazil and give back for periods ranging from 2 week to 24 weeks. Your Program Fee includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support. You’ll be accommodated in a volunteer hostel, with other like-minded, impact-focused travelers from around the world.

IVHQ is trusted to support the meaningful adventures of thousands of volunteers every year, so before you even depart for Brazil, you’ll receive outstanding personalized service from your expert Volunteer Program Manager and exclusive access to superior pre-departure volunteer training.

With IVHQ, you can expect to establish real connections within the local community while supporting projects that make a genuine difference.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • IVHQ’s Brazil program is available year-round, starting on the first and third Monday of every month
  • Highly affordable program fees starting from $545 for 2 weeks - IVHQ provides the most affordable and top-rated programs
  • You’ll be joining between 20 and 50 other IVHQ volunteers who start in Rio de Janeiro each month
  • You’ll be traveling with IVHQ, the volunteer travel experts, and joining a network of 124,000+ volunteers. Our outstanding safety systems and track record set us apart - we are the world’s safest organization
  • Your efforts will have a positive impact because our programs are community-driven with a focus on supporting long-term local needs

Popular Programs

Carnival Volunteering at a Samba School in Brazil - Rio de Janeiro

Ready to kick up your heels and be a Carnival volunteer in Brazil - Rio de Janeiro? International Volunteer HQ’s Carnival project enables volunteers to get behind the scenes of organize one of the world’s biggest parties. Carnival (known in Brazil as Carnaval) takes place on the streets of Rio once a year and Samba schools competing in it have a full year of intense work to prepare the many costumes, floats, music and dances for the celebration. Volunteers are invaluable in helping with their ma

Program Reviews

4.68 Rating
based on 22 reviews
  • 5 rating 77.27%
  • 4 rating 18.18%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 4.55%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.4
  • Support 4.6
  • Fun 4.6
  • Value 4.9
  • Safety 4.3
Showing 1 - 8 of 22 reviews
Default avatar
Mariette
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

English teaching in the favela PPG Rio de Janeiro - IVHQ stands behind you

Walking into the favela alone for the first time with a ‘western’ mindset , lots of thoughts however the feelings of respect, community and warmth seem to be the prevailing ones. Once at the top of the favela, Childerns voices appear: ‘TIA MARIETCHI’ and two kids fly around my neck of joy. Hounestly, we are so blessed and these kids deserve all possible to have opportunities to dream and fulfill these. This is one of the main leassons learned; it’s not the English teaching in itself, but trying to offer kids the feasibility of realizing their answer to the question ‘what do you want to do when you grow up’. Or even planting a seat of confidence / inspiration and keeping them from the streets by exposing them to the most spoken language in the world. I came as the English teacher mariette and left as Tia marieti, a blessed identity that will keep me sharp going forward!

Thanks to IVHQ these learning lessons and impact makings were possible. The support, introductions, organization, website/platform and quick replies to questions were top notch. Highly recommended to have IVHQ as a trusted guide for your volunteering and, to be fair, life changing experiences. IVHQ stands behind you

Pros
  • Widening your world view and understanding
  • Many new connections that will help you further in life
  • Adventure and fun
Cons
  • Brazil is not the safest country and not even an organization can ensure 100%, gotta stay sharp
  • Back to basics. I loved it but it’s something to get used to
19 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jessica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Miss it so much!

I absolutely loved my experience volunteering in the sports program in Rio. I have to admit, I was completely out of my element at first however I toughened up to stay and happy I did! The people are amazing and the work you do is really enriching. You make lifelong friends and get to learn so much about yourself. The program coordinators are always available and super helpful. I still think about it everyday and miss being there so much! You are absolutely sure to have an unforgettable amazing time.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve racking moment for myself was the accommodation. This was my first time traveling alone, and I never been in a hostel type accommodation before. It was hard to adapt sharing a room with so many strangers, the kitchen and especially the bathroom! However I calmed myself down and went through with it. Everything turned out and great and everyone was very respectful of eachother and our space.
62 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sofia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience in Brazil

Going to Brazil with IVHQ has been a dream come true. I've always wanted to go to Brazil and going there on the community development program made the experience a thousand times better. IVHQ was extremely helpful from the beginning until my departure from Rio. The local team was always there to assist me in anything that I needed. Meeting the other volunteers was amazing because I got to make friends from all over the world and hence, not only did I get to know the Brazilian culture but also cultures from other countries. I was placed teaching English to low resource children with cancer and having the satisfaction of knowing that they were learning another language was the best part by far. I felt that I was actually doing something significant that can change a child's life regardless of their health. I would recommend IVHQ 100% and I would volunteer abroad with them again.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice is to learn at least a little bit of Portuguese because very few people speak English in Brazil. Also, I would advise them to keep in mind the main point of the trip which is to volunteer and help the community.
59 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Isahi
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Brazil Adventure

Brazil is the biggest country in South America, it has various amounts of people from all races, and it has many cultures. During my trip to Brazil, I was expecting it to be a good experience, and I was far from right. From the gorgeous landscapes to the affordable food Brazil definitely had a place in my heart. The local people of Rio de Janeiro, "Carioca's," are some of the nicest people on the planet. They're also some of the busiest, the metro is busy, and people are always trying to get to point A to B. IVHQ made my trip extremely affordable for me, and helped me gain a new perspective on the world. I volunteered in the childcare program, and I'll remember the people from the Cantegalo favela for the rest of my life. The impact that I made for the short two weeks is enough for my heart to last a lifetime.

What was your funniest moment?
When I went to Ilha Grande, and I thought I saw Argentina.
53 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Mariah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

2 Weeks in Rio

I went to Rio de Janeiro for two weeks and it was the best two weeks of my life so far. It was easy for me to adjust to the culture because I had spent two years studying Brazil, learning Portuguese and I also have some friends that live in Niterói and Florianópolis.

I felt right at home from the minute I got there. The other volunteers were amazing and they matched my excitement and enthusiasm.

Brazil is not perfect at all and I saw this when I went to Gamboa, a favela, to teach group fitness classes. It was sad at times, but helping those people work out or simply smile and forget about their problems was an indescribable feeling.

IVHQ was the only study abroad program I could afford and I would definitely travel with them again. If you are wondering about whether or not you should travel. Just go for it. It's worth it.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Learn the language if you can! Invest in the culture and history. Don't just pick a place because it sounds cool or looks pretty. Get involved and it will be worth more of your time and money.
50 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Mariah, Thanks for your lovely feedback - it's great to hear that you felt at home in Rio and enjoyed meeting the other volunteers from around the world! The local team are missing you already and said you were an incredible, dedicated volunteer! We hope to have you join another program in the future. Charlotte - IVHQ Program Manager.

Flor
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

I really loved my time as a volunteer in Brazil. I got to help out in a summer camp with wonderful kids, ages ranging from 5-13. I got to experience what it was like to live as a local and try their cultural food. My free time in the weekend was well spent exploring the area as well as learning more about the culture and their language. I will never forget my days in Brazil, it’s definitely an experience I will remember forever. They have many programs to choose from and many countries to go to. If I could I would go to all of them because it’s that amazing. The prices are affordable and the programs offered are amazing. You won’t regret your time as a volunteer. I definitely look forward to volunteering again because it’s that amazing. I didn’t want to leave my volunteer program in Brazil, I wanted to stay there forever. I never thought I would make it to Brazil, but thanks to the IVHQ program I was able to make my dream come true.

59 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Mubin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Rio 2017 - Sports Development (2 weeks)

Truly a remarkable experience! This was my first volunteer experience and I have to say IVHQ made it easy for me throughout the planning stages to actually stepping foot in Rio. The team in Rio was really sweet and made you feel at home. Pick-up, accommodation, support, placement and most of all the other volunteers were beyond my expectation! In a way I felt like I got lucky with the group I was with but after conversations with the team and others who have volunteered before you will see this is an IVHQ thing, being surrounded by like minded folks who genuinely want to give back.

I did the sports development project which was in a beautiful setting, the community was nice and welcoming to us. If was pretty safe because the school and soccer field were close to each other and to top it off everyday there was at least 2 or 3 police officers posted in front. The commute is simple, you'll get a hang of things within days and there are several inexpensive places to eat at. The coach and the kids were the highlight of my trip, they are full of energy and will school in soccer so be prepared! I got to do a bit of both in my placement, first half you spend in the classroom and then you go play soccer. We did this twice, once with the morning class and then again with the afternoon class (9am - 3pm, Mon. - Thurs.).

Overall the place we stayed at was great and safe as long as you follow all the protocol I think Brazil is what you make it out to be. That is what the orientation is for so ask away if you have questions and stick with your group. Very cost effective place so no need to carry a ton of cash with you, just know your budget. Ton of options to buy food (they have uber eats!) or cook your own food. Plenty of time to go out, do activities and make the most of your time in Rio. I was there for 2 weeks and am satisfied with everything I did because I was always ready to do something did not matter what it was. Just be open minded and go with flow, I think that is the best way to approach any volunteer or study abroad experience and glad it turned out to be an amazing experience.

Highly recommend IVHQ and looking forward to doing my next one with them! I will miss you Rio!!

What would you improve about this program?
I think there is a lot of information to take in when you arrive. Perhaps a bit more information prior to arriving that can help you prepare and then when you get there give some refreshers so you can apply what you learned. The accommodation was great but will no longer exist, so I would highly recommended finding a similar place because that house did change our experience significantly.
63 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Mubin, Thanks for sharing! We're happy to have helped make the planning stages easy for you and we are stoked to hear that your time in Brazil was a truly remarkable experience. We love our volunteers and are not surprised to hear that you were surrounded by an awesome bunch of people. Thanks for recommending IVHQ and we can't wait to see where you will volunteer with us next!
Charlotte - IVHQ Brazil Program Manager

Default avatar
Jocelyn
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My 3 weeks in Rio

Brazil is the first country I have visited in South America and I was very surprised by the lack of English speakers in Rio. Regardless of the language barrier, I had an amazing time in Rio with other volunteers and the locals at my placement. All the locals were very friendly and were willing to help. Safety is a huge concern but I didn't feel in danger at any time during my visit. Just try to dress casually and keep a low profile, only take what you need for the day. Overall, it was an amazing experience that I would absolutely repeat if I had the chance!

63 people found this review helpful.
Response from International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Hi Jocelyn, We are so glad to hear that you had an amazing time in Rio and we hope to have you join us again in the future!
Charlotte - IVHQ Brazil Program Manager

Questions & Answers