Volunteer in Honduras

Sailing through a canopy of rainforest trees near the beautiful Caribbean Sea, Honduras awaits volunteers for a multitude of projects – from education to healthcare. Christopher Columbus, on his final trip to the Americas, landed in Honduras making it part of Spain’s vast empire in the New World. Honduras’ steamy climate is home to innumerable plant and animal species. Cloud forests (which rise up to nearly 10,000 feet), mangrove swamps, natural reserves, islands and the world’s second largest coral reef just give you a taste of the bountiful natural landscapes here. Friendly people and charming colonial cities greet United Planet volunteers amidst Mayan ruins and tropical jungles.

United Planet is the US and Canadian partner of the International Cultural Youth Exchange, or ICYE. As a volunteer in Honduras, you will be hosted by ICYE Honduras, ICYE’s Honduran partner organization. For thirty years, ICYE Honduras has been sending Hondurans abroad to volunteer and welcoming volunteers to the area for community projects of all kinds.

United Planet also offers mid-term (4 weeks to 16 weeks) volunteer abroad programs and virtual volunteering and virtual internships (1 month to 6 months) in Honduras.  Learn more about all of our volunteer abroad programs and virtual volunteering and virtual internship countries and projects in Latin and South America.

Volunteers have the opportunity to assist youth and children in rural schools. In addition to assisting teachers in the classroom and teaching English, this project also allows the volunteer to create an after- school program based on the volunteer’s skills (such as sports, music, art, etc).

Volunteers have the opportunity to work on conserving the renowned eco-life of Honduras. Volunteers will help with the conservation of national parks, forests, and the environment. Volunteers will also work on the investigation and recovery of certain plant and animal species in Honduras.

Volunteers work in a privately funded ward of a large public hospital in Tegucigalpa that helps children who are fighting cancer. This experience provides an opportunity to spend time talking to and playing with the children who spend all of their time in the hospital. The parents of the children also appreciate the conversation, smiles, and support that the volunteers provide.

Volunteers can work in day care centers, organize sports recreation programs for children, or teach English. Volunteering in Honduras gives you the opportunity to play a crucial role in the lives of children who do not have the resources or receive attention they deserve. Volunteers work with these children to encourage them to build confidence for their futures.

Choose one of three projects in Honduras promoting the strengthening of autonomy, justice, the exercise of rights, citizenship and gender equality for women. providing non-formal education where girls and young women develop leadership and life skills through self-development, challenge and adventure.  You can also work on reducing the inequality in Honduran society, promoting the political participation of Honduran women, creating strategies and taking initiatives for a more gender and economic equal society in Honduras, and working to reduce poverty and violence that particularly affects women.

Visit the Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum in Roatan which is the only Botanical Observatory in the Caribbean. There is an extensive collection of tropical flowers and trees from around the World. Take the opportunity to learn more about Honduras’ natural history.

Travel to Pico Bonito National Park in La Ceiba. There are several different types of habitats to explore, ranging from the coastal shores to altitudes of 2435 meters above sea level. This is the second largest National park in Honduras While there, you can go on a hike and see some of mammals inhabiting the park or climb up to the top of a look out tower and see the various species of birds that are living in the trees.

This staircase is an archaeological site that contains the longest Mayan text that has been found thus far. Try and decipher the glyphs for yourself as you ascend the staircase. In addition to the staircase, there are other ruins of this ancient Mayan civilization for you to explore.

Visit the capital city of Honduras and see some of its major historical landmarks. The Basilica de Suyapa is the most important church in Tegucigalpa, construction of the basilica started in 1954. Since then, visitors have loved to come and see the beautiful stained glass windows inside the Basilica. This is just one of the many historic landmarks in Tegucigalpa.

• Extensive pre-departure preparation, including a training weekend in New Hampshire with United Planet staff or online
• Food and lodging in your host country
• Airport transfers
• Emergency medical insurance
• In-country orientation upon arrival and ongoing support and supervision throughout your Quest
• Language training
• Mid-year camp (for 1 year volunteers) and final camp
• Monthly stipend for incidental expenses

• 18 – 40 years old (upper limit is flexible)
• Citizen or resident of the United States or Canada

• Volunteers are responsible for booking and covering the cost of their own flights (including pre-departure training).
• Volunteers will obtain the necessary visas with support from our Long-Term staff to volunteer in their host country.