Skip to content
A Broader View Volunteers

Chile

Volunteer in La Serena, Chile

Volunteering in Chile, La Serena is Chile's second-oldest town and maintains its Spanish neo-colonial style seen throughout the neighborhoods and downtown.

Apply freeSee 3 programsFees from $895

Volunteering in Chile, La Serena is Chile's second-oldest town and maintains its Spanish neo-colonial style seen throughout the neighborhoods and downtown. The city is dotted with beautiful green gardens, 30 churches, a romantic avenue of replica classical Italian statues and elegant colonial buildings. La Serena is a located about 250 miles north of the Chilean capital of Santiago (an hour flight or 6 hour overnight bus journey)

From here you can reach the Elqui Valley, famous for producing "Pisco", (the traditional drink of choice in the Andes), and for being one of the world's major astronomical centers due to its clear skies (Tololo, Campanas and Silla Observatories)

APPLY NOW or login account

Overview

  • Project length: From 1 week to 8 weeks
  • Arrival airport: La Serena (LSC)
  • Work schedule: Monday to Friday 7 to 8 hours per day
  • Requirements: intermediate/basic Spanish or Spanish Immersion Lessons while in country and Police Check/Clearance report
  • Age limits: Minimum 17yrs or older for solo travelers.
  • Minimum Age: 12 to 16 yrs if traveling with parents.
  • Airlines: Lan Chile, American, United, Delta, Iberia, Avianca
  • Vaccinations: Routine Vac, Hep-A and Typhoid wwwnc.cdc.gov

Volunteering Projects in Chile La Serena

Country Info

Chile Introduction

Are you ready to help people in need, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and culture of a new country and have the experience of a lifetime? With poverty, disease and a lack of skilled providers putting a strain on important services such as health and childcare in developing countries across the globe, there are many corners of the world which rely on the help of volunteer travelers like yourself.

Volunteer in Chile with A Broader View Volunteers a top rated non-profit charity organization, which works tirelessly to support our wonderful volunteers and serve the local communities where our volunteer programs are located. Placements in Chile are based in the Colonial city of La Serena. Program placements are tailored to the volunteer's different interests and skill sets, but still, allow volunteers time to explore the Andean local culture and activities during their free time.

The type of programs in Chile varies widely, offering everything from education to health care. Volunteers can choose between seven options in La Serena. International volunteer help is not only appreciated by the local community, but it is also severely needed by the millions of Chileans living below the poverty line. With thousands of children living and working on the streets, as is so often the case in developing countries like Chile, our volunteer programs are designed to support the needs of local teens and children in desperate need of assistance.

Many of our volunteers abroad programs cater to underprivileged women and children’s care, education, and health requirements. Our extensive range of social programs in La Serena, Chile includes: medical, premed/pre nurse internships, teaching in primary and secondary schools and volunteering in orphanages and daycare centers. To help you settle into your placement, we also provide the opportunity to combine all of our programs with Spanish Immersion Lessons during your time in Chile.

Volunteering in Chile is an incredibly rewarding experience. We welcome volunteers of all ages and from all backgrounds to join us. Whether you’re seeking volunteer abroad programs for college students or voluntary work for over 60s, as a trusted non-profit organization which prioritizes the safety of our volunteers, we are the go-to for volunteers across the globe. We also offer customized programs with flexible arrival dates to best suit the needs of the remarkable volunteers we depend on to help us make the world a better place.

If you’d like to volunteer, Chile is just one of the countries we’ve taken under our wing, supplying a steady flow of volunteers and providing year-round financial support to local projects in La Serena. Wherever you decide to volunteer, A Broader View gives you the opportunity to participate in meaningful community service work, learn a foreign language, make lifelong friends and discover that one person really can make a difference. Your search for the best volunteer abroad programs ends here – volunteer in Chile with us and gain A Broader View of the world.

Coordinator

Vilma C. - La Serena Chile

Welcome to Chile (Bienvenido (a) a Chile). My name is Vilma and I am your ABV coordinator while you are staying in Chile. Our country has one big city, Santiago and 15 regions. But you will be working in La Serena which is a place of 400.000 inhabitants out of over 18 million population. I will be ready for support 24/7 in case you need to contact me urgently. I will introduce you to your volunteer location and staff.

You are most welcome to seek my assistance and don’t hesitate to ask me questions while in the country.

Weather

La Serena has a cool desert climate. Summers and winters are very dry. Rain falls only a few times a year in heavy downpours. Although the temperature during the day is very hot, it can drop strongly during the night and sometimes below freezing.

**What's the best time to go to La Serena in Chile? Here are some annual weather facts we collected from our historical climate data:
**

  • During the months of January, February, March, and December you are most likely to experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures.
  • La Serena has dry periods in January, February, March, April, May, August, September, October, November, and December.
  • On average, the warmest month is January.
  • On average, the coolest month is July.
  • June is the wettest month. This month should be avoided if you don't like too much rain.
  • February is the driest month.

Weather - La Serena Chile

City: La Serena | Population: 400000 | Languages: Spanish
Currency: Peso Chileno (CLP) | Time zone: UTC−06:00

Reviews & Multimedia

Reviews

This was the second time I volunteered and I am really Grateful for this wonderful experience. The orphanage is far and not even in La Serena it took me normally at least 45 min by bus (traffic its 8 miles from the house) to get there…

ABV Volunteer - Katja



Katja

Nationality: Austria

Age: 21

Then coming to Vilma’s home I was very happy to be greeted with amazing food. And along came the first day of volunteering where I was very nervous but settled in after a couple of days, teachers started to talk to me more and the kids would greet me when the would see me come in

ABV Volunteer - Danika



Danika

Nationality: Canada

Age: 19

Chile I had a wonderful experience working with the children and elderly people. I learned so much about Chilean culture and really improved my Spanish. I also made some great friends with other ABV volunteers and people at my work.

ABV Volunteer - Elizabeth



Elizabeth

Nationality: USA

Age: 21

More Chile Reviews

Volunteer in chile Volunteer in chile Volunteer in chile Volunteer in chile Volunteer in chile Volunteer in chile Volunteer in chile Volunteer in chile Volunteer in chile Volunteer in chile Volunteer in chile Volunteer in chile

More Pictures

Videos

More Videos

Extras

Tour and weekend trips

Once in country our local coordinator can help you find the most reliable and safe tour agencies for weekend trips, you can pay in cash or in most locations with a credit card. These tours are not part of the ABV fees.

Elqui Valley Tour

Visit the home of Chile’s famous Pisco Sour on this full-day, small-group tour of the Elqui Valley from La Serena, including hotel pickup. Uncover the cosmic secrets of the Cochiguaz Valley; tour a Pisco production plant, and indulge in an expert-led Pisco tasting. After tucking into a traditional lunch (included) at a local restaurant, spend time exploring Vicuña, the hometown of Nobel Prize winning poet Gabriela Mistral.

Isla Damas and Punta Choros from La Serena

Get up close to Chile’s coastal wildlife on this full-day tour from La Serena, including hotel pick-up. Drive past vibrant fields of desert wildflowers (depending on the season), then cruise around the windswept Gull, Choros and Damas islands. After spotting bottlenose dolphins, sea lions and penguins at the Humboldt Penguins National Reserve, tuck into a delicious seafood lunch (included), then spend time relaxing on the islands’ white-sand beaches.

Mamalluca Observatory Including Transfers

At sunset we start our trip to the inner valley of Elqui, by crossing the San Isidro town, we will get The Mamalluca Amateur Observatory, this special place permits to make direct observations of the universe.
The observatory itself has a dome in which an electronic telescope makes the observation possible for you to enjoy a pleasant night contemplation of the stars. Some pictures will be displayed and at the same time an instructive talk about the Southern Hemisphere Star, in a nice and friendly atmosphere all the people will be encouraged by the astronomy of Galileo. After this talk , the night observation of stars, planets, galaxies will be carried out.

Elqui Valley and Vicuña Private Tour Including Lunch

Explore Chile's lush Elqui Valley on a private shore excursion from your La Serena port of call. Set out for this stunning region where the bulk of Chilean pisco is produced, stopping first at Puclaro, artificial reservoir offerings spectacular views of the area. Next tour a pisco factory, learn about the distillation process of this national spirit and enjoy a sampling or two before continuing on to Vicuña, the birth town of poet Gabriela Mistral. Peruse the Gabriela Mistral museum, then enjoy lunch in Villaseca before returning to port.

Festivals and Festivities

Día de las Glorias Navales

The Día de las Glorias Navales takes place on May 21 each year to remember the death of Captain Arturo Prats, a national hero in the Iquique naval battle against Peruvian vessels in the War of the Pacific. Residents of the coastal cities deck out small boats with Chilean flags and cast flowers into the sea to commemorate the event.

Festival of the Virgen del Carmen

From June 12-17 every year, the small town of La Tirana in the Atacama desert hosts the Fiesta de la Tirana, also known as the Festival of the Virgen del Carmen. One of Chile’s most anticipated events, it is characterized by musicians playing drums, flutes, and whistles while dancers clad in macabre carnival-style masks and costumes enact the diablada (dance of the devils) to exorcise demons. The festival also pays homage to Chile’s patron saint, the Catholic Our Lady of Mount Carmel, represents a blending of local indigenous and Catholic traditions and beliefs. People with indigenous heritage make processionals to the Virgin’s sanctuary, take part in masses then rejoice in street parties with stalls selling handicrafts and food.

Fiestas Patrias

Chile celebrates its independence through the Fiestas Patrias on September 18 each year. Street stalls and temporary thatched armadas are erected from tree branches and other materials to house dance floors, bands, and tables. Celebrations include parades, music, dance competitions, traditional Chilean food, and rodeos where two horsemen attempt to correctly coral a calf in an arena for points.

Christmas

Christmas Eve is a family event on December 25 characterized by gift-giving, eating fruitcake called pan de Pascua and drinking a concoction of spirits, milk, sugar, coffee, and cinnamon called cola de mono. Christmas trees are decorated with fake snow and a nativity scene. Christmas Day is a public holiday when the faithful attend mass and sing carols. Feasting is a large part of the celebration and, as the festivities take place during summer, many go to the beach or take part in other outdoor activities like hiking or rock climbing.

Volunteer programs in La Serena

Program fees in La Serena

Location / program1 week2 weeks3 weeks4 weeks5 weeks6 weeks7 weeks8 weeks
La Serena · Elderly Care Center$895$1,050$1,295$1,295$1,495$1,495$1,730$1,730
La Serena · Orphanage / Child Care$895$1,050$1,295$1,295$1,495$1,495$1,730$1,730
La Serena · Teaching / Education—$1,050$1,295$1,295$1,495$1,495$1,730$1,730

Program fees in US dollars. Use the calculator to add Spanish language immersion weeks where available.

What volunteers say

All reviews from Chile →

Volunteer information

Volunteer Schedule

Day One: Our local coordinator/staff will give you an orientation and will accompany you to your program. You will be shown how to manage the commute (bus, taxi, walking). You will be introduced to the site director and discuss your role at the project. Volunteers typically work a morning and an afternoon shift each lasting about 3-5 hours.

Weekdays: A typical volunteer day is as follows:

  • 7:30 AM Breakfast at the volunteer house/homestay.
  • 8:00 AM Volunteers depart, and travel to their project site.
  • 8:30 AM to 13:00 PM Volunteer work and a lunch break.
  • 14:00 PM to 17:00 PM Language lessons or afternoon volunteer work.
  • 18:30-19:30 PM Dinner at the volunteer house/homestay.

Note: This is an example schedule. Volunteer work hours can vary depending on the program and the location.

Evenings: For peace of mind and to ensure the well-being of our volunteers, a nightly curfew of 21:30PM is in place from Sunday to Thursday. Curfew is set at 12:00AM for Friday and Saturday. (All volunteers must comply with their home country’s legal drinking age).

Communication While Overseas

Volunteers have several ways to stay in touch with their family/friends back home and with the ABV local staff while they are overseas. All city/urban program locations have access to internet/cyber cafes which typically charge hourly rates ($1-$2). The majority of ABV guesthouses, homestays have WIFI access (fees apply), and have land line telephone numbers. Even rural program locations have mobile phone service, and small towns nearby with internet facilities. All ABV staff use mobile phones to stay in contact with their volunteers.

Before traveling volunteers should contact their mobile phone provider and ask about international call/texting plans. Volunteers should consider buying a portable wifi device (especially in rural locations). If planning on traveling with your own mobile phone volunteers should look at apps like Skype, FaceTime and WhatsApp to stay connected through messenger or short calls home. Volunteers can rent a wireless phone or buy a cheap throwaway phone once they arrive in-country. In some locations you can do that for less than $50. In fact, your regular carrier may even offer overseas rentals. ABV local staff will assist you and show you where to purchase SIM cards.

Once you arrive in-country and settled in, our ABV staff will help you contact home to let someone know you arrived safely. All volunteers are also given an emergency phone number on their Volunteer Guide/summary, which is available 24/7 to contact ABV staff.

When can I travel?

Easy. Choose the dates that work best for you. Although some programs have date restrictions the majority of our volunteer programs are available year round. Volunteers select their own program start date and complete an online application. Once you have been accepted and dates approved, ABV will ask you to confirm your registration by paying a us$120 included in the overall fee.

Safety and Security

The safety of our volunteers is paramount for A Broader View Volunteers. The majority of ABV Volunteers travel and serve without major incident. However, programs are based in some of the least developed countries and in some of the most remote areas in the world, health, safety, and security risks are an unavoidable part of life and international service. To address these concerns and to safeguard the well-being of our program participants, A Broader View has safety protocols and security procedures for all programs:

  • Security: All project sites, local in-country staff and accommodation sites have gone through a rigorous filter and have been hand selected. ABV has spent almost 17 years cultivating and strengthening of our local partnerships & host family relationships. In-country staff visits, daily research of local conditions, as well as weekly checkup of our host families and accommodations are conducted. Site selection is based on criteria including; access to medical, banking, postal, and other essential services; access to communication, transportation, and local markets; availability of adequate housing and living arrangements.
  • Pre-Departure Guide: Your ABV account will have a detailed volunteer guide. Volunteers are provided country information, packing lists, customs and language information, and much more. ABV also provides information about visa requirements, vaccinations, climate, weather, and safety and security issues specific to the country.
  • Volunteer Summary: A full month before traveling volunteers are provided a detailed account of their volunteer project (including supply/donation list), arrival procedures, emergency contact information, accommodation details and the full name, phone and email of their local ABV Coordinator.
  • Overseas Staff and communication: Our local staff support is immeasurable in their professionalism and dedication to the volunteers under their charge. The majority of ABV staff coordinators have been involved since the very start (over 11 years) and are well experienced handling the unexpected such as situations where volunteer students become ill, suffer accidents, are the victims of pick pockets. ABV staff is trained to react in a responsible and levelheaded way when emergencies do arise. They will do whatever is necessary to assure this, whether this means obtaining prompt and appropriate medical attention, embassy intervention or local authorities.
  • Host Families and accommodations: Our local volunteer guesthouses, onsite project dorms and host families have been hand-picked. A Broader View accommodation have specific standards for the hygiene, cleanliness, location and comfortable living conditions for our volunteers. Telephone access is available 24/7 and most sites have internet access. Volunteers have to follow the curfew of the host accommodation.
  • Arrival Meeting/Orientation: ABV programs provide a customized arrival plan. We can arrange your arrival/pick up at the airport, bus station or local hotel. Start your program with peace of mind, having the local ABV staff meeting you when you arrive in-country. Volunteers are provided orientation before starting their program. Orientation schedules vary from country to country but will include acclimation tours of the local town/city, accommodation neighborhood, geolocation map description, program location, main interesting points in the city or area. Emergency and medical protocols will be discussed and also address safety and security issues specific to the community volunteers live and work in.
  • Every staff member of A Broader View is committed to providing volunteers with the support they need to successfully meet the challenges they will face to have a safe, healthy, and productive service. The success of each ABV volunteer is our prime goal. We rely on volunteers to exercise personal responsibility and demonstrate both a keen awareness of the world around them and a willingness to adjust their behavior in a manner that will enhance their safety and well-being. In the end, your efforts will be rewarded with an incredible, unique experience.

The emergency lines are staffed by an A Broader View:

  • Communicate late/missed/flight connections during travel days
  • Notify a Volunteer of an emergency (e.g. critical illness or death of a family member)
  • Respond to family questions about a Volunteer's status (if problem occurring in-country)
ABV in a nut shell
  • 501 (c)3 nonprofit USA based organization – you can tax deduct the program fees.
  • Available year-round. You choose your own program start and end dates.
  • 32 country locations to choose from. Programs available from 1 week up to 3 months in length.
  • 245 perfectly balanced projects - experience, price, service.
  • 100% cultural immersion including local home-stay and guesthouse accommodations.
  • Program fees include airport transportation, orientation, housing/meals, 24/7 in-country support.
  • Suitable options for solo travelers, gap year, honeymooners, families, mature travelers & groups.
  • Excellent safety record and Platinum rated non-profit organization per Guidestar ABV alumni reviews.
  • Between 1500-2000 volunteer per year with a high percentage of repeat volunteers.
Language Options

Fluency in Spanish is not a requirement for the ABV volunteer programs, however on certain programs, volunteer work will be restricted with limited language ability. We recommend that volunteers take advantage of the very affordable language lessons offered exclusively to ABV volunteers by our ​local team in country. Past volunteers feel that taking these lessons help immensely with day-to-day volunteer work and communicating with local people. language lesson...read more.

Volunteers interested in taking Spanish lessons can arrange these directly with the local ​coordinator once in country or when applying online. Please note that Spanish lessons are no​t​ available to volunteers in some very specific locations. (Lessons fees)

We also recommend to learn some basic spanish prior traveling and/or download the itranslate apps for your phone.