Is Colombia safe for volunteers?

Yes, all our projects are located in places and areas where it's safe for travelers, and our team will guide you to secure a safe stay. Volunteers receive airport pickup, local guidance and 24/7 support throughout their stay.

Do I need to speak Spanish?

Although basic Spanish speaking skills are a clear advantage, it is not strictly required for our programs. Many participants in fact join to improve their Spanish while volunteering and exploring Colombia.

What is Voluntours Colombia?

Voluntours Colombia offers meaningful travel experiences that combine volunteering, Spanish immersion, and authentic adventure across Colombia. We connect travelers with local communities through responsible and immersive programs.

What kind of volunteer projects do you offer?

We offer volunteer opportunities in children’s programs, community support, sports, animal care, and nature-based experiences. Some programs can also include Spanish learning and cultural activities.

Who can join your programs?

Our programs are ideal for travelers who want more than a typical holiday and are looking for meaningful experiences. They suit solo travelers, students, gap year participants, couples, small groups of friends, and most imporant: People of all ages. There are basically no barriers to join us.

Bucara Voluntours Volunteer and Spanish Program with children in Bucaramanga Colombia.webp

Combine two beautiful projects in one journey

Authentic Barrios in Bucaramanga and Island Life in Cartagena: Two Locations, One lifechanging Experience

This programs combines our two project sides in Bucaramanga and Cartagena.

In Bucaramanga, you support children in vulnerable communities through English practice, homework help, creative workshops, and sports. You can also combine your volunteering with Spanish classes and explore Santander through hiking, coffee tours, and other nature experiences.

Your journey continues in Cartagena, where you will enjoy beginner-friendly surf lessons with children in need, focused on ocean safety, alongside educational activities with the children and real community exchange.

Program Highlights:

Explore two entirely different places in Colombia
Support children through English, homework, creative activities & sports
Learn Spanish and connect with local families and communities
Explore Santander through nature & coffee tours
Attend Surfing classes with Children in Cartagena
Enjoy the Island Life in Tierra Bomba by Cartagena
Experience Colombia beyond tourism

Sign-up now

Voluntours Colombia Cartagena Tierra Bomba Children and Surf Program - group of volunteers

This volunteer program in a nutshell

Make a Difference

Support children and communities through English practice, homework help, creative workshops, sports and water sports plus surfing activities.

Learn & Connect

Improve your Spanish, meet local people, and experience Colombian culture through meaningful community activities.

Explore & Experience

Discover Santander and Cartagena through hiking, coffee tours, nature experiences, and beginner-friendly surf lessons.

Example Schedule of a 2 weeks-plan

This schedule is just an example. You can customize your trip with us individually and you can decide on the duration of your stay.

Day 1 - Arrival Bucaramanga, Airport Pickup & Check-in

You will be picked up at the Bucaramanga airport and will check-in to the hostel or the guest family. Get something to eat and settle in. Afterwards, we will give you an introduction about the program and show you around in the area, where you can have breakfast, the Spanish school, supermarkets and restaurants.

Reception and Check-in at a hostel in Bucaramanga

Days 2 & 3 - Spanish class & Volunteering with children

A typical day starts with delicious breakfast, followed by a Spanish class. After a great lunch in a local restaurant, we will go to one of our charity foundations. You will get to know the children and have some first exchanges and activities. Transport is arranged by us and you will be accompanied by a local person.

A young male volunteer teaching English to children

Day 4 - Comuna Tour and Life in a Colombian Barrio

Dive into the real Colombian life with it's culture, arts, dancing and music. In this tour, local people will guide you through their neighborhood and tell you stories about daily life and history.

A group of people at the Comuna 14 Tour in Bucaramanga

Day 5 - Canyon Day & Paragliding

The Chicamocha Canyon is south americas biggest and most beautiful canyon. Enjoy it's view on a daytrip and join a paragliding tandem flight if you are up to.

A young man paragliding over the canyon in Colombia

Days 6-7 - Spanish classes & Volunteering with children

More Spanish classes to become fluent and volunteering with the children in the afternoon. English classes, Sports sessions or playful activities.

A group of students in the classroom in Bucaramanga

Day 8 - Transfer to Cartagena / Tierra Bomba

We organize your transport to Cartagena by bus or help you find cheap flights, if you prefer to take the plane.

Voluntours Colombia Cartagena Tierra Bomba Children and Surf Program - group of children w

Days 9 - 11 - Island Life and Volunteering with children

Arrive on the island Tierra Bomba and get your room in the Volunteer village. Engage with local children through English classes, creative arts and handcraft activities. Support their learning, creativity, and self-expression in a fun and interactive environment.

Voluntours Colombia Cartagena Tierra Bomba Children and Surf Program - volunteers and chil

Day 12 - Environmental Activities on the island

Take part in hands-on environmental initiatives such as beach clean-ups, recycling projects, and sustainability workshops. Contribute directly to protecting the island’s natural environment while raising awareness within the local community.

Voluntours Colombia Cartagena Tierra Bomba Children and Surf Program - volunteer with many

Days 13 & 14 - Surf classes & water sports with children

Enjoy the magical beaches of Tierra Bomba and participate in the Surf Classes with the children. Learn how to surf, if you are a beginner, or help teaching, if you are advanced.

Voluntours Colombia Cartagena Tierra Bomba Children and Surf Program - volunteer surfing w

Pricing

Title	2 Weeks	3 Weeks	4+ Weeks
Basic Price	720 USD	1050 USD	320 USD / week
Spanish Classes	160 USD / week
Guest Family Stay	On Request
Room Upgrades	On Request
Tours & Excursions	on Request

It's more than Volunteering - it's an experience!

Voluntours Colombia Cartagena Tierra Bomba Children and Surf Program - volunteer with a ch

Airport pick-up Bucaramanga

Accommodation in both sides

Breakfast & Lunch in Restaurants in Bucaramanga

3 Meals in Cartagena

Local Transportation, and bus transfer to Cartagena

Volunteer Activities & Donations

Hikes, City Tours & Surf Classes

Local Guides & Translators

24/7 in-country support

Sign-up now

WHAT OUR TRAVELERS SAY

Mailys Dellicour from Belgium, March 2026

I’ve been part of the project for 7 weeks and it has been a pure blessing! The Voluntours team is so friendly and organized. They really turn my trip into something unique! I’ve enjoyed spending time and helping in all the foundations. I was always discovering new things and connecting more and more with the amazing people that are part of them! The Spanish classes helped me a lot and I really feel a big progression. The touristic activities were incredible! Outside of the program, the team make sure that you don’t leave the city without trying a lot of cultural food, games, dance…

The impact you will make

A group of volunteers with children in Bucaramanga

In Bucaramanga, you support children and families in vulnerable rural and urban communities through English practice, homework support, sports, creative activities, and educational workshops. By spending time with local children and community members, you help create opportunities for learning, confidence, and positive social connections.

In Cartagena, your impact extends to the Caribbean coast. You help children and young people discover water sports such as surfing while learning about ocean safety, teamwork, and confidence. At the same time, you contribute to environmental activities that promote awareness and help protect the beaches and marine environment.

Beyond the individual activities, your presence creates something equally important: human connection and cultural exchange. You don't just visit these communities — you spend meaningful time with them, learn from each other, and become part of their everyday lives, even if only for a short time.

Stay at our hostel or Guest Family in Bucaramanga, and at the volunteer camp in Cartagena

Feel at home in our perfectly located hostel in Bucaramanga, designed to make your stay comfortable, social, and easy from day one.

If you prefer, you can also live with a lovely Guest Family in Bucaramanga and get involved in the dialy life of a Colombian Family.

In Cartagena, you will receive a room at our volunteer camp on the island of Tierra Bomba, where you will be in good company of other volunteers.

Voluntours Colombia Cartagena Tierra Bomba Children and Surf Program - volunteer room_edit

This volunteer program in more details

Voluntours Colombia - about us - volunteers in action

Experience two very different sides of Colombia while making a meaningful contribution to local communities. This combined program takes you from the mountains of Santander to the Caribbean coast, combining community volunteering, cultural exchange, education, sports, and outdoor experiences.

In Bucaramanga, you work with children and families in vulnerable rural and urban communities. Depending on the activities and needs of our local partner organizations, you can support English practice, homework help, sports sessions, creative workshops, and educational activities.

You spend time with local children and community members, helping create positive experiences while learning more about everyday life in Colombia.

Alongside your volunteering, you can immerse yourself in Spanish and discover the diverse landscapes of Santander through hiking, coffee tours, nature excursions, and other cultural experiences.

The second part of your journey takes you to Cartagena and the Caribbean coast, where volunteering combines community activities with water sports and environmental education. You can introduce children and young people to beginner-friendly surfing and other water activities while teaching important lessons about water safety, confidence, teamwork, and respect for the ocean.

You can also participate in activities focused on keeping beaches clean and raising awareness about the protection of marine ecosystems.

Throughout the program, you don't simply volunteer and leave — you connect with local people, experience Colombian culture from within, and become part of the communities you support. It's an opportunity to combine meaningful volunteering with Spanish immersion, adventure, and genuine cultural exchange.