A lot of people want to travel the world but let’s be honest it is expensive. In addition to it being expensive people don’t have endless opportunities to leave work and travel for months at a time. So, we have to get creative. We have to work around obstacles in our way because not traveling is not an option for people who love to travel. One way that people can get away with traveling, cut costs and do some good for others is volunteering. There are several countries that are in dire need of resources in the form of helping hands. A lot of these countries come off looking as though they are places that no one would (or should) visit.

Thanks to media coverage, many people feel as though they must stay away from the road less traveled. However, we say those are the best places to travel. You get a sense of self-accomplishment when you take a trip that includes both travel and volunteering. They are traditionally called mission trips but they should be upgraded to being called chances of a lifetime. You leave there feeling like you left your mark and helped people who are less fortunate.

24 Thailand

Thailand is a beautiful country with strong roots in culture. Some of the fun things people like to do when they visit Thailand is riding an elephant. However, this has caused a lot of uproar with animal rights activists. There is now an elephant sanctuary that can use a lot of volunteers. They help to rescue, re-home and promote natural and healthy treatments for a long life. You can visit Thailand and help rehabilitate these beautiful, giant creatures. Two of the more well-known volunteer programs are GVI or volunteer Solutions. Both of these companies work to set you up with the best program for you and help you reach your ultimate volunteer goal. In addition, they offer excursions that help you experience the culture and country. A good work and play balance.

23 Peru

There are so many volunteer opportunities in Peru, it’s so hard to choose just one. Better yet, it’s hard to go there only once. Opportunities from healthcare, education and social work all the way to hospitality. Cusco is one of the more popular places to volunteer at but with companies like Proyecto Peru Center, there are endless opportunities year-round that make it an easy decision to choose Peru as a place to travel and volunteer. You can immerse yourself in the indigenous culture. Learn about the Quechua-speaking communities in the Andes mountains. And go on some great sightseeing trips with your fellow volunteers.

22 Morocco

A product of European, Northern African, and Islamic influences all rolled into one. This is enough of an excuse to want to travel to this country. There are several opportunities to volunteer and many places that would love to have you on hand. There are a number of orphanages scattered throughout the country. In addition to opportunities to teach english, and work with places whose sole purpose is to empower women, equality and pay gap. Another great thing about this country is it isn’t that expensive so you can truly enjoy your time with a little bit of money. There is one downside that we must mention for the safety of women. In the tourist areas, women may receive some harassment from locals. Do not attempt to stand out physically.

21 Cambodia

Cambodia is a country that is truly struggling. They have many socio-economic issues that include poverty, human rights violations, and hunger. Some of the volunteer work is vital to the survival of the country and its natives. You can help improve living conditions by helping to build homes. There are also opportunities to help improve environmental struggles through conserving forest areas and you can help young Cambodians by teaching them english. Want to get your hands filthy? Work on some construction projects. But also, don’t forget to enjoy yourself, eat some amazing street food go to the tourist areas or a market to get some traditional garments.

20 Romania

Global Aware has an awesome volunteer abroad program that focuses on both building education centers and helping out on sustainability projects. It’s held mostly in the city of Brasov which is known for its beautiful scenery and architecture. There is always something to see and do. So, when you get that much needed time off explore the city and everything it has to offer. The program is a bit expensive for one week ($1,500) so, make the most of it because a week will go by quickly. Especially when you are working for most of the day. When you get back and share your pictures with friends and family they will think you went back to medieval times.

19 Costa Rica

Traveling to Costa Rica as a volunteer is exciting. It is one of the more known locations where people feel comfortable traveling to and it has some of the best beaches. However, on those beaches, a lot of poaching, fish net traps, and pollution has threatened the once thriving sea turtle community. Turtle hatchings used to be a year-round phenomenon on the island but lately, it has been dwindling. Threatening the existence of this species is something that Costa Rica refuses to let happen. There are volunteer opportunities that are both affordable and life-changing with companies like La Tortuga Feliz. Volunteers are responsible for manning hatcheries, patrolling beaches, and assisting at turtle rehab facilities.

18 Ethiopia

Ethiopia is said to be one of the longest inhabited places on earth (by human beings that is). That alone should be the reason for you to want to spend your time volunteering there. They certainly have plenty for you to do if you choose to spend a few weeks there. Volunteer opportunities include medicine, education, community development and helping to get street kids rehomed. In addition to all the good you could do there, the country is quite beautiful and offers some great places to explore. One thing we recommend everyone do when they go there is to visit a coffee plantation. Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee and a lot of us rely on coffee to make it through the day. Why not try it where it all began?

17 New Zealand

If you love the outdoors than New Zealand may just be the place for you to volunteer in. The country is rich in land and beauty. It’s easy to get up at the crack of dawn when you have such beautiful greenery to gaze upon. Volunteering in New Zealand is all about conservation you will be planting trees, restoring historical sites and assisting with constructing new trails for people to use when they explore. You are not confined to any one territory you can choose where you want to volunteer because the entire country is lush with land and virtually everywhere needs upkeep.

16 India

1.3 billion people, 22 different languages, and food to die for how can you go wrong? Unfortunately, there are a number of issues going on in India that need the help of a lot of volunteers. One of the more crucial problems that have rocked this beautiful country is the violence against women. Domestic problems is a huge issue in India and many women are beginning to get the courage to leave their abusers. Because of this, there is an influx of women and children in shelters who need to be looked after and taught new skills. Volunteers would be helping women by building confidence through workshops. Providing them with education and a few other skills that can help them get jobs and be able to support themselves.

15 Bali

Bali has been regarded as one of the best beach destinations and because of this, it has brought a lot of tourists to the country. So, since you plan on visiting Bali anyay, you might as well do a little bit of volunteer work. There are opportunities to teach children english and help to restructure old buildings. All while basking under the beautiful sun and getting a great tan. We would recommend you doing the volunteer teaching opportunity because the kids are so freaking adorable and so loving. It low key fills your heart when you finally see them catching on. An opportunity to teach can be done in so many places around the world but there is something special about Bali, it’s atmosphere and the ultimate impact it leaves on your life.

14 Greece

Greece has been hit pretty badly with an influx of refugees. This has taken the country in a whole new direction. This is being called the worlds biggest humanitarian crisis since World War II that says a lot. Greece officially admitted that they do not have the resources to take on all of these refugees. It’s almost like the country is crashing. To make matters worse the refugees are now stuck there with nowhere else to go. On the bright side, it has created opportunities for volunteers. Everything from assisting women and children to trying to raise funds to help the country deal with the influx of refugees. At the end of the day, Greece is a beautiful island that offers lots to do on your downtime and some great seafood.

13 Liberia

Liberia is one place that many people do not think about volunteering in. Mostly because the country isn't the first thing on anyone's mind. There are a lot of volunteering opportunities in this beautiful country. One of the more popular ones being Women-Concern Liberia, a non-profit organization that fights for gender equality, women empowerment and sexual health and rights of women and girls. There is also a privately funded education program that offers great resources for a proper education for children. When you aren't working you can go on safari, adventure parks, and to museums.

12 Israel

One may be thinking, what kind of volunteer opportunities could possibly bring someone to a beautiful country like Israel. Well, you can actually volunteer on archeological digs. Like how cool does that sound? You could be the person who discovers something big or, just has a great time discovering something small. This would be a great opportunity for university students who are looking to get their feet wet or even get a school credit. Israel has some of the most beautiful artifacts and the best part about volunteering here is the cost can be quite low. Most companies offer accommodations or can hook you up with a host family.

11 Zambia

Zambia allows people to visit animals in their natural habitat. In fact, it is one of only a very small handful of countries that allows something as unique as this. Unfortunately, that very wildlife is endangered. African elephants, hippos, and lions are just some of the animals that need help to stay on this planet. Illegal poaching has put these animals on the red list. So, companies like GoEco help you to join wildlife rehabs and conservation efforts. If that is too formal for you, a company called Conservation Lower Zambezi offers you the opportunity to kind of create your own volunteer experience. They allow you to focus on what’s most important to you whether that is a particular animal or even a certain region.

10 Mexico

Like Costa Rica, Mexico too has a passion for sea turtles. They are trying to conserve what they have left. Believe it or not, this is not their main focus, Mexico has a few phenomenal rainforest conservation programs. One of their more popular programs focuses on the coral reef. A company called GVI is working with Mexican NGO Amigos de Sian Ka’an to attack the issue of the disintegrating coral reef. Full disclosure, you will not be the one diving down to the bottom of the ocean. However, you will be assisting by monitoring data collection, and you will eventually become PDI certified. And of course, you are in Mexico so, in your free time, you can sightsee and party.

9 Arizona & Montana

Of course, there are also great opportunities in your own backyard. Reservations in Montana and Arizona are always looking for volunteers to help with a number of tasks. Volunteers have the opportunity to teach, help with language and cultural preservation and provide medical assistance. There are also opportunities to help with land conservation and construction. It sounds like a lot of opportunities are in this one place. Besides the opportunity to help a group of people who had their land stolen and their culture stripped it is a great opportunity to learn about the countries past. Also, let’s be honest, Montana has some beautiful ranches that will allow you to ride horses and Arizona well it’s hot AF there so how can you go wrong?

8 Nepal

IVHQ (the International Volunteer Headquarters) is the head of this amazing, affordable trip to Nepal. The trip is meant to help the country rebuild and expand. You are offered anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks of volunteer experience. The best part is you can work with whatever program you feel is going to best suit you. There are several paths you can go down including helping women through education, construction, helping in orphanages and teaching children english. The site even puts their program fee online because they want to show you how inexpensive their program is. $1,400 is pretty great for a country that is so remote and any site seeing you choose to do is going to be sorely inexpensive.

7 Vietnam

Organic is the new IT. Everyone wants to eat organic this and organic that but a lot of the time they don’t know where it’s coming from or even how organic it is. This program will not only teach you about organic farming it will show you how a true organic farm is run and what needs to be done for it to be called organic. It’s a great opportunity to see how everything works from the ground up. This will also significantly help the economic growth of the economy. A program like this is rare and not offered in a lot of places so needless to say, an opportunity like this should be one that is cherished.

6 Albania

Albania is beautiful but it is expensive to travel to. So, if you want to travel there but you can’t spend a lot of money try a volunteer abroad trip. The most popular abroad program in Albania is called Love Volunteer and it’s all about children. You will be helping with education and act as a social support system for Roma children. You will be responsible for raising literacy levels and awareness around the discrimination of the Roma children. The Roma’s have a negative reputation in Albania due to stereotypes and stigmas. It will be your job to help combat that and maybe even learn a thing or two in the process.

5 Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka actually has a combined volunteer program between them and India. It’s a two for one special Y'all. The opportunity is unique in the sense that you get to spend a total of 4 weeks in 2 different countries. The volunteer opportunity itself revolves around teaching children not only english but about other cultures. This program in particular really allows you to be independent whatever way you feel is going to help the children learn is the way you teach. As long as you can prove their learning, everything else is up to you. The locations are very friendly and protected and you will immediately be apart of the culture.