VOLUNTEERING WITH ARCAS
General Information
Fees and reservations
Changing Money
Spanish Language
Health Concerns
Volunteering at the Wild Animal Rescue Center in Petén
Volunteering at Parque Hawaii
Environmental education internships
Research and Internships
Volunteer Handbook (PDF)
Volunteer registration form
General Information
ARCAS and the wild animals it protects benefit from the support of over 500 volunteers per year both at its Rescue Center in Petén, its Sea Turtle and Mangrove Program in Hawaii, and at the Senderos de Alux Environmental Education Center near Guatemala City. Volunteers contribute technical expertise as well as contribute to the financial self-sufficiency of ARCAS’s conservation efforts while themselves gaining valuable work experience and an insight into Guatemalan culture.
Being a non-profit, voluntary organization, ARCAS doesn’t have the resources of a larger international NGO or university. Volunteers are expected to be fairly independent and self-sufficient and are expected to cover their own travel expenses to the projects as well as their own personal needs in terms of visas, special diets, medications and communications with loved ones back home. ARCAS cannot take responsibility for any accidents or illnesses that may occur while volunteering and volunteers are required to sign a waiver of responsibility.
Below you will find information about volunteering with ARCAS. Please bear in mind however, that this information is an abridged version of the ARCAS Volunteer Guidebook, a complete version of which is available here (link) or in the publications section. Also, for up-to-date information regarding volunteering, especially regarding prices, transportation and new projects, please contact us directly at arcas@intelnet.net.gt
You should also pick up a copy of the Lonely Planet or similar guidebook.
Volunteer fees and reservations
Volunteer fees are used to support ARCAS’s wildlife conservation efforts. Although not required, reservations are recommended, especially during our peak months of June – August when we often fill up. ARCAS offers two plans for volunteers:
Plan Mochilero is for experienced travelers who speak some Spanish and prefer to arrive at the project site on their own with no reservation.
Plan Completo is for less experienced travelers who don´t speak Spanish. For an additional deposit, Plan Completo volunteers are guaranteed a reservation, are picked up at the airport and are offered additional services. Please contact us for more information.
When you arrive at the project site, you will be asked to register and sign a waiver form. Please bring with you a copy of the picture page of your passport when come to the project. Other than the Plan Completo deposit, you can make your volunteer payment in cash in quetzals or US dollars at the project site.
If you want to get in touch directly with the staff at the projects to see what current conditions are give them a call at the telephone numbers at Contact Us.
Changing MoneyWhen you first arrive in Guatemala, if you are traveling by air, you should change $200-$300 at the banks at the Aurora Airport and ask for change (fichas) in case you need to use the pay phone.
In Petén, there are banking facilities in Flores 10 minutes away where you can make ATM withdrawals and cash TCs. For the Hawaii project, at Monterrico (7kms away) you can change US dollars but not at a very good rate and there are ATMs that work sporadically. Otherwise, you will need to make a day trip to Chiquimulilla to use an ATM or cash TCs. Therefore, volunteers at the Hawaii Park are recommend to bring enough Quetzals to last at least one week, perhaps Q1,000.
Your experience will be greatly enhanced if you speak some Spanish. Although not required, volunteers who plan to come to Guatemala for an extended period of time are encouraged to spend the first few weeks learning Spanish at one of the many language schools in the beautiful colonial city of Antigua. The standard study program is @ $120 per week for a homestay, food and 4-6 hours/day of 1-on-1 instruction. There are close to 50 language schools in Antigua most of which offer similar courses, however we recommend the following two schools that support social and environmental causes such as ARCAS:
APPE school, 1 calle oriente #15, Tel: 7832-2552 ??? , E-mail: appe@infovia.com.gt, info@appeschool.com Ask for Lilian Santizo and tell her that we sent you and she'll give you a discount.
Mundo Guatemala Travel & Volunteer Helpdesk, 4a Avenida Sur #1, Antigua, Telefax 7832-9134 or 9017, E-mail: info@mundo-guatemala.com Ask for Elke or Hortensia. ARCAS volunteers are eligible for a $10 discount on Tikal tours, a $10 discount on other 2-day or 3-day tours and a $10 discount per week for classes & homestay.
If you are planning on volunteering at the Hawaii Project, there is a Spanish school in Monterrico 7kms away (espanolmonterrico@yahoo.com) and volunteers often make daily commutes for classes. There are also a number of Spanish schools in Quetzaltenango and near Flores. Check out www.volunteerPetén.com and www.ecomaya.com or more info.