Join us on a humanitarian assistance journey to an indigenous village in the province of Misiones with a side visit to the famous Iguazu Falls National Park. These volunteer expeditions are a great way to help those in need in a more impoverished part of Argentina, and at the same time see some of the country's most amazing natural attractions.
The volunteer expeditions take place practically every month. The volunteer expeditions are made available to program participants already in Argentina who are registered in a GIC Argentina program. Upon arrival please let us know that you would be interested in going on the volunteer expedition. Typically three weeks before departure, you will receive the complete details of the trip.
The volunteer expedition to the Iguazu falls is organized toghether with our partner volunteer organization.
Sample Volunteer Expedition Itinerary
The description below is a sample itinerary from previous trips. Dates and activities are subject to change.
Tuesday: Departure from the Buenos Aires bus terminal. We take an overnight bus.
Wednesday: Arrival in Monte Carlo. Lodging check-in. Departure to the indigenous village. We do sanitary control and HIV prevention workshop. We prepare snack for all and then return for dinner and get ready for the next day.
Thursday: We return to the village. Workshops on HIV prevention, responsible family planning and correct use of water. We return to our lodgings for dinner.
Friday: Breakfast and visit to the village. Distribution of clothes, soap, toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes. Dinner at our lodgings.
Saturday: Departure for Puerto Iguazu. Visit the famous waterfalls of Iguazu.
Sunday: Visit to Ciudad del Este in Paraguay and/or Foz de Iguacu on the Brazil side.
Every year, more and more expats are settling down in Buenos Aires, Argentina, whether for a few months or an indefinite period of time. Most come to hone their Spanish skills, some to perfect their tango moves, others to study at a university or simply embark on a new adventure. Whatever their reason, many of them have one thing in common: they want to give back to their adopted community. But where to start?
Join us for the More than Mate II: Volunteering in Argentina meet-up on November 11th to find out!
With over 2,000 nonprofits in Buenos Aires alone, we know it can be hard to navigate the nonprofit landscape in Argentina and find free opportunities. So we’re teaming up with Voluntarios Sin Fronteras and South American Explorer’s Club to host an event dedicated to you, the international volunteer. There will be group discussions centered around the topics of your choosing, a chance to chat with volunteer coordinators from nonprofits in the city, and a trivia game about Argentina’s social sector.
From almost everywhere, South America is a relatively costly destination, but discount fares can reduce the bite considerably. Contacting a travel agency that specializes in Latin American destinations often turns up the cheapest fares.
Sea
Arriving in Argentina by sea is uncommon indeed, although Chilean company Navimag (www.navimag.com) operates the famous ferry from Puerto Montt, Chile (near Bariloche), down the length of Chilean Patagonia to Puerto Natales, Chile, near Parque Nacional Torres del Paine (due west of Río Gallegos).
Water
River
There are several river crossings between Uruguay and Buenos Aires that involve ferry or hydrofoil, and often require combinations with buses.
Buenos Aires to MontevideoHigh-speed ferries carry passengers from downtown Buenos Aires to the Uruguayan capital in only 2¾ hours.
Buenos Aires to Colonia Daily ferries (50 minutes to three hours) head to Colonia, with bus connections to Montevideo (additional three hours).
Tigre to Carmelo Regular passenger launches speed from the Buenos Aires suburb of Tigre to Carmelo (services also go to Montevideo from Tigre).
Land
Border crossings
There are numerous border crossings from neighboring Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay; the following lists are only the principal crossings. Generally, border formalities are straightforward as long as all your documents are in order. For info on necessary visas and documents.
Current weather conditions, hours of service and other useful information for Argentina’s border crossings are provided online by the Gendarmería Nacional de Argentina (www.gendarmeria.gov. ar/pasos/pasos1.htm).
Bolivia
La Quiaca to Villazón Many buses go from Jujuy and Salta to La Quiaca, where you must walk or take a taxi across the Bolivian border.
Aguas Blancas to Bermejo From Orán, reached by bus from Salta or Jujuy, take a bus to Aguas Blancas and then Bermejo, where you can catch a bus to Tarija.
Pocitos to Yacuiba Buses from Jujuy or Salta go to Tartagal and then on to the Bolivian border at Pocitos/Yacuiba, where there are buses to Santa Cruz.
Brazil
The most common crossing is from Puerto Iguazú to Foz do Iguaçu. Check both cities for more information on the peculiarities of this border crossing, especially if you’re crossing the border into Brazil only to see the other side of IguazúFalls. There are also border crossings from Paso de los Libres (Argentina) to Uruguaiana (Brazil) to São Borja (Brazil).
Chile
There are numerous crossings between Argentina and Chile. Except in far southern Patagonia, every land crossing involves crossing the Andes. Due to weather, some high-altitude passes close in winter; even the busy Mendoza–Santiago route over RN 7 can close for several days (sometimes longer) during a severe storm. Always check road conditions, especially if you have a flight scheduled on the other side of the mountains. The following are the most commonly used crossings.
Salta to San Pedro de Atacama (via Purmamarca) Twelve-hour bus ride through the altiplano with stunningly beautiful scenery.
Mendoza to SantiagoThe most popular crossing between the two countries, passing 6962m Aconcagua en route.
Bariloche to Puerto Montt The famous, scenic 12-hour bus-boat combination runs over the Andes to Chile. Takes two days in winter.
Los Antiguos to ChileChicoThose entering from Chile can access the rugged RN 40 from here and head down to El Chaltén and El Calafate. Best in summer, when there’s actually public transport available.
El Calafate to Puerto Natales & Parque Nacional Torres del Paine Probably the most beaten route down here, heading from the Glaciar Perito Moreno (near El Calafate) to Parque Nacional Torres del Paine (near Puerto Natales). Several buses per day in summer; one to two daily in the off-season.
Ushuaia to Punta ArenasDaily buses in summer, fewer in winter, on this 12- to 18-hour trip (depending on weather conditions), which includes a ferry crossing at either Porvenir or Punta Delgada/Primera Angostura.
Uruguay & Paraguay
There are two direct border crossings between Argentina and Paraguay: Clorinda to Asunción, and Posadas to Encarnación. From Puerto Iguazú, Argentina, you can also cross through Brazil into Ciudad del Este, Paraguay.
Border crossings from Argentine cities to Uruguayan cities include Gualeguaychú to Fray Bentos; Colón to Paysandú; and Concordia to Salto. All involve crossing bridges. Buses from Buenos Aires to Montevideo and other waterfront cities, however, are slower and less convenient than the ferries (or ferry–bus combinations) across the Río de la Plata. The crossings at Gualeguaychú and Paysandú may be closed due to conflict surrounding the construction of a pulp mill on the Uruguayan side of the river.
Bus
Travelers can bus to Argentina from most bordering countries. Buses are usually comfortable, modern and fairly clean. Crossing over does not involve too many hassles; just make sure that you have any proper visas beforehand
Entering the destination
Entering the country
Entering Argentina is straightforward; immigration officials at airports are generally quick to the point and waste few words, while those at border crossings may take a little more time scrutinizing your passport before stamping it. Anyone entering the country is required to have a valid passport. Once you’re in the country, police can still demand identification at any moment. It’s a good idea to carry at least a photocopy of your passport around town at all times.
When entering by air, you officially must have a return ticket, though this is rarely asked for once you’re in Argentina. However, it is commonly asked for by the airline in the country of origin. Most airlines prohibit from boarding any passengers without proof of onward travel, regardless of whether the person was sold a one-way ticket or not. They do this because the airline would be responsible for flying you back home should you be denied entrance (which is highly unlikely) once you’re in Argentina. For those planning to travel indefinitely, the only way out of this predicament is to buy a cheap, fully refundable onward flight (say, Mendoza to Santiago, Chile) and either use it or get the refund once you’re in Argentina. The refund, however, can take months to process.
Air
Argentina has direct flights between countries including North America, the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Italy, Spain and South Africa, and from all South American countries except the Guianas. Alternatively, you can fly to a neighboring country, such as Chile or Brazil, and continue overland to Argentina.
One of the Education and Culture projects promoted by MAPU Association is the organization of an FM community radio in the city of Esquel, where MAPU is based in Patagonia. Currently we are looking for the financial resources to establish the radio. The radio is expected to start functioning around February 2010. Volunteering Placement Description: As a volunteer in the Community Radio Operator placement, you will be responsible for controlling the broadcast equipment, ...
carrying out broadcasting activities, mixing sounds, and other tasks related to the community radio functioning. Also, according to your experience, you will be able to help with setting up the studio, organizing the production equipment, controlling the acoustic balance of the studio, etc. Objectives: The aim of this volunteering placement is that you help achieve professional performance of the local community radio, and that you contribute your knowledge and experience in the field.
Asociación MAPU
MAPU Association is a non-profit, volunteer based organization, whose aim is to promote, organize, coordinate and sponsor projects related to social development, education and culture, human rights, environment care, and native peoples’ rights in Argentinean and Chilean Patagonia....
Passport valid for 6 months required by all except nationals of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay who, for journeys that do not go beyond Argentina and these five countries, may use their national ID cards.
Visa
Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan and US for stays of up to 90 days;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Barbados, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Israel, Liechtenstein, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela and Serbia for stays of up to 90 days;
(c) nationals of Hong Kong (British Nationals Overseas), Jamaica and Malaysia for stays of up to 30 days;
(d) transit passengers holding confirmed onward or return tickets for travel provided continuing their journey within 6 hours and not leaving the airport.
Note: Visa exemptions mentioned above are for tourist and business purposes only. However, business travellers are advised to contact the Argentinian Consulate before departure.
Required documents for visa
Tourist visa: (a) Passport. (b) Application form. (c) 1 passport photo. (d) Fee; payable by cheque or postal order. (e) Return ticket. (f) Letter from employer.
The Center for Legal and Social Studies (Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales, CELS) is leading organization in the field of human rights. Since its creation in 1979, during the military dictatorship, CELS has fought against systematic violations of human rights in Argentina, investigating, documenting, denouncing, and litigating in favor of the recognition of fundamental rights and transparency. With the return of democracy in 1983, CELS began to work towards the consolidation of the role of the State in protecting human rights, influencing the design and implementation of public policy. With thirty years of experience in Argentina, CELS is making itself into a leading reference in the issue of human rights on a regional and international level. This year, for its 30th anniversary, CELS is taking a great step forward. It will seek to make itself into an even stronger and more influential organization in the region in the fields of human rights, democracy, and good-governance in the global South.
To fight for the relevance of human rights
To denounce human rights violations; to influence the process of forming public policies to include a respect for fundamental rights; to foster legal and institutional reforms in order to improve the quality of democratic institutions; and to promote the greatest exercise of these rights, especially for the most under-protected sectors of society.
Programa Memoria y Lucha contra la Impunidad del Terrorismo de Estado
Programa Violencia Institucional y Seguridad Ciudadana
Programa Derechos Económicos, Sociales y Culturales
Volunteer Argentina is an online resource for people who are interested in volunteering with non-profit organizations or an NGO (ONG) in Argentina. These pages are chock full of resources, links, videos, photos, news, and everything else you might need to make a good decision about where to volunteer in Argentina, and how to make the most of your volunteer experience.
We will also post information on the various methods to Learn Spanish in Argentina, including online resources like dictionaries, translation services, and study aides. You will also find information on Rosetta Stone as well as General Linguistics "Bueno, entonces..." Spanish learning programs, among others. We will try to provide good product reviews and comparisons.
We will try to post every day or two, so check back often for more information. Leave comments or contact us if there is anything in particular you want us to cover. Gracias!
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