Consumer Advocacy
What you need to know
Volunteer Opportunities in Puerto Rico
  • Look for transparency in mission and fund distribution
  • Make sure the organization provides support to volunteers
  • There are many new groups without an extensive history
  • Puerto Rico has volunteer spots across a wide variety of areas
Our Approach

How we analyzed the best Volunteer Opportunities in Puerto Rico

Type of Volunteer Work
When ranking our top volunteer opportunities in Puerto Rico, it was important to us that we help users find the organization best matched to their particular skill set.
Area & Scope of Operation
Where an organization operates and who is its intended service target are central questions when considering volunteer opportunities. Answering these questions was one of our main goals.
Volunteer Support
Some volunteer organizations do the leg work of finding places for volunteers to stay, while others are geared toward a more self-sufficient crowd. Understand what is provided and what isn’t.
Reputation
When assessing the reputations of relief organizations, we looked at volunteer comments on Give.org, CharityNavigator.org and a number of other respected charity websites.

Our list of the best Volunteer Opportunities in Puerto Rico

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Our Research

More insight into our methodology

Type of Volunteer Work

We look at what kind of work each 501(c)(3) organization is doing in Puerto Rico, what populations they serve, and what types of volunteer work is being sought. We also attempt to zero in on the skill sets each opportunity requires. What emerges is a profile of the organization's mission and a description of the type of person being sought to help fulfill it. 

Area & Scope of Operation

Some volunteer groups focus on urban areas, while others assist in rural areas. Volunteer projects are highly localized—for example, rehabbing a single school or assisting at a specific farm—or may have a broader geographic scope. Some groups define their mission less in terms of geography and more on the basis of population. For example, an organization might focus on assistance to the disabled, to immigrants, or to small business owners. We try to explain who the organizations we profile assist and where they provide that assistance.

Volunteer Support

Organizations that seek volunteers to assist with relief efforts in Puerto Rico may provide turn-key service. Those groups handle their volunteers' transportation, accommodation, food, and other arrangements. Other groups seek people who can fend for themselves and find their own room, board, and transit. Understanding the level of support provided may assist prospective volunteers in choosing an organization that meshes with their own needs and abilities.

Reputation

We look for reviews and volunteer comments online at Give.org, CharityNavigator.org, GuideStar.org, VolunteerMatch, GreatNonprofits.org, the United Way, and other institutions that monitor charities and volunteer groups. We attempt to see how well these groups keep their promises to volunteers and to assess how they are regarded by the communities they serve. Although we also attempt to determine how well-established each group is, a number of groups that recruit volunteers to work in Puerto Rico were established after Hurricane Maria and consequently do not have an extensive history.

Helpful information about Volunteer Opportunities in Puerto Rico

This topic is very special to us at ConsumersAdvocate.org because we are based in Puerto Rico. In September 2017, Hurricane Maria hit our island home head-on, carving a path of destruction from the southeast to the northwest. Hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses were damaged. According to Harvard University, the death toll is now estimated to be 4,645, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in American history. 

Our entire team was profoundly affected by the hurricanes. As we scrambled to recover, we knew we need to help as many others as possible. As a company, we raised almost $200K for hurricane relief and we've provided additional assistance to several relief groups. Many of our employees have volunteered their time.

So when one of our partners in travel insurance asked us for the best volunteer opportunities on the island, we couldn’t wait to do what we do every day: identify the best.  

Every year, some of the employees at Travelex Insurance Services do what they love best: travel. The team at Travelex also tries to incorporate volunteer work into their trips. Since Puerto Rico is in such extreme need, they reached out to us for a better understanding of who could accommodate their group.

Fortunately, thousands of volunteers have come to help the island recover from the hurricanes and to lay the foundation for a rebuilt and more resilient Puerto Rican economy and infrastructure. Good-hearted people have tarped roofs, provided medical and legal services, repaired damaged farms and businesses, installed sustainable water and electrical technologies, and established institutions aimed at helping the island renew and rebuild itself.

Whether you are bringing a group or traveling as an individual, if you are considering a trip to help Puerto Rico, know that there are millions of people here who will be grateful for your help. And there are many opportunities to make a difference. Here are some of them that can help make your planning easier and impact greater.

FAQs about Volunteer Opportunities in Puerto Rico

Does Puerto Rico use US dollars as its currency? Are any other currencies accepted?

US dollars are the only currency accepted in Puerto Rico.

How do I get to Puerto Rico?

Flights are available from many cities in the US to San Juan, Puerto Rico’s capital and largest city.

Is volunteering in Puerto Rico safe?

Like everywhere else, Puerto Rico has its share of accidents and crime. Most of the violent crime is drug- and gang-related and generally doesn’t involve volunteers. Many roads are in poor condition and may be unlit at night, creating occasionally hazardous driving conditions.

How big is Puerto Rico?

The island covers 5,300 square miles, making is just slightly smaller than the state of Connecticut.

Do I need to know how to speak Spanish to volunteer in Puerto Rico?

Generally speaking, it’s not necessary to know Spanish to do volunteer work in Puerto Rico. English is widely spoken as a second language. However, if the volunteer work you’re doing involves communication with Puerto Ricans, especially in rural areas, it’s certainly helpful to know some Spanish.

Do I need a passport to come to Puerto Rico?

Since Puerto Rico is US territory, American citizens do not need a passport to come to Puerto Rico. Foreign nationals are required to have a passport and a valid visa and are subject to the same entry requirements as they would be if they entered the United States proper.

Is the electricity working in Puerto Rico?

During Hurricane Maria, the entire island lost power. As of August 1, 2018, electricity has been restored to 99% of the island. However, the power grid remains fragile and blackouts do occur.

Is it safe to drink the water in Puerto Rico?

While the water in Puerto Rico is generally safe to drink, it can have different flora than tap water from other areas, which can lead to mild bouts of diarrhea. It’s a good idea to drink bottled water, but not to be unduly alarmed if you incidentally ingest some tap water.

Our Volunteer Opportunities in Puerto Rico Review Summed Up

Company NameThe Best
All Hands and Hearts Volunteer Opportunities in Puerto RicoOverall
NECHAMA Volunteer Opportunities in Puerto Ricofor People to People Connections
Puerto Rico Renace Volunteer Opportunities in Puerto Ricofor Community Building
Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Opportunities in Puerto Rico for Volunteers Who Love to Build
Para la Naturaleza Volunteer Opportunities in Puerto Ricofor Nature Lovers
Ayuda Legal PR Legal Corpsfor Lawyers and Law Students
Americas for Conservation and the Arts Volunteer Opportunities in Puerto Ricofor Ecologically-Minded Volunteers
Defensa Animal De Rincon Volunteer Opportunities in Puerto Ricofor Animal Lovers
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