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* Check out my IG for more pictures and videos to see what it is like to volunteer with Worldpackers. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions/concerns.
After staying a couple of days in Lake Atitlan, it was time to head to Antigua, where I planned to go volcano hiking (Acatenango hike) and do some volunteer work too! I applied to OX Expeditions in Worldpackers so that I can volunteer while I am in Guatemala. OX Expeditions is one of the well-known hiking tour companies in Antigua, and I was approved to work with them. Usually, most people come to Antigua to sign up for volcano hike tours (multiday and day trips) and many companies offer the tour. People rent out gear and equipment that are needed when hiking Acatenango. Acatenango is a volcano that is almost 4,000 m high (or 13123.36 ft) and people should be well-prepped for hiking overnight.
Hiking Volcano Acatenango is one of must dos in Antigua! Pay Q20 ($2.57 USD) to borrow a walking stick. It helped my knee a lot!
What is Worldpackers?
Worldpackers is an online platform that connects hosts worldwide, who are looking for volunteers/travelers to work for them and travelers looking to travel while working simultaneously. Travelers get free accommodations in exchange for the work they provide to the hosts. The work varies from cleaning, and reception work in hostels, to teaching yoga, and English as a second language. This is a great program for budget travelers, who are looking to immerse to a new culture while traveling and get a free place to stay in exchange.
I have previously posted my volunteer experience in Mexico City, teaching English to kids in kindergarten. Click here to learn more about the experience.
The yearly membership is $49 USD and you can apply as many experiences as you like on the website during that one year! If you use my promo SURIN, you will get $10 USD off and will able to get a one year membership for $39 USD!
Click here to get your membership now!
OX Expeditions- Hiking tour company in Antigua, GUA
I arrived two days earlier than my scheduled volunteer date. (My host okayed coming in early.) I was already in Antigua a week before because I wasn't expecting to get accepted to volunteer with OX. I was originally planning to stay in Antigua for only one week and move on, but I also wanted to volunteer with OX and see what it is like to volunteer for a hiking tour company so I decided to stay an extra 2 weeks to immerse into the culture and connect with the locals.
OX provides accommodation, so I am staying in a dorm with other volunteers. My work team consists of 5 other volunteers, my host, hiking guides, kitchen staff, and receptionists. It is a great team to be part of as everyone is welcoming and very friendly.
My duties include cleaning/maintaining equipment that people rent out for their Acatenango Volcano overnight hiking and dealing with customers (because we give out gear & extra clothes to people the day before they go on a hike after their pre-trip meeting). There are three shifts: (1) morning, (2) afternoon, and (3) evening shifts, where volunteers rotate based on the weekly schedule that the host sets. I work around 20 hours/week and get two days off. On days off, I go out to explore with the hiking company (free for volunteers) or hang out with a new friend whom I met at an Earth Day event in Antigua (she is volunteering with a local school to teach English).
Benefits of Traveling with Worldpackers
So many benefits!!
1) Free Accommodation: You get a free place to stay while volunteering!
2) Meet other travelers: You meet other travelers volunteering through Worldpackers! There are always opportunities to hang out and be friends
3) Meet the locals and learn work-life: You will be able to connect with the locals! Experience their work life, and learn the new culture
4) Improve your language skills: You can learn and practice a new language while volunteering!
.. and the list goes on and on, but I think these are the main advantages for me to be part of worldpackers.
For me, Worldpackers has been an eye-opening experience. I am always meeting new people and learning a lot each time while volunteering. I love how I can fully immerse myself in the culture and be part of the community wherever I go. I feel so grateful to be part of Worldpackers and to share my personal experiences with you! If you want to hear more of my experiences, check out my stories, posts and reels on my IG page.
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