Volunteer Opportunities in Indonesia
Indonesia is a country of more than 17,000 islands, making it an exotic destination for travellers seeking volunteer opportunities abroad. Home to thousands of unique animal and plant species, Indonesia is a place of rich biodiversity that brings foreign visitors close to raw and unspoilt nature. Nonprofits in the country need the support of enthusiastic individuals who can travel to remote locations to join wildlife conservation, education and women empowerment volunteer programs and initiatives. Through these unique projects, volunteers get the chance to experience Indonesia's vibrant culture and beautiful landscapes.
Volunteer Abroad with Local Non-Profits
Featured Non-Profits
The Borneo Nature Foundation is a not-for-profit conservation and research organisation. We work to protect some of the most important areas of tropical rainforest, and to safeguard the wildlife, environment and indigenous culture on Borneo.
How to Volunteer in Indonesia
How to find volunteer opportunities in Indonesia
Indonesia is the land of countless white-sand beaches, numerous volcanoes, and pristine rainforests. Volunteer work in Indonesia usually takes place in remote areas, which takes visitors to these stunning landscapes. Volunteers also get to interact with local communities and experience the unique melting pot of Asian cultures and cuisines. There is a variety of volunteer projects available in Indonesia. Nature conservation projects are often based in the rainforests of Borneo. Gili Air, a beautiful Indonesian island with white-sand beaches, is the setting for several marine conservation projects. Volunteers can also choose to visit the beautiful tropical island of Bali to conduct after-school programs with children and support other educational initiatives.
Best time to volunteer in Indonesia
Indonesia is a wet tropical country that experiences heavy rainfall during the monsoons. People who want to avoid the rainy season need to travel between April and October. The temperature during these months can sometimes touch 30 degrees Celsius, but the weather generally remains dry. The Indonesian monsoon season is from November to March when heavy rainfall makes travelling very tricky.
Essential information about Indonesia
It is important to note that foreigners with regular tourist visas are not permitted to take part in volunteering activities in Indonesia. Volunteers need to apply for a social cultural visa, which is valid for 60 days and can later be extended to 180 days. Apart from the usual documents such as passport and visa application form, visitors who apply for this visa need to get sponsor-letters and sponsor-IDs from their respective nonprofit organizations based in Indonesia. Local people residing in major touristy areas such as Bali often face no trouble communicating in English since it is taught as a second language in schools. Food and living cost in Indonesia are generally inexpensive. For reference, a single meal at a budget restaurant costs roughly about $1.84.