You are about to discover a new culture, accomplish something unforgettable, and explore the best Guatemala has to offer!

Childcare - including orphanage, school and day-care centres

Teaching - including public schools, community centres and public libraries

Construction - renovating in schools in and around La Antigua

Healthcare - medical support in rural clinics or clinics for mentally and physically disabled children, as well as working with the elderly

Animal Care & Animal Rights - working with neglected and abandoned animals in La Antigua

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The schedule for each project will vary, but most volunteers will work for 4 hours either in the morning or in the afternoon. Those working in the orphanages may find their busiest period is early in the morning, whereas those working in the clinics may be busiest in the afternoon for example.

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The climate of Guatemala is broadly divided into 3 sections, reflecting the changes in altitude across the country.

Tropical coastal zone – includes the coastal areas and lowlands up to 1,000m altitude. The climate here is hot and humid throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 20˚C (68˚F) to 37˚C (99˚F).

Temperate zone – Guatemala cools slightly as you reach heights up to 2,000m, in the more moderate climatic zone. Here temperatures, whilst still warm, rarely rise above 30˚C (85˚F), and can cool rapidly at night. La Antigua is situated in this climatic zone, and where volunteers will be based, along with the capital, Guatemala City.

Mountainous zone – This includes the areas of Guatemala above 2,000m. Whilst temperatures are frequently in their 20˚Cs during the day, temperatures drop sharply at night, and can go below freezing.

The rainy season (winter) lasts between May and October, and it usually only rains for a few hours a day during the afternoon during the rainy season. Guatemala enjoys a couple of dry weeks during July, to break up the winter. The dry season (summer) runs through the rest of the year, although there are some rainy periods interspersed.

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Guatemala is one of the most bio-diverse and historically significant countries in Central America, and the country’s abundance of biologically unique ecosystems makes the entire region a biodiversity hotspot. The Classic period of Meso-American civilization corresponds to the height of Guatemala's Maya Civilization and is represented by countless sites throughout the country, and today "Guatemaltecos" are very proud of their indigenous cultures.

Guatemala has a predominantly mountainous landscape, with narrow coastal plains and limestone plateaus. There are several active volcanoes in the mountains, and Guatemala occasionally suffers from violent earthquakes. Whilst the Caribbean coast is particularly susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms, Guatemala usually only suffers from increased rainfall rather than being directly hit by hurricanes.

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All volunteers will receive two hours of group Spanish classes each day for the first week of their project. All the Spanish teachers are professional teachers - either certified in teaching Spanish as a foreign language or with a Masters in Education. Volunteers will also be provided with a course book. After their first week of classes, volunteers will switch to a Tandem Exchange Program, which involves being matched with a Peruvian who is studying English with our partner organisation. They will meet for one hour conservation practice each day. Volunteers may also opt to extend their Spanish classes for an extra charge.

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Each GVN program has different criteria depending on our partner's requirements. Every application is reviewed to ensure that the minimum requirements (as set out on the program page) are met. Next we look to see what skills or experience you have that relate specifically to the program. We are also interested in any previous volunteer experience you may have (either local or international), travel experience, and your particular interest in the program.

After reviewing your application, should we require any further information from you, we will email you to request this.

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As in many countries, foreigners are perceived as wealthy in Guatemala. Although the people are generally warm and friendly towards foreigners, as well as appreciative of the work done by them, not every individual is the same. We work extremely hard to ensure you are placed in safe environments while volunteering and security policies are in place to achieve this. However, as in any situation at home or abroad, there is no way to erase all potential threats.

In major cities across Guatemala it is important to be wary of pick pocketing, especially in crowded areas. You should also avoid extremely remote areas where you will be alone. Furthermore, you should be aware that there are active volcanoes in Guatemala and Guatemala occasionally suffers from violent earthquakes. Volunteers will be given further safety advice, including for the case of natural disasters, in their orientation session.

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Yes, you are able to bring your family, including children, on this program. Babysitting can also be provided at a cost.

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Please indicate any dietary restrictions on your application form. Vegetarians can be catered for but you need to let us know beforehand.

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You must be 18 years or older to volunteer. There is no upper limit for volunteers; we only require that volunteers are in good health. Under 18's wishing to volunteer with an adult will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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Yes. Volunteers have their weekends free for travelling and we do recommend that you take advantage of being in Guatemala to see some other places of interest, which include the Mayan ruins of Tikal and Peten and Lake Atitlan. Our partners in Guatemala can help you book some of these trips.

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Volunteers should dress conservatively at all times, according to the custom in Guatemala. Volunteers need warm clothing for the nights and also light, loose clothing for the day, when it can be hot.

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Yes, we are able to accommodate groups for this program - please contact us for details.

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The major holidays to be aware of in Guatemala and La Antigua are:

•    1st January (New Year’s Day)
•    22-25 April (Easter)
•    1st May (Labour Day)
•    30th June (Army Day)
•    25th July (Día de Santiago Apostol (Antigua’s patron saint))
•    15th September (Independence Day)
•    20th October (Revolution Day)
•    1st November (All Saints’ Day)
•    24th, 25th December (Christmas)
•    25th December (Christmas Day)
•    31st December (New Year’s Eve)

Holidays in La Antigua are perfect dates to go on trips and combine volunteer programs with travel and other activities. There are some projects that are always open, so if volunteers want to work these days it is still possible.

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Each project will provide you with the resources you need. However, for the teaching and childcare programs you may like to bring teaching resources, toys or games to help you. Our partner organisation also has a selection of resources including games, books, pens and paper etc.

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Your program fee is payable to Global Volunteer Network 10 weeks prior to the 1st of the month you wish to volunteer.  Please note, your placement is not confirmed (ie secured) until your program fee has been received.  Please note that all charges incurred by the payment of the program fee are at the volunteer’s expense, e.g. if a bank transfer incurs a bank fee at the point of origin, that is at the expense of the volunteer. Seventy percent (70%) of the program fee is refundable until two calendar months before the 1st of the month you are due to begin your program. For example a volunteer with 15 July 2012 as their start date would need to submit their refund request form by the last day of April 2012 to be eligible for a refund. Refer to GVN's legal terms of service for full details.

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After you have joined the program, you will be sent the program guide with more details about the program and your Volunteer Coordinator will begin making arrangements for your placement. Once you’ve confirmed your placement, you’ll be put in touch with our partner organization.

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The projects are all based in and around La Antigua.

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For the Healthcare Programs volunteers must have at least an intermediate level of Spanish (i.e. be able to hold a relevant conversation, understand and follow instructions, and so on). For the other programs there is no language requirement, but we do recommend that you learn some basic Spanish before you start volunteering. The staff at our partner organisation speak English, but the locals at your specific project may have very limited English. All volunteers will participate in one week of Spanish lessons and then for the duration of their stay you will practise with a Spanish speaker wanting to learn English, as part of a language exchange program.

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All GVN Volunteers must have insurance. You are free to take out insurance cover through any provider of your choice. However, as some policies do not cover volunteering, we recommend you check you are covered during your volunteer placement.

For your convenience we have arranged a comprehensive package specially designed for volunteering. It includes excellent medical and accident coverage as well as “loss of deposits” cover which covers fees paid to GVN, airlines etc. If you would like to learn more just follow this link: http://www.globalvolunteernetwork.org/insurance/

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Our partner organisation was founded in Cusco, Peru in 2003, with their Guatemala office opening in 2009. In addition to international volunteer programs they also have TEFL/TESOL Certification programs in Guatemala and Costa Rica, and offer English and Spanish courses. Their aim is for volunteers to experience Guatemala's rich cultural diversity and build their proficiency in Spanish while at the same time helping an impoverished region of the country.

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If you need one, you will need to organise your Visa through your travel agent before you leave for Guatemala. The information pack includes links to Guatemalan Embassies through out the world. Volunteers from the majority of countries are automatically given a 90-day tourist visa on entry into Guatemala.

If volunteers wish to stay longer than 90 days, they have the option of applying for an extension in Guatemala City (which usually takes 1 working day), or visit a nearby country such as Belize or Mexico, and then re-enter Guatemala, where they will be given another 90-day visa.

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Volunteer orientation takes place on the first Monday following arrival on Sunday. This meeting includes a power-point presentation about the program, the partner organisation, and living in Guatemala. Volunteers are also given an info sheet relating to the meeting, which includes information on their volunteer project (schedule, contact person, location, how to get there etc.) and their Spanish class schedule. All volunteers are provided with a pocket-sized card with our partner's emergency telephone numbers, and any questions they may have will be answered. Volunteers first visit their project with staff members, are taught how to use public transportation, introduced to the staff at the project (who will have the volunteer's details), and discuss their project in more detail with the staff.

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The vast majority of volunteers will fly into La Aurora International airport, in Guatemala City. Here you will be collected by staff and taken on the 45 minute journey to La Antigua.

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The program begins on any Monday of each month, and volunteers need to arrive into La Antigua the Sunday before.

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Yes

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We recommend that you spend your time on one project as our experience shows that between one volunteer project and Spanish lessons, volunteers are kept very busy. However if you do wish to volunteer in different projects, please ask your volunteer coordinator.

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All volunteers will be staying with Guatemalan host families in La Antigua. You should expect to share a room with at least one other person. 3 meals a day will be provided at your accommodation.

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You will be shown during orientation the best way to get to your project. Volunteers will usually catch a short bus ride to their project or walk.

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Hepatitis A & B
Typhoid
Pertussis
Diptheria, Tetanus & Polio
Measles / MMR
Rabies
Malaria - recommended only for those visiting rural areas below 1,500 m (4,921 ft).
Yellow Fever - recommended only for those who come from an infected area.

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The program costs cover accommodation, airport pick-up and all meals. If you plan on arriving early or staying on, then you will need to have spare money for this time. Also some money may be required for your days off depending on what you intend on doing. Other costs include buying bottled water, visa (only required in staying longer than 90 days), departure tax, and any shopping you will do personally. Volunteers also need to pay for the bus to their project each day.

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You should contact our partner organisation who will take you to a clinic with an English speaking doctor. They will also give you an emergency number during your orientation session. If you are unable to contact our partner organisation, you may call GVN using our 24/7 emergency hotline.

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