Volunteer World Reviews 

317
TrustScore 5 out of 5

4.8

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 81 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers frequently praise the dedicated staff members for being exceptionally helpful, kind, and always ready to answer any questions with great professionalism. People deeply appreciate the thorough guidance and comprehensive resources provided during personal calls, which makes organizing volunteer journeys much easier and entirely stress-free. Though some customers experienced issues with unexpected project changes, unreliable local guidance, or questions that remained completely unanswered. A few reviewers also noted occasional communication hurdles regarding delayed initial booking confirmations, language barriers on-site, and unexpected adjustments to their daily volunteer schedules.

What people talk about most

Staff

Users describe positive interactions with staff members who are consistently helpful, kind, and professional.... See more

Customer service

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of customer service, describing the team as exceptionally fast, helpful,... See more

Service

Clients share positive opinions on service, noting that the support received was absolutely incredible from... See more

Response time

Customers had positive experiences with response time, reporting that the support team replies super fast and... See more

User experience

People report positive experiences with user experience, highlighting helpful support calls and clear... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I had a great call with Mariela Pero from Volunteer World. She was kind, patient, and took the time to clearly explain all the steps of the process. She also shared valuable insights and followed u... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The call I had with Josefiene was really helpful — especially the follow-up email summarizing my program details, along with the visa and vaccine information I needed. I still have several programs op... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Laura has assisted me in my queries on numerous occasions, and I am deeply impressed by her! She is always patient and friendly, and able to assist in resolving any issues or answer any questions yo... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

The booking experience with Volunteer World was great! Plenty of information on the projects in an easy to read format. Questions were answered quickly by Volunteer World - thankyou Mariela and by my... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. Cultural tours provider
  2. Tour Agent
  3. Travel agent
  4. Voluntary organisation

Written by the company

Volunteer World is the world's leading volunteering platform. We show you how to volunteer abroad! Search & compare the best international volunteer programs offered by volunteer organizations and local NGOs with just a few clicks.


Contact info

4.8

Excellent

TrustScore 5 out of 5

317 reviews

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Asks customers to review

This company invites their customers to review, whether positive or negative

Replied to 100% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 2 weeks

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4.8

All reviews

(317)

121 reviews in the last 12 months

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Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

overall happy

polite, very helpful and overall great experience. No negative points

4 June 2025
Unprompted review
Volunteer World logo

Reply from Volunteer World

Hi there 🌟

Your words just lit up our day! Knowing our team made your journey to a volunteering‑abroad adventure smooth, helpful, and downright enjoyable is exactly why we love what we do at Volunteer World. If you ever dream up another international volunteer program, give us a shout—‑we’ll be ready with fresh ideas and the same upbeat energy.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Mariela was punctual, friendly, and informative!

Mariela was punctual, friendly, and very informative! I greatly appreciate her help and the work she does to help connect others to their dream volunteer experiences.

29 May 2025
Unprompted review
Volunteer World logo

Reply from Volunteer World

Thank you for sharing such uplifting feedback. Mariela will be delighted to hear her punctual, friendly, and insightful support helped you connect with your dream volunteering‑abroad opportunity through Volunteer World. If you ever need assistance planning another international volunteer program, just reach out—we’re always here to guide your next adventure.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great time teaching English in Sri Lanka

I booked my volunteer trip to Sri Lanka through Volunteer World and I’m really glad I did. The platform made it super easy to find a program that matched what I was looking for. Everything was clear, from the costs to what to expect during the project, which helped me feel well-prepared.
I joined an English teaching program and spent a few weeks working with local kids. It was honestly such a rewarding experience. The children were full of energy and so eager to learn, and the local coordinators were incredibly kind and helpful. I felt supported the whole time, even before arriving in Sri Lanka.
Outside of the project, I had the chance to explore the country, meet other volunteers from around the world, and learn more about the culture. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.
I’d definitely recommend it to anyone thinking about volunteering abroad.

11 January 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Volunteer World

Dear Alex,

I think we met in a chat a couple of weeks ago while planning your trip, right?

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with Volunteer World and that the platform helped you find the perfect program. It’s great to know that you felt well-prepared and supported throughout your journey.

Your feedback about the English teaching program and the impact it had on you, as well as the connections you made with other volunteers and the local community, is exactly what we strive to offer to all of our participants. We're so glad to hear it was such a rewarding experience!

Thank you again for recommending Volunteer World, and we wish you all the best in your future travels and volunteer projects!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great Experience in Costa Rica

I had a great time volunteering in Costa Rica and seeing the turtles hatching! It was super well organized, and I met many great people there who also volunteered with me, which was amazing because I booked the trip on my own and hoped to meet other people there, which I did! There were so many things we could do besides solely the turtle conservation, but also exploring Costa Rica a bit! Would highly recommend to everyone considering this :)

15 March 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Volunteer World

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great time in Costa Rica and enjoyed both the turtle conservation and your time exploring. It’s wonderful that you connected with others as well! We really appreciate your recommendation. Safe travels on your future adventures!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Unforgettable Turtle Experience in Bali

I spent 4 incredible weeks in Bali with a project organized by Volunteer World. I got to see turtles up close, and it was truly the time of my life! Everything went smoothly, and the support from Volunteer World was amazing. They answered all my questions, even those about visa, vaccinations, and other details my parents had. Highly recommendend!

22 February 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Volunteer World

Hi Marius,

Thank you so much for your lovely words! 🌺

We’re thrilled to hear that your time in Bali was so unforgettable — and that you had the chance to work closely with turtles! It’s always wonderful to know that our support helped not only you but also gave peace of mind to your family before the trip.

We’re so glad everything went smoothly and that you made the most of your experience. Thanks for recommending us — and whenever you're ready for your next adventure, we’ll be here for you!

Warm regards,
Linda
Customer Experience Team
Volunteer World 🐢✨

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Incredible Experience in South Africa!

Incredible Experience in South Africa!
I had the most amazing time volunteering in South Africa 🐘🐾, and I can't thank Volunteer World enough for their exceptional support! From the start, they took care of everything – from helping me choose the right wildlife conservation project to managing all the logistics. 🦁🌍 -> From Germany to South Africa!

I worked closely with elephants and other wildlife. The team at Volunteer World not only ensured everything was organized perfectly, but they also accommodated some of my special requests, like extra wildlife education sessions and a chance to work directly with local conservationists 🐘💚

The communication was great throughout, and I felt completely supported during my entire stay. If you’re looking for a meaningful volunteering experience with an amazing organization, I highly recommend Volunteer World. Especially Linda and her Support Team!

23 January 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Volunteer World

Hi Rasul,

Wow — thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to share your amazing experience in South Africa! 🐘🌍

It means the world to us to hear that everything went smoothly and that you felt supported from the moment you chose your project to the final days on-site. We’re especially happy that we could help make those special requests happen — those extra sessions with local conservationists sound incredible! 💚🦁

Your passion truly shines through, and it was a pleasure for our team (and for me personally!) to be part of your journey. If the travel bug bites again, you know where to find us 😉

Warmest wishes,
Linda
Customer Experience Team
Volunteer World

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Helpful, friendly and caring

Had a great call with Laura, super lovely and helpful. She took the time to answer all my questions and helped me feel good about choosing my Belize trip. Thanks again Laura!! 🫶 Honestly the support made all the difference. Would definitely recommend Volunteer World. They really care!

1 May 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Volunteer World

Hi Giulia,

Thank you so much for your kind words! 💛

We’re absolutely delighted to hear that your call with Laura made such a positive impact — she truly is a gem, and we’ll be sure to pass on your lovely message! It’s great to know you felt supported and confident about your Belize trip. That’s exactly the kind of experience we want every traveler to have 🌎✨

Wishing you an unforgettable time in Belize — and remember, we’re always here if you need anything!

Warmest regards,
Linda
Customer Experience Team
Volunteer World 🫶

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Love the company

Love the company, but loved the sloths even more!

8 February 2025
Unprompted review
Volunteer World logo

Reply from Volunteer World

Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so glad to hear that you loved your experience with us—and it’s fantastic that the sloths made an extra special impression! 🦥💚 It’s moments like these that make volunteering even more memorable. We hope to continue providing experiences that you’ll cherish for years to come. Thanks again for sharing your feedback!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great website and easy to use

I had a great experience booking a volunteer program through this platform. The website is really user friendly and it is easy to ask questions. I totally recommend using the website if you are thinking of volunteering abroad but have some concerns about it all, this website post only realiable organizations to volunteer!

5 March 2025
Unprompted review
Volunteer World logo

Reply from Volunteer World

Thank you so much for your kind words and positive feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our platform. It’s our goal to provide a user-friendly and trustworthy space for volunteers, and we’re glad to know that it made your journey smoother. We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to supporting more volunteers like you in the future! 🌍💚

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Made the booking for my daughter

Made the booking for my daughter. She is so happy, incredible experience!

1 April 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Volunteer World

Thank you so much for sharing your feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that your daughter had an incredible experience and is so happy with her booking. 😊💫 We’re always excited to be part of such meaningful journeys and it’s wonderful to know that she had a memorable time. If you or she ever need anything in the future, feel free to reach out. Thanks again for choosing Volunteer World!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Made me a little calmer

My kid was super worried about volunteering internationally. So was I, Guatemala kind has a bad rap. And there were so many different options, when we worked out that Volunteerworld kinda checks them all first for safety and quality assurance we could pick with them instead. Like comparethemarket.com means we could tailor it, and not just see on company.

11 November 2024
Unprompted review
Volunteer World logo

Reply from Volunteer World

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We completely understand how worrying international volunteering can be, and we’re so glad that Volunteer World was able to provide the safety, quality assurance, and tailored options that helped ease both your and your kid’s concerns. 🌍💚 It’s important to us that our volunteers feel supported and confident in their choices. We’re thrilled that you found the perfect program with us! If you have any other questions or need assistance in the future, don’t hesitate to reach out. Wishing your kid an amazing volunteer experience in Guatemala!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing time in Costa Rica

I looooved my volunteering trip to Costa Rica. I spent 3 weeks there and it was just perfect. the accommodation was not luxury, but this is not what you would expect from a project.
I would definitely book via VolunteerWorld again, to me it was super helpful to get great support while looking for the right project.
I also really like my certificate.
All in all, I had the best time, easiest booking process and nicest support. Thanks for the help!!

10 April 2025
Unprompted review
Volunteer World logo

Reply from Volunteer World

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that your volunteering trip to Costa Rica was such a success and that you had the best time. 🌴💚 We believe that the experience itself is what truly matters, and it’s great to know that our support made finding the right project easy for you. We're also happy to hear you loved your certificate! It was our pleasure to assist you, and we’d be honored to help with your future adventures. Thanks again for your kind words and for choosing Volunteer World! 😊

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Flexible; CEO is diligent and respectable

We had originally booked a one-month volunteer program in Sumatra for our family through VolunteerWorld and were incredibly excited for the experience. Unfortunately, due to a sudden medical emergency with our daughter, we had to make the difficult decision to withdraw. This was an emotional and disappointing time for us. VolunteerWorld’s team showed flexibility and understanding during such a stressful moment which we deeply appreciated. They worked closely with us to find a solution that was best for everyone which made a tough situation easier to navigate. We’re very grateful to the VolunteerWorld team.

20 April 2025
Volunteer World logo

Reply from Volunteer World

Dear Erica,

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We truly value honest input, as it helps us to continuously improve our services.

We would like to clarify a few important points:
At Volunteer World, all prices — including any applicable fees — are transparently displayed from the very beginning, even before a booking is completed. There are no hidden charges. Regarding the Flex Option you mentioned, it allows for flexible rebooking, but, as agreed upon at the time of purchase, it does not provide for a full cash refund. Nevertheless, given your personal situation, we offered you generous rebooking options that went well beyond our standard conditions.

Our customer support team was in close contact with you throughout the process, offering individual assistance and working hard to advocate on your behalf with the project partner. In cases of unforeseen events, such as a medical emergency, we always assist our customers in utilizing their travel insurance, as it is specifically designed to cover such circumstances.

We are genuinely sorry that your experience did not meet your expectations and wish you and your family all the best.

Kind regards,
Your Volunteer World Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Volunteer World logo

Reply from Volunteer World

Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊 We're thrilled to hear that you're excited about joining Volunteer World and that you love our platform. There are indeed so many incredible opportunities to make a difference for people and animals around the world.

Whenever you're ready to book your first volunteer role, we're here to help! If you have any questions or need any guidance, feel free to reach out.

Looking forward to welcoming you to the Volunteer World community! 🌍💙

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Incredible experience

I volunteered in a small rural village in Nepal with Good Karma Foundation. It was truly an amazing (detailed review on their profil). During several months before actually leaving for my trip, I needed a lot of help, and contacted the volunteer world help center very often, especially when I had to cancel and replan my stay because of visa issues. Whatever the problem was, I always received a clear and helpful answer in no time, which was greatly appreciated! Overall my stay was a 5/5 but the volunteer world organisation itself was also a highlight of my experience.

12 January 2025
Unprompted review
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Reply from Volunteer World

Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that your experience with both Good Karma Foundation and our team was so positive. It was a pleasure assisting you through the planning process, and we’re glad everything worked out smoothly for your trip. Your feedback means a lot to us, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to have supported you on this incredible journey!



Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Maya School Universe Academy

I just returned from a humanitarian trip to Maya Universe Academy in Nepal, and it was simply an incredible and unforgettable experience. The people there were exceptionally kind and made my stay magical from start to finish. The warm welcome, generosity, and human connections deeply moved me. This place is filled with love, sharing, and kindness. I highly recommend this unique and magical place, Maya Universe Academy in Tanahun, Nepal, to anyone looking to have an enriching and heartwarming experience. Thank you again for everything Maya!

14 January 2025
Unprompted review
Volunteer World logo

Reply from Volunteer World

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful experience! We're so glad to hear that Maya Universe Academy made such a lasting impact on you. It truly sounds like a magical place filled with warmth and generosity. Your heartfelt recommendation means a lot, and we’re thrilled that you had such a positive and enriching experience. Wishing you all the best as you continue your journey, and we hope your time in Nepal will stay with you forever!



Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Looking forward to make this project…

Looking forward to make this project real !

15 January 2025
Unprompted review
Volunteer World logo

Reply from Volunteer World

Hi Barbara,

We’re so excited for you — and just as thrilled to help make this project a reality! 🌍✨

If there’s anything you need along the way, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you every step of the journey.

Let’s make it unforgettable!

Warm wishes,
Linda
Customer Experience Team
Volunteer World

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I stayed at the Wild life sanctuary in…

I stayed at the Wild life sanctuary in Guacima,Costa Rica this year, It was horrendous. The food was awful every day, my so called room, ( a concrete bunker) was disgusting. Electric wires in the shower, which just had concrete on the floor, no windows, metal grills at the top of the bunker, which let in every bug you could possible imagine. I had to see a doctor as the damp got into my chest.The wildlife sanctuary's website is very misleading, a lot of lies. No sunbeds around the pool.The animal enclosures were shocking, those poor animals, they were fed well but that was about it, pretty sure they could die from boredom. We had to sign a waiver to say we would not sue if we were hurt or injured, accidents were a regular occurance.
Do not go there thinking you are going to make a difference, you wont.
Everyone pays a lot of money to work in the sanctuary, they should spend it on improving the animal enclosures & volunteer accommodation, & up grading the food. The friend I was suppose to go with got diagnosed with cancer before we were due to leave, she informed Volunteer world,NO REFUND ☹️

3 May 2024
Volunteer World logo

Reply from Volunteer World

Dear Paula,

Thank you for sharing your experience. We are genuinely sorry to hear that your stay did not meet your expectations.

We would like to point out that Volunteer World acts as an independent booking platform. All program information, including details about accommodation, facilities, and living conditions, is provided directly by the host organization and is clearly displayed before booking. Nevertheless, we take your feedback very seriously and have already forwarded your concerns to the project management team for further review.

Regarding the cancellation policy: At the time of booking, all participants agree to the terms and conditions, which clearly state that program fees are generally non-refundable, as the organizations reserve volunteer placements and make arrangements in advance. In your case, we offered flexible rebooking options to accommodate the unforeseen and difficult situation with your friend’s health, even though a full cash refund was not possible under the policy.

We are committed to working with ethical and responsible projects and continuously monitor the feedback we receive. Honest input like yours helps us ensure that we only promote programs that align with our quality standards.

We wish your friend all the best for her recovery and thank you again for bringing these important points to our attention.

Kind regards,
Your Volunteer World Team

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Big thank you to Agathe from Volunteer…

Big thank you to Agathe from Volunteer World for her kindness and responsiveness which allowed my daughter Ninon to perform her humanitarian mission in Portugal from October 20 to 27 this year with Impact Trip where she returned delighted from it.

9 December 2024
Unprompted review
Volunteer World logo

Reply from Volunteer World

Dear Stephane,

Thank you so much for your kind message! 🌟

We’re truly happy to hear that Ninon had such a wonderful experience in Portugal with Impact Trip. Agathe will be thrilled to know that her support helped make it all possible — she always goes the extra mile to ensure everything runs smoothly.

It means a lot to us to know that your daughter returned delighted from her mission. If there’s ever a next adventure on the horizon, we’d love to support you both again!

Warm regards,
Linda
Customer Experience Team
Volunteer World

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Amazing family experience volunteering in Costa Rica

My family and I had a wonderful volunteer experience with Maximo Nivel! The communication with the Maximo team was easy and consistent. Our 9 yr old enjoyed volunteering at the dog shelter and being immersed in the Costa Rican culture. We would highly recommend getting involved with Maximo!

13 September 2024
Unprompted review

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