FAQs Peru Marine Conservation Project

In Tumbes region of Peru, the climate is tropical and hot all year round. January to April is the rainy season in the region and is also the hottest period. From June to November is relatively cool in the region. The heat starts to pick back up again in December. For more information on when to visit Peru please see When is the best time of year to volunteer in Peru?

Globalteer's main office for Latin America is in Cusco. You can see who you will meet there if you will also be travelling to Cusco on our meet the team page.

Volunteers at this project are expected to work 6 days per week. You will have one day off per week when you can tour the surrounding areas. You can make the most of your time in the North by spending your time on the long stretches of beach, maybe learning to surf, or head to Mancora where you can gain your PADI certification. For those of you that would prefer to spend your free time away from the beach you can explore local mangroves, visit thermal mudbaths or just explore the local towns of Tumbes, Mancora or Punta Sal. Before or after your time in the north of Peru you may wish to visit Machu Picchu. You can go there by train, trek the amazing Inca trail high in the Andes or take any other number of routes all ending with the lost city itself.

Exact hours will vary depending on the research activities taking place while you are at the project. General hours are from 7am-5pm with breaks for lunch. Mornings are usually dedicated to field research while the afternoons are used to record the findings and planning/preparation for the next day’s activities.

The common language for staff and volunteers at this project is a mix of English and Spanish. Peru is a Spanish speaking country so it is beneficial, but not required, to be able to speak some Spanish.

Volunteers at the Peru Marine Conservation project will come from various countries and a variety of backgrounds. Ages range from 18+ to 60, with the majority aged between 18 and 30. There are many gap year students and some animal/conservation-related researchers. The majority of volunteers are from the UK, United States, Canada and Australia. We also work with volunteers from Holland, Germany, Ireland, Japan and New Zealand although all nationalities are welcome. The majority of volunteers travel alone to the projects, although we also accommodate couples and friends travelling together.

There are internet cafes in the towns of Zorritos and Organos where you can use the internet and make calls. When arriving in Peru it would be handy to obtain a local sim if you wish to use your phone for data while at the project. There is a post office in the town of Tumbes.

Yes of course, in fact we have a page all about how you can fund raise for your trip here.

Volunteers stay in shared rooms at the volunteer accommodation in Los Organos. The accommodation is basic but clean with common areas for volunteers to relax in at the end of the day. The accommodation has WiFi and a kitchen for volunteers to cook, with a market close by for volunteers to buy ingredients. The accommodation is just minutes away from the beach and just a short walk to local restaurants.

Food is not provided at this project (with the exception of the camping expeditions). There is a kitchen available at the accommodation in Zorritos and Organos for volunteers to cook meals. There are markets just minutes away to buy food/ingredients needed to prepare your meals. Volunteers are responsible for cleaning up after themselves after cooking/eating. During camping expeditions to Bravos, 3 basic meals a day will be provided (vegetarians can be catered for). Volunteers on the camping expedition will also help with the preparation and cooking of the meals during this time.

Of course, but we request that you use your common sense about these things. Neither drinking alcohol nor smoking are permitted when working on the research projects and you would be unlikely to enjoy your volunteer experience or work effectively if you were hungover at the start of the day.

The currency in Peru is the Nuevo Peruvian Sol, although US dollars are widely accepted and there are many money changing shops. Many ATMs are available in region for all major credit cards. US dollars have to be in good condition to use in Peru, no ripped notes! Credit cards are accepted in higher end businesses in cities.

Peru has a low crime rate, but as is in all countries, there is a chance of petty theft, so always be vigilant. Violent robberies are rare and the most common problem is pickpockets. Thieves look for easy targets, so don't have your wallet visible and be careful in crowded areas such as markets, bus terminals and on public transport. Thousands of tourists visit Peru every year and have no problems whatsoever, so don't be paranoid. Just take the basic precautions and you will have an amazing and trouble free trip. For more information, visit our International Travel Advice Page

We recommend that you let your health professional know that you will be volunteering in Peru and discuss the various vaccination options. For more information, visit our International Travel Advice Page

Finding the right insurance to cover your travels can be daunting, confusing and time-consuming, however – travel insurance is a must. You never know what could happen, and if you are unlucky enough to get ill or find yourself in a sticky situation, being uninsured can be really expensive and downright dangerous. This is why we strongly recommend that all our volunteers take out suitable travel insurance. We also recommend that your purchase your insurance and soon as you book your trip to cover you for all up-front costs in the event of cancellation due to any unforeseen circumstances. Globalteer has formed a partnership with a leading travel insurance provider to help you through this process.

Please visit our page about visas for information about entry visas.

Peruvians are very friendly and often interested in you as someone different. Expect to exchange kisses on the cheek with people you know (opposite sexes and between women). A hand shake is always exchanged when meeting new people. In the Western world we are very hung up on time, with our meetings and schedules. Peruvians do not stress over time and it is not uncommon for things to happen later than arranged. Just go with the flow and forget stress – it’s better for you anyway!

No, you receive orientation and training when you arrive at the project. You will also be working alongside the local researcher and staff when assisting with project.

Yes, on arrival you will receive orientation from the project coordinator, giving local information and advice. Basic training will be given to ensure you achieve the project objectives. You will continually be learning from the staff.

Volunteers arrive at Talares regional airport where they are collected and taken to the project.

Globalteer is fully committed to ensuring that your volunteer placement is responsible. More information can be found on our Responsible Volunteering Page.

As a UK registered Charity, Globalteer is financially transparent, our accounts are independently audited and posted online. You can read a full report on where your money goes here.

We understand what motivates volunteers and what makes a memorable volunteer experience. We have been placing volunteers at our projects since 2006 and have built up a wealth of knowledge in those years about what makes volunteering rewarding for volunteers as well as impactful for the fantastic projects we work with. You can read here why we think you should choose Globalteer.