WORKING & TRAVELING
We're not going to romanticize work here, but rather present alternatives for experiencing new cultures and developing skills. The power of immersing yourself in the unknown gives you the opportunity to create new experiences that, far from being superficial, could change your life. These platforms help you delve into a new, yet always fulfilling, world.
Here are three platforms that facilitate cultural exchanges where volunteers typically contribute 20-30 hours of work per week, allowing them to travel affordably while immersing themselves in local communities and learning new skills.
👨🏽🌾 WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms)
WWOOF is the oldest and most specialized work exchange network, exclusively focusing on organic farms and sustainable agriculture. WWOOF placements vary from small family farms to larger agricultural operations, ecovillages, and permaculture projects. Locations are typically rural and remote, offering hands-on learning about sustainable food production and organic farming techniques.
Stays usually range from 1-2 weeks minimum, with many WWOOFers staying months.
👍🏼 PROS
WWOOF typically ensures volunteers receive all meals.
Exclusively agricultural, ideal for learning sustainable farming and organic practices.
Intensive hands-on farming education.
50+ years of established, trusted hosts.
Some countries offer insurance through the platform (separate fee).
Meaningful connections with passionate farmers.
👎🏼 CONS
Must pay separately for each country you want to visit, making multi-country travel expensive.
Only farming opportunities.
Website and user experience are less modern than competitors.
Farms are often isolated, limiting access to cities and social activities.
Work can be more labor-intensive than other platforms.
🧺 As a WWOOFer, you'll engage in various organic farming activities:
Planting, weeding, and harvesting crops.
Animal care (feeding, milking, collecting eggs).
Composting and soil preparation.
Building and maintaining farm structures.
Learning about permaculture and biodynamic farming methods.
Participating in farmers’ market preparation.
Seasonal agricultural work.
🗺️ Workaway
Workaway is the largest and most established general work exchange platform, founded in 2002. With over 50,000 opportunities across 170+ countries, it offers the most diverse range of volunteer positions, including hostels, farms, families, NGOs, schools, eco-projects, and more.
Workaway offers the broadest variety of placements: urban hostels perfect for socializing, rural family homes ideal for language immersion, NGO projects for meaningful social impact, eco-villages for sustainable living, and various businesses needing temporary help.
👍🏼 PROS
Over 50,000 opportunities worldwide.
Huge variety of experiences.
One fee covers all countries.
20+ years of operation and trust.
Sophisticated search options to narrow results precisely.
A feature to find other volunteers to travel with.
See host availability clearly.
Policy requiring businesses to pay a minimum wage to volunteers.
Can obtain official references from experiences.
👎🏼 CONS
Due to high applicant volume, many hosts don't reply or take weeks to respond.
The platform reportedly hides negative review details, showing only smiley face ratings without full text.
Limited platform support compared to others.
A massive number of listings can make finding the right fit difficult.
With so many hosts, experiences vary dramatically.
Maximum 25 hours/week (more than some platforms).
💻 Work opportunities on Workaway include:
Hostel reception and guest services.
Language teaching (especially English).
Childcare and au pair services.
Gardening and farm work.
Construction and renovation projects.
Social media and marketing assistance.
Cooking and kitchen help.
Art projects and creative work.
Animal care at sanctuaries.
Environmental conservation.
🧳 Worldpackers
Worldpackers is the newest major player (founded 2014), originating from Brazil and known for its modern interface, strong community support, and emphasis on traveler safety. Operating in 140+ countries, it has completed over 250,000 trips with an average review rating of 4.8/5 stars. Worldpackers stands out for its verified hosts, comprehensive insurance, educational resources, and active community.
Worldpackers has a particularly strong hostel network, making it ideal for social travelers who want to meet other backpackers. The platform also offers "Worldpackers Programs" - paid opportunities where you earn money while traveling. The Academy feature provides free courses to develop skills and earn certificates that boost your profile's acceptance rate.
👍🏼 PROS
All hosts are checked by the Worldpackers team for credibility and safety.
The included insurance includes relocation if placement doesn't work out.
Reviews are hidden until both parties submit, preventing revenge ratings.
24/7 customer support.
Strong social features, blogs, and networking opportunities.
Free educational courses with certificates to boost profile.
Paid opportunities to earn while traveling.
97% of applicants who send 3+ applications get responses.
Ideal for first-time and solo travelers.
👎🏼 CONS
Fewer total opportunities. Approximately 8,000-15,000 listings vs. Workaway's 50,000+.
Limited options in Oceania and some parts of Europe.
Hosts can request up to 32 hours/week (higher than Workaway's 25-hour max).
Must apply first to contact hosts, limiting preliminary questions.
Strong focus on hostels may not suit those seeking other experiences.
Pricing is similar to Workaway but without discount codes as readily available.
🛋️ Common volunteer positions include:
Hostel and guesthouse operations (most common).
Reception and customer service.
Social media content creation.
Photography and videography.
Teaching languages.
Eco-project participation.
Farm work and gardening.
Restaurant and café assistance.
Community development projects.
Childcare and tutoring.
SPANISH SECTION
¿Qué necesito como mexicano para viajar a Europa? (ETIAS 2025)
Las reglas han cambiado. A partir de 2025 todos los ciudadanos mexicanos necesitarán, además del pasaporte, un permiso digital.
A partir de 2025, además de un pasaporte con vigencia mayor a seis meses, las personas que no necesitan visa para entrar al territorio Schengen deberán obtener un permiso electrónico de viaje otorgado por el Sistema Europeo de Información y Autorización de Viajes; mejor conocido como ETIAS por sus siglas en inglés.
See you next time,
