4 Volunteer Opportunities for Incentive Groups in Puerto Rico

If corporate social responsibility is a priority for your team, round out your incentive trip with a volunteer day with a local non-profit organization.

From beach cleanups to helping underserved communities, there’s no shortage of ways to have a positive impact on our Island. And volunteering is a fantastic teambuilding activity! Check out some of the top ways your group can give back while visiting Puerto Rico.

Volunteer with World Central Kitchen — Work alongside local farmers to build resilient food systems with World Central Kitchen.

Strengthen Food Security with World Central Kitchen Food Producer Network

Is your team ready to roll up their sleeves and help a local farmer? Then we recommend volunteering with the World Central Kitchen (WCK) Food Producer Network during their visit. In 2017, Chef José Andrés launched World Central Kitchen, a project focused on strengthening food security and building resilient food systems throughout the Caribbean and Central America. Food Producer Network is an extension of this project that includes volunteer experiences with Puerto Rican farmers. Whether your team wants to volunteer at the Miramar Food Truck Park farmers market or help plant fruit trees at Rancho Orgánico Feliz, Food Producer Network offers a variety of experiences that allow your team to give back while also learning about the Island’s prolific agricultural industry.

endangered sea turtle in puerto rico — Volunteer with Para La Naturaleza to help protect the hundreds of endangered sea turtles that lay eggs on Puerto Rico's beaches every spring.

Join the Sea Turtle Patrol with Para La Naturaleza

In the northern town of Manatí sits the peaceful and secluded Playa La Esperanza. Part of the Conservation Trust of Puerto Rico, AKA Para La Naturaleza, hundreds of endangered sea turtles lay eggs on this beach every spring. From then until the end of October, your team has the opportunity to witness the magic of the turtles’ nesting, hatching, and mad dash to the sea by volunteering with Para La Naturaleza’s sea turtle patrol. The groups take to the beach at sunrise, when the turtles are more likely to hatch, and patrol typically ends just before noon. Afterwards, your team can bask in the sun at La Esperanza or head down PR-686 to explore some of the north region's most popular beaches, like Mar Chiquita, Los Tubos, and Mar Bella.

Playa Escondida — Organize a beach cleanup at one of Puerto Rico's 300 beaches with Scuba Dog Society.

Host a Beach Cleanup Day with Scuba Dog Society

One of the many reasons Puerto Rico is a top destination for group incentive travel is its more than 200 miles of pristine coastline and nearly 300 beaches. Help us continue to protect and preserve our coast by hosting a beach cleanup day with your team. Scuba Dog Society is a local nonprofit that organizes various beach cleanups throughout the year. Their biggest event—International Coastal Cleanup—happens every September and is part of a global movement that includes 90 countries and more than six million volunteers. Beach cleanups are a fantastic way to help us preserve our natural environment while also enjoying the beauty of our beaches. Prior to your incentive trip, contact Scuba Dog Society to see if they have any upcoming beach cleanups, or if there are other ways your team can work with them while on Island.

Local youth in Puerto Rico — Make an impact in the local community by working with youth and senior groups through Puerto Rico Renace.

Participate in a One-Day Mission with Puerto Rico Renace

If your team feels called to directly connect with and impact local children and seniors, Puerto Rico Renace can make that happen. Following the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico Renace was formed to help the communities that were most affected. Today, the group leads one-day missions where volunteers deliver much-needed supplies to local schools and community centers. With Puerto Rico Renace, your team is able to make a direct impact on these small communities and connect directly with local children and seniors. The team at Puerto Rico Renace plans their missions at least a month in advance, so we recommend contacting them as soon as you book your incentive trip.

More Ways to Give Back

There are many other organizations your team can volunteer with in Puerto Rico, including United Way, Habitat for Humanity’s Puerto Rico Chapter, Americas for Conservation + the Arts, and Flamboyán Arts Fund. The Discover Puerto Rico Incentive Sales Team can help you find the perfect volunteer opportunity for your group. Contact us today to start planning.