When money is tight, taking an active vacation may seem like a selfish idea. But what if you could journey to a scenic locale for a reasonable cost, get a lot of exercise, and bank some good karma, too?

Enter volunteer vacations.




“If you a pick a dream country you’ve always wanted to go to, there’s going to be a volunteer vacation there,” says National Geographic writer Pam Grout, author of the book The 100 Best Volunteer Vacations to Enrich Your Life (National Geographic, 2009). “No matter what your interests or skills, you can find a way to use them to make a difference.”

Want to build houses in Honduras? Or record the growth of saguaros in Arizona? Or save an endangered species in Hawaii? “Pick your passion and then find a vacation where you get to do that thing you love,” advises Grout. Hint: if you don’t care about indoor plumbing, your choices will multiply.

Here are some suggestions. Book early; spots fill fast (if a trip is full, ask about other dates or options). Most trips run 1-2 weeks, and amenities vary. Airfare is not included in the fees. Remember to show up ready to work; you might be on vacation, but these groups take their tasks seriously.