ILP isn’t just for when you’re single — we have countries all over that you can volunteer in with your spouse!
If a one week honeymoon doesn’t seem quite long enough, think about volunteering with ILP! We have several countries that married volunteers can apply for, with a few discounts up for grabs.
Looking for other ways to save money?
Glance through this free guide on paying less for your semester
We could go on forever about why volunteering with your spouse is such a great idea (things like making amazing memories together and learning about your partner in such a new atmosphere comes to mind) but we’ll leave that for later. Good luck choosing between these countries!
Mexico
Our secret gem of a program! This country has got it all ... the best weather, the best food, the easiest language to learn for most volunteers, and seriously gorgeous vacation spots. There are so many spots to explore close by that you could jump on the bus (where tickets are crazy cheap by the way) and spend every Saturday and Sunday exploring another city.
Learn about our Mexico program here
We currently have a discount available for married couples in this location — $500 off for the both of you (so, $250 each). Talk to your ILP representative about more details!
Dominican Republic
If the island life is calling your name, you might want to check out our humanitarian program in the DR! Volunteers here all share space in a house, but we've got a room in the house where you and your spouse can stay together (don't worry, it's private), while still enjoying the dynamic of living abroad with a group of new friends.
Our favorite part of the Dominican though are those cutie kids in the neighborhood who run up to you on the street wanting some hugs and to play. Adorable.
Learn about our DR program here
Romania
Romania is a very unique program for ILP — here you don't serve in the classroom by teaching, but instead you serve by helping in an orphanage program. You'll get the unique experience of volunteering in a group of apartments owned by the orphanage, where children from the orphanage live to adjust to a more home-like setting which requires quite a few more skills you're there to help with and help teach.
If helping children to grow by providing one-on-one attention and support is your thing, Romania is the humanitarian program for you guys!
Learn about our Romania orphanage program here
*Housing for married couples isn't always a guarantee — if you're interested in this program, applying in advance helps ILP possibly arrange an apartment for you guys.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is meant for the adventurous couple who are looking to go off the beaten path and have some thrilling adventures, all while making a difference. Nicaragua is the hotspot for volcanoes — you can hike 'em, kayak in the craters, camp on the slopes, peer over the rims to see boiling lava for yourself and even slide down the side during an afternoon of volcano boarding.
Nicaragua is also full of rainforests, miles of gorgeous coastline and high adventures, like ziplining and canyoneering. Want beaches? Head to the beyond dreamy Corn Islands for swaying palm trees, soft white sand, and blue water.
Learn about our Nicaragua program here
India
Get ready for a semester of adventures! Our volunteers in our Himalayan program are living with those towering mountains in their backyard — yep, come hike in the Himalayas any weekend you want! Plan on a semester filled with hiking, zip lining, exploring mountain towns, white water river rafting, and yak riding all without straying very far from where you live.
On vacation? Explore all the things India has in store for you (which goes way beyond the Taj Mahal, by the way ... just take a peek at the vacations waiting for you here). See cities filled with hundreds of temples, visit the coastline for surfing and houseboat rides in the river, go on a jungle safari to find tigers, or trek across the desert by camel. You can also snag your passport to visit places like Nepal.
If you're ready for a semester like that, learn more about our India program, here.
Uganda
Come spend a semester in Africa! Married couples will join an ILP group for a few months of service and safari — spend your time teaching English, working to repair springs to provide fresh water, and exploring what the country of Uganda has to offer. Safaris full of big cats and speckled giraffes and adventures like hikes to thundering waterfalls are what's waiting for you. Vacation-wise, plan on flying over to Tanzania for a dreamy week or two on the perfect beaches of Zanzibar.
Spots in Uganda are dependent on housing, so apply ASAP if you're eyeing a spot here with your spouse!
Learn about our Uganda program here
*We currently have a discount available for married couples in this location — $500 off for the both of you (so, $250 each). Talk to your ILP representative about more details!
Peru
Come spend a few months in South America! Iconic images of cute alpacas hanging out around Machu Picchu are probably the first thing that comes to your mind ... but there's more to Peru than that! It's one of the most biodiverse countries in the world — you'll get a bit of everything from sandboarding down sand dunes to walking across hanging bridges in the Amazon jungle. If you love hiking mountains, this is the spot for you. Our program is set on the Pacific coast, so you even get kayaking and beaches here too, not to mention ... penguins!
Spots in Peru are dependent on housing, so apply ASAP if you're eyeing a spot here with your spouse!
Learn about our Peru program here
Costa Rica
And last but not least, the land of Pura Vida! If you and your spouse are into hikes through dense jungles, adventures through waterfalls, hanging out on white sand beaches, and exploring all the rainforest has to offer, this Humanitarian program in Costa Rica is for you.
Due to the housing setup, we are quite limited on how many couples we can take in Costa Rica (groups are typically all female). We do sometimes have some opportunities for couples during the summer semester though, so that may be an option. If there's not availability during your semester, we recommend considering our program in Nicaragua — the setup is a bit better for couples, it's a similar experience as far as types of adventures go, and you can even vacation in Costa Rica during your trip.
Learn about our Costa Rica program here
Do you both have your passports ready?
You will have a tough time trying to decide what sort of international honeymoon you and your spouse want...and if you need a little more help deciding, come talk to an ILP rep who can answer your questions and get you a little more info!
