Honeyteering: Honeymoons for Voluntourists

The rising trend of voluntourism has brought about the new concept of “honeyteering” or volunteer destinations for newlyweds looking to help the local community while on their honeymoon. There are a variety of great ways to give back as volunteers, ranging from simple tree planting to complex construction projects.

For those intimidated by the intense programs featured in Trazee’s Voluntourism section, novice volunteers can find a number of hotels and resorts that have partnered with philanthropic programs to give back to the destinations they are based in. The Ritz-Carlton, for example, recently launched the Give Back Getaways program, where guests can volunteer with a local charity at any of their locations around the world. Opportunities include marine conservation in Barcelona, vegetable harvests in Beijing and elderly care in Moscow. If you find yourselves in Costa Rica for your honeymoon, consider a stay at the Los Suenos Marriott where you can score a $100 hotel credit and help preserve the country’s rainforest and wildlife by planting an almond tree, a nesting tree for the endangered red macaw.

Honeyteers have had success with voluntour operators like Cross-Cultural Solutions and Global Volunteers. Operators like these can connect you to programs around the world, backed by staff and resources that can make a real difference in your honeymoon destination. Keep in mind, some volunteer programs require a stay longer than a couple weeks, depending on what you want to do. Planting a tree is an easy way to give back on a trip, but more involved volunteering, like teaching and construction, require a bigger commitment.