What if your next family vacation also changed your children’s lives — and the lives of others? Humanitarian trips for families are one of the most powerful experiences a family can share: traveling somewhere new, working side by side, and returning home with a deeper bond and a broader worldview.
At Be Humanitarian, we’ve watched hundreds of families arrive in Guatemala as strangers to service work and leave as passionate advocates for the communities they served. If you’re looking for a family vacation that’s genuinely unforgettable, this is it.
Why Choose a Family Humanitarian Trip?
Ordinary vacations offer fun. Family humanitarian trips offer growth — for parents and kids alike.
Research consistently shows that children and teens who participate in volunteer experiences develop stronger empathy, greater appreciation for what they have, and a lasting sense of purpose. For parents, traveling with a service mission strips away the distractions of daily life and creates space for real connection — with your kids and with the wider world.
A family humanitarian trip to Guatemala isn’t just something you’ll talk about for a week after you get home. It’s something your children will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
What Makes Be Humanitarian Trips Great for Families?
We’ve thoughtfully designed our trips to be accessible and rewarding for volunteers of all ages, including families with teens and older children.
Age-Appropriate Service Work: Our on-the-ground projects — preparing and delivering meals to preschools, distributing school supplies and books, and installing wood-burning stoves — are hands-on and deeply rewarding for younger volunteers. Kids don’t just watch; they participate and contribute in ways that feel real.
Safe and Fully Supported: We know that traveling internationally with children requires extra peace of mind. Be Humanitarian operates fully supported trips with experienced local guides, vetted accommodations, and careful logistics at every step. Our trips are designed to be safe volunteer trips that families can join with confidence.
Cultural Adventure Built In: Guatemala is an extraordinary destination for young travelers. Between service days, your family will hike active volcanoes, explore the shores of breathtaking Lake Atitlán, visit ancient Mayan ruins, and experience cultural celebrations unlike anything you’ll find at home.
Humanitarian Trips for Teens and Young Adults
Teens and young adults find these trips particularly transformative. Many come looking for a meaningful summer experience, a gap year opportunity, or simply a break from their everyday environment. What they find is a sense of purpose they didn’t know they were looking for.
Be Humanitarian trips are popular with high school and college students who want to build real-world experience in humanitarian work, add meaningful service to their resumes and applications, and connect with peers who share their values.
If you have a teen who’s ready for a meaningful challenge, a humanitarian vacation in Guatemala might be the best gift you give them.
What Your Family Volunteer Vacation Looks Like
A typical day on a Be Humanitarian family trip blends service with exploration:
Morning: Work on an active humanitarian project alongside your family and fellow volunteers. Prepare meals for local preschool children, pack and distribute school supply backpacks, or help install a wood-burning stove for a family in need.
Afternoon/Evening: Explore Guatemala. Hike a volcano, visit a local market, walk through Mayan ruins, or take a boat across Lake Atitlán as the sun goes down.
Throughout the trip, you’ll share meals, swap stories with other volunteers, and build the kind of memories that only come from experiences like this.
Our Family-Friendly Trip Departures
Semana Santa — April 3–10, 2026 | 7 days from $2,195 Spring break timing makes this one perfect for families with school-age kids. Plus, Semana Santa is one of the most spectacular cultural events in all of Latin America.
Journey With Purpose — July 11–18, 2026 | 7 days from $2,195 Our summer trip is ideal for families, teens, and young adults looking to make the most of their break.
Day of the Dead — October 25–November 4, 2026 | 10 days from $2,195 For families looking for the most immersive experience — combine service work with Guatemala’s breathtaking Day of the Dead celebrations.
Flower Festival — November 13–22, 2026 | 9 days from $2,695 An autumn adventure combining humanitarian work with the vibrant Todos Santos Flower Festival and rare sea turtle releases.
Invest in Your Family’s Most Meaningful Trip Yet
Humanitarian trips for families start at $2,195 per person and include accommodations, meals, in-country transportation, and all program activities. Many families find the total cost surprisingly comparable to a resort vacation — and the ROI is immeasurably higher.
Your kids won’t ask to go back to the beach resort. They’ll ask to go back to Guatemala.
See available family trips and reserve your spots at behumanitarian.org
