Your eyes open to the roof of a church. The beams are old but are filled with the songs of worshippers. It’s a bright, sunny day waiting outside. You breathe a deep breath of fresh air and prepare for a wonderful day of serving people God loves deeply. And yet there is a need and a hunger in the air for so much more.
What are EM's best mission trip opportunities in Latin America?
EM offers mission trips to five Latin American and Caribbean communities: Cuba, Costa Rica, Belize, Puerto Rico, and Peru. Groups can join a week-long mission trip, and young adults ages 18 to 30 can serve for 1 to 3 months through IMMERSION programs. Each trip connects your team with local ministries and people already loving their neighbors in meaningful ways.
How do you choose the right Latin America mission trip for your group?
A few things to weigh as you explore different opportunities to serve:
- Trip length: Week-long group mission trips work well for most youth and adult teams. IMMERSION (1 to 3 months) is built for individuals ages 18 to 30 who can commit to a longer season.
- Language and culture: All five communities are Spanish-speaking except Belize, where English is spoken alongside Spanish, making it a good entry point for a first international trip.
- Type of service: Some communities lean toward construction and home repair, others toward relational ministry and children's programs. Match your team's strengths to a community's current needs.
- Group size: Most group trips require a minimum of 6 people. View mission trip community pages for specific team requirements.
Once you've weighed these, here's a look at each community.
1. Cuba Mission Trips
For almost 70 years, many people in the U.S. have assumed Cuba is unsafe or off-limits, but mission trips to Cuba are both legal and safe. For several years, EM has partnered with local faith leaders to strengthen and encourage growing churches. Because of the sensitive nature of ministry in Cuba, EM does not publicly name its local church partners there, but teams consistently describe them as some of the most dedicated people they've served alongside. Bring your team on a week-long mission trip to Cuba
2. Costa Rica Mission Trips
In Costa Rica, your team partners with Victor and Sarah Mayorga, who coordinate logistics for dozens of visiting volunteers each year, regularly hosting IMMERSION participants in their own home. Teams practice Spanish, connect with local children through Kids Club, and work alongside the Bribri people of Shiroles, who farm to provide for their families and care deeply for the land they steward. Join a group mission trip to Costa Rica or explore IMMERSION options.
3. Belize Mission Trips
In Belize, teams partner with Pastor Nelzon Guillen and the Family of God Church network. Over a 7-day trip, teams meet tangible needs through home repair and construction while partnering with local churches to host Kids Club programs. Since English is widely spoken, Belize is a strong fit for a first international mission trip. Join a group trip to Belize.
4. Puerto Rico Mission Trips
In Puerto Rico, your team partners with The Family Church, a bilingual church serving the western beach town of Rincon. Pastor Jose Garcia has been bi-vocational much of his life, serving the community both as a registered nurse and as a pastor. In his words: "We are seeking as a church to be a community of people who focus on worship, on discipleship, and on outreach into a broken world. Opportunities for locals and stateside churches, to partner alongside us to serve and mark the lives of many sharing God's love through service, exist all throughout the year. Hurricane Maria may have shaken us, but it became an undeniable testimony of the transformation of a nation one person at a time, one family at a time, and one community at a time through the power of a loving, serving, Spirit-filled Church." Join a mission trip to Puerto Rico.
5. Peru IMMERSION Trips
Through IMMERSION, teams serve alongside Casa de Paz (House of Peace), caring for children, and connect with local churches and families in Peru. Peru is currently offered as a 3-month IMMERSION experience for young adults rather than a week-long group trip.
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FAQ
Do I need to speak Spanish to go on a Latin America mission trip?
No, but it's certainly a benefit if you do! EM staff and local partners help bridge the language gap, and many participants pick up conversational Spanish along the way. Belize is a good option if you'd prefer a trip where English is widely spoken alongside Spanish.
What's the difference between a group trip and an IMMERSION trip to Latin America?
Group trips run about a week and are built for churches, schools, and other teams. IMMERSION in Latin America is a 1 or 3 month program for individuals ages 18 to 30 who desire a longer season of cross-cultural service and formation.
What is the age requirement for Latin America mission trips?
Group trips are generally open to youth (middle school age and up, depending on the community) through adults. IMMERSION is open to young adults ages 18 to 30.
How many people do I need to bring a group?
Most group trips require a minimum of 6 people, with some international trips requiring 10 or more. View upcoming trips for the community you're interested to learn more.
How do I know which Latin America community is the right fit?
Consider your team's size, service interests such as construction, relational ministry, or long-term recovery, and language comfort. If you need help making a decision, reach out to EM's staff to talk through the fit by submitting an interest form for any trip.
Ready to plan your trip?
No matter which community you feel called to serve alongside, we hope you'll go with a humble heart and a readiness to be serve, learn, and grow. Check out all of EM's upcoming mission trips to find the right fit for your group, or fill out an interest form to get started.
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