Working in partnership with the local community, we will set up a clinic in Ciudad Vieja, the former capital of Central America in the 1500s. Volunteers base out of Antigua and work for one week in nearby Ciudad Vieja. After the clinic, participants have two days to relax in a lush lakeside jungle lodge on the banks of beautiful, world-renowned Lake Atitlan.
Project Cost: $2,180 (based on double occupancy)

Clinic-Only: $1,850 (based on double occupancy)

Call our office for single-occupancy rates.

The project duration is 10 days, which includes: travel time to Guatemala, orientation, sightseeing in Antigua, five days working in the dental clinic and a two-day extension to Lake Atitlan.

Volunteers may opt out of the sightseeing portion of the project and head home after the clinic.

 

Project Dates
  • March 14 – 23, 2025
  • March 21 – 30, 2025
  • November 21 – 30, 2025
What’s Included?
  • 3-4 star hotels while in Antigua
  • Breakfast each morning and lunch on clinic days
  • Signature GDR T-shirt and water bottle
  • All internal overland transportation within Guatemala
  • Sightseeing as listed in the project itinerary
  • Celebratory farewell dinner

Plus, you will get all this too:

  • A small group of 14 to 18 international volunteers
  • The chance to make connections and create lifelong memories with new friends from all over the world
  • Two GDR designated trip leaders
  • GDR Return Volunteer Discount on all future projects
  • A GDR coordinator in the office to answer questions and ensure you are prepared for your trip
  • All tips for guides and drivers (except arrival and departure airport transfers)
Sightseeing Itinerary
  • Day 1 Fly from the US to Guatemala City — Antigua On arrival in Guatemala City, transfer from the airport to Antigua. Afternoon at leisure in Antigua. Overnight in Antigua. (—/—/—)
  • Day 2 Antigua – Ciudad Vieja. The clinic, situated in the nearby town of Ciudad Vieja starts today. Full day working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/—)
  • Day 3 Antigua. Morning walking tour of Antigua to view the Semana Santa processions and decorations. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Antigua. (B/-/—)
  • Day 4 Ciudad Vieja. Working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/—)
  • Day 5 Ciudad Vieja. Working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/—)
  • Day 6 Ciudad Vieja. Working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/—)
  • Day 7 Ciudad Vieja. Working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Evening farewell dinner. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/D)
  • Day 8 Antigua — Lake Atitlán. Depart this morning for Lake Atitlán (3hr drive). Overnight in lodge on the lake. (B/L)
  • Day 9 Lake Atitlán. Enjoy a full day to rest, go kayaking, swim in the lake, go for a hike and take in the natural wonder of your environs. Overnight in a lodge on Lake Atitlan. (B)
  • Day 10 Lake Atitlán — Guatemala City. Early morning departure from Lake Atitlan to the airport in Guatemala City in time to catch your flight back home. *Volunteers cannot book flights leaving before 12pm on this day.
Clinic-Only Itinerary
  • Day 1 Fly from the U.S. to Guatemala City — Antigua. On arrival in Guatemala City, transfer from the airport to Antigua. Afternoon clinic briefing in Antigua. Overnight in Antigua. (-/-/-)
  • Day 2 Antigua. Morning walking tour of Antigua. Afternoon project briefing. Overnight in Antigua. (B/-/-)
  • Day 3 Antigua — Ciudad Vieja. The clinic, situated in the nearby town of Ciudad Vieja starts today. Full day working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/-)
  • Day 4 Ciudad Vieja. Working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/-)
  • Day 5 Ciudad Vieja. Morning sightseeing tour of Ciudad Vieja and the schools that we serve in the community. Afternoon working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/-)
  • Day 6 Ciudad Vieja. Working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/-)
  • Day 7 Ciudad Vieja. Working in the clinic. Return to Antigua in the late afternoon. Evening farewell dinner. Overnight in Antigua. (B/L/D)
  • Day 8 Antigua — Guatemala City. Departure from Antigua to Guatemala City airport to catch your flight home.
Physical Demands

Volunteer dental clinics are fast paced and require a fair amount of physical activity each day. Volunteers attending our service trip clinics in Ciudad Vieja project should be able to:

  • Walk at a steady pace during cultural tour, approximately four hours (including climbing stairs).
  • Sleep with street noise (stray dogs, car horns, roosters, etc.)
  • Be able to stand for 15 to 20 minutes at a time.
  • After orientation, be able to navigate and orient self around Antigua.

During Lake Atitlan extension:

  • Be able to climb several flights of stairs each day when coming and going from your lakeside lodge.
  • Be transferred by boat (15 to 20 minutes) to a lakeside lodge.
  • Tolerate indoor spaces without air conditioning.
  • Eat a diet primarily of local Guatemalan cuisine.
Wolfgang Pfannenstiel

What Volunteers Say

After my first dental volunteer trip I was sure to do this continuously no matter what! This is helping kids in need effectively. This is having enjoyable conversations with new friends. This is creating unforgettable memories. So in my specific case the letters GDR stand for the German Dentist Returns :)”

- Wolfgang Pfannenstiel, Dentist, Germany

Darshani Khosla

What Partners Say

Global Dental Relief makes sure children are receiving continuous care and that clinics are run efficiently and with the highest ethical standards. They take care of every detail on your service trip — I plan to volunteer with them for years to come!

- Darshani Khosla, Dentist, Texas

Carol Lim

What Volunteers Say

Thank you Global Dental Relief! Nothing compares to the efforts and impact of your volunteer overseas programs, working hard to bring healthy smiles to children.

- Carol Lim, Vice President of Business Development, Cranberry U.S.A

TJ Gabriels

What Volunteers Say

I plan my whole year around these opportunities to volunteer abroad. I love travel with a purpose, being more than a tourist and making a small, positive mark in the world. This organization has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and has really helped broaden my world view.

- TJ Gabriels, Lawyer and General Volunteer, New York

Michael Pasoff

What Volunteers Say

As a dentist, I have treated and cared for many patients, however, nothing can compare to the sense of fulfilment when volunteering your time and skill to ease the pain and suffering of others. It never ceases to amaze me what can be accomplished when surrounded by dedicated, caring and talented volunteers, such as those I met in past international dental clinics with GDR.

- Michael Pasoff, Dentist, Montreal, Canada

Nour Shehadeh

What Volunteers Say

I am honored and grateful to help these amazing children, meet incredible people, explore their culture and change children's lives for the better. I look forward to many service trips with GDR in the future.

- Nour Shehadeh, Dental Hygienist, Illinois

Peggy Lamm

What Volunteers Say

If you want to literally change lives, this is a great way to do that. Our work with Global Dental Relief produced more real good than all the other cumulative good works I've helped with through the rest of my life.

- Peggy Lamm, CEO Colorado Mesa University Foundation and General Volunteer, Colorado