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Looking to make your Aruba vacation more meaningful? At Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, guests can do more than just relax on the award-winning Eagle Beach, they can also take part in voluntourism experiences that help protect the island and uplift the local community.
From the day we opened more than 37 years ago, Bucuti & Tara guests enjoy being a treasured experience dedicated to guests, staff, partners and community all taking care of one another and our shared planet.
At Bucuti & Tara, guests are invited to select from Voluntourism vacation package opportunities themed by land, by sea and for animal welfare. If giving back is a part of your dream vacation, feel free to let your personal concierge know of your interests and we will gladly help plan them along with the rest of your Bucuti & Tara vacation.
Voluntourism, the combination of volunteering and tourism, allows travelers to contribute positively to their destination while enjoying all the benefits of a world-class getaway. At Bucuti & Tara, voluntourism is a thriving part of the resort’s sustainability program of more than 400 action points, and our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
From marine conservation to community outreach, each experience aligns with one or more SDGs such as:
SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
SDG 13: Climate Action
SDG 14: Life Below Water
SDG 15: Life on Land
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Whether you're visiting for a dream honeymoon, anniversary, milestone celebration or “just because” romantic getaway or wellness retreat, Bucuti & Tara makes it easy to connect with opportunities that leave a positive footprint at your Aruba home away from home.
Beach Cleanups (SDG 14: Life Below Water)
Join the resort’s eco-team in preserving Aruba’s stunning, yet delicate, coastline. Traverse our prized stretch of powdery white sands along Eagle Beach or other parts of Aruba’s coastline while enjoying conversation with other guests from around the world and Bucuti Associates while making a difference. These guest- and staff-led beach cleanups help remove marine debris from Eagle Beach, protecting sea life and keeping the shorelines pristine. Every year, this initiative clears more than 1,000 lbs of debris.
Fun fact: Bucuti & Tara’s Owner/CEO Ewald Biemans began this tradition in Aruba more than 40 years ago. At one point in time, 100% of the island’s hotels participated in the Sponsor a Mile program.
Sea Turtle Conservation (SDG 15: Life on Land and SDG 14: Life Below Water)
Bucuti & Tara is nestled on the widest stretch of Eagle Beach, affectionately known as one of the “Dream Beaches of the World.” In addition to soaking in the sun and participating in beachfront wellness activities, guests can join in as conservationists as our home is a nesting season for some of Aruba’s earliest “guests,” Leatherback sea turtles.
During sea turtle nesting season, guests can support Turtugaruba, the local organization dedicated to sea turtle protection and that Bucuti & Tara has long partnered with for conservation and educational efforts. Activities may include observing nesting sites, supporting monitoring efforts, and spreading awareness about conservation. Interested guests receive a bookmark with helpful tips, including closing curtains in the evenings so the hotel lights do not confuse newborn hatchlings who depend on the moonlight guiding them to the sea for their first swim. Guests hoping to experience nestings or hatchlings can stay updated with our Bucuti & Tara Sea Turtle Nesting Calendar where our current nests are tracked. While staying here, guests can request through their personal concierge to be added to our call list so they may witness emerging hatchlings should newborns arrive during their stay.
Reforesting The Bucuti Tara – GMC Nature Preserve (SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG 15: Life on Land)
Just minutes from the resort, guests can assist in the reforestation efforts at The Bucuti Tara – GMC Nature Preserve, a protected area managed by Bucuti & Tara and our island reforestation partners at Ban Lanta y Planta. Volunteer tasks include planting native trees, removing invasive species and helping to restore the island’s fragile ecosystem — all while enhancing Aruba’s biodiversity and climate resilience.
In 2023, in honor of the resort’s 35th anniversary, Ewald Biemans, island friend Grete Marie Case and Bucuti & Tara gifted Aruba and our future generations with The Bucuti Tara - GMC Nature Preserve. This 32-acre/13-hectare tract of land is one of the scarce remaining stretches available and now it will forever be protected. In addition to reforesting the land and adding trails, the nature preserve doubles as a carbon sink. When it is fully reforested with more than 1, it will draw down approximately 375 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere every year.
Animal Welfare Support (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being)
We love animals so much that you’re welcome to bring your furry friend to experience our newly pup-graded dog vacation! Guests are often delighted to learn that a portion of their stay is donated to the resort-founded spay and neutering program, Stimami Sterilisami meaning Love me, Sterilize me in our native Papiamento. This groundbreaking program has provided more than 40,000 spay/neutering procedures for island dogs and cats since 2016.
In working with island veterinarians and organization volunteers, especially at neighborhood pop-up clinics, guests are welcomed to volunteer in assisting with caring for pets post-surgery as they recover before being reunited with their owners. If you’re a veterinarian or vet tech, this is a special opportunity to share your skills and passion by participating in these procedures. This program is making a difference in the lives of Aruba’s pets and changing the mindset of pet ownership, while also providing a solution to pet overpopulation, an issue found in many places worldwide.
Animal lovers can also volunteer with local animal rescue groups like Sgt. Pepper’s Friends, Animal Shelter Aruba, Luna Foundation and many more. Whether walking dogs on the beach or helping promote pet adoptions, your time and care make a big impact on Aruba’s furry residents.
Pack for a Purpose (SDG 4: Quality Education)
Through the globally recognized Pack for a Purpose initiative, Bucuti & Tara guests are encouraged to bring much-needed school supplies and books in their luggage for donation to one of our local youth programs. A few pounds in your suitcase can provide a child with tools for success — from notebooks and pencils to art supplies and educational games. Plus, you’ll have that space for keepsakes from your vacation.
Every year, guests bring hundreds of pounds of these heartfelt donations, which the resort delivers to children in-need at Aruba’s Imeldahof. This is a small gesture that delivers a big impact on Aruba’s future leaders.
Community Outreach Opportunities (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities)
Guests interested in social impact can connect with local organizations to read to children or spend time at senior centers. These interactions foster cultural exchange while strengthening community ties.
They can also join year-round community initiatives and work side-by-side with locals in preserving the island community. Guests can support sustainable food growing initiatives such as Syntropic. They can help hunt and eradicate the highly destructive (yet delicious!) coral reef predator, the invasive lionfish, through Aruba’s Lionfish Initiative. In addition to freeing coral reefs from lionfish, guests can also choose to help restore these disappearing reefs by volunteering with The ScubbleBubbles Foundation. The organization is restoring more than 64,000 sq ft/6,000 sq meters of coral reefs and raising awareness about marine conservation to local communities and 35,000 island visitors annually.
Some guests bring their instruments on vacation and join in performing at The Music Hub Aruba. These and many other opportunities are available if you’re interested in sharing your time and talents as a part of your Bucuti & Tara vacation experience. Simply ask your personal concierge and they will happily arrange for you to immerse yourself in our warm island community.
Many companies offer Volunteer Time Off (VTO), paid time off specifically for employees to engage in community service. If your employer provides this benefit, would you like for us to help you make the most of it during your Aruba vacation?
Bucuti & Tara provides guests with a range of volunteer opportunities that align with company values and global causes. Whether you’re reforesting native habitat, cleaning the beach, or supporting animal rescue, your volunteer hours can count toward your company’s social responsibility goals. It’s a unique way to blend professional values with personal travel while leaving you refreshed and fulfilled, knowing your time made a real difference.
If you're unsure whether your employer offers VTO, reach out to your HR team. Even if there’s no formal policy, many businesses are open to supporting employee volunteer initiatives, especially when they support global sustainability efforts like the SDGs.
Voluntourism at Bucuti & Tara is completely optional, flexible, and personalized. The resort’s wellness concierges are available to help coordinate opportunities that match your interests, schedule, and comfort level. Whether you’re staying for a long weekend or a full week, it’s easy to build in a meaningful experience during your stay.
Support the SDGs and global sustainability
Blend rest and purpose with a feel-good vacation
Experience authentic Aruba beyond the beach
Enhance well-being through meaningful connection
Turn VTO into something memorable and impactful
You can request voluntourism options when booking your stay or inquire with your personal concierge long before you arrive to Aruba and even after when you are at the resort. Bucuti & Tara maintains strong partnerships with vetted, mission-driven organizations that make it easy for your time to make a difference.
Leave a Legacy While You Travel
At Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, your Aruba getaway can be more than a vacation, it can be a way to give back, connect with the community, and support a more sustainable future. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, your contribution matters.
Book your stay now and ask how you can take part in voluntourism opportunities during your visit to Aruba.