Volunteer in Ecuador

Ecuador is a beautiful country with diverse nature and wildlife, but also poverty and inequality. Ecuador is the perfect country to give back and there are so many volunteering programs, a lot of which are free/low cost. Here’s everything you need to know about volunteering in Ecuador, including visa information and what you can do in your free time.

Best Volunteer Programs in Ecuador

How to Volunteer in Ecuador

Ecuador, named after its position on the Equator, is the second smallest country in South America. The Andes, rising to over 6300 metres, form its mountainous backbone; the Pacific ocean, surf waves and golden beaches dominate the west, and the upper reaches of the Amazon rainforest fall off to the east.

The capital city Quito is rimmed with thirty two volcanoes most of which are regularly climbed, but one of which is still active. The majority of the highland population are the colourful indigenous Quichua Indians, who still live traditional lives within their forest communities.

The striking beauty of the country and vibrant, friendly culture of the Ecuadorian people mask a reality that is only apparent to those who look below the surface. In Quito there are approximately 4500 street children, 60% of the population are illiterate, huge areas of the rainforest are felled each day by commercial logging companies and the vast Amazon oil reserves are attracting companies wishing to exploit the pristine forest reserves.

Most opportunities for volunteering are ideal for people interested in a gap year in Ecuador students, but some are better suited to slightly older volunteers taking a career break. Any volunteers with energy, enthusiasm, a desire to help a local community and a wish to learn Spanish are encouraged to apply.

Location of Projects

You can find projects throughout Ecuador, popular places to apply include Quito, the Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos Islands. Most community based projects are in towns and cities like Guayaquil, Cuenca, Santo Domingo de los Colorados, Machala, Manta, Portoviejo, Durán, Esmeraldas, Ambato, Milagro and Ibarra. For conservation programs, these are usually in rural and remote areas of the country

Volunteer in Quito
As one of the most popular cities in South America, Quito is a bustling city in the Andes Mountains that offers a wonderful mix of traditional Andean heritage along with modern-day comforts and amenities.

Volunteers in Quito have the opportunity to serve with people from disadvantaged backgrounds while also maintaining a comfortable and connected life. On weekends, many volunteers enjoy Quito’s many opportunities to hike, visit traditional art shows and simply get lost in the beautiful traditional neighbourhoods downtown.

Volunteer in the Ecuador Amazon Rainforest
Covering 12,000,000 hectares east of the Andes mountain range, the sprawling Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest is home to some of the most diverse wildlife on earth.

With 2.5 million insect species and over 2000 kinds of birds and mammals, it is a truly wild area which is sadly diminishing quite fast. But Some organisations are responsible for safeguarding 2,710 hectares of forest in the country, preserving everything from parrots and anacondas to jaguars, orchids and mahogany. The project has also strengthened the culture of indigenous tribes by revitalising ancient wisdom.

It will be the volunteers job to help local people increase ecotourism activities, help teach them environmentally friendly farming techniques, improve their diet, help construct nature trails and help their income by producing ceramic tiles. In this regard the project aims to preserve the forest along with the interests of the human population. You’ll get to live with one of the tribes too!

There are also projects based in wildlife rescue centres for trafficked or poached wild animals. The volunteers’ main duties will be the monitoring, feeding and cleaning of animals including snakes, crocodiles, monkeys, ant-eaters and tortoises among many, many more.

It is also possible to teach English to children of a tribal village in a school built by the community. Other jobs can include maintaining the building, assisting and educating in reforestation, constructing a kitchen and planting a vegetable garden.

Help at the Mindo Cloud Forest
On the slopes of the Andes is the vast Mindo cloud forest, just 50 miles from Ecuador’s capital Quito and one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world.

Although similar to a rainforest, as it’s based on a slope, sunrays are able to penetrate deeper inside the forest giving life to exuberant life forms. With thousands of bird species living in its fields and woodlands, Mindo is perhaps the best place in the world to go bird watching.

As large swathes of this land have been felled to fuel a growing agriculture industry, volunteers have the chance to help out on a 6000 hectare reserve dedicated to the preservation of this unique ecosystem. Volunteers are needed all year round to help with a wide host of practical environmental projects such as reforestation, park maintenance, organic agriculture and helping conservation researchers with various tasks.

The mission of the project is to contribute to the education and training of locals by promoting more sustainable types of living and use of natural resources.

Popular Project

Popular projects for volunteers in Ecuador include:

• Rainforest conservation
• Coastal conservation
• Wildlife animal rescue centres
• Street children and orphanage
• Community work helping homeless and old people
• Medical centres
• Teaching English, computer skills, maths and sports
• Art and craft
• Eco-tourism

The most rewarding placements for volunteering in Ecuador are the ones in which you are challenged, your energies really appreciated and your individual skills fully utilised. You will usually work on projects in small groups with other international volunteers. This insures full, seamless integration into local communities and maximises exposure to Ecuadorian life and the Spanish language.

Organisations do their utmost to avoid any imposition on the local culture so groups are always small. Most of the projects are located within the same geographical area so it is relatively easy to meet fellow volunteers from different projects at weekends.

Community Development
A lot of volunteers choose to help at day care centres in the country’s capital. Helping with the everyday running of the centres, including working with children and contributing with table top activities or in the kitchen. This is a great way to let this incredibly friendly country and it’s people get under your skin.

The day care centres provide a day time shelter, education and nutritional food for local children who may come from low-income households or those who for various reasons cannot care for their children. The staff also work with parents to improve the quality of life for families in the area through health and social care initiatives.

Conservation
Nowhere else on earth can you find so much natural diversity in such a small place. With a landmass of 272,000 square kilometres, Ecuador is South America’s second smallest country but includes a baffling array of landscapes and creatures.

First of all you have the vast Amazon rainforest covering about half of the country in the east. But in one day’s drive you could be in the snow covered Andes Mountain range followed by further trips out to dense cloud forests, balmy Pacific coasts and of course the moonscape landscapes of the fantastic Galapagos Islands.

But poaching, illegal logging and deforestation for agricultural space are rife. Dedicated research stations and reserves have been set up to try to preserve these wild lands, offering volunteers an amazing chance to help out. Conservation projects will ensure that perhaps the most diverse country on the planet will remain that way for generations to come.

Medical Assistance
Since there is a severe shortage of doctors, in particular specialty doctors, volunteers assist in the health screening in neighborhoods and the Municipal Government Clinics. The Ministry of Health no longer accepts foreign volunteers in their hospitals, therefore our volunteers aid in health screening and when necessary follow-ups in people’s homes.

Volunteers who work in the Municipal Government Clinic need to be well advanced in their medical degree and have an advanced level of Spanish. Volunteers who want to volunteer in health screening should have an advanced level of Spanish to work in the local community.

In the past years, organisations have assisted thousands of Ecuadorian residents by offering general check-ups, and dental, nutrition and endocrinology clinics. Beyond offering badly-needed assistance at point of contact, our medical brigades also educate local residents about a host of potential health risks, and how to manage their medical conditions.

These brigades are essential to the health and well-being of rural communities because there is such a shortage of doctors, specialty doctors in particular. Doctors and health workers visit local schools, day care centers, senior centers, and community centers.

Volunteering in Ecuador FAQ

Visa
You only require a tourist visa which is granted free of charge for three months or more upon your arrival at the Quito Airport.

Duration
The minimum project length for volunteering in Ecuador is generally 2 weeks and up to one year. Projects are all ongoing so volunteers can depart whenever they wish. There is no most popular time to participate.

Language
Spanish is spoken in Ecuador and volunteers would need to learn Spanish and achieve a basic understanding of the language to succeed on most of the projects. Some organisations require volunteers to attend a course to learn Spanish in Quito before beginning work. This gives all non linguists sufficient language skills to get started on the project of their choice.

Those with an existing command of the language are usually fine to not have courses. However, you have your own private tutor so regardless of your level you will be challenged.

You could learn Spanish with the Simon Bolivar Spanish School in Quito which is one of the best language school in Ecuador. The course is geared towards conversational Spanish. It combines a mixture of lively tutorials, grammar, salsa dancing, haggling in the market, cooking lessons and making cocktails!

Accommodation
You will be staying in either a hostel/hotel or with a host family as per your preference. You will also have the services of the local volunteer support team who will introduce you to your chosen area of work and provide any advice you require during your stay in Ecuador. The local team have been supporting many hundreds of volunteers before you so you will be in a great position. Host families have all been checked and verified by the support team to ensure your comfort and support.

Food
Meals are usually taken with a host family and other volunteers in communal buildings. Participants are sometimes given a food allowance and you cook for yourselves. The local diet is good and Ecuadorians take their meals seriously. There is an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables, sea food and meat. This can be bought cheaply in the locals markets – where some of you may be working.

Is there anything I need to take with me?
Once you have applied and registered, you will receive an Information Pack via email that will have further details on the project in Ecuador; in this email there will be a list of items to take. In the meantime, art and craft materials are always useful at the community nursery in Quito which is where most volunteer start their volunteering. Facepaints and wetwipes (you can purchase these in Quito cheaply) are popular. Quito is at altitude, despite the country being on the Equator where its name comes from, so it is recommended to bring warm layers, good shoes and an anorak so you are ready for all weathers.

Time Off and Volunteer Interaction
There are no rules about time off, but in most cases weekends are free and many volunteers choose to travel in Ecuador and beyond after their projects. You are, however, expected to work on your projects full time and only take leave with the permission of your project manager and Monika. All projects are linked to initiatives involving Ecuadorian staff, so you will quickly adapt to the local style of working. The key here is to be flexible and to use initiative. Outreach International demands a serious commitment from all volunteers, but at the same time recognises that the nature of voluntary work demands a flexible approach, and we definitely want you to have an enjoyable and rewarding time.

Expeditions and Travel in Ecuador
Organisations are particularly keen that volunteers should travel in Ecuador and see more of the country during or at the end of your stay. Specialised itineraries and excursions can be arranged once in Ecuador. Travel in Ecuador is easy and inexpensive, with a great bus network covering the whole country. There are also lots of Ecuador tour operators offering lots of trips.

Money
How much do I need each week? If you are staying in the volunteer hostel, £20 – £30 per week will be enough to cover local transport to Quito projects and all meals. Volunteers staying with a host family will usually only need to cover their bus fare to the projects, approx. £5 per week.

How Safe is Ecuador?
Ecuador is a fabulously friendly country which welcomes the visitor warmly. Visitors to Ecuador generally report no problems.

Health and Insurance
Ecuador is a healthy country. Providing you are sensible and follow our guidelines you should not expect to have any medical difficulties. It is essential however that you read our ‘Travel Health’ booklet thoroughly and take proper advice when exploring at week ends. All volunteers are encouraged to take out travel insurance, sometimes this is included in a program.