Be a part of volunteer in Ecuador with Volunteering Solutions on a wide range of volunteer programs including Women Empowerment, Childcare, and working at Amazon Animal Rescue Centre. Volunteering projects in Ecuador are located in the capital city of Quito as well as in other locations such as Puyo, Intag Valley, and on the west coast.

Volunteering Solutions is one of the best volunteer organizations in Ecuador as:

  • Trusted by more than 18,000 past volunteers
  • Offers amazing volunteering opportunities from 2 - 24 weeks
  • Provides low-cost volunteer projects including meals and accommodation
  • Provides 24/7 on-ground staff support and 100% financial protection
  • Arranges incredible weekend add-on tours for jungle trekking, the Andean plateau to see active volcanoes, exploring the amazing archipelago of the Galapagos 
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    Ecuador - Quick Facts
  • Start Dates : All Year Round
  • Duration : 2-24 Weeks
  • Program Locations : Don Juan, Pedernales, Intag Valley, Puyo & Quito
  • Minimum Age : 18 years+
  • Certificate - Offered after Program completion
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Doreen
Doreen Program Country: Ecuador
Program: Street Children Project
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I stayed in volunteer house and cooked own meals. house companions were great. Food at project was very tasty. I enjoyed our day trip to the swimming pool with the kids and putting a smile on their faces everyday. I liked meeting the other people and seeing the background of a subject I had no experience. The organization has some great people working for you and I did really enjoy the experience and Ecuador is an amazing country.

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Projects available in Ecuador

Amazon Animal Rescue Center Project Ecuador Puyo | Wildlife and Conservation
  • 2-8 Weeks
  • 18 years+

Volunteers in this project work at an animal rescue center in Amazon region and help in taking care of animals as well as a variety of other tasks


Social Development Program in a Beach Community Ecuador Don Juan, Pedernales | Community Development
  • 2-12 Weeks
  • 18 years+

Experience the feeling of empowering children and young people in a vulnerable situation and enjoy the magic of life in an authentic fishing village.


Women Empowerment & Local Ecological Community Project Ecuador Intag Valley | Women Empowerment
  • 2-12 Weeks
  • 18 years+

This project is ideal for anyone who wants to be inspired by how-to live-in harmony with nature and empowerment of women. All activities carried...


Street Children Program Ecuador Quito | Childcare
  • 3-24 Weeks
  • 18 years+

Volunteer in a project that gives a second chance to the local street children and youth. Volunteer in a non-profit organization for children who...


Quito is actually the highest capital city in the world standing at an altitude of 9,350 feet above sea level. It is a beautiful town with magnificent architecture, gorgeous landscapes, warm people and much more. Go for exploring the city with your hosts and peers. You can also take a trip to the Amazon Basin and walk through the forest trails. This is an ideal place for jungle trekking and you will get to spot beautiful birds and other animals. Visit the Andean plateau and see a series of active volcanoes. You can also discuss with your coordinator and take a trip to the amazing archipelago of Galapagos to experience the beauty of nature, gaze at the purple sunsets and soak in the freshness!

CotopaxiCotopaxiDoes the thought of exploring an active volcano thrill you? Because Quito’s Cotopaxi Volcano is actually the 2nd largest active volcano in this world and on a clear day, you can see this snow-capped volcano in the distance. Spend the whole day hiking and taking in volcano views. You can also take a hike up Cotopaxi towards a summit ranger station to race down on a thrilling bike ride. What’s more? There are horseback riding excursions that are available around the volcano and the National Park!

Mitad del Mundo – Attention, please! This could be your Middle of the World Tour in Mitad del Mundo! The whole Quito area actually sits along the equator and right outside the capital is now a newer monument to mark that location. But you should know a rather funny detail too. In reality, the location of the actual equator line was miscalculated by about 250 meters from the “official-real” Middle of the World monument. Then this former monument was shifted to the official location of the equator in a small village called Calacali. Now, when you visitors the newer monument, you will be able to stand on the “Equator” line and have your passport actually stamped from the Equator.

Mindo Cloud Forest Mindo Cloud Forest This forest is only a couple of hours from Quito and can offer you the adventures of tubing, zip lining, and biking. This cloud forest stretches along the Andes. Mindo’s valleys get the perfect gentle winds and exactly the optimum amount of moisture in them. The result of such weather conditions is an ideal nursery for birds & butterflies. So if you have interest in birds then go flock to Mindo to see 350+ species of birds. Apart from this, Mindo’s butterfly exhibition and the chocolate tours are also some popular things to look forward to.

Quilotoa Crater – The Quilotoa Around volcano erupted 800 years ago and collapsed inwards on itself. The crater lake that was formed as a result of this, is now one of South America’s most radiant natural wonders. For all the water-lovers, the water in the Quilotoa crater has a gorgeous turquoise color. A Quilotoa day trip from Quito will allow you to part ways and hike down into the crater. Although, you will also have the option to explore around the rim and if you hike down then you can hire a mule to ride back up. You must also remember to visit the nearby villages to get a glimpse of the local life there.

If you have anything else in your bucket list or planning to go & explore any of the above-mentioned places, you can simply get in touch with our Travel Experts, who can guide you better in planning your weekend tours. Drop us a mail at traveldesk@volunteeringsolutions.com mentioning your choice of weekend adventures, and we shall cater your needs.

Volunteer in Ecuador - Faq's

FAQ - Ecuador, Quito


FAQ's Application and Program Details

We always recommend all our volunteers to apply in advance. This way they get time to prepare better for the trip. Applying in advance has perks like:
-Confirmed booking/placement.
-Application Fee is valid for a year and you can choose to do two three programs in the same year without paying an additional application fee.
-You can make the payment for program fee in parts.
Also, we abide by the first come first serve policy.

Usually, it takes around 10-12 working days for the application to be processed and placement to be confirmed. After the application is accepted, your placement document shall be updated in your account online and you can view the information in your account. The application acceptance depends on the availability of seats in the project as well as the eligibility criteria of the program (age, skills and experience etc.).

Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the Quito volunteering projects:
Intermediate or Beginner Level of Spanish is required.
Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project.
Participants must have a Clean Police Record (Criminal Background Check).
Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. 
The volunteers should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

Yes, you must volunteer in a group. In fact volunteering in a group has its own perks. You can get discounts on application fee and you can pool in for add-on tours and travel.

Arrival dates for all projects in Ecuador are on Saturdays. Once you land in Quito, you would be picked up by one of the Volunteering Solutions’ staff and you would be given a general induction. The volunteer coordinator will brief you about the history of the program, what the project currently is involved in, additional projects that might be going on at that time that volunteers can participate in, additional safety information, information on what to do during your free time, information on how to get there and around at the project. This is all presented in a booklet format and lasts +/- 30 minutes per volunteer.

On the first day of the project, our volunteer coordinator accompanies the volunteer to his/her project and shows how public transport works to and from the project. On the site, the coordinator will introduce the volunteer to the project and the local project staff and help with basic induction.
 


Flights and Visa

No matter wherever you travel to, make sure that your passport is valid for at least another 6 months upon arrival to that place. That is applicable for Ecuador too. On your arrival in Ecuador, you will get a T-3 Visa stamp. This Visa stamp is valid for 90 days. If you plan to stay longer than this, you should apply for 12-IX Visa at the Ecuadorian Embassy of your home country, before leaving. This Visa would be valid for 180 days then.

From the US to Quito, the recommended services are:
American
Avianca
Aeromexico

From Europe to Quito, the recommended services are:
Iberia
Taca
KLM


Health and Safety

Safety is a concern for all the international travelers; however, Quito is a tourist friendly country and major incidents involving volunteers is unheard of. Both the accommodation of Host family and the Volunteer house are safe. Although, when you venture out for a visit try to be with your group. Consult your coordinator before you decide to wander alone, especially in the night.
Here are some guidelines from the project:
When using public transport keep your bag and valuables with you and not on the shelves or under the seat.
Do not bring things which are not required or are extremely expensive: jewelry, credit cards, more money than you're spending money for that day, etc.
When it gets dark, take a taxi, they are cheap here in Ecuador and will guarantee you a safe ride home.
Do not drink in the company of the strangers, until you are with your volunteer group or company.

You must visit your doctor 2 months prior to your overseas travel. As a precaution, carry your yellow fever certificate and vaccinations booklet to be produced at the border crossings, if need be. 

Yes, for all participants it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance.Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions.  To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider. 


Accommodation and Living

A member of the local coordinating team will take you to your placement and introduce you to your project after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc. You will be told about the directions to the project from your accommodation and the mode of transport you can use.

For accommodation, volunteers can choose to stay either with a local host family or in the volunteer’s hostel. Both the accommodation options are fully furnished and provide a comfortable stay to volunteers.
In Volunteer house, there is the provision of the fully functional kitchen but no meals. Volunteers can prepare meals for themselves. Meals are provided by the host family, thrice a day.

Yes, however, you must inform us in advance and also mention about any dietary requirement in your application form.

Volunteers typically work for around 5-6 hours in a day. Depending on the workload every day, working hours can vary. Evenings are free for the volunteers and volunteers usually get together and go out for social gatherings, eat out or just relax at the volunteer house. Quito offers a number of activities and attractions for the discerning travelers. Quito is surrounded by Cotopaxi volcano and Pichincha, Antizana, Cayambe volcanoes that make the Andean contour. Full of churches and majestic architecture and exquisite fine dining experiences, walking tour in this beautiful city is not enough. Galapagos is at a distance of half an hour from the mainland Quito by air and you can go crazy looking and experience the untouched wilderness there. Island hopping, swimming, and snorkeling are just a few of the perks!

Your program fee covers your Airport Pickup, Accommodation, Food and In-country Support.

You will need to cover yourself for your personal expenses, such as local transport, telephone, the internet, shopping, weekend trips etc. However, you should carry around $50 per week for your basic personal expenses. This amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you go on weekend sightseeing tours.

Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. You will have the weekend off so you can go to travel on weekends. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open-minded and understand that work requirements can change as well on certain occasions.

You will find a number of currency exchange counters and ATMs in the airport as well as the popular tourist areas of Quito. Your pre-departure booklet will have this information, your coordinator would also guide you with this information.


Connect with Past Volunteers

We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions Quito program participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook Group to communicate with other participants.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet a Volunteer section on our website. 

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