Ecuador doesn’t get enough credit. It has a sibling rivalry going with Peru: similar cultures, history and appearance. But Peru gets all the attention. What’s up with that?! Just because Peru has Machu Picchu (ok, ok, it is pretty impressive). But I think it’s about time Ecuador got the spotlight too.
The country suffered a devastating earthquake in April 2016, so it could use tourism more than ever. Plus Ecuador is beautiful, safe and packed with awesome things to do.
About Ecuador
Ecuador is named so for a reason. It’s one of the few countries on the Equator. In Quito, you can stand on the real equator line at the Inti Nan museum. It’s a little kitschy, but it’s accurate (unlike the Mitad del Mundo which is actually about 250 yards off thanks to an 18th century misreading). Whoops! You can get a classic shot straddling the line and try to wrap your head around the equatorial effects: “what direction do toilets flush?” and “what celestial bodies can you see at the equator?” Very trippy stuff.
Mainland Ecuador is divided into 3 different (but equally awesome) geographical regions. So it’s a triple threat – basically the Justin Timberlake of countries. Its west coast is a haven for beach bummers and surfers alike, with towns like Montañita and Guayaquil. In its centre, the Andean highlands run from the north to south. This is quintessential Ecuador.
The highlands have volcanoes (30 to be exact), rolling hills, cloud forests and colonial cities like Quito and Cuenca. Just an overall chill vibe there. The third section is Ecuador’s slice of the Amazon (you know, the world’s most famous rainforest). But how could we forget it’s most unique geographical wonder?! The Galapagos Islands. Ecuador, you’re the coolest.
Best Volunteering Programs in Ecuador
There are countless volunteering options in Ecuador. Programmes focused in the urban areas, such as Quito, revolve around caring for abandoned or disabled children, teaching English or Spanish, medical care, educating women, and so on.
Conservation
Volunteering at biological reserves is popular, including the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon, with conservation and community projects.
The more remote areas of the country, such as the Amazon rainforest, the Andes, or various rural communities offer a wide range of volunteering programmes. You can volunteer to work with a local community in a sugar cane or coffee plantation, involve yourself in handcrafts projects, construction, and even marmalade production.
Given the fact that Ecuador is home to part of the Amazonian rainforest and that the country prides itself with its biodiversity, there are quite a few volunteering programmes that deal with ecological and conservation issues.
On mainland Ecuador, there’re tons of grazing alpacas and llamas. We personally think alpacas are cuter than llamas, but that’s just me. You may also be lucky enough to spot the national bird: the Andean condor. They’re like majestic-looking vultures. Ecuador’s cloud forests have ample birdwatching opportunities from hummingbirds to toucans. And then there’s the Amazon: monkeys, jaguars, birds, bats, bugs, and tons of other creatures hang out there.
Language Coach
Ecuador offers the opportunity to either work in a primary or secondary school. Many of the schools only have basic facilities, but some better equipped private schools are also included in the programme. Volunteers will assist teachers in the classroom, teach their own subjects and help to organise extra-curricular activities, such as sports, music and art.
Community Volunteer
There are a number of NGOs in Ecuador, these non-profit organisations are devoted to helping children and their families overcome poverty and improve their quality of life through education, job training, nutrition programmes, health and social services, psychological help and recreation. These organisations originated to help deal with the many children working and sleeping on the streets of Ecuador’s major cities and suffering as a consequence.
Community / schools activity assistant placements involve working with children in care who have physical or learning difficulties and street children. Volunteers could be based in a school for children with disabilities and will help with teaching, caring, gym, dance, art and anything else the children want them to do! If volunteers are working with street children, they will be involved with teaching, helping with homework, art and writing a newsletter.
In Quito there is also the opportunity to volunteer at a social NGO providing rehabilitation therapies and special education for children, young people and adults with cerebral palsy and other associated disabilities (intellectual, visual, auditory, multi-challenges) and in need of general support.
You can also join a unique placement that mixes Community Volunteering and Language Coaching, in the Andean cloud forest. This is an isolated but beautiful organic farming community home to about 40 families. This community, which has united to form an association to protect their environment, produce local products and promote eco-tourism, welcomes volunteers to help with a range of activities, from teaching English to sowing, harvesting, reforestation and even herding cows! This is a fascinating, demanding and very rewarding project. You’ll have the opportunity to have a home stay in Quito one weekend per month.
Music Teacher
There is an exciting opportunity to teach music in Cuenca. Volunteers will have their own students and will also be able to sing in the Conservatoire choir and audition for the Symphony Orchestra. There is another placement in Quito to work with children who have musical talent but no financial means to learn to play an instrument. This placement has been rated very highly by our previous volunteers and they have gained a huge amount from their time there.
FAQ
Language
If you plan on volunteering in a more remote programme, you should have at least some knowledge of Spanish, as the locals are less likely to know any foreign languages. For projects in the larger cities, English might suffice.
Requirements
In general, there are few requirements for someone wishing to volunteer in Ecuador: over 18 years of age and a clear criminal record.
Accommodation
Lodging options will vary from one programme to another, but there are several organisations that will house you with a local host family, which will also take care of your meals. In exchange for the fee you will pay the volunteering agency, you will also receive orientation classes and, sometimes, Spanish courses may also be arranged for you.
Visa
International volunteering organisations can help you work out your visa arrangements.
Shopping
Ecuador is great for shopping. It has tons of markets to buy rugs, trinkets, wood carvings, instruments, clothes… pretty much whatever you could hope for. For real. The market in Otavalo is the main shopping hub and on Saturdays it’s in full effect. A little overwhelming, but you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for. It’s HUGE. Look out for cool textiles, Panama hats that Ecuadorians often wear, bags, and sweaters with Andean-inspired prints. There’re even socks with little llamas on them (a.k.a. the best socks ever).
Food
Yet again, Peru always gets the attention when it comes to food. Like c’mon, guys! Ecuador has most of the same tasty Andean eats, but with a slew of unique dishes too. So you can have delicious seafood ceviche, but with popcorn on top. Because Ecuadorians thought, ‘why the heck not’? They just do their thing. Fritada, a popular and tasty fried pork dish, is another must to try. Also expect to eat lots of plantains. LOTS. And prepare your stomach for other delicious dishes like yucca, seafood, empanadas, and humitas/tamales. Please excuse my salivating.
Drink
We’re going to cheat on this one and say drink because the pisco sour just shouldn’t be missed!
Is Ecuador expensive?
One of the biggest perks about travelling through Ecuador? You can get by with little money. Firstly, they use American dollars, so it’s easy to actually realize what you’re spending. This is perfect if you suck at math like I do. Meals go for $3-$10 USD depending on how much you want to spend. But tasty street empanadas go for $1. Just sayin’. Beer, I mean, cervezas you can get for $1 or $2 (we’re talking those big bottles too). And if you live in North America, you can often get flights for $500 USD or less. Considering how epic Ecuador is, your total trip cost will seem like a bargain.
Activities
A couple of nights with a local community in an Amazonian homestay in Ecuador will be an experience you’ll never forget. We couldn’t rave about Ecuador without giving a proper shout-out to Baños. No, we’re not talking the Spanish word for ‘bathroom’ (although those come in handy too). Baños is a town in Ecuador chock-full of unreal adrenaline activities. Bungee jumping? Check. White water rafting? Check. Not to mention biking, canyoning, ziplining, kayaking, paragliding, and ATVing. You’ll feel like a total badass after day one. And if you’re not a fan of adrenaline activities, no fear (literally). You can trade the wild for mild with a visit to the thermal spas, a Pailon del Diablo waterfall hike, or La Casa del Arbol swing.
Feedback & Reviews
“I felt so involved in community life that, at times, I couldn’t remember what it was like to live anywhere else.” – Ezim, Teacher and Community Worker