How to Volunteer in Ecuador: 8 Things to Consider

Thinking about volunteering in Ecuador? Congratulations! Ecuador is a top choice for academic and student travel. In this post, you’ll learn how to volunteer in Ecuador – including the specific factors to consider.

How to Volunteer in Ecuador: 8 Things to Consider

Taking an educational trip abroad can broaden your horizons like nothing else. You’ll learn about a new culture, gain life skills, study new language (Spanish or Kichwa), and learn skills by actually doing the work – not just reading about it. Here are more benefits of international educational trips.

Here’s what you should consider as you choose your volunteer program in Ecuador.

1. What educational outcome do you want?

Educational Experience: It’s important to consider what educational features are important to you. Do you prefer working with wildlife, local children, or conservation? Each of these experiences are possible in Ecuador – and can often be combined on a single trip.

We understand academic and student travel – it’s been our focus since 2006.

“We don’t merely think of great places to visit but also of experiences that enrich the trip, seeking to create lifelong memories and, perhaps, change people’s lives.” ~ Latin Roots Travel

19 Educational Features of Volunteering in Ecuador

Here are some of the educational features available on a volunteer program in Ecuador. Many of these are combined on a volunteer trip.

1. Environmental Science
2. Marine Biology
3. Ecology
4. Conservation
5. Service Learning
6. Community Service
7. Human Geography
8. Communication and Culture
9. Global Experience
10. General Anthropology
11. Archaeology
12. Physical Geography
13. Environmental Geography
14. Social & Behavioral Sciences 
15. Earth Science
16. Biology
17. Natural History
18. Communication 
19. Culture 

2. What area do you want to volunteer in?

Ecuador is divided into four defined areas. From west to east, they are:

1. Galapagos Island
2. Pacific Coast
3. Andes Mountains
4. Amazon Jungle

Each area has a distinct culture and climate. The region you choose will affect your experience. The foods can differ and you’ll definitely see different flora and fauna in each region. The one thing that doesn’t change is the friendliness of the people.

3. What climate do you prefer?

We offer educational trips in the humid Amazon, the cool Andes mountains and the hot coastal region, including the Galapagos Islands.

This detailed climate chart for Ecuador will help you see what the weather is like in each of the country’s four regions.

4. Learn the basics of Ecuador before arriving

Ecuador is a unique country, even among neighboring Colombia and Peru. It’s worth learning the basics before booking your trip. It will make your trip more rewarding, lessen culture shock, and help you hit the ground running.

This guide covers 11 important details for travelers to Ecuador, including currency, water, language, food, weather, and more.

5. Do I need a visa to volunteer in Ecuador?

Most volunteers travel on a 12-X tourist visa. Traveling on this visa prohibits earning income in Ecuador. Here’s what you need to know about visas in Ecuador (including what identification you need in the country).

6. How to choose which agency to travel with

It can be complicated to sort out this detail. There are many international and local agencies offering volunteer options in Ecuador. We feel strongly that only a local, Ecuadorian agency will know the country well enough to give you the best experience.

Here’s more about how to choose your Ecuador travel agency.

7. Consider extending your trip to explore the country

After completing your volunteer assignment, you might consider extending your trip to see the rest of the country. You can see much of the country in just a couple of weeks. If you have the time, 3 weeks in Ecuadorwill take you to the most beautiful parts of the country. You can see the jungle, cloud forest, and the Galapagos.

8. Questions and Details to Confirm

• Volunteer Support: Who is my contact person? Will they be on site? How much flexibility does the program have? How many other participants are in the group?
• Health and Safety: How safe is the area I’ll be traveling to? What do I need to be concerned about? What vaccinations are required? Here’s a post about Ecuador safety.
• Impact of Program: What impact will the program have on the local population? And the local environment?
• Spanish: How much Spanish will I need? Will program directors speak some English? Do you offer Spanish courses?

Your Turn

Have a question about volunteering in Ecuador? Join me in the comments. Ready to begin planning your trip? Contact us to get started.