Volunteer in Ecuador
The Beauty of the Andean Highlands
Although it is the smallest country in the jagged Andean Highlands, Ecuador is among South America’s most amazing volunteer travel destinations. With its array of indigenous cultures, well-preserved colonial architecture, striking volcanic landscapes and dense rainforests, Ecuador offers a perfect destination for students, explorers and volunteers. We offer projects in the far-flung islands of Ecuador – including volunteering in the Galapagos Islands – which are celebrated as one of the world's greatest natural history treasures and their unique diversity of plant and animal life provides a living textbook environment for ecologists and nature lovers alike.
Important volunteer projects in Ecuador are located in both rural and urban areas throughout this amazing country. Projects can be found in the capital city of Quito as well as Puerto Lopez, Santa Elena, the Amazon Region and other interesting locations.
Our volunteer in Ecuador projects offer unique opportunities to explore this great and unique country while lending a helping-hand to its citizens. Volunteer projects include working in an orphanage, working with street and/or disadvantaged children, teaching English, HIV/AIDS, human rights, healthcare, conservation, animal care and veterinary medicine.
Dates and Prices
All volunteering in Ecuador projects (Volunteer, Spanish Language Studies and travel options) begin on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month.Global Crossroad is committed to offering quality volunteer abroad in Ecuador programs, yet we keep price as a focus. We strive to keep costs low in order to share these savings with our volunteers. The humanitarian side of the business is our passion and we are dedicated to perpetuating low-cost programs that enable as many volunteers as possible to cross borders and embrace the neediest souls of humanity.
Global Crossroad's application fee: US $199. Please click here to read details about “Where your money goes”.
In addition to the application fee, volunteers are required to pay weekly program fee. The program fee includes the costs of accommodations, meals, personal international travel insurance, local (in-country) staff salaries, monetary donations to volunteer projects and other field (in-country) costs.
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Learn Spanish in Ecuador
Spanish Language Program Fee
Small Group Instruction
(2-6 people)
2 hours/day $70/week
*Generally, group Spanish lessons cost $7 per hour. Volunteers joining programs for the duration of three (3) months of program can receive up to 20 hours of free Spanish lessons – a market value of approximately $180.
Volunteer and Learn Spanish in Ecuaodor and improve your overall experience in Ecuador!
When you can communicate with those around you and understand the local’s world perspective, your volunteer in Ecuador will deepen and become more rewarding for everyone involved.
Global Crossroad’s Spanish course in Ecuador is convenient and inexpensive. These classes are exclusive to those participating in Global Crossroad’s volunteer in Ecuador program. We have partnered with a highly reputable Spanish school that employs qualified and experienced Spanish teachers and offers the most intensive and effective Spanish courses in Ecuador.
We make it simple to learn Spanish in Ecuador while you volunteer. During our Language Studies program, volunteers can simultaneously work at their volunteer project and study Spanish. For example, volunteers can study Spanish before lunch, then spend the afternoon/evening involved in their volunteer activities. Alternatively, volunteers can study in the afternoon, following their day's activities. The language school is close to most of our projects, so it is possible for volunteers to design a personal schedule. Global Crossroad invites you to improve your Ecuador experience by learning or improving your Spanish.
Volunteer in Ecuador Program: Accommodations/Meals/Field Support
During your volunteer in Ecuador program, Global Crossroad’s weekly fees include management of volunteers’ meal plans and accommodations throughout projects and travel options. Three meals a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) will be provided and will consist of local ingredients and feature traditional cuisine choices for Ecuador. Our meal program can accommodate vegetarian needs; however, we are not able to provide for other dietary restrictions. Food and drinks outside of mealtimes are the volunteer’s responsibility. In most cases, there are restaurants and markets nearby the homes in which our volunteers stay.
While volunteering in Ecuador, we normally place our volunteers with a host family. Volunteers usually have a single bedroom, but may occasionally share a room with another volunteer of the same gender. Our host families are chosen carefully and are esteemed community members, who have experience in the realm of hosting international travelers. Host family residences are in comfortable, clean and safe neighborhoods and rooms are simply furnished and tidy. Staying with a host family can offer the support system a volunteer will crave during their program and it is a great way to learn about a host country’s culture and customs. Most volunteers who have stayed with a host family note that their stay truly enriched their entire experience abroad. Orphanage volunteers might have the opportunity to stay with the children as many orphanages provide private rooms for international volunteers. These volunteer rooms will normally be shared with a volunteer of the same gender.
A unique and important part of Global Crossroad’s successful volunteer abroad in Ecuador programs is our volunteer support in-country. We put safety and comfort first as we deliver enriching and consistent experiences for our international travelers. Our support is multi-faceted while volunteers are in Ecuador and our staff is in contact with our volunteers on a regular basis either with face-to-face visits or via phone/email. Key support comes from our country coordinator and in-country field staff. These individuals are employed by our company and committed to ensuring your experience the best it can be. Your chosen project staff and host family offers support as well, and they are familiar with working with international volunteers and accustomed to answering questions and providing guidance. Volunteers also have access to our country coordinator’s mobile number for emergencies. With longer assignments, our field staff visits regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to ensure the experience is meeting your expectations. Sometimes an assignment may be too far to visit physically, so staff members will touch-base via phone/email. You are also welcome to stop in the offices at any time.
Specific details regarding accommodations, food and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival.
Frequently asked questions - Ecuaodor
Application Information
- When should I apply for a volunteer in Ecuador program?
- What happens once I submit my documents and application to volunteer in Ecuador?
- How long does it take to process my application to volunteer in Ecuador?
- What documents do I need to submit with my application to volunteer in Ecuador?
- Are there any necessary requirements to participate in volunteer in Ecuador projects?
Visa Information
Placement Information
- Who manages the volunteer in Ecuador projects?
- What are the daily schedules while volunteering in Ecuador?
- Where are the projects located?
- What is the language spoken in Ecuador?
- Where are volunteering opportunities in Ecuador located?
- How long can I volunteer in Ecuador?
Arrival and Departure Information
- Who will arrange my flight to Ecuador?
- If my assignment begins on Monday, when should I arrive in Ecuador?
- Will someone pick me from the airport? If so, how will I know who they are and where they are?
- What should I do if my flight is delayed?
- How can I get to my accommodations from the airport, if I did not connect with Global Crossroad's local representative in the airport?
- What do I need prior to departure from my home country?
- If I want to arrive earlier than when my assignment begins, where do I stay and who will organize the accommodations?
- When should I depart from Ecuador? From which airport shall I depart?
- Who will bring me to the airport for my departure?
Living Accomodation / Meal Information
- Who will arrange my accommodations and what are they?
- Are single rooms available?
- If I arrive with my friend, or girlfriend/boyfriend, can we stay together?
- Will there be other foreign volunteers/interns at my placement?
- What are the bathroom facilities like?
- What are the laundry arrangements?
- Can I use appliances if I bring them from my home country?
- Who manages my meals?
- Can you accommodate special diets?
- Is the running tap water safe for drink?
- Are there hot and cold-water facilities available?
- Will bottled water be provided?
Health and Safety
- How safe is Ecuador?
- What are the principle health risks in Ecuador?
- Is the food safe if I buy it from a street vendor?
- What are the sanitary conditions in Ecuador?
Money
- Are ATMs easily available? If yes, which debit and credit cards are accepted?
- What is the local currency and how do I know the exchange rate?
- Where should I exchange my money?
- How much money should I bring with me?
- Is it safe to carry cash with me?
Communication
- How do I contact with Global Crossroad's local coordinator?
- How do I contact my family and friends once I arrive in Ecuador?
- How can my family members contact me?
- Can I bring my telephone from my home country?
Culture and Custom
- Is there a special dress code that I should follow while staying in Ecuador?
- What should I know about religious conduct in Ecuador?
- How do I respect the people of Ecuador?
More Information about Ecuador
NOTE: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is generic information and should not be used as a definitive travel guide. Travel information and situations abroad change constantly. Participants should consult Global Crossroad or travel advisors to verify this information.
