Volunteer in Ecuador

Jungles, snow-capped volcanoes, beautiful beaches and colonial cities make Ecuador a South American gem. A country with astounding cultural and natural diversity - the beautiful Amazon Rainforest, the Galapagos Islands (made famous by Charles Darwin) - Ecuador has much to offer volunteers, world travelers and nature-lovers. In IFRE's volunteer in Ecuador program, you not only have the memorable opportunity the serve Ecuador's local children, citizens and quaint communities, you are also able to explore the beauty and mystique of the numerous indigenous cultures, traditions, customs, unique cuisine and colorful dress. IFRE's volunteer projects in Ecuador are located all over Ecuador - Quito and the Amazon Rainforests. Our Volunteer in Ecuador programs offer unique opportunities to serve humanity while simultaneously exploring the spectacular diversity of wildlife and marine life all contained within the bountiful borders of Ecuador.

Work in Volunteer Service Projects Ecuador Volunteer Work Projects and Locations

IFRE's volunteer programs in Ecuador is the capital city of Quito. The city is located at 2800 meters (9200 ft) and has pleasant weather all year round. There are many things to do in the city including visiting gardens, parks, museums and the old town. Volunteer programs in Ecuador include:

Ecuador Volunteer Program Fee & Dates:

Start Dates: Volunteer programs starts on the following (first and third Monday of each month)

IFRE is a 501(c)3 organization, so your program fee will be tax deductible. IFRE Volunteers is proud to offer an extensive assortment of programs at very reasonable prices (and may rank “best priced and best value” among the many volunteer abroad organizations in the USA/Europe/New Zealand). Our programs are now more affordable than ever. We are proud to focus on the humanitarian aspect of our business, not the profit. We work very hard and smart to keep costs down, especially for you the volunteer, as we know the value of your donated time and efforts. We remain devoted to maintaining both the quality of the program and the safety of all volunteers involved. Below is a brief summary of the program fee and services that IFRE Volunteers offers.

IFRE fees comprise of two separate fees. An application fee of $349 USD (covers advertising, staff/office expenses, etc.) and a nominal weekly program fee (covers room/board, insurance, field support, etc).

Your program fee covers comprehensive insurance, room and food (3 local meals a day) for the entire project period with a host family, donation to project, Ecuador office expenses (rent, utilities, salaries, vehicle), communications, and project coordination.

Additional Costs for Volunteers

International and domestic flights, passport, visa extension, personal expenses on water/soft drinks ($1-3 per day), entertainment, laundry, telephone, immunizations.

Spanish Language Training

IFRE currently offers highly affordable Spanish language classes in Ecuador. These classes are exclusive to IFRE volunteers participating in our volunteer program. In Ecuador, IFRE partners with a highly reputable Spanish school. They employ qualified and experienced Spanish teachers and offer the most intensive and effective Spanish courses in Ecuador. In this program is structured so that volunteers can work at their volunteer project and learn Spanish simultaneously. For example, volunteers can take Spanish classes from 9:00-11:00 a.m. (before lunch) followed by volunteer activities. Alternatively, volunteers may take Spanish classes from 3:00-4:00 a.m. (after a day of volunteer work). Most of the projects are located close to the Spanish school, so it is possible for volunteers to design a personal schedule. IFRE invites you to improve your Ecuador experience by learning or improving your Spanish.

* Spanish language (group): $5 per hour

Arrangement of Room/Food/Supervision

IFRE manages living accommodations and meals within host families throughout Ecuador for the entire duration of the volunteer program. Host families are all carefully screened, well-educated and have experience with host international volunteers. IFRE arranges clean, simply-furnished, private (occasionally shared with fellow volunteers) rooms in nearby host families. Volunteers are suggested to bring a sleeping bag and their own bed sheets. Volunteers will receive three (3) local meals each day (occasionally, if volunteers are away from their host families during lunch, they may required to pack their own 'to go' lunches). Host families provide meals which are typical of the Ecuadorian diet. While host families do their best to provide vegetarian options, IFRE requests that all volunteers requiring a specific or special diet inform our offices prior to arrival in-country.

For extra-ordinary requests, you are welcome to buy your own food and prepare it yourself. Please do not just use the food in the kitchen for your own use. Your host family is responsible for preparing three meals for you each day. If you have other needs for food outside of these meals, you are able to purchase snacks and meals at local restaurants and grocery stores. You will be sharing the house, kitchen, and bathrooms with the family members. Many houses in Ecuador do not have hot water. You will have the ability to do your laundry in the house or the host family may offer to do it for you.

Once the volunteer program begins, our local staff members maintain contact volunteers. We visit our volunteers every 2 weeks (if possible) and you are always welcome at the local office. We recommend volunteers stop by the office once a week if they are in the local area just to let us know how they are doing with their home stay and project. If your project is very far, then our local staff members maintain communication by either email and/or phone.

Ecuador Volunteer Program Free Time

For the duration of the project, volunteers have their weekends to themselves. There are a number of things to see and things to do during this free time. While IFRE does not arrange activities during this time off, our local staff members/coordinators can provide invaluable assistance in making appropriate arrangements for travel throughout Ecuador . Most volunteers use this time for self-exploration and country-wide travel. Ecuador is one of the most beautiful countries in the world offering numerous opportunities for a truly amazing experience. Please feel free to put the resources offered by our Ecuadorian staff members to use - travel tips, advice and publications about Ecuador .

Major FAQ-Ecuador