2. Variety of Opportunities. There are many volunteer placements available for people of all ages in Ecuador. If you’re hoping to work with children, animals, the elderly, indigenous groups, women, conservation, minorities, medical aid, or travelers, there are countless projects in all regions of Ecuador. It’s possible to support an NGO in a thriving metropolis like Quito, volunteer on a ranch in the countryside, hangout with animals in the Amazon, and teach English on the beach.
3. Accessible Spanish Learning
Spanish in Ecuador is spoken slowly, clearly, and there are few irregularities. If your Spanish isn’t great, starting your stay in Quito is a good way to get used to the language in an environment where a lot of people speak some English. Ecuadorian Spanish does get much faster on the coast, so make sure you’re ready for fewer English speakers and a much faster dialect before you venture to the beach.
Many volunteer positions will provide you with affordable lessons at their office, or you can organize classes independently. Language schools in Ecuador are often friendly little communities where travelers of all ages come to work on their Spanish. Another great way to make friends is to sign up for a homestay through your language school and live with other students in a nearby home. Lessons are highly affordable, usually only several dollars per hour.
4. Affordability
Ecuador is very affordable, provided you stay away from touristy hot-spots like the Galapagos. Public transportation, taxis, and non-American products are all relatively inexpensive, but foreigners are often charged higher rates. Be prepared to ask cabs for the fee before you get in the car, and bargain down the price of clothes and souvenirs. Hanging out with Ecuadorians is another great way to avoid paying more than you should. There are bargain options everywhere too, and even a Poor Man’s Galapagos on the coast where you can find most of the animals the actual Galapagos Islands have.
Volunteering in Ecuador does not have to be expensive. In rural areas, it is possible to find placements at haciendas (hotels or ranches) where volunteering earns room and board or at least makes it much cheaper. Going through a well-structured program will make fees higher but also provide a priceless support system if you’re a first time volunteer.
5. Weekend Travel Destinations
Given Ecuador’s diverse landscape, it’s possible to reach a huge variety of destinations after a few hours on a bus. The Amazon, including the breathtaking Banos; the coast, with quiet fishing villages and louder party beaches; and the Andes, are all within a maximum of ten hours of Quito. Public transportation is remarkably well-organized in major cities, although you might have to ask bus drivers to stop where you want to get off and buses can be crowded. Quito is situated right on the equator, and the Galapagos Islands (or the similar but less expensive Poor Man’s Galapagos) are on the Pacific coast.
6. Culture
A country where at least 80 percent of the inhabitants are Roman Catholic, Ecuador’s culture is relatively conservative. Women (apart from on the beach) should be prepared to wear pants no matter how hot it gets, and you’ll bump into locals who are uncomfortable with the idea of a woman traveling alone. However, there are vibrant festivals like Carnival, salsa dancing lessons, and the Latino top 100, not to mention indigenous markets selling artisan handicrafts.
7. Food
Ecuador has a huge variety of food to offer. Most local people shop at marketplaces rather than the supermarket. Walking through the marketplace is a great opportunity to sample exotic fruits like mangosteen, dragon fruit, and guanabana. Expect a lot of other Latin American food like empanadas and a bakery on almost every corner. Homestay families will probably feed you some variety of rice, salad, and meat, all of which tend to be very fresh.
8. Familiarity
Despite the obvious differences, there is a sense of familiarity in Ecuador that can help you adjust to life there a little faster. The national currency is the American dollar, and if you feel the need for some familiar food or a familiar atmosphere it’s definitely possible to take a bus to a mall and grab a slice from Pizza Hut. There are American movies playing in some theatres and English music can be heard playing from time to time. There is also a huge volunteer community in major cities like Quito, where it will easy to connect with other travelers from around the world. If you’re planning on spending a significant amount of time abroad, having a few reminders of home can truly be a godsend when you’re dealing with culture shock.
9. Adventure
If you’re hoping for adventure travel, there are plenty of low-budget opportunities in Ecuador. Zip-lining or river-rafting in the Amazon, hiking through the Andes, mountain biking down Cotopaxi Volcano or sailing on the coast of the Pacific Ocean are just some of the many activities available to you. Transportation is cheap if you choose public options, and Ecuadorian contacts from your volunteer placement will almost always be willing to recommend a safe, affordable travel company.
10. Great Neighbors: Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru
If you’re planning on traveling before or after your volunteer work, Ecuador is close to other popular countries with some of the most spectacular tourist destinations in the world. The salt flats in Bolivia, Malpelo Island in Colombia, and Machu Picchu in Peru are all very accessible should you choose to travel outside of Ecuador during your time volunteering.