The farms of Isabela Island are working in greenhouses to optimize production year-round in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. The highland town of Tomás de Berlanga is about 10 miles uphill from the coastal part of town, where IOI headquarters, your accommodations, social life, and the beach are located.
Nestled on the side of Volcano Sierra Negra, the highlands are fertile, lush lands with rich volcanic soil - perfect for agriculture! Volunteers will learn local techniques for sustainable tropical agriculture and help create food sovereignty, reduce the carbon footprint of island life, reduce waste from shipping materials, lower the cost to local consumers, increase local income, and increase the nutritional content of the food available in Isabela.
Requirements for this program:
- Some ability to speak and understand Spanish is beneficial
- Genuine passion for the outdoors and conservation of nature
- Physical ability for hands-on construction work and laborious gardening-type jobs outdoors with potential allergens and sun and temperature exposure
- Ability to work independently as well as in a team
- Basic knowledge of non-motorized tools and their safe usage
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Updated Jan 13, 2026
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I was a volunteer for a few weeks at the giant tortoise breeding center on Isabella Island in the Galapagos--in a program that aims promote health populations of tortoises on the islands. I learned a lot and had a great time, and I recommend this experience to others who are looking to do overseas volunteer work for a good cause.
I loved the idea of learning more about organic coffee production. Walter Osorio was a fabulous teacher and a great guy to work for. Yes, it's hard work and the conditions are quite basic but the experience was truly incredible. I've written up the experience in great detail on my blog if you want to take a look. If you're travelling for more than a month, try out the different projects as you will gain such a wide range of experience and meet such different people. It was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy a truly gorgeous part of the world with its breathtaking scenery and big hearted people!
I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it is a great way to have an incredible intercultural experience whilst enjoying the natural beauty of this remote location. A unique and beautiful insight into the way people live in this remote part of the world whilst helping to protect our fragile environment.
The month was a huge experience for me and it has brought me further, personally. During the program, living with the family was great! I will keep all three projects and the people I met in very good memory.
Isabela is a stunning place a real paradise but after a few weeks it can become very repetitive wich is also very expensive. Working with Latin American farmers and the tortoises was an incredible experience.
My study abroad experience with IOI in the Galapagos was more than I could have ever expected. Being there for three months, I felt fully immersed into such a small and loving community. Isabela island became my second home. Each and every single field trip that we participated in lead to a trip of a lifetime. Stumbling upon wild orcas, snorkeling with penguins, hiking up sulfur volcanoes, each trip was something magical. The community of Isabela itself was also the kindest, most welcoming community I have ever witnessed. They are also some of the most environmentally friendly and ocean loving people I have ever met, which shocked me for such a small island. IOI made this special trip even more special for me. With their 100% support and care, they made this trip perfect. Overall, my one piece of advice would be that if you ever get the chance to visit the Galápagos Islands, take it.
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Fee includes food, room and board, permits, Transient visa, local coordination and training at respective facility, local transport, full access to our facilities, etc. — everything with the exception of your airfare, personal expenses, travel insurance, the $20 USD Tourist Transit Card fee to Galapagos (cash at Quito/Guayaquil Airports), and the $15 USD visa-holder Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee (cash at the Baltra/San Cristobal Airports).
We ask our volunteers to arrive on a Monday and depart over the week with a 2-week minimum stay.
In a homestay, you will have breakfast and dinner with the family and lunch will be in one of the participating restaurants via a charting system. In the volunteer house, you are responsible for your breakfast, while lunch and dinner are in one of the participating restaurants. The homestay option is also really nice if you’re interested in full cultural immersion.
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