Community Development Volunteering in Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 155,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back; it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

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 to create food sovereignty, lower the carbon footprint of island life, lower waste from shipping materials, lower 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

Prepare to go on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that encourages you to become an integral part of the ongoing mission to safeguard the unparalleled ecosystems and rare species on the Isabela Island in the Galapagos. This remarkable opportunity promises to be transformative, not only for you but also for the natural world itself, setting the stage for a profound impact that will resonate for many years. At the heart of your internship lies the organization that you will be working for, which is deeply committed to the conservation of the Galapagos Islands. By joining this organization, you are entering into a dynamic network of passionate individuals, including local stakeholders, renowned experts, governmental authorities, and people with a passion for making a positive impact on the Galapagos. Intern's tasks may vary depending on the role and personal preferences, mainly focusing on environmental conservation and wildlife preservation. Contribute to activities designed to nurture and protect the island's unique ecosystems and its rare species, as well as diverse initiatives aimed at the care and protection of Isabela's natural wonders, ensuring that they continue to shine.

At Projects Abroad, we’re passionate about travel with a purpose. Since being founded in 1992, more than 130,000 volunteers have traveled to over 20 destinations around the world. Our programs will make you step out of your comfort zone and engage with your new friends from around the world. These are long-term projects, led by local people and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By taking part in our programs, even for a short time, you will be contributing towards a sustained effort to support the communities that host us! We believe no other provider offers the safety and security to their volunteers and interns that we do. You'll receive 24-hour staff support from our trained staff, alongside a gold standard of safety planning of your trip - so you don't have to worry about a thing. Choose a project you are passionate about from working with children to medical internship, conservation, and wildlife volunteering. We offer projects starting at one week in over 20 stunning destinations across Asia, Africa, Latin America & The Caribbean, South Pacific & Europe. Ready to make a difference? Follow the link to visit our website!

Travel from Ecuador’s Andean highlands to the legendary Galápagos Islands on a summer program designed for middle school students. Live for nine days in a welcoming Kichwa community and join residents in meaningful service—supporting light construction, harvesting crops, and learning local traditions. Then explore the Galápagos’ extraordinary wildlife, from giant tortoises to blue-footed boobies, while hiking, biking, and snorkeling through volcanic landscapes. Build friendships, practice Spanish, and experience two of the world’s most biodiverse regions.

On the Ecuador: Galapagos & Andean Service Adventure program, immerse yourself in a meaningful homestay with local families on mainland Ecuador. Participate in impactful community service and cultural exchange. Work alongside community members, as well as visiting and learning from an indigenous community. Then, explore the biodiverse and historic Galapagos Island. Snorkel with penguins, sea lions, marine iguanas, and colorful tropical fish. Learn about the conservation efforts of a unique ecosystem! Hike one of the largest volcanic craters on earth at Isabella Island. Visit and interact with a giant tortoise breeding center. Traveling to Ecuador is truly the adventure of a lifetime!

Volunteer in Ecuador and discover a country with more biodiversity per square kilometer than any other country in the world: whether it's whale watching on the coast, trekking through the Andes, swimming with giant tortoises on the Galapagos Islands or discovering the diversity of the Amazon rainforest - this country has it all! You are a true animal lover? Work at an animal rescue center and care for injured wildlife. Why not join a project to protect the sea turtles that nest on Ecuador's beautiful beaches? Releasing sea turtles into the ocean is an once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Discover the soul of South America on a 10-week journey through Peru and Ecuador that blends adventure, purpose, and connection. Hike through the Andes, explore the Amazon, and immerse yourself in rich Indigenous cultures and living traditions. This program goes beyond travel; you’ll engage in hands-on sustainability and community projects led by local partners, learning through experience, not from a classroom. Designed for gap year students, alternative study abroad seekers, and values-driven travelers, this journey offers leadership development, guided reflection, and deep cultural exchange. You'll build confidence, develop real-world skills, and gain clarity for your next steps all in a supportive, close-knit group of like-minded peers. Whether you're looking to grow personally, earn credit, build your resume, or simply see the world through a more intentional lens, this is more than a semester off—it’s a transformative step forward. Travel with purpose. Return inspired. Reach Out to Learn More!

Learn, serve, and lead with Bright Light Volunteers in a country of your choice. Our Global Service Learning (GSL) program is designed for passionate middle and high school students, exposing them to various aspects, including cultural and social, of their host community. Participants not only broaden their knowledge but also develop a deeper understanding of local, national, and global issues. They gain insight into the interdependency and interconnectedness of people and communities, becoming equipped to act responsibly and effectively toward a more just and peaceful world. Additionally, they develop a range of skills outside a conventional classroom environment. If you’re interested in joining our movement and becoming a global citizen, get in touch with us today for more information.

Galápagos is one of the foremost ecotourism destinations on the planet. Despite being one of the best-preserved places in the world—with 95% of its pre-human, original biodiversity still intact, pressures from tourism are increasing. We help Galapagueños to continue on their path to sustainable development, wherein both qualities of life are ensured and the unique environment is preserved today and for future generations. We work directly with a local NGO to provide volunteer opportunities around conservation and education efforts designed to protect the area’s still thriving but threatened natural habitats. Program participants are stationed in a community on the south coast of Isabela Island, seven hundred miles off the coast of Ecuador. One of the four inhabited islands of the famous Galápagos, Isabela is the largest and is home to only 4000 people. It boasts breathtaking natural beauty, with beaches stretching for miles along rocky, rugged coastlines and teeming with exotic wildlife. In the last fifteen years, the island's economy has converted from one driven exclusively by its fisheries into one sustained mostly by a nascent ecotourism industry.

ELEP is an experiential learning and training programs provider specializing in high-quality, customized international internships. We also offer rewarding and meaningful volunteer experiences, as well as intensive language courses, to study, learn, or improve your Spanish language skills in Ecuador. Our programs are open to students, recent graduates, and young professionals from around the world. ELEP Volunteer & Internship Programs collaborates with Career Services Centers of international universities to help students with their career goals through training across a well-organized internship or volunteer program. We offer numerous internship placements, covering almost every field of study. Additionally, our team continually seeks new internship opportunities that align with the interests and needs of our participants. Internship lengths vary depending on the field and placement, ranging from a minimum of 4 weeks to a maximum of 24 weeks.