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Accommodation in Ecuador

Accommodation in Quito

 

Accommodation in Quito

 
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Volunteer-House
 
The volunteer house is located in the central and lively district of La Mariscal. There are offices and business areas and plenty of nightlife options here. The volunteer house is located opposite the school and is meant for students, as well as volunteers and interns from all over the world. You share a room with another person of the same sex. There are shared bathrooms with hot water, as well as sitting rooms. The fully equipped kitchen can be used for cooking and storing food. WiFi is available. In Mariscal, there are several laundromats, where you can wash and dry clothes.
 
Host Family
 
The host families live in the Mariscal or nearby areas. When selecting the host family, the location of the work site is considered, and whether it can easily be reached. With a host family, volunteers and interns have a private room and share the other rooms - such as living room, kitchen and bathroom - with the family. The cost of staying with a host family in Quito includes three meals a day from Monday to Friday and laundry, once a week. In many host families, wifi is available. A stay with a host family offers the opportunity to acquire, practise and develop Spanish language skills.

Accommodation at the Amazon rainforest und at Puerto Quito

 

Accommodation in the Amazon Rainforest

 
adventurer

adventurer

 
Volunteer-House
 
Volunteer Houses of wood, propped up on stilts, offer dormitory accommodation, surrounded by the Amazonian rainforest. The decor is simple and includes kitchen and a lounge. There are western toilets and showers. The kitchen is equipped with basic utensils such as pots, pans, plates, cups, cutlery, etc. Water is available, electricity is not. In the evenings, a generator is switched on to produce electricity and you can charge your electronics at this time. Otherwise, candles are used, the stock will be maintained in the houses. We recommend you carry a flashlight with you. There is a fire pit for a bon fire and hammocks for you to relax at the end of the day.
 

Accommodation in Puerto Lopez

 

Accommodation in Puerto Lopez

 
mostpopular transparent
Most popular! - This is the preference of most of our participants. You share an apartment with other participants.

adventurer transp
Adventurer - For the simplest and cheapest deals: Dormitory Accommodation
mostpopular

mostpopular

 
Cabanas on stilts
 
For the football project in Puerto Lopez, we offer two bamboo cabanas built on stilts as accommodation amongst other options. You are about 1 block (2 minutes walk) from the main road that runs through the coastal town of Puerto Lopez. To the beach promenade, it is about 3 blocks (about 5 minutes). In the same compound, is the home of Fredy and his wife Raquel - the couple who established the football project - as well as a classroom, where Freddy teaches Spanish and can also be used by volunteers, for instance, to teach English. A total of six people can be accommodated in the cabins. The rooms are set up for double occupancy, but can also be used as a single room, if availability permits. The beds have mosquito nets. Three meals a day are offered, as well as WiFi and laundry once a week. Photos are available in the project description.
adventurer

adventurer

 
Project House of the Sea Turtles Organization
 
The accommodation is part of the organization offering the sea turtle conservation project in Puerto Lopez. The participants live in the house of the project organization in Puerto Lopez, which is located about 100 meters from the beach promenade. The project house is also the Puerto Lopez - Office of the Organization. Its headquarters are in Eucadors capital, Quito. There are two rooms with bunk beds, bathroom and kitchen. There is also a large lounge, which is simultaneously used as a workshop and a terrace. Photos are available in the project description.
 

Football Training in Puerto Lopez

Volunteering
 
With a charitable project in Puerto Lopez, which aims at providing a meaningful leisure time to children and youth, we arrange volunteering placements in the fields of football (soccer) coaching, teaching English, as well as physiotherapy and chiropractice.
 

What is your placement organisation doing?

 
In the coastal town of Puerto Lopez in Ecuador, there is no great variety of things to do for children and teenagers. For this, the Ecuadorian couple Fredy and Raquel founded the Football Project - Los Canarios, which aims to provide a meaningful leisure activity for children and young people, to encourage them in their social skills and develop other skills through additional training opportunities, such as learning English.
 
The children and young people train in three groups in the ages of 9 to 12 (about 20 children), 13 to 16 (about 40 children) and 17-20 years (30 youth). The training sessions are held daily and league games are held mostly on the weekends. The football project is registered as an association. The players have a “players’ card”. In addition to football skills, Fredy and his wife look to offer football as recreational activity for children and adolescents, by which they are motivated and develop themselves, achieve goals, do not leave school and achieve good scores; they also learn social skills and develop confidence in themselves. Social skills are very important for a sense of responsibility and duty, respect, tolerance, honesty and discipline.
 
As part of the football project, some members of the association get the opportunity to go for an exchange year in Canada every year, to further develop their English skills and to gain experience abroad. To qualify, of course, English grades at school must be high, and they should have at least two years of regular membership with the Association.
 

How can you get involved?

 
  • Football (Soccer) coach - endurance and technique, as well as teaching values such as responsibility, tolerance, team spirit and discipline.
  • Female soccer trainers are particularly required, as many parents let their girls play only when thee are female volunteers on site.
  • English lessons for children and adolescents of the football club.
  • Tuition for the members of the association in subjects that are challenging for them.
  • Support the organization with administrative tasks.
  • Volunteers independently prepare their own workshops on relevant issues for children and adolescents and implement or thematically address similar topics in English class; e.g. healthy eating, hygiene, HIV prevention, teenage pregnancy, gender equality, prevention of alcohol and drug use.
  • Volunteers with professional qualification as a physiotherapist or chiropractor are required to treat common injuries, as well as knee and back problems.
 
Volunteers can take Spanish classes on site. Fredy teaches the language at all levels. The teaching is usually on an individual basis and is therefore, adapted to the individual needs of learners. The revenues from language lessons, as well as from your accommodation, contribute a significant amount to the continued existence of the project.
Info Box
General
Location: Puerto Lopez, Ecuador
Availability: All year, Start date flexible
Minimum Duration: 2 Weeks
Maximum Duration: 6 Months
Language Requirements: Basic Spanish
Accommodation:
Single or double room in bamboo hut
Internship
Supervision Possible: No
Qualification Of Supervisor: -
Minimum Qualification Of Intern: -
Further Contribution To Project: -
Volunteering
Volunteering Possible: Yes
Required Qualification For Volunteer: None
Further Contribution To Project: None
Expectations: Initiative, flexibility, openness, team spirit,
Do you have the "right" attitude?
 
Accommodation
 

Accommodation in Puerto Lopez

 
mostpopular transparent
Most popular! - This is the preference of most of our participants. You share an apartment with other participants.

adventurer transp
Adventurer - For the simplest and cheapest deals: Dormitory Accommodation
mostpopular

mostpopular

 
Cabanas on stilts
 
For the football project in Puerto Lopez, we offer two bamboo cabanas built on stilts as accommodation amongst other options. You are about 1 block (2 minutes walk) from the main road that runs through the coastal town of Puerto Lopez. To the beach promenade, it is about 3 blocks (about 5 minutes). In the same compound, is the home of Fredy and his wife Raquel - the couple who established the football project - as well as a classroom, where Freddy teaches Spanish and can also be used by volunteers, for instance, to teach English. A total of six people can be accommodated in the cabins. The rooms are set up for double occupancy, but can also be used as a single room, if availability permits. The beds have mosquito nets. Three meals a day are offered, as well as WiFi and laundry once a week. Photos are available in the project description.
adventurer

adventurer

 
Project House of the Sea Turtles Organization
 
The accommodation is part of the organization offering the sea turtle conservation project in Puerto Lopez. The participants live in the house of the project organization in Puerto Lopez, which is located about 100 meters from the beach promenade. The project house is also the Puerto Lopez - Office of the Organization. Its headquarters are in Eucadors capital, Quito. There are two rooms with bunk beds, bathroom and kitchen. There is also a large lounge, which is simultaneously used as a workshop and a terrace. Photos are available in the project description.
 
 
Rates
 
Convert to USD, GBP, CAD, AUD and other currencies
 
2 Weeks (13 nights) - 790 EUR
Any additional week 230 EUR
 
Please notice: All volunteering options in Ecuador start on a Saturday in Quito or Guayaquil and then you travel to your project by bus on Sunday.
 

The Rates for Volunteering include:

 
  • Accommodation in a shared room starting on Monday (minimum 13 nights; 7 nights per extra week)
  • Meals from Monday to Saturday morning (during the rest of the weekend self-catering at the kitchen of the accommodation is possible)
  • Pickup upon arrival in Quito or Guayaquil on Sunday; one night accommodation (Sunday to Monday) without board in Quito (shared room) or Guayaquil (single room with shared bathroom)
  • Transfer to the bus to your volunteer project the following day in Quito or Guayaquil
  • Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (PDFs, Videos)
  • Preparation Session via Skype, together with further participants
  • Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
  • Donation to your project
  • Emergency telephone contact
  • Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro
 

The Rates DON'T include:

 
  • Travel to and from Ecuador (you book it on your own)
  • Bus ticket from Quito or Guaqaquil to your project location
  • Migration Card (see below)
  • Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
  • Personal Expenses
  • Vaccinations
  • Local Transport (Estimated amounts see below)
  • Arrival outside of regular office hours and public holidays + 25 USD
 

Overview of other costs:

 
  • Migration Card 10 USD
  • If meals are not included: around 100-200 EUR (120 USD)/Month (Estimate)
  • Small local expenses (Internet, Local transport): around 20-40 EUR (30-50 USD)/Month (Estimate)
  • Insurance 20-40 EUR(30-50 USD)/Month

 

How do I pay?

 
Once all your questions have been answered and you confirm that you want to participate, we will email you an invoice. You can pay it via bank transfer, credit card or via Paypal. You will pay a deposit of 200 EUR / 250 USD when the invoice is issued. One months prior to your arrival you will pay the remainder for your Service Package.
 
The payment modalities for rent and possible further costs (e.g. internship supervision fees, as stated in info box of the respective project description) depend on your host country and placement. We will inform you beforehand. In many cases these costs are paid on site, but for some countries and placements they need to be paid partially or fully in advance.
 
 
Extras
 

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

 
 
These projects are suggestions for alternatives that may interest you or those that could be chosen as COMBINATIONS. The combination of projects in different organizations is often possible and usually cheaper than two individual bookings. Please contact us to know more! Check out our other listings in the areas of "World Learner" and "Active Travel" at your travel destination to make your stay even more interesting.
 

Learning Spanish in Ecuador!

 
You can take Spanish lessons in Quito, Ecuador, before your project. There are 20 hours of lessons per week.
 
Group Lessons and Accommodation in a Student House:
 
EUR Quito
1 Week 230
2 Weeks 440
3 Weeks 640
4 Weeks 840


Individual Lessons and Accommodation in a Student House:
 
EUR Quito
1 Week 280
2 Weeks 520
3 Weeks 740
4 Weeks 970
 
Please check "Language Training Required" in the form, with your desired duration (minimum 20 hours for one week).
 

Travel Health Insurance

 
We recommend the following travel insurance that is meant specifically for participants of internships, volunteering, language study, working holiday, and courses abroad. It is available for travelers of all nationalities and usable for all countries, except your home country. You can also add a journey liability insurance.
 
Just click on the link, fill in the form and you will get a confirmation email.
 
 
 
 
Puerto Lopez
 

Puerto Lopez

 
Puerto Lopez is about 4.5 hours by bus from Ecuador's largest city Guayaquill, located on the southwest coast of the country. This coastal town with about 14,000 inhabitants, is a little long in the tooth, but that is what gives it a certain charm. In the immediate vicinity is the National Park Machallila (Parque Nacional Machalilla). The National Park covers 40,000 hectares of beach, coastline, tropical dry and cloud forest and 20,000 hectares of marine area including various islands. A significant feature is the Galapagos Islands like Isla de la Plata (Silver Island). The island is a nesting site for a variety of seabirds such as blue footed booby (the intensity of the blue on their feet provides information about their age), frigatebird, pelicans and several species of gulls. On the one-hour boat ride to the island, one often can watch dolphins, and during the period between mid-June and early October (especially in July and August), humpback whales visit the waters to mate. Sea turtles wander around the Isla de la Plata and also on the mainland coast. Puerto Lopez even has a sandy beach and it is possible to swim in the sea and to enjoy sunsets. The beach village of Montañita, south of Puerto Lopez (about 1000 inhabitants), is considered Ecuador's surfing mecca, attracting numerous visitors. Similarly, one can enjoy the sun and sea at Los Frailes beach in Machalilla National Park (travel time about 30 minutes north of Puerto Lopez). 
 
Getting There
 

Getting To Ecuador

Ecuador
 
Quito (UIO) has an international airport. When flying from Europe, you will have take at least two connecting flights on the way to Ecuador. If your transit airport is in the US, you will have to carry out the ESTA registration prior to departure.
 
You can also fly to the international airport of Guayaquil (GYE) and fly from there, if necessary; take a domestic flight to Quito (between 40 and 60 USD / 31 to 48 EUR) or by bus (about 10 to 12 USD/ 8 to 10 EUR, 8-10 hours). The bus station is right next to the airport.
 
For projects in Puerto Quito and in the Amazon Rainforest (near Puyo), it is best to fly to Quito.
 
From Quito, you travel to Puerto Quito by bus. If you want to spend time in Quito, we can organise that for you.
 
For projects in the Amazon rainforest, you drive from Quito by bus to Puyo. The journey takes about 6 hours and the ticket costs 6-8 USD/ 4-5 EUR. In Puyo, you will be picked up from the bus by a responsible person and the onward journey by jeep is another one hour.
 
For projects in Puerto Lopez, we recommend you fly to Guayaquil. There are buses daily from Guayaquil to the coastal town of Puerto Lopez. The journey takes about 4 1/2 hours. The bus ticket costs about 4-6 USD/ 3-5 EUR. The bus station in Guayaquil is located in close proximity to the airport. There are also direct buses to Puerto Lopez from Quito, but they last more than 12 hours and cost 10-12 USD/ 8-10 EUR.
 
FAQs
 
 
    BOOK NOW OR INQUIRE!
 

Animal Welfare and Care in the Amazon Rainforest

icon pvo2
 
The project in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest is for the rescue of animals from illegal trade, their welfare, their rehabilitation and release in a natural environment. We provide volunteering in the areas of animal care, animal welfare and working with wildlife.
 
This placement is possible as a Remote / Virtual internship from home! Tasks for Remote Interns: You will learn from the project biologists about wildlife rehabilitation in the Amazon rainforest and you will write articles for magazines and websites (also possible in other languages such as French, Japanese, Chinese and others). The internship also includes virtual visits, eg. to wildlife releases. The remote internship is 450 EUR for the first month and 100 EUR additionally for any additional month or part thereof. Just submit the inquiry/order form form and mention "Remote Internship"!
 

What is your placement organisation doing?

 
Located about one hour’s drive away from the Ecuadorian town of Puyo, the 100 hectare area with enclosures is surrounded by the impressive Amazon rainforest. It is the home of, amongst others, several species of monkeys like Titi or Capuchin, peccaries, kinkajous, Tayras, Margays or Tree-ocelots, turtles, parrots and macaws.
 
The project works with the Ecuadorian Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Environment in the fight against illegal trade in animals and animal possession, animal cruelty and illegal hunting of wild animals. Animals that are rescued or confiscated are brought into the project where they get veterinary treatment and conditioning for a release into the wild.
 
Awareness for animal welfare and wildlife is, unfortunately, still not widespread in Ecuador. Being kept captive as a pet often leads to aggressive and/or depressive behavior, resulting in abuse and neglection by their owners. that the owners abuse and neglect animal. Many animals are brought to the project in a neglected and/or injured condition. The bulk, especially the animals of prolonged captivity, have significant behavioral disorders.
 
The project has specialized project biologists from Spain and France who use operant conditioning techniques that aim to get the wild animals to survive in the wild again. As a volunteer or intern, you can learn a lot about this interesting topic, in which very different approaches are contested depending on the species of animal.
 
Unfortunately, release into the wild is not possible in all cases, as some animals have changed too much in captivity are not able to survive in the wild on their own. For such animals, the project pervides a new permanent home at its spacious grounds. The design and enrichment of the living environment is an important topic to support these animals in which the biologists are also experts and will impart this knowledge to you.
 
Other areas of learning for you are dealing with clinical cases, newborns and animal nutrition.
 

How can you get involved?

 
  • Animal care
  • Preparation of food and feeding
  • Observation of behaviors and assisting with wildlife rehabilitation
  • Maintenance of plants
  • Repair and reconstruction of the enclosure
 
Info Box
General
Location: Arajuno, Ecuador
Availability: All year, Start date flexible
Minimum Duration: 2 weeks
Maximum Duration: 3 Months
Language Requirements: Intermediate level of English or Spanish or French
Accommodation:
Beds in Volunteer Houses (shared rooms) at Project Site on full board
Internship
Supervision Possible: Yes
Qualification Of Supervisor: Biologist
Minimum Qualification Of Intern: -
Further Contribution To Project: -
Volunteering
Volunteering Possible: Yes
Required Qualification For Volunteer: None
Further Contribution To Project: None
Expectations:
Do you have the "right" attitude?
 
Accommodation
 

Accommodation in the Amazon Rainforest

 
adventurer

adventurer

 
Volunteer-House
 
Volunteer Houses of wood, propped up on stilts, offer dormitory accommodation, surrounded by the Amazonian rainforest. The decor is simple and includes kitchen and a lounge. There are western toilets and showers. The kitchen is equipped with basic utensils such as pots, pans, plates, cups, cutlery, etc. Water is available, electricity is not. In the evenings, a generator is switched on to produce electricity and you can charge your electronics at this time. Otherwise, candles are used, the stock will be maintained in the houses. We recommend you carry a flashlight with you. There is a fire pit for a bon fire and hammocks for you to relax at the end of the day.
 
 
Rates
 
Convert to USD, GBP, CAD, AUD and other currencies
 
2 Weeks (13 nights) - 790 EUR
Any additional week 230 EUR
 
Please notice: All volunteering options in Ecuador start on a Saturday in Quito or Guayaquil and then you travel to your project by bus on Sunday.
 

The Rates for Volunteering include:

 
  • Accommodation in a shared room starting on Monday (minimum 13 nights; 7 nights per extra week)
  • Meals from Monday to Saturday morning (during the rest of the weekend self-catering at the kitchen of the accommodation is possible)
  • Pickup upon arrival in Quito or Guayaquil on Sunday; one night accommodation (Sunday to Monday) without board in Quito (shared room) or Guayaquil (single room with shared bathroom)
  • Transfer to the bus to your volunteer project the following day in Quito or Guayaquil
  • Access to the World Unite! Online Resource Centre which has Preparation Materials including Intercultural Preparation, compiled particularly for your destination (PDFs, Videos)
  • Preparation Session via Skype, together with further participants
  • Individual Consultation and Preparation prior to your arrival
  • Donation to your project
  • Emergency telephone contact
  • Costs for 10 seedlings of indigenous trees that we plant on the slopes of Kilimanjaro
 

The Rates DON'T include:

 
  • Travel to and from Ecuador (you book it on your own)
  • Bus ticket from Quito or Guaqaquil to your project location
  • Migration Card (see below)
  • Insurance (Travel Health Insurance, Liability Insurance, Travel Cancellation insurance; you book it on your own, we can assist you)
  • Personal Expenses
  • Vaccinations
  • Local Transport (Estimated amounts see below)
  • Arrival outside of regular office hours and public holidays + 25 USD
 

Overview of other costs:

 
  • Migration Card 10 USD
  • If meals are not included: around 100-200 EUR (120 USD)/Month (Estimate)
  • Small local expenses (Internet, Local transport): around 20-40 EUR (30-50 USD)/Month (Estimate)
  • Insurance 20-40 EUR(30-50 USD)/Month

 

How do I pay?

 
Once all your questions have been answered and you confirm that you want to participate, we will email you an invoice. You can pay it via bank transfer, credit card or via Paypal. You will pay a deposit of 200 EUR / 250 USD when the invoice is issued. One months prior to your arrival you will pay the remainder for your Service Package.
 
The payment modalities for rent and possible further costs (e.g. internship supervision fees, as stated in info box of the respective project description) depend on your host country and placement. We will inform you beforehand. In many cases these costs are paid on site, but for some countries and placements they need to be paid partially or fully in advance.
 
 
Extras
 

Other Projects That Might Interest You:

 
 
These projects are suggestions for alternatives that may interest you or those that could be chosen as COMBINATIONS. The combination of projects in different organizations is often possible and usually cheaper than two individual bookings. Please contact us to know more! Check out our other listings in the areas of "World Learner" and "Active Travel" at your travel destination to make your stay even more interesting.
 

Learning Spanish in Ecuador!

 
You can take Spanish lessons in Quito, Ecuador, before your project. There are 20 hours of lessons per week.
 
Group Lessons and Accommodation in a Student House:
 
EUR Quito
1 Week 230
2 Weeks 440
3 Weeks 640
4 Weeks 840


Individual Lessons and Accommodation in a Student House:
 
EUR Quito
1 Week 280
2 Weeks 520
3 Weeks 740
4 Weeks 970
 
Please check "Language Training Required" in the form, with your desired duration (minimum 20 hours for one week).
 

Travel Health Insurance

 
We recommend the following travel insurance that is meant specifically for participants of internships, volunteering, language study, working holiday, and courses abroad. It is available for travelers of all nationalities and usable for all countries, except your home country. You can also add a journey liability insurance.
 
Just click on the link, fill in the form and you will get a confirmation email.
 
 
 
 
Amazon
 

Amazon Rainforest and Puerto Quito

 
In addition to Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, Ecuador is among the Amazon countries. About 42 percent of the area of Ecuador is covered by rainforest. This is only 2 percent of Amazonia. However, despite the small size of Ecuador, the presence of about 20,000 plant species, 1,500 bird species, more than 840 amphibians and reptiles and over 300 species of mammals, places it among the countries with the greatest biodiversity.
 
Unfortunately, Ecuador is also the highest in terms of the destruction of this unique ecosystem. The oil reserves and oil production especially cause considerable damage to nature and man with the mining, logging and deforestation for agricultural use.
 
Our project site, "animal protection project in the Amazon rain forest”, is located near Arajuno, about 1 hour’s drive from the Ecuadorian jungle town of Puyo to the northeast, surrounded by nothing but the breathtaking rainforest. 
 
Puerto Quito is a small town with about 3000 inhabitants, about 140 km north- west of Quito. The area is less than 200 meters high and thus, in the lowlands west of the Ecuadorian Andes. The area is dominated by agriculture and there are also a number of ecotourism offers. The town has developed as people increasingly settled here to take up farming only in the 1960s and 1970s . The agricultural production is mainly cocoa, bananas, various tropical fruits such as papaya, oranges or pineapple and corn.
 
Getting There
 

Getting To Ecuador

Ecuador
 
Quito (UIO) has an international airport. When flying from Europe, you will have take at least two connecting flights on the way to Ecuador. If your transit airport is in the US, you will have to carry out the ESTA registration prior to departure.
 
You can also fly to the international airport of Guayaquil (GYE) and fly from there, if necessary; take a domestic flight to Quito (between 40 and 60 USD / 31 to 48 EUR) or by bus (about 10 to 12 USD/ 8 to 10 EUR, 8-10 hours). The bus station is right next to the airport.
 
For projects in Puerto Quito and in the Amazon Rainforest (near Puyo), it is best to fly to Quito.
 
From Quito, you travel to Puerto Quito by bus. If you want to spend time in Quito, we can organise that for you.
 
For projects in the Amazon rainforest, you drive from Quito by bus to Puyo. The journey takes about 6 hours and the ticket costs 6-8 USD/ 4-5 EUR. In Puyo, you will be picked up from the bus by a responsible person and the onward journey by jeep is another one hour.
 
For projects in Puerto Lopez, we recommend you fly to Guayaquil. There are buses daily from Guayaquil to the coastal town of Puerto Lopez. The journey takes about 4 1/2 hours. The bus ticket costs about 4-6 USD/ 3-5 EUR. The bus station in Guayaquil is located in close proximity to the airport. There are also direct buses to Puerto Lopez from Quito, but they last more than 12 hours and cost 10-12 USD/ 8-10 EUR.
 
FAQs
 
 
    BOOK NOW OR INQUIRE!
 

Marine Turtle Conservation, Puerto Lopez

Volunteering
 
The project is committed to species conservation of sea turtles on the Ecuadorian coast. Volunteering in the field of animal, species and environmental protection, and environmental education is possible here.
 

Project Details

 
Sea turtles spend most of their life in the sea. However, to lay their eggs they leave the oceans. Their nests are very susceptible to damage caused primarily by humans. Coast cultivations, vehicles on the beach, fire, light and waste represent threats. This is why it is important to protect nesting sites and at the same time to collect data, to learn more about the marine life. So far there is little information on the number and frequency of sea turtle nests on the Ecuadorian coast. One research result shows, however, that the Machalilla National Park (Parque Nacional Machalilla) is arguably the most important part of the coast of Ecuador for oviposition for the endangered species of sea turtles (green turtles, leatherback turtles, hawksbill turtles and Olive Ridley sea turtles).

Throughout the breeding season (November to April), the project staff and volunteers patrol the beaches of the National Park, mark and count the nests and eggs, note their position and determine the hatch date. Based on the data, conclusions about the population dynamics and reproductive success can be made.
 
On the coasts of the Machalilla National Parks, sea turtles are also frequently observed in the water. To collect data, the Ministry of Environment allows to capture turtles during snorkeling sessions, to measure and to highlight them and then release them back into the sea. The information is used to analyze their habitats and their occurrence. The study of labeled sea turtles also provides information on growth and development and to determine whether the sea turtles live on the coast or are just passing through.
 
Part of the project is to raise awareness about marine turtle conservation among the inhabitants of the coastal areas. For this, weekly get-togethers for children are organized, where they learn about topics like Marine animals, environmental protection, waste and the consequences of pollution in a fun manner. Tours and activities also take place, where the sea turtles are observed between the anchored fishing boats near the beach or the beach is cleaned. 
 
The 10-member organization in Quito was founded in 2004 and manages projects for marine turtle conservation in the coastal town of Puerto Lopez, where the Machalilla National Parks is located, and in Mompiche on the northern coast of Ecuador. Volunteers mainly work in the projects in Puerto Lopez but also learn about the projects in Mompiche.
 
Possible activities for volunteers at a glance:
 
  • Beach patrols during the day and/or night
  • Surveying and marking of the sea turtles that come ashore
  • Counting the eggs, marking the nests and calculation of hatch date
  • Documentation and evaluation of data
  • Snorkeling courses for the marking and measuring of sea turtles for data recovery
  • Environmental education for children (support the organization in the planning and implementation of excursions, activities and creative learning tasks on the subject of environment, nature and animal welfare)
  • Support for the data collection on other projects; e.g. about Shark meat sale at the local fish market in Puerto Lopez
Info Box
General
Location: Puerto Lopez/Machalilla National Park and Mompiche, Ecuador
Availability: All year, Start date flexible
Minimum Duration: 1 Week
Maximum Duration: 6 Months
Language Requirements: Basic Spanish
Accommodation:
Bed in volunteer house
Internship
Supervision Possible: No
Qualification Of Supervisor: -
Minimum Qualification Of Intern: -
Further Contribution To Project: -
Volunteering
Volunteering Possible: Yes
Required Qualification For Volunteer: None
Further Contribution To Project: None
Expectations:
Do you have the "right" attitude?
 
 
    BOOK NOW OR INQUIRE!
 

World Unite! in Ecuador

Ecuador is located on the northwest coast of the South American continent, nestled between the Pacific Ocean in the west and the neighboring countries Colombia and Peru. Belonging to Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are located about 1,000 kilometers from the mainland, in the Pacific Ocean. We provide details about the Galapagos Islands separately on the website.
 
Ecuador has three main landscapes: The Andean highlands ("La Sierra") ; the highest peak in Ecuador is the Chimborazo volcano at 6310 meters. Located in the Andean region, the Ecuadorian capital Quito, is at an altitude of 2850 meters. East of the Andes of South America is the Amazon rainforest ("El Oriente") and west of the Andes, the coastal area ("La Costa") .
 
As varied as the nature of Ecuador are also its people. The proportion of the indigenous population is very high, which can be due to the dense population under the rule of the Incas. In addition, other than Spaniards, there were other Europeans who emigrated to Ecuador, as was the case, for example, in Argentina. The descendants of indigenous and Europeans are called "mestizos”, and there are 5 to 10 percent Afro-Ecuadorians. The various self- identifications of Ecuadorians produce a fascinating variety of cultures. Even within the same population as that of the Kichwa, which is considered as the largest ethnic group in the country, there are significant cultural differences, which is due to the circumstances of each habitat like the high mountains or the Amazon region. Other indigenous groups are the Huaorani and Shuar of the Amazon region, and the Chachi and Cofan on the Pacific coast.
 
Our main locations are Quito, Puerto Quito, Puerto Lopez and an animal welfare project in the Amazon-Region in Arajuno.
 
Ecuador
 

Locations in Ecuador

Quito

Quito

 

Quito

 
Situated on a high valley of the Andes, Quito, the capital of Ecuador, extends north to south for more than 30 kilometers. Numerous districts nestle up the steep slopes of the surrounding hills and mountains and to the east of the city, down into the valleys, where commuter towns such as Cumbayá have developed. The volcano, Pichincha, with its two peaks at 4680 and 4794 meters above sea level, rises west of the city.
 
Quito can be essentially divided into four areas: the old town and the new center in the core, as well as the North and South City.
 
The historic old town, El Centro is characterized by colonial facades, the presidential palace, picturesque squares, the Cathedral, as well as other numerous churches, chapels, convents and monasteries and narrow streets (some with cobblestones leading steeply once up and down). Wander through the old town, and you will always perceive something new. South of the old town, the hill El Panecillo (small loaf) rises, on which stands the statue of the Virgin Mary. From there, you have a great view over the expanse of the city. 
 
Located to the north from the historical center, is "New Quito”. It is considered the office and business district with many bars, restaurants and nightlife as well as hotels, hostels and B & Bs. This new part of Quito is referred to as Mariscal Sucre or as short Mariscal.
 
The northern part of the city is considered clean and more prosperous; the South has the reputation of being dirty and poor.
 
In Quito, the second largest city in Ecuador to Guayaquil, live about 2.2 million people. They meet a colorful mix of tradition and modernity and strong contrasts between rich and poor.
Amazon Rainforest and Puerto Quito

Amazon Rainforest and Puerto Quito

 

Amazon Rainforest and Puerto Quito

 
In addition to Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, Ecuador is among the Amazon countries. About 42 percent of the area of Ecuador is covered by rainforest. This is only 2 percent of Amazonia. However, despite the small size of Ecuador, the presence of about 20,000 plant species, 1,500 bird species, more than 840 amphibians and reptiles and over 300 species of mammals, places it among the countries with the greatest biodiversity.
 
Unfortunately, Ecuador is also the highest in terms of the destruction of this unique ecosystem. The oil reserves and oil production especially cause considerable damage to nature and man with the mining, logging and deforestation for agricultural use.
 
Our project site, "animal protection project in the Amazon rain forest”, is located near Arajuno, about 1 hour’s drive from the Ecuadorian jungle town of Puyo to the northeast, surrounded by nothing but the breathtaking rainforest. 
 
Puerto Quito is a small town with about 3000 inhabitants, about 140 km north- west of Quito. The area is less than 200 meters high and thus, in the lowlands west of the Ecuadorian Andes. The area is dominated by agriculture and there are also a number of ecotourism offers. The town has developed as people increasingly settled here to take up farming only in the 1960s and 1970s . The agricultural production is mainly cocoa, bananas, various tropical fruits such as papaya, oranges or pineapple and corn.
Puerto Lopez

Puerto Lopez

 

Puerto Lopez

 
Puerto Lopez is about 4.5 hours by bus from Ecuador's largest city Guayaquill, located on the southwest coast of the country. This coastal town with about 14,000 inhabitants, is a little long in the tooth, but that is what gives it a certain charm. In the immediate vicinity is the National Park Machallila (Parque Nacional Machalilla). The National Park covers 40,000 hectares of beach, coastline, tropical dry and cloud forest and 20,000 hectares of marine area including various islands. A significant feature is the Galapagos Islands like Isla de la Plata (Silver Island). The island is a nesting site for a variety of seabirds such as blue footed booby (the intensity of the blue on their feet provides information about their age), frigatebird, pelicans and several species of gulls. On the one-hour boat ride to the island, one often can watch dolphins, and during the period between mid-June and early October (especially in July and August), humpback whales visit the waters to mate. Sea turtles wander around the Isla de la Plata and also on the mainland coast. Puerto Lopez even has a sandy beach and it is possible to swim in the sea and to enjoy sunsets. The beach village of Montañita, south of Puerto Lopez (about 1000 inhabitants), is considered Ecuador's surfing mecca, attracting numerous visitors. Similarly, one can enjoy the sun and sea at Los Frailes beach in Machalilla National Park (travel time about 30 minutes north of Puerto Lopez). 
 

Activities in Ecuador

Internships & Volunteering

In Quito internships can be done in the fields of business administration, marketing, finance, project management, communication, web design, environmental engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering and electrical power engineering, as well as in sustainable tourism development, tourism, hotel and restaurant industry. In addition, volunteering in the areas of child care, education and teaching are possible.
 
Animal Welfare and Sports projects are possible in Puerto Lopez and at the Amazon Rainforest near Puyo.
 
 You can find the various internships and volunteering opportunities in Ecuador in the main menu on top of this page or using the Activity Finder.
 

World Learner

Language Training in Spanish is possible in three areas in the mainland of Ecuador: Quito, Puerto Quito, Puerto Lopez and also at Galapagos.
 
You can find various World Learner options in Ecuador in the main menu on top of this page or using our Activity Finder.

Discover The Country

Mitad del Mundo
The country Ecuador owes its name to its location directly on the equator. The equator monument, La Mitad del Mundo, is at the place where Charles Marie de La Condamine in 1736, could prove based on his measurement, that the equator actually runs here, and is about 22 km north of the capital, Quito. Today, we know that Charles Marie has measured about 240 meters away, but the popularity of La Mitad del Mundo amongst visitors remains.
 
Otavalo
The small town of Otavalo (about 2 hours by bus, located north of Quito) is one of the strongholds of the Kichwa Andean culture, and hence is home to several handicrafts. Here, the daily market in the central square has centuries of tradition. On Saturdays, the stalls extend also to the surrounding streets. You can easily browse here all day, and marvel at the many choices of fabrics, knits and leather goods, paintings, jewelry and other items.
 
Reserva Cuyabeno
The Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve is located in the northeast of Ecuador and is part of the Amazon. During a multi-day tour, you can admire the variety of flora and fauna of the rainforest here. You will find various monkey and bird species, anacondas, other snakes, spiders and other critters in all sorts of sizes and colors, caimans and pink river dolphins. The protected area is home to various indigenous groups; whom you can visit during the tour and get to know their ways of life.
 
Outdoor Activities in the Andes
The opportunities to enjoy the fascinating Andean landscape are numerous in Ecuador. Cotopaxi National Park can be visited from the Ecuadorian capital of Quito, or you can choose the small town of Latacunga as a starting point. Within the national park, there are several hiking routes, where, for example, you can observe wild horses. Those who can manage high altitudes, can go up to the edge of the glacier at about 5000 m (16404 ft). Also, it is possible to reach the summit at 5897 meters (19347 ft) of altitude. The highest peak in Ecuador is the Chimborazo at 6310 m (20702ft), which one can also climb. And then there are the volcano Cayambe, whose snowy peaks are the highest point in the world, through which runs the equator, the Imbabura Volcano, Volcano Cotocachi, Volcano Iliniza, and so on. Who would not want to climb so high to the Quilotoa Loop or at least a part of it?! The ring road which starts and ends in Latacunga leads through various Kichwa Andean villages. The scenic highlight is the Quilotoa Lagoon with its intense turquoise-blue water.
 
Sun, Beach and Sea
With a coastline of 2237 kilometers, Ecuador gives you quite a wide range of choice as to which coastal town you want to visit. In the north coast, it attracts visitors especially to Canoa; Mompiche is a small town of about 6100 inhabitants, with a 7 km long beach. On the southern coast, the beach Los Frailes attracts visitors mainly in June to October, when Buck whales can be observed; as do the Machalilla National Park and Puerto Lopez. Further south, is the beach village of Montañita, which is known as the Mecca of surfing.
Esmeraldas and the Afro-Ecuadorian Culture
 
Quito
Quito has a lot to offer: a historic old town, which is considered as a Unesco World Heritage Site, the modern district of La Mariscal with numerous shopping facilities, a large city park, where you can play typical games like Ecuavoley (Ecuadorian form of volleyball) or pelota Nacional (a kind of oversized tennis Meet), shopping malls, smaller markets and many street vendors, great views of El Panecillo, the hill that separates the old city from the southern part of the city and on which there is a statue of the Virgin Mary enthroned, or take a ride on the cable car to an altitude of 4100 m to the volcano Pichincha, and also plenty of cultural activities like music or dance. 
 
Guayaquill
Guayaquill, with 2.6 million inhabitants, is the largest city in Ecuador and is located in the southwest. Guayaquill is the economic center and also a lively city. The city center is characterized by a series of high-rise buildings and the waterfront, the Malecón, with restaurants, entertainment facilities and green spaces. At the end of the promenade, there is the hill of Santa Ana, whose peak is reached via steep stairs leading through a variety of multi-colored houses. In the district of Las Peñas, at the foot of Santa Ana, Guayaquill has its historical origins.  
If your budget does not allow a trip to the Galápagos Islands, you should visit Guayaquill's Cathedral Square, "el parque pay semenario" or "el parque de los iguanas". Countless iguanas lazily hang from the trees and wait for the next lettuce leaf, which may be fed to them.
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