Location
  • Ecuador
    • Quito
    • Galapagos
Length
1 to 12 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Guesthouse Host Family
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
295
Price Details
Fully hosted experience from only $295 for 1 week - this includes accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, orientation and 24/7 in-country support.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Meals
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Apr 30, 2023
Apr 09, 2024
17 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Trusted by 125,000+ volunteers, IVHQ offers the world's #1 rated volunteer programs in Ecuador and 50+ destinations worldwide.

For the past 5 years, we've won the "Top Volunteer Abroad Provider Award" from GoOverseas, so you can trust that you're in the safest hands with IVHQ in Ecuador.

Our affordable projects start from $21/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement and local support. Projects run year-round, with durations from 1-12 weeks. Choose from 18 projects, ranging from Teaching, Environmental Education, Kindergarten, NGO Support and more in the charming capital, Quito, or the picturesque coastal city of Santa Elena. Plus, you’ll stay with other like-minded, impact-focused travelers from around the world (private room options available).

With IVHQ’s superior pre-departure support services, you’ll gain exclusive access to your own Volunteer Travel Specialist, comprehensive preparation tools and volunteer training before you leave home.

Consider your impact: Volunteering abroad can be a rewarding experience for both volunteers and local communities, and at Go Overseas, we believe all volunteers should have the resources to make informed decisions about the type of volunteer project they want to partake in. However, despite best intentions, some organizations offering placements in orphanages may unknowingly place children in danger. You can read about the potential dangers of orphanage volunteering here. Learn more about how International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ is promoting ethical volunteering.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Cheapest volunteer programs from $21/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement & local support.
  • Volunteer for 1-12 weeks, year round start dates most Mondays
  • 15+ years experience & only B Corp certified volunteer travel organization
  • Get free changes up to 14 days before you start with our flexible booking policy
  • Affordable way to earn college credit - gain 5 credits for only US$500!

Popular Programs

Volunteer in Ecuador with IVHQ

Based in Santa Elena, Animal Care volunteers assist veterinarians in a local animal treatment center within an aquarium. Help to treat marine animals while building on your experience or studies in a relevant field.

IVHQ Ecuador

With projects available in both Quito and Santa Elena, Community Development volunteers assist local organizations to do things like run school meal support programs for underprivileged children, maintain community gardens and help with cleaning and renovation projects at schools, community centers and playgrounds.

Volunteer in Ecuador with IVHQ

With placements available in Quito and Santa Elena, volunteers on this project teach English to students ranging from 3-12 years old. Tasks include helping with lesson planning, providing classroom support and working one-on-one with students who require it.

Volunteer in Ecuador with IVHQ

As an Environmental Education volunteer in Santa Elena, you'll help teach local children and adults techniques for conserving the environment and assist with beach clean ups, community upcycling and recycling programs and more.

IVHQ Volunteer in the Galapagos Islands

Looking to volunteer in the Galapagos Islands? Join IVHQ's eco-volunteering program on Isabela Island, offering 6 diverse projects including conservation, agriculture, and teaching. With affordable fees and top-rated projects, IVHQ is a trusted organization for over 126,000 travelers. Apply now!

Program Reviews

4.69 Rating
based on 51 reviews
  • 5 rating 76.47%
  • 4 rating 19.61%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 3.92%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.6
  • Support 4.7
  • Fun 4.7
  • Value 4.6
  • Safety 4.55
Showing 1 - 8 of 51 reviews
Default avatar
liesl
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great local team, great local people in Quito Ecuador

Great local team and local people. From the moment we arrived at the volunteer house, the local team was always helpful and enthusiastic. Even when I got sick and had to go to the hospital, they responded right away, assisted me to the hospital and acted as a translator with the medical team for me. The local people in Ecuador were friendly and always willing to help me with my Spanish translations. The local metro is amazing and a cheap way to get around town fast. The site seeing tours we did, did not disappoint. They were relaxing, with amazing views and fun activities. Just remember to pack some toilet paper, cause not all the bathrooms have some. My only complaint is that the volunteer house is in a local neighborhood and not many taxi drivers knew how to get there so I had to be able to speak Spanish and give them directions to the volunteer house.

What was your funniest moment?
The things that come out of the children's mouths. First day, a child runs up to my blonde haired daughter and says, "Wow you're so white. You're pale just like my mom." Another day a kid asked my 15 year old daughter where her baby was. Apparently it is common for the native girls to start having kids at 15.
Pros
  • Super friendly people
  • Good food
  • They really listen to you
Cons
  • taxis drive fast
  • taxis don't know where the volunteer house is located
  • the water is always cold
2 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jason
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A month in Quito Ecuador

I stayed for four weeks in Quito Ecuador and worked for an NGO in a street children project. Every day I got to visit a street market with social workers and play with the children so that they could have some free and happy time away from work and their family responsibilities. During the weekend, I traveled around and had great fun with other volunteers. It was a very memorable trip.

They offer various volunteer opportunities. You can choose to volunteer in a homeless shelter, teach English in a local school, or volunteer in street markets. They are very well established and well structured. You also have a lot of flexibility as to how much time you want to devote in volunteering. Choose according to your need and communicate your need as always with the helpful staff there.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Come with an open heart, try to enjoy yourselves and don’t get too immersed in making impact as it shouldn’t be the sole reason of travel/ volunteering!
Pros
  • Strong support from local ngo and ivhq
  • Fun activities every day and especially during the weekends
  • Meet new people from all walks of life
12 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rebecca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience!

The staff was very helpful before and during my experience. Very well organized and made sure we were safe. It was a great experience meeting other volunteers and helping the local community. Breakfast and dinner were served everyday. All volunteers at a a group. Everyone was friendly, helpful and supportive to the others. I only did one week which I do regret but next time I will definitely sign up for longer. Many volunteers were taking trips and tours together on their time off. Very good way to make great friends and help people

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Cuy, aka guinea pig
Pros
  • New friends
  • Experience new places
  • Helping this in need
Cons
  • Having to go home after
  • Not enough time and money to do more
  • Nothing else
12 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Annie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience, would do again

I had a great level of support and communication not only with IVHQ but also the local team that I worked with. They were all so nice and friendly and conscientious of wanting the volunteers to have a good experience. IVHQ staff also has a great level of familiarity with their local teams and make trips to see them and get to know them. This was great to keep in mind as I communicated with the staff, they also held meetings so volunteers had a way to ask questions and know what they are getting into. I had a great experience and I had a lot of time and opportunities to get to know the country I was in. Above all, I got to meet so many local people and get to know their lives which was a really valuable experience. The accommodations were lovely and the food was great. I was really happy to have chosen this company.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Ask questions about life in what life is like in whatever country you go to. It’s your chance to make a difference and learn about people you otherwise would never get to meet. It’s incredible to travel and meet new people.
Pros
  • Meeting locals
  • Getting insider tips on travel
  • Trying new food
19 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Bryant
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Quito Volunteer

The opportunity to interact with the students and the school staff made this experience great. After spending time at the school, I left wanting to spend more time there as a volunteer. I look forward to participating again. During an additional opportunity, I would look to extend the time or possibly participate on different projects to learn if one would be better suited or that I would provide greater impact in the respective communities. I would encourage others to join in volunteer service to help support others and create a better world around us.

Pros
  • Meeting the students and staff
  • Assisting where requested
  • Immersion opportunity
Cons
  • Wanted to utilize more time assisting with English
22 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Dana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Five star !

I had an amazing experience with IVHQ when I decided to travel and volunteer abroad. From start to finish, they provided exceptional support and guidance, making it a truly memorable journey.

Their pre-departure assistance was invaluable, helping me prepare for the trip, from visa applications to packing lists. The orientation they offered gave me insights into the local culture, which enhanced my overall experience.

During my time volunteering, I was impressed by the organization’s commitment to the community. They had well-structured projects and dedicated local staff, ensuring that our efforts were meaningful and impactful.

Safety was a top priority as well. Ivhq took care of accommodation, transportation, and had emergency plans in place, which gave me peace of mind throughout my stay.

The connections I made with both fellow volunteers and the local community are something I will cherish forever. This organization truly fosters a sense of global citizenship and provides a platform for personal growth and cultural immersion.

Pros
  • Meeting problem
  • Childcare
  • Seeing a new culture
Cons
  • Busy work
  • Different culture
32 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Meghan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering in Quito, Ecuador

International Volunteer Headquarters is an incredible organization that connects people with community partners all over the world. Thanks to IVHQ, I had an incredibly meaningful and impactful summer in Quito, Ecuador. During my time there, I volunteered with a non-profit organization called Ubeci, whose mission is to provide educational and social opportunities for city children who work in the markets with their parents.Through fun and informative activities, I along with other volunteers helped these kids develop crucial life skills, such as sharing, communication, mathematics, and more. This volunteer placement brought me so much joy and I looked forward to going to the market every week. I am incredibly grateful for this experience, as it has expanded my outlook and enabled me to become apart of an international effort to better the future of our world's youth.

Pros
  • You get better the lives of children who do not have the same access to education as others.
  • You are never alone! You always go with staff members who are fluent in the language and there to assist with any issues.
  • It is super fun! The children are always overjoyed to see volunteers and are eager to play games with you!
Cons
  • The language barrier was a personal difficulty for myself. However, it is a great opportunity to practice and learn the language!
  • Volunteering in certain locations may be a culture shock for some people at first.
  • It can be difficult seeing children put to work at such a young age.
38 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ashley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Holiday Break Opportunity

I felt like there was always support for me whether that was pre-departure, on the ground, or when traveling as well as after. The staff were very helpful and fun and gave useful information. This opportunity allowed me to really gain valuable practice with Spanish, as in this two week program gave me better practice than a 4 month study abroad. And of course the valuable impact made on the community, and for me, the environment. My project was for Environmental Education and I worked with the Marine Park to help endangered sea turtles!

Pros
  • My Spanish is exponentially better.
  • I got experience a coastal/marine ecosystem.
  • I feel more confident as a solo traveler.
Cons
  • A friend of mine got their phone stolen.
  • I got my feet sunburnt and could not volunteer for two days.
60 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Don't overexert yourself. If you do too much too early you'll start to feel sick. But DO be active. Walk about the city with your friends, explore, travel... just make sure to take plenty of breaks as you need to. You will find that slowly but surely you'll begin to acclimate! Also: Drink lots of water! Really, it helps.