How do I apply to this program?

You can apply to this program by clicking the "Apply Now" button.

How much does this program cost?

This program starts at $370 USD. For full pricing, visit the provider’s website.

How long is this program?

The program runs for 1 to 12 weeks.

Is housing provided for this program?

Yes, the program includes housing. Participants stay in guesthouses or with a host family.

What's included in this program's fee?

The program fee includes accommodation, some activities, airport transfers, and meals.

Where is this program located?

This program is located in Quito, Ecuador.

Community Choice Award Winner

Volunteer

Ecuador Volunteer Programs from $25/day | Most Affordable & Trusted

Hosted by

International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

4.72 (57 reviews)

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Adventure travelers

Solo Travelers

Building your resume

Ecuador Volunteer Programs from $25/day | Most Affordable & Trusted

International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

4.72 · 57 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

Location

Ecuador
- Quito

Length

1 to 12 weeks

Project Types

View Other Details

Program Details

Language

English

Timeframe

Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round

Housing

Guesthouse Host Family

Groups

Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)

Travel Type

Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

$370

Price Details

Fully hosted experience from only $370 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

Last Reviewed: Aug 10, 2026

Wish List

28 travelers are looking at this program

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to help you plan with confidence.

About Program

Ecuador and 50 other locations provide the world's #1 volunteer programs through IVHQ. 160,000+ volunteers choose IVHQ as their provider.

For the past 7 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 $25/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 10 projects, ranging from Teaching, Childcare, NGO Support and more in the charming capital, Quito. 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.

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

Volunteers appreciate the supportive staff, meaningful work with children, and cultural immersion, though some note challenges with language barriers and safety concerns.

AI-generated summary from verified community reviews Read reviews →

Program Highlights

15+ years experience & B Corp certified volunteer travel organization.
Cheapest volunteer programs from $25/day for your accommodation, meals, airport pick-up, project placement & local support.
Affordable way to earn college credit - gain 5 credits for only US$500!
Exclusive tours such as the 'Quilotoa Lagoon Tour' for only $79.
Affordable Spanish lessons available.

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Simply sign up to the IVHQ newsletter and you're in the draw to win $329 FREE IVHQ credit to cover your Registration Fee!

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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

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Program Reviews

4.72 Rating

based on 57 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread Volunteer

5 rating 78.95%
4 rating 17.54%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 3.51%
1 rating 0%

Impact 4.65
Support 4.75
Fun 4.7
Value 4.65
Safety 4.55

Good for Adventure travelers, Solo Travelers, Building your resume

Showing 1 - 8 of 57 reviews

The support and organization of IVHQ was strong and great. Traveling and volunteering with a family of five, with 3 Jr High School kids but was amazing. Very comfortable and things were laid out well, we all felt extremely safe and comfortable the entire experience.

Our host family was very supportive and showed around the neighborhood for food, groceries, parks; where to go, not to go etc.

The entire local team was available 24/7 to answer any questions and genuinely wanted you to have a good experience that flows over to all having the same.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

The most surprising thing for me was the interaction from who we volunteered with me and my family. So welcoming and kind. Once we all got more comfortable on day two, constant laughs and sharing experiences.

Pros

Environment
Immersive
Safety

What other participants should know

Activities

I had an amazing experience with International Volunteer HQ in Ecuador. Everything was well organized from the beginning, and I felt supported throughout the entire program. The local team was welcoming, helpful, and always available when needed. I especially appreciated the opportunity to immerse myself in the local culture, meet wonderful people, and contribute through volunteering. It was an unforgettable experience, and I would definitely recommend IVHQ to anyone looking for a meaningful experience abroad.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

My advice to future volunteers would be to come with an open mind, be flexible, and fully immerse yourself in the local culture. Take the time to connect with the local team, your host family, other volunteers, and the people you meet through your placement. Also, take advantage of your free time to explore Ecuador—there is so much to see and experience!

Pros

Amazing cultural immersion and meaningful volunteering experience
Great opportunities to travel and explore Ecuador

What other participants should know

Some activities and excursions can get expensive

I had the most lovely time in Ecuador! My host team was so welcoming and helpful. They went above and beyond to ensure that I had safe transportation to my add ons and they made sure I was happy with my placement. The volunteer house was a friendly environment and I had no complaints about my housing situation. My volunteer placement helped me give back to others while practicing my Spanish. I recommend this trip for solo travelers and students like me for anyone who wants to truly immerse themself in the South American culture!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Go to the Amazon Rainforest! It was the coolest thing I have ever done.

Pros

Learned more Spanish
Made new friends
Tried new food

What other participants should know

Language barrier
Not safe to walk around alone at night
Long travel days

I had an incredible trip that taught me so much! The local team was incredibly helpful, and they are some of the most genuine people I've ever met. I spent my time assisting a local English teacher in a public school, where the students were eager to learn and so much fun to work with! The housing was comfortable and safe, located near a large mall, restaurants, and bus stations, making it convenient for daily needs. Be sure to take advantage of the afternoons and weekends to explore, as there is so much to see and experience in Ecuador!

This was my first time volunteering with IVHQ. I have to say this was a great first experience. Everything was so organized from beginning to end. I didn’t have to stress about anything while being in Ecuador, the local team was very welcoming and made sure I was taking care of.
I had an amazing time volunteering with kids, with having teachable moments and playing games, lots of laughter. They were so grateful I was there. Exploring Ecuador was fun and safe.The Local team organized a safe transportation for me to explore and I love it!
What I love about IVHQ is that they kept me well informed, and there were step by step instructions for the whole process including virtual meetings with our coordinator. I will definitely continue with this organization for more trips in the future.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?

Riding the TelefériQo was nerve-racking. I’m not someone that’s afraid of heights but I was going really really high up in a cable car! I have to say the view was amazing.

Pros

Exploring the old city
Ate amazing food
Playing with the kids

What made this experience great was the bonding of people who all chose to volunteer their time as I to help a certain amount of people mainly the children in Ecuador realizing that they are not forgotten, but important to the world we all live in.

The people that volunteered in our circle were mainly from the United States and one person was from the United Kingdom. We all really connected with the common goal to help others and we spent lots of time together when we ate, went to the bakery and when we participated in some of the trips that was offered at discounted rates by the local team who were excellent as we all got together for a dinner away from the place we stayed at.

As me as a Teacher in English Foreign Language, I was able to assist the teachers in the school by helping the students who were 8th, 10th and 11th graders in teaching through the lesson plans, going over questions and answers and listening to them pronounce the words correctly altogether so that not one child would feel as if they were the only one that had an issue. It was all a team effort. The teachers were glad to have me and with my humor, the children embraced my presence with laughter and cheers.

IVHQ is an excellent organization that stands for helping the world be a better place to live anywhere and everywhere with opportunities to specialize in areas that you can gain valuable experience in whether helping the children, adults, animals and the preservations safe.Any area that you may choose to travel to, you will not be disappointed with the team you will get yourself involved with.

What was your funniest moment?

When one of soles of my sneakers almost came off completely when walking to school to teach the children.

Pros

Made an impact on children curious to know more about the United States
Children asking me if I liked their country which I .
Living the life as a local in another country making friends

What other participants should know

The water pressure can be different
higher elevation

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

What other participants should know

taxis drive fast
taxis don't know where the volunteer house is located
the water is always cold

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

Volunteer house with loads of good memories

Community Questions

How did you adjust to altitude sickness?

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.

By Isaac Veysey-White on December 13, 2016

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

South America has been on my bucket list for the longest time, and since I've been looking for an NGO support program, this made sense. Plus, I get a chance to polish my rusty Spanish and take lessons at an affordable rate. On a career side note, I have been thinking of pivoting to the NGO world, so this gave me a good opportunity to dip my feet and get some exposure to reality and challenges.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Due to my travel schedule, I left the booking of flight tickets in the good hands of IVHQ and they did a wonderful job - very prompt and painless. As always, they were helpful, responsive and provided all the NGO contacts and information I needed. It was a smooth journey from airport pick up, to meeting my homestay family and getting settled in.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Master some basic Spanish phrases; it goes a long way! It shows your willingness to learn, and that you are invested in your time spent working alongside the NGO staff.

Most NGOs operate with a very small team and limited budget; volunteers have to be self-motivated to contribute their skills and experience to help out any way they can, be it social media outreach, reviewing their financials, translation of documents, writing grants, donor reports, researching funds and foundations, exploring partnerships to ensure sustainable funding for their activities. Utilize your network and contacts back home, contact your university, even start your own fundraising campaign!

If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask. Expect an unstructured environment and keep an open mind. A good starting point is to check with current volunteers (via the Facebook group) about ongoing projects in order to be better prepared.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Volunteers have a group meeting every Tuesday with the program director, where we will share and discuss the various tasks we're working on, any challenges, or advise needed. We do get guidance from the director and have regular check-ins, but generally, volunteers have autonomy over the respective tasks they work on, with regular brainstorming sessions to help the NGO ensure sustainability of their street children programs.

Some volunteers are happy to work on solo tasks; other projects may require a team and take weeks to complete - it all depends on the NGO's needs at the time. Working hours are 9AM - 4:30PM, and volunteers have weekends and Mondays off to travel or explore the city of Quito.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

By now, I am no stranger to overseas volunteering, but I was a little worried about the altitude (2,850m) after hearing my friends' experiences of having appetite loss, nausea, headaches for days. Being sick far from home is no fun, so I obtained some Diamox from my travel doctor just in case. Apart from a mild headache that lasted the first few hours, I was completely fine. It's true what they say - altitude sickness can hit anyone regardless of fitness level; it comes and goes, you can never tell! Drink plenty of water and electrolytes; that definitely helped.

Apart from the volunteer experience, what were some of the best memories you had in Ecuador?

At the end of my six weeks, I fell in love with the historic old town, the cobblestone streets, museums, colonial buildings, and church architecture. It is safe, convenient, easy to navigate and full of culture, good food, and friendly locals.

Quito was founded in the 16th century on the ruins of an Inca city, and being so well-preserved all these years, was in fact the first World Cultural heritage site declared by UNESCO in 1978. It's home to the famous Middle Of The World equator line where you can literally stand in both hemispheres at the same time. Fascinating!

My favorite moments were watching the sweeping volcano landscapes as we drove from lake to lake, getting close to nature and hiking in the rainforest. There is so much to explore in this beautiful country; wish I could have stayed longer!

Corey Van Aken

2018 Alum

Allison Weingarden

2018 Alum

John Wilson

2018 Alum

Jess Ledinsky

2018 Alum

Ashly Pierskalla

Tammy McCreary

Lisa Zychowski

Luca Madden

About International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) brings people together from all walks of life to make a difference on the adventure of a lifetime. We offer the world’s #1 rated and largest range of volunteer programs with 300+ projects across 40+ countries - from teaching and working with children to medical missions, conservation and wildlife volunteering. For...