Volunteer with Amazonian wildlife in Ecuador $155 p/week

After staying at Yana Cocha for 6 months I have too many good memories and stories to only pick one! I meet so many great people from all over the world, I learned so much about the place, my self and others, I got to work with so many amazing, cool and interesting animals and I felt like a part of the family at Yana Cocha, I'm longing to go back every day! It's all good memories I always will keep close with me for the rest of my life.
But the best part of my stay have to be the bond you make with some of the animals. To work hard for them and see how happy they get, is the most satisfying thing you will do.
I would recommend everyone I know to go to Ecuador. I was safe even traveling alone, it's easy to travel around for a weekend or longer, it's good food, Ecuadorean people is very nice and you will se so much new and exciting things! It's not much of shopping or sunbathing- but there is a lot of other fun stuff to do! I went a weekend to Baños for paragliding while a volcano exploded right by, AMAZING! I think Ecuador have a little of everything for everyone and Yana Cocha is the best place for a animal lover! They do everything for the animates and no one else. They are the most important priority, and they need volunteers to keep everything going around and to have enough money for feeding and giving the animals the life they deserve!!
I would not think twice about going!

I visited Yana Cocha in 2011 during my gap year and couldn't recommend it enough to other people looking to travel and/or work with amazing animals and people. As a fresh-faced 19 year old travelling for the first time alone I couldn't have been made to feel more welcome or safe. I met some incredible people and had the most amazing time, whether it be working hands-on with so many beautiful animals or being taken out to party with new friends and locals on a Saturday night my entire time there was like a dream. It was definitely a life-changing experience for me in so many different ways!

I only spent two weeks at Yana Cocha due to work restrictions but enjoyed my time immensely nonetheless. Whether it be throwing bananas to the Chorongos on their own island, baking 'monkey cookies' for the animals or harvesting new enrichment for the enclosures, it's all a rewarding experience.
I'd recommend the volunteering program to anyone with a love for animals, travellers or even someone in my position - looking for a break from the 9-5 job.
I'll definitely return to Yana Cocha one day, hopefully the team (including Pheobe, Atahualpa and Benji the dogs) are still there to welcome me back!

I volunteered at Yana Cocha almost 5 years ago. I was there for around six weeks, which is longer than most volunteers, and for the most part it was a great experience. A piece of advice… as cute as she is, don't trust Simona haha!

One of the Chorongos came to the centre while I was volunteering there. His name is Panchito. He and I really bonded in the couple of weeks before I had to leave, but he was my baby and I miss him like crazy! I still get updates from Elliot on him and other animals I significantly bonded with, hoping they'll remember me when I get the change to go back and see them!

I was fresh out of school and decided it was time to do something life changing, so I packed up and hopped on a plane. It was definitely terrifying traveling somewhere alone, but when I arrived I immediately felt welcomed and comfortable. In my time at Yana Cocha I learned a great deal, laughed, explored, partied, and made lifelong friendships. I always felt encouraged to try more and do more. By the time I had to (sadly) say goodbye I had become an entirely different and better person thanks to my time there. I will never forget the beauty and the experience of Yana Cocha.

Before visiting Yana Cocha, I had never been out of the country. The coordinators and other volunteers were so incredibly helpful in teaching me about the country, the animals, and how to further my experience as a traveler. The animals at Yana Cocha were nothing short of amazing, friendly and funny and always always happ (The hardest part of leaving was the dogs). The volunteer cabanas and washroom facilities are great and no one seemed to ever have an issue with them. I would 100% recommended volunteering at this place if you're a first time adventurer, seasoned explorer, or anything in between.

It's been something like four years since I volunteered at YanaCocha and not a day goes by where I don't miss it! I had the most amazing experiences and made several friends for life there. You get to care for and learn about some incredibly interesting and somewhat unique animals; all with a ton of character (I still talk about Bill the Capybara!!) I went for a month and ended up staying for three which proves how much fun it is - I'd recommend YanaCocha to anyone and everyone!