Volunteering at Yanacocha was such a fun experience! I stayed there for two weeks in May 2026. We feed the animals in the mornings and afternoons, and clean the animal enclosures in the mornings. We also work on training and feeding enrichment. It was so rewarding to work with the animals, especially the capybaras, deer, macaws, and ocelots! It was a super hands-on experience and within one week, my friends and I were able to lead the feeding/cleaning/training on our own. Hot showers are available and the accommodations are simple but clean. Be prepared for rain! Couldn’t recommend this volunteer experience more.

Spent 10 days volunteering here at this beautiful place. Working with the animals is so rewarding. It does take a little while to pick it up, as most things go. Food was heavy on the carbs, if you need a diet heavy on protein don’t fret, there are plenty of grocery stores close by with good selection. The amount of other volunteers is pure luck. When I was there I was along side 15 others. But a week before there was only one. To be honest, I was a bit skeptical of volunteering at an animal sanctuary because I had no idea how humane it would be. But rest assured every animal is there for a reason. Whether it be medical, abusive past owners or a crippling injury. So don’t worry, you are contributing to something genuine.

I had an amazing experience in Yanacocha as a volunteer! I stayed 9 nights in a six bedroom house. I had no problems at all and used the communal showers for hot water. All of the animals are in the sanctuary because they cannot return to the wild and are well taken care of. Everyday we preped food, gave meds, cleaned enclosures and watched their behavior. My favorite animal to take care of in Yanacocha was the birds. There is a beautiful variety of birds including macaws and toucans. The staff was friendly and welcoming to all! Volunteering in Yanacocha will be the highlight of my year!

The Volunteer leader Gabby was very kind and supportive throughout my time here. I enjoyed working with the animals, learning about their biology and meeting other vunteers. Accomodation was more than satisfactory and a comfortable place to retire in the evening. I will say that at times the activites and work felt a little confusing and unorganised, but this was an overall lovely experience that I will never forget. I recomend yanacocha dor long term travel as it is a perfect place to experience local life, visit puyo and dedicate yourself to wildlife conservation for a little while.

Volunteering at Yanacocha was such an unforgettable experience. not only was looking after and learning about the animals extremely rewarding, the down time in between tasks was relaxing, as well as all three meals included being nutritious and large. The staff was super helpful and friendly and the community of staff and other volunteers was amazing. The sanctuary itself was super well looked after with all animals there actually needing long-term care, and those which don’t are quickly released (making up for another fun side quest!) wish I stayed longer, would definitely recommend !

I took part at this program with my daughter (14) in July 2019. It was planned for 4 weeks. I paid for the first week 460 € per person and the following weeks 190 € per person. A huge amount of money. All in all it was a terrible experience. I cannot recommend the program at all.
The only nice and cute were the animals. To feed and take care if them is fun. But it is 7 hours per day hard work for nothing. You even sometimes have to carry stones for building and bucks full of water uphills / downhills. The standard of accommodation and food is the lowest level I have ever seen in my live. And the hygienic standards are dangerous. My daughter got seriously sick with fever (41 C) and serious gastroenteritis coming from the dangerous sanitary standards (no water for the toilet for 3 days and no water for the shower for the same time). We had to end the project early, because of the dangerous conditions.
The space for accommodating people are 17 persons at the facility, but now Raul (the coordinator) has 42 people there. Unbelievable

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!