Do you feel a higher power calling you to scatter good deeds in the world, but volunteer program costs make you hesitate to be philanthropic abroad? Cast your doubts aside with the hottest do-good trend sweeping program headquarters in South America right now: Ecuador volunteer opportunities. For free. Or very few USD.
Maybe you can’t volunteer in Ecuador for free, but some of your moments there will be absolutely priceless.
That’s right—it’s possible to gulp down ceviche in quaint colonial plazas, swing through the Amazonian rainforest, and run through the Andes as you volunteer in Ecuador for free, or close to it. There’s marine life to be cleaned, cultural centers to be preserved, indigenous children to be taken care of, historical sites to be restored, and river dolphins to be saved… and Ecuador is waiting with open arms for eager volunteers like you!
What are the typical costs of volunteer programs in Ecuador?
Ecuador volunteer opportunities vary as much as the country’s landscape, so it’s up to you to put in the time and effort to find the cream-of-the-crop offers. Average program costs run at $400 a week, but this varies significantly depending on the field of work and location the volunteering takes place in. With the right research, you can bump this number down to a fraction of the price.
First thing’s first: life ain’t free anywhere. You’ll always need to eat, have a roof to sleep under, move around, maintain health, and participate in some sort of engaging activity. This doesn’t change in Ecuador: Food, accommodation, transportation, healthcare, and activities are expenses difficult to erase. So, as an Ecuador volunteer, “free” may be unattainable. But it can be done on a budget!
Keep in mind that most money will be spent before the trip: flight tickets, medical checks, potential new gear, any program fees. If you get an all-inclusive program to volunteer in Ecuador, the only dollars you’ll be spending abroad is on occasional snacks and colorful souvenirs.
It helps to research the average cost of living in Ecuador, then add up all the expenses and come up with a budget. Then, actually stick with it when abroad! Unexpected expenses can surprise us always, but it’s good to know how much you can afford every day.
Related: 10 of the Best Volunteer Programs in Ecuador
9 tips for volunteering in Ecuador for cheap
Here’s a big tip: DON’T FORGET YOUR GOOD CAMERA.
1. Stay with locals
One of the biggest ways to cut costs and get the most out of your experience while volunteering in Ecuador is to stay with the locals. Most volunteer programs offer a homestay option.
This is not only the most economic option, as there are usually all sorts of meals/excursions/treats included, but it is also the one that will give you a real snapshot at life in Ecuador. Save the beer pong with US roomies for when you get back home; while abroad, live at the local rhythm, adopt a few honorary siblings, and add a bunch of mamás and papás to your daily vocab.
If you’re not too keen on the host family idea and end up dorm-ing it up, try to stay with local habitants. Not only do you get all the insider tips and practical advice, but your Spanish skills will skyrocket!
2. Look at the whole package
Don’t automatically arrange volunteer programs in Ecuador by their cost; the one with the highest price tag might actually be the cheapest. That’s because you need to check what is included in the volunteer package: accommodation, meals, excursions, language classes, orientation, airport pick-up, extracurricular activities, supplies, cool swag, maybe even flights.
Ecuador is not the most expensive country, so budgeting in weekly groceries or a taxi ride to the beach might not set you back thousands, but it’s always good to know what additional expenses you need to add on top of your program fees.
We recommend checking out the Ecotourism Volunteer and Intern with Galapagos National Park program with Intercultural Outreach Initiative first!
3. Get free money
We know that volunteer opportunities in Ecuador are not always the cheapest self-growth investment, but, luckily, they are a noble deed and many people would love to support you in your mission. Check out relevant scholarships available online or at a university study abroad office. Yes, it’s a lot of nitty-gritty text and a million forms to fill out, but it can pay off big time! Alternatively (or additionally), start a fundraiser at FundMyTravel and let your enthusiasm gain monetary support.
4. Go during low season
Cool wildlife and things to do are in Ecuador year round, so keep your dates flexible to avoid the tourists!
If you have the chance to volunteer in Ecuador during low season, do it. Several volunteer programs in Ecuador offer placements year-round, which lets you not only visit the country when it’s not packed with sweaty tourists and inflated prices, but also snag significantly lower airfare.
Ecuador is a relatively cheap country, so the biggest price tag attached to the volunteer excursion will probably be the airfare; if you can save on this through flexible travel dates, do so!
5. Love the local organizations
While there are numerous advantages to big volunteer organizations (reliability, recognition, official credit, orientation, etc.), there is an indisputable margin of revenue that goes to running the actual organization. GoAbroad makes an effort to promote the most ethical and non-profit organizations out there, but it never hurts to thoroughly read reviews and research credibility.
That being said, there are many local volunteer opportunities in Ecuador that DO need you and that don’t have the money to appear on the first page of Google results. Working directly with these smaller businesses (Planet Drum, Fundación Arte del Mundo, etc.) is either free or for a minimum fee that goes 100% to the project.
True, you might have to figure out your own accommodation and food, but the direct investment does mounds of actual good. If you are already in Ecuador and are looking for a meaningful activity, finding and dealing directly with organizations in need of help is a great option as there aren’t months of paperwork and fees to deal with.
6. Remember the import taxes
Ecuador volunteer opportunities in Ecuador aren’t free, but there are many low cost, high value experiences to have.
After Ecuador’s local currency (the sucre) nosedived in 1999, the country adopted the U.S. dollar to prevent inflation. While it helped stabilize the economy and it does save the hassle of having to convert currencies, the daily price of living did increase a bit.
The high import tax (especially on alcohol) means that the items you’re used to back home—Nutella, Kellog’s, Activia, Garnier—costs over twice as much in the supermarket. How to handle this situation?
One, stuff your suitcase with all the comforts of home before checking it in. Think about what you might need during your stay in Ecuador (for example, English books and good writing pens) and plan ahead. Two, ditch the commercial brands and go stock your kitchen pantry up at the local mercado. Not only is the produce much cheaper, but it’s fresh and delicious!
7. Visit the doctor before you go
Travelers have had enough stomach viruses and nasty mishaps throughout South America to personally vouch that emergency medical or dental care in most latino countries is fast, efficient, and a lot cheaper than back in the States.
However, there are some sicknesses that you definitely want to avoid in the first place: typhoid, meningitis, Tdap, yellow fever, etc. Get up-to-date with your medical shots before crossing any borders, consider travel insurance, and keep in mind high altitude pills if you’re traveling to Quito and aren’t used to living on mountaintops. Who wants to spend money lying in a hospital bed while volunteering in Ecuador?
8. Get a travel card
Get paid to spend money! Investing in a travel credit card is an invaluable move if you plan to be abroad for any period of time. Often, accommodation, flight, and general expenses can be redeemed for cash back or great deals: discounted hotels, upgrades, airport lounges. Getting access to a buffet and shower during a long transcontinental layover is pure magic.
Likewise, getting upgraded to a class with a bunch of freebies eliminates laundry or food costs. If you do need to take out cash, do it once in a big amount to cut down on ATM fees. Then hide it all in your bra or socks before you can stick it under your mattress.
9. When In Rome…
… do as the Romans do. When in Ecuador, do as the Ecuadorians do. Meet the locals, eat their food, follow their customs, join them on their errands, tag along to their favorite weekend vacation spots, dance to their rhythms, and discard the Top 10 Tourist Sights for the real gems of Ecuador.
We can guarantee that this is cheaper, more fun, extremely educational, and the thing that will stand out the most on the return flight home (in addition to the ~feel good vibes~ of the volunteer project, of course!).
Ready to take the next step? Get matched with 5 volunteer programs in Ecuador—for free!
You can volunteer in Ecuador on a budget!
After you volunteer in Ecuador, you’ll look at the world completely differently.
The altruistic adventure of your lifetime doesn’t need to put you back financially. It’s definitely possible to live comfortably (e.g., daily llapingacho and fresh juice) in Ecuador if you do your research and follow the local lifestyle. Who knows? With the money you can save on a daily basis, maybe you will even be able to afford a weekend getaway to the Galapagos Islands.
Whatever money you do spend on volunteering in Ecuador, remember that it will come back tenfold, both to the people you helped and to yourself. If “travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer,” then a meaningful excursion to one of the world’s most scenic countries will leave you feeling like a millionaire.
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