Country Spotlight: Ecuador

At United Planet, we offer volunteer abroad trips to over 40 countries – but we know it can be difficult to decide where you want to travel. The following article provides some handy information about Ecuador, one of our most popular destinations in Latin America. You can learn about other United Planet destination countries by viewing more of our country spotlights!

If you are thinking of volunteering in Latin America, you won’t be disappointed if you travel to the beautiful country of Ecuador. Located on the Pacific coast of South America, Ecuador boasts incredible biodiversity, a rich history and culture, and genuine, compassionate communities. Ecuador, literally translated to “equator,” contains four geographical regions: la costa (coast), la sierra (mountains), la Amazonía (Amazon basin), and la región insular (islands). La región insular is comprised of the Galápagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean and is home to many of Ecuador’s native species. These islands, famous for playing a key role in the development of the Theory of Evolution, contain many species that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

As one of only 17 megadiverse countries in the world, Ecuador is known for its biodiversity. As a volunteer in Ecuador, you will have the opportunity to witness the flora and fauna firsthand. United Planet Quests to Ecuador feature two optional excursions to either the Galápagos Islands or the Amazon Rainforest, where you can swim with sea lions, observe colonies of Galápagos Penguins, speedboat through the Amazon River Basin, and more! Ecuador is unique in that it was the first country to declare the Rights of Nature, or the right of its ecosystems to exist, and has enacted laws that protect the country’s natural environment. In today’s global climate, it is particularly important to understand the significance of preserving our natural habitat.

While you are in Ecuador, you will also get a chance to sample some unique cuisine. Have you ever tried passionfruit? How about a naranjilla? These local fruits, plus many other delicious options, abound in Ecuador – you might find a new favorite food! If you are volunteering near the Amazon Rainforest, you may get to try yuca, or cassava, a starchy, potato-like vegetable that is a dietary staple in the region. Or maybe you’ll enjoy plantains, a larger, less-sweet cousin of the bananas we are used to eating in the United States. However, make sure to only eat fruits and vegetables that have been cooked or peeled to avoid illness. You may also wish to bring an antibacterial fruit and vegetable wash to be safe.

Your taste buds won’t be the only part of you trying new things. Volunteering in Ecuador is all about stepping out of your comfort zone and immersing yourself in unfamiliar experiences. Says UP volunteer Matthew Price, “Whether it was adapting to the schedule at [my volunteer site] or zip-lining over the rain-forest, I was compelled to live outside of my normal world in the United States. The trip was an exhilarating experience of a lifetime that I would never trade for anything.”

Although 94% of the population of Ecuador speaks Spanish, a number of native languages, including Quechua and Shuar, are also spoken. Likewise, although many of the country’s indigenous peoples have integrated to some extent into the Hispanic culture, there still exist pockets of purely indigenous culture, especially in the isolated Amazon basin.

Ecuador has experienced economic and social reform in recent years, but poverty still pervades the country. Furthermore, Ecuador’s environment is in danger, especially in the Galápagos, and conservation efforts are extremely important to preserve the country’s plethora of species. United Planet offers both short-term and long-term Quests to Ecuador. Below, we highlight two of our short-term volunteer opportunities:

Galápagos Environmental Quest: On this Quest, you will collaborate with the local community to work on organic agricultural projects, help eliminate invasive plant species, and restore native and endemic species in the Galápagos. You may also work on a reforestation and community development project where you can mentor children one day a week. Volunteers live in cabins, sharing common areas with each other and cooking meals for themselves. Enjoy free time after a long day of work back at the farm, telling stories and playing games. On weekends, you can explore the beautiful island!

Speech Therapy Quest: Volunteers are placed with a public institution that works with children with hearing and visual disabilities. Every day, 40 kids between the ages of 3 months and 17 years visit this institution and 12 children live there full-time. You will have the opportunity to assist teachers with daily activities, learn sign language and Braille, and help with speech therapy. The organization also initiates workshops in arts, crafts, and baking. This institution is a beautiful place with lots of space and green areas for children to learn and play. If you are interested in speech therapy or childcare, consider this Quest!

A volunteer trip to Ecuador, whether you travel for one week or one year, has the potential to change your outlook on life. Take it from UP volunteer Sarah McPhillips: “Living and working [in Ecuador] gave me purpose, and I walked away from this experience with so much more understanding and confidence. The people I met – including host family, friends, and students – were all so loving and encouraging that it was impossible to not feel like I had a second home.”

There are plenty more ways you can get involved! If you are interested in volunteering in Ecuador on either a short term or long term Quest, visit our Ecuador homepage to read more about each volunteer project. If you would like to volunteer in another country, check out our volunteer countries map to see where we offer volunteer trips!