Ecuador is renowned as a country with enormous biodiversity and its contrasting landscapes of mountains, jungle and coastline make it an exhilarating career break and gap year destination.
However, recent decades have seen Ecuador’s rich natural environment under threat, as deforestation, agriculture and fishing have destroyed habitats and decimated wildlife. Nowadays only small pockets of native forest remain, making their protection all the more important.
As a volunteer in Ecuador you can help to safeguard the future of wildlife conservation in one of South America’s most inviting countries.
£1,090 (1 month)£120+ (extra weeks)
1 month+
Overview
Overview
Inspire offers conservation volunteer work in Machalilla National Park on Ecuador’s Pacific Coast. The park protects most of the country’s tropical scrub desert and forest, as well as two offshore islands that boast Galapagos birdlife, vibrant coral reefs and marine wildlife that includes sea lions, sea turtles and 11 species of whale.
Machalilla is Ecuador’s only national park and in desperate need of the support of gap year and career break volunteers. Your role can involve hands-on activities such as maintaining nature trails and conducting surveys, or you can act as a park tour guide and help local staff to develop their English.
Volunteers interested in wildlife conservation will find this volunteer project an incredibly rewarding experience, giving you the chance to address pressing environmental issues in South America. To maximise your impact it is important to have some knowledge of Spanish.
Location
Location
Country
Ecuador takes its name from the equator, which it straddles on the Pacific Coast of South America.Despite being one of the continent’s smallest countries, its biodiversity and rich Spanish colonial heritage make it an intriguing setting for voluntary work.
Region
This volunteer work is based in Puerto Lopez in coastal Ecuador. Puerto Lopez’s Pacific coastline is characterised by quaint fishing villages and beautiful beaches, making it a pleasant location to volunteer abroad.
Local attractions
Coastal Ecuador is rich with wildlife and home to Ecuador’s only national park: Machalilla. This protects subtropical and marine ecosystems on the Pacific coast and a visit to Isla de la Plate, or ‘the Poor Man’s Galapagos’ is highly recommended.
Getting there
Career break and gap year volunteers fly into Ecuador’s capital city, Quito. Volunteers are met at the airport and transferred to their project location.
Cost
Cost
This volunteer project lasts a minimum of one month. To give you greatest flexibility in your volunteer experience we give you the option of extending your stay on a week-by-week basis.
Programme Price
1 month = £1,090
Extra weeks = +£120 per week
What’s Included
• Pre-departure briefing
• Twin-share accommodation in local homestay
• Breakfast & dinner at homestay
• Meet at airport and transfer to project
• In-country orientation & 24/7 support
What’s not included:
• International flights
• Visas, vaccinations and travel insurance
• Local transport
• Personal expenses
How to Book
How to Book
You can book this volunteer programme online by clicking on ‘Book Now’. After filling in our online booking form you will be asked to pay a sign-up fee of £150 via PayPal, which will confirm your place on the project. Alternatively you can book your place on the phone, by calling 08000 32 33 50 and speaking to one of our volunteer coordinators.
The £150 sign-up fee is not an additional cost and is taken from your total project cost. Your place is not confirmed until we receive this payment. Payments can be made online via PayPal, by phone or by bank transfer. If you have any queries regarding the booking process please get in touch.
Not ready to book?
If you’re not ready to book, but want to find out more about any of our volunteer opportunities, click on ‘Enquire about this trip’ and submit our online enquiry form, or phone us on 08000 32 33 50. Our volunteer coordinators will be happy to answer any questions you may have and advise you on what project best suits you.
What happens next?
Once we have confirmed your booking we will guide you through the application process and be in regular contact as we help you plan your trip of a lifetime!
(Click the thumbnail to view the full image)
