Volunteer in Quito Ecuador!

Free Time

At our Volunteer in Quito Ecuador, you’ll devote about 5 hours each day of the week to your important service work at your project. The rest of the day and every weekend is totally free to explore the exciting destination of Ecuador!

Your location will depend on which project you select.

Quito

Most of our projects in Ecuador are located in Quito, a city known for its sprawling markets and colorful textiles. Located on the slopes of a volcano, Quito has beautiful colonial architecture and a true wealth of cultural activities to pursue. When you join volunteer in Quito Ecuador- Go shopping, sightseeing, visit museums, and experience what life is really like in Ecuador. Quito is also a great jumping off point for adventures trekking out into the Andes or exploring unique nearby destinations.

Galapagos- San Cristobal Island

IFRE offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to join conservation on the famed Galapagos Islands. San Cristobal is the largest and most developed of these islands, and the natural biodiversity that drew Charles Darwin to this place is under threat from human development in the form of an airport and a port bringing in invasive species. You can help protect this natural wonder, and in your time off you can go hiking, surfing, and spend time at pristine beaches that are home to marine iguanas, sea lions, and a host of uniquely adapted birds.

Los Cedros Biological Preserve

At our Ecuador volunteer conservation project, you will be staying on an amazing 17,000 acre preserve. This is a remote and stunning location in the Andes cloud forest, a day’s travel from the city of Quito. If you’d like some items for your own recreation during your free time, you’ll need to bring them with you into the preserve. You’ll spend your time off exploring nature, hiking, observing wildlife, and connecting with your fellow volunteers.

Weekend Exploration

At most of our projects you’ll have the weekends off. This is a great chance to travel and discover other areas of Ecuador to make the most of your time abroad. Here are a few not-to-miss sights you might consider checking out:

León Dormido

This is the site of an imposing and well-known rock formation named for its resemblance to a sleeping lion. You can get there by taking an hour’s boat ride northeast of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno is León Dormido (Kicker Rock). A once-in-a-lifetime sight to behold, you can sail between two rocks and get a closer look at the massive formation.

El Chato Tortoise Reserve

Volunteers in Ecuador shouldn’t miss their chance to view giant tortoises in the wild! El Chato Tortoise Reserve is home to these prehistoric beasts as well as the unique short-eared owl. Take a guided trip to the Galapagos!

MAPRAE

The first of its kind in the world, this museum uses augmented reality to showcase a permanent exhibition of 55 pre-Columbian artifacts. This museum holds together the rich ancient cultures of Ecuador’s Amazon and coastal regions and will give you plenty of insight into the country you are visiting.

Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús

Fans of architecture shouldn’t miss this awe-inspiring structure while volunteering in Ecuador. This famous church is the most ornate building in Old Town Quito, capped by green-and-gold domes.

Other interesting places to visit during your Volunteer in Quito Ecuador:

Visit Volcán Alcedo and experience steaming fumaroles coming out of volcanoes as well as giant tortoises.

Spend time at the Museo Del Banco Central ‘Pumapungo’ and see colorfully animated dioramas and reconstructions

Visit the TelefériQo and board the sky tram to observe the spectacular mountainous landscapes of the Andes.

Explore Casa Museo Guayasamín a wonderful museum that has an outstanding collection of pre-Columbian ceramic, bone and metal pieces for you to observe.

Ecuador has endless opportunities for recreation, so be sure to make the most of your time in this exciting destination while volunteering abroad!

Other Volunteer Programs in Quito Ecuador

There is no end to the ways you can help out in Ecuador. You can

Teach English

work in an orphanage

care for street children

work with conservation in the Galapagos or the Andes, and much more.

Contact IFRE today to find the perfect project for you!