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F.A.Q.

  1. What sort of volunteer projects do you work with?

    We offer projects in the following areas: agriculture, early child care, special needs care, social work, environmental education, English teaching,animal rescue and welfare, conservation, reforestation, general and traditional medicine, women’s health, community development and cultural tourism.
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  2. What are the costs for volunteering?

    There is a one-time registration fee that we charge to cover our administrative costs. This allows for our volunteer coordinators to arrange everything with your chosen project, provide you with orientation and office support, give you accurate directions to arrive there, and continuously evaluate each project to ensure that it is running well. This fee does not include accommodation, food, or personal transport. Each project offers its own particular accommodation options, and the volunteer pays this directly to the project itself. We will advise you of the accommodation for your chosen project. Transport outside Quito costs around $1 per hour and most projects are withing 4 or 5 hours from Quito. Those going to Galapagos have to pay a national park entry fee of $110.
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  3. How do I apply to volunteer?

    Please contact us through the Contact Form on this website, and indicate your preferences, any relevant experience you hold, your Spanish proficiency, and which projects interest you. The volunteer coordinator will suggest the best project options for you, and will send you a link to our online registration form.
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  4. How long in advance do I need to register with Yanapuma?

    Typical time to register is one to two months beforehand, but we are quite flexible. Keep in mind that some projects are popular and spaces fill up quickly. We cannot guarantee availability of any particular project but we will do our best to make the arrangement for you, or to offer a suitable alternative.
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  5. Are there particular start dates for volunteering projects or can I start whenever I want?

    Most projects do not have particular start dates, though school projects are open only during the academic year (which varies depending on the region of Ecuador). Sometimes there are summer programs run by schools on specific dates during the holidays and these can accept volunteers. All projects operate Monday through Friday, and they prefer (though not required) if volunteers arrive on a Monday or Tuesday to get the week started on the right foot.
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  6. What is the minimum time I have to commit to a project?

    It is recommended to spend at least one month with a project to really be involved and effective. This is the typical minimum time for most projects. There are projects that will accept volunteers for one or two weeks minimum, while others require a two month minimum.
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  7. How well do I need to Speak Spanish?

    The level of Spanish that you will need varies with each project. While some projects can accept volunteers with a minimum level of Spanish, others require at least an intermediate level, especially if these are more specialized placements. To maximize the positive impact of your work and to offer you the best experience, we strongly recommend an intermediate level of Spanish before beginning a project. That said, it is of course an option to improve your Spanish while here in Ecuador. You can take Spanish classes at the Yanapuma Spanish School before the start of your project, as well as throughout your volunteering. We also recommend that you stay with an Ecuadorian host family to increase your immersion in the Spanish language. The projects with the least need for Spanish proficiency are eco / agricultural and animal rescue projects. Other projects require higher levels of Spanish, especially medical projects.
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  8. Can I conduct research or an internship for academic credit while volunteering?

    Yes, we can arrange for you to carry out research or to design your volunteering as an internship. However, it is your responsibility to complete the process required by your accredited institution in order to receive credit. We can help in the process of setting up the placement for research activities. This process may incur a further charge for the work involved in creating an internship or working with you on research methodology and methods in Ecuador. Please discuss this with our volunteer coordinators.
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  9. Is Ecuador dangerous?

    Ecuador is relatively safe comparison with other Latin countries. While petty theft and pickpocketing are the most common occurrences, violent crime is relatively rare. During your orientation in Quito we will give you a safety briefing with tips on how to reduce the risks, and you can also find safety tips and advice on this page. We can store valuables for you in the safe in our office.
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  10. What is the volunteer accommodation like?

    Your accommodation will depend on the chosen volunteer project. Projects in Quito do not provide accommodation, but Yanapuma can arrange for a hostal, apartment, or homestay. Most projects outside of Quito provide accommodation in on-site shared volunteer housing, and the prices vary. Descriptions of accommodations can be found in the online project descriptions.
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  11. What is transport like in Ecuador?

    Public transport in Ecuador is efficient and cost effective. City bus fare is $0.25 and interprovincial bus fare averages to about $1.00 per hour of travel time. Taxis are relatively cheap, costing on average $2-3 per ride; We encourage you to take legally registered taxis. When the coordinator escorts you to the project on the first day, you will take public transport.
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  12. Do you offer Airport pickup?

    Yes, this costs around $20, depending on time of day/night. Alternatively, you are welcome to take transportation on your own. The taxi customer service counter inside the airport can arrange a taxi to the tourist district of Quito for $25-$35, or a regular shuttle bus costs $8 to the city.
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  13. Do I need a Visa to enter and stay in Ecuador?

    Most foreign nationals are allowed to visit Ecuador without a visa for a period of 90 days or less. A 90 day tourist permit is automatically granted upon your arrival in Ecuador, and will be stamped on your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival and you may be asked to show proof of a return flight ticket. Please check the rules applicable to your country before departure. You are no longer permitted to cross the border into Columbia or Peru to come back and receive an additional 90 days; you are permitted one 90 day tourist permit per calendar year. If you want to volunteer for longer than 90 days please contact us about applying for a volunteer visa.
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  14. What is the appropriate dress for volunteering?

    If working on an outdoor project, wear clothes that are comfortable, can get dirty, and will protect you from bugs and the powerful Ecuadorian sun. Shorts and flip flops are normally considered only for beach wear. If working in a school or medical setting, please wear business casual comfortable clothing. Only if you are a licensed medical professional, you are welcome to wear your medical uniform (i.e. scrubs), as this uniform gives you an assumed status with clients. Outside of work, we encourage you to wear urban conservative clothing (jeans, long pants, etc.). Please also consider the climate where you will be volunteering. In the sierra it can be warm during the day and cold at night, and in the Amazon and Pacific coast regions it can be humid and hot during the day.
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  15. What else do I need to bring?

    Click here for a list of things to consider bringing. All these items can be bought in Quito, so there is no need to panic if you do not have everything. Am I at risk for Malaria or other diseases while volunteering in Ecuador? The risk for malaria in Ecuador is very low. Consult your medical provider or travel clinic for more specific advice. Vaccinations such as typhoid and yellow fever are also recommended before traveling into the deep Amazon. Yellow fever vaccine is required for entry into some Latin American countries.
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  16. Am I at risk for Malaria or other diseases while volunteering in Ecuador?

    The risk for malaria in Ecuador is very low. Consult your medical provider or travel clinic for more specific advice. Vaccinations such as typhoid and yellow fever are also recommended before traveling into the deep Amazon. Yellow fever vaccine is required for entry into some Latin American countries.
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  17. Will there be other volunteers working with me at the project I want to volunteer for?

    It is likely that there will be other volunteers at your chosen project, but it is very difficult for us to predict numbers in advance, as the projects we work with receive long term and short term volunteers from other organizations, as well. Some projects usually have other volunteers there, while others may only receive a few volunteers per year.
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  18. Who do I ask if I have additional questions about volunteering?

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