Ecuador
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TestimonialsSection 1: Planning for Ecuador Travel
Q1. What languages do I need to speak to be able to participate in your volunteer Ecuador program?
Q2. When is the best time to participate in your programs?
Q3. When do the programs begin?
Q4. Where can I read about Ecuador?
Q5. What is the Weather like in Ecuador?
Section 2: Traveling and Visa Issues
Q6. What kind of visa do I need? Do I need a work permit?
Q7. How much do I need to pay for a Ecuadorian visa and how do I get one?
Q8. What Airport Should I Fly to?
Section 3: Fees and Money
Q9. How much money should I bring for my personal expenses in Ecuador?
Q10. What Does my payment cover?
Section 4: Living In Ecuador
Q11. What language program is offered in Ecuador, is it Language and Culture or Basic Survival Spanish and how long will it take?
Q12. How much time must I spend in your programs in Ecuador?
Q13. What are the living conditions like in Ecuador?
Q14. What is the food like in Ecuador?
Section 1: Planning for Ecuador Travel
Q1. What languages do I need to speak to be able to participate in your volunteer Ecuador program?
The language of business in Ecuador is Spanish. A few people in the area, your program coordinator or some of the program staff will speak English. Except the nature and reforestation project, medical teams, and the adventure programs so long as the project of interest is reforestation, all Ecuador programs require one week of Spanish study in Ecuador for those fluent in Spanish and two weeks for all others. We offer Spanish study under the Basic Spanish Program .
Q2. When is the best time to participate in your programs?
Ans. Ecuador is a good place to visit any time of the year. Some say that the best time to visit Ecuador is in summer, which runs from June to September.
Q3. When do the programs begin?
Ans. Beginning dates are Second (2nd) and Fourth (4th) Wednesday of each month. Please plan on arriving by 3 PM the day before.
Q4. Where can I read more about Ecuador?
Ans. You can click here to go to the Ecuador Country Profile Page, where you can read more about Ecuador.
Q5. What is the Weather in Ecuador like?
Ans. Ans. The weather in Ecuador varies, but is mostly mild. Ecuador's capital Quito where you are likely to be located enjoys mild days and cool nights almost year-round. In Quito the temperature ranges from a low of 7 degrees C (55 F) to a high of 26 C (78 F) and an average of 15 C (64 F). There are two seasons, wet and dry. Quito's dry season (summer) lasts about 4 months, from the end of June to September. The rainy (winter) season is from October through May. Within season the weather varies - the dry season will have periods of rain, and the wet season will have sufficient sunny days.
Section 2: Traveling and Visa Issues
Q6. What kind of visa do I need? Do I need a work permit?
Citizens of most of EU, USA, Canada, Japan and Australia get a free visa stamp (valid for 90 days) upon arrival in Ecuador so long as your stated purpose of visit is TOURISM. For other nationals, when you arrive at the airport in Quito-Ecuador they will give you a 90 days TOURIST visa (a stamp in your passport) and will pay USD 60 for the visa. If you need to stay longer than 90 days you can either get a long-term visa (must be in advance of arrival), or you can sign up for less than 90 days at the arrival bay then
Anyone who needs to stay longer than 89 days in Ecuador has to renew it for 3 months at a cost of USD 60, irrespective of whether they needed a visa in the first place. If you plan to stay longer than 6 months, you will need to get a visa before arriving in Ecuador. Please contact the Embassy or consulate of Ecuador in your country for more information. Some people choose to sign up for less than 90 days at the airport arrival bay, then apply for extension of stay, from within the country, before the 90 days expire.
Q7. How much do I need to pay for a Ecuadorian visa and how do I get one?
A tourist Visa when required will normally cost USD 60. To find out if you need a visa to enter Ecuador and where to apply for one, please go to http://ecuador.embassyhomepage.com/index.php. Generally, citizens of most of EU, USA, Canada, Japan and Australia don’t need a visa to enter Ecuador. If you need a visa to enter the country it will be a TOURIST visa category 12-IX.
Q.8. What Airport should I fly to?
Ans. You will fly to Quito Mariscal Sucre Airport. The conventional airport name is QUITO International Airport and the Airport Code is UIO.
Section 3: Fees and Money
Q9. How much money should I bring for my personal expenses in Ecuador?
When living with a host family you don't spend money on food because you eat with your Ecuadorian family. Bus ride to work may cost you about USD 0.50 per day. Otherwise, generally $30 a week is more than enough for your other personal needs. If you choose to stay in an apartment or hostel, you will have to pay your food. $300 a month should be sufficient. But the amount of money you spend depends on you and your plans in Ecuador.
Q10. What does my payment cover?
Ans. Please go to the Ecuador Fees page and our terms of service page to find out what the fee does and/or does not cover.
Section 6: Living In Ecuador
Q11. If I take the Ecuador Basic Spanish program, will I need an extra two weeks to participate in other programs?
Ans.No. The program takes one to two weeks but you don’t need extra time to do it. Ecuador Spanish classes take place in the mornings while volunteer/internship work occurs in the afternoons (or vice versa).
Q12. How much time must I spend in your programs in Ecuador?
Ans. You can spend a minimum of 1 week. Some of the projects require more time.
Q13. What are the living conditions like in Ecuador?
Ans. You will live with a Ecuadorian family to experience first hand, life in Ecuador. The families are typical, middle class Ecuadorians. All families selected have running water and electricity. The water won’t always be warm water so it might help to get used to taking cold showers, just in case. If you would rather stay at a Ecuador hostel or hotel that can be arranged, with costs borne independently by you.
Q14. What is the food like in Ecuador?
Ecuadorian food consists of Bread, Coffee, tea or milk, lots of fruits, soup, rice, chicken, fish, beef and beans, etc. When you live with a host family be prepared to eat a lot of the same everyday. Families take good care of the food they prepare for you. Vegetarian foods can be arranged (note this with your application).
For questions of general nature, please go to the International Volunteer Travel general questions page. If you cant find answers to your questions or would like clarification, please Contact Us.