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The Galapagos Islands, a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, belong to Ecuador. This unique group consists of 13 main islands, 6 minor islands, and numerous islets.
The Galapagos hold a special place in the world. These islands are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned as a living laboratory for unique animal species found nowhere else on Earth. The surrounding marine reserve boasts incredible biodiversity, making it one of the world’s top destinations for snorkeling and diving. Imagine encountering whales, stingrays, sea lions, and even hammerhead and whale sharks during your underwater exploration!
While tourism is essential for the islands’ economy, it can also impact local communities and conservation efforts. Many rural areas struggle due to tourism’s economic and social effects. Here’s your chance to make a difference! By volunteering on these incredible islands, you can contribute to conservation projects while experiencing the magic of the Galapagos firsthand.
Despite straddling the equator, the Galapagos climate is surprisingly mild. Marine currents create diverse microclimates, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 28°C (59°F to 82°F). The hottest and wettest season occurs between December and June.
The official UTC/GMT zone difference for the Galapagos is UTC/GMT -6. For mainland Ecuador (Quito, Guayaquil, etc) it is UTC/GMT -5.
Volunteers on this program will use the American dollar, with 1 dollar equating to 0.79 euros.
Programs are located in the Galapagos Islands
The stay begins as soon as the volunteer is picked up at the destination.
The meals included in the project/destination will be provided at the accommodation. Meals will not be included during journeys to the destination, excursions undertaken by volunteers, etc.
It is important to adhere to the specified pick-up times for each destination/project. Volunteers who arrive outside of this designated window may incur an additional cost, which may vary depending on the destination.
Volunteers should arrive at San Cristobal Airport (IATA code: SCY, ICAO code: SEST) on San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos Islands. The airport is located west of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Ecuador.
As you might expect, Ecuador’s influence in the Galapagos Islands is huge, with this also extending to its cuisine. During the volunteer program, the participant will sample typical dishes such as ‘encebollado’ which have fish as a main ingredient.
There are two airports in the Galapagos Islands, which are unquestionably the best way of getting in and out of the archipelago. Once there, visitors can get from one island to another by boat. There are regular lines which are reasonably priced. Using this method of transport, it is easy to visit each of the main islands.
Volunteers will get from the volunteer house to the project site by bus or taxi. This will cost roughly 30 dollars per week.
The Galapagos Islands were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, and later received status as a Biosphere Reserve. Tourism is therefore the region’s main source of income, welcoming more than 200 thousand visitors every year. This is therefore a unique opportunity for the volunteer. In fact, many of our volunteers choose to stay in the Galapagos Islands following the conclusion of the program, making the most of the opportunity to enjoy the archipelago. Just like the thousands of tourists who visit these islands, many volunteers stay for a while in order to enjoy the archipelago’s beautiful natural landscapes and to learn about its protected flora and fauna.
In the Galapagos Islands there is a high level of volcanic activity. In fact, this is the archipelago with the second highest level of volcanic activity, exceeded only by Hawaii. As such, it finds itself in a process of continuous change.
The objective of the project is to train young people to be social leaders. The volunteers live in a multicultural environment, work as a team to develop tasks or institutional projects, accompany the beneficiaries in their daily lives or through workshops, and collaborate with the needs of the centers and homes.
Social Inclusion of children, young people and grandparents in situations of social risk.
Attention to centers and homes for the protection and restitution of rights of socially vulnerable children, adolescents and older adults.
The volunteers committed to the project will work alongside the community, involving various actors in society and enabling the full fulfillment of the rights of all people.
Since the Galapagos Islands are one of Ecuador’s primary tourist attractions, the main focus of this project is to enhance the English proficiency of future generations. This will not only bolster their language skills but also facilitate effective communication with tourists. Given that tourism is the primary source of income for the local population, this initiative is designed to empower the locals to benefit from the burgeoning tourism industry on the islands. Volunteers will collaborate with local school teachers, providing education, guidance, and training to primary and secondary school children using various methods. Unfortunately, the teachers delivering these classes often have a limited command of the English language. Consequently, the children also struggle with English. Therefore, the work that volunteers undertake at these schools holds great significance. What better place to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of young children than the Galapagos Islands, surrounded by pristine beaches and exotic endangered species?
Important: The English teaching volunteer program entails a minimum stay of 2 weeks and a maximum stay of 7 weeks.
The Galapagos Islands have achieved global renown for their unique endemic flora and fauna, both marine and terrestrial. This international attention has attracted a surge of visitors and job seekers, leading to rapid population growth.
This growth in both tourism and population has severely impacted the islands, putting immense pressure on natural resources, from agriculture to fisheries. Additionally, the demand for infrastructure, goods, and services has led to air, soil, and freshwater pollution, as well as public health concerns.
In response to these challenges, our volunteer program focuses on supporting the development of sustainable community practices to ensure the preservation of this natural paradise.
Activities
The type of accommodation will be in the volunteer house located on the upper part of the island, a 12-minute walk from Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. The house is equipped with beds and bunk beds, complete with pillows, sheets, and blankets. Cleaning is required every two days and is shared between a family member and the volunteers. Your cooperation is appreciated in keeping everything in perfect condition.
Electricity is a precious resource on the islands, and we kindly request volunteers to practice energy conservation. There is an outdoor laundry area without washing machines. Volunteers can use a washboard or head to the port to find tourist laundry services.
Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are included during the volunteer’s participation period and are based on traditional coastal dishes such as seafood, fish, plantains, and rice. Vegetarians are welcome to apply for the project, but we recommend bringing your own ingredients and preparing your own meals as the provided meals are heavily seafood-based.
Fresh drinking water is always available at the volunteer house. However, if you plan to prepare your own meals, we suggest boiling the water for safety. Please bring reusable water bottles for personal consumption. Wi-Fi access is available near the volunteer house.
The total cost of the volunteer program is divided into 2 parts. The registration fee, which is paid to book your placement in the program, amounts to 210 EUR (approx. 225 USD). The program fee can be paid later.
First week: 499 USD / 499 EUR
Additional week: 449 USD / 499 EUR
If your currency is not specified in the table, you can convert your costs here.
***The costs that are given in euros are estimates, owing to constant fluctuations in conversion rates.
Visa, flights, travel insurance (obligatory), vaccinations, return to the airport, and other expenses.
(***volunteers in the Galapagos Islands will generally find that €36 (approx. 50 USD) is enough to cover basic weekly expenses).
