The costs of volunteering in Ecuador depend on the project you choose to work on. Some projects are free, while others may ask you for a fee.

Ecotourism and environmental development projects are usually more expensive than social projects in major cities. Make sure to compare organisations that offer similar volunteering opportunities. 

Why are there costs for volunteering?

There are usually costs for volunteering in Latin America. There are several imaginable reasons for this (depending on the type of project):

• The non-profit organisations are making sure that projects are running, and there are some costs involved in this (e.g. rent of an office, giving you the support you need);
• Accommodation, food and other expenses while volunteering;
• Investment in the development of the project. By volunteering on the project, you can make sure that your donation is well spent.

IMPORTANT! Ask where your money goes before signing up for a project. A well organised organisation will be able to give you an answer straight away.