Ecotourism Supporter in Galapagos National Park
Coordinator | Monique
Coordinator | Monique
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Dive into the ‘ecological lore’ of the Galapagos Islands.
Explore a biodiverse environment with endemic species, volcanic islands, and sweeping beaches.
Develop vital work and professional skills while taking on real responsibilities.
Work with the park’s local staff and meet visitors from different nationalities.
Contribute to efforts in protecting an exceptional and incredibly special place.
Work in the national park's communications department. Conduct surveys, generate statistical data, and create databases to help staff make important ecotourism decisions
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+
Role Overview
The Galapagos Islands are world-famous for their conservation efforts. With rising tourism, the Galapagos National Park has an increased role to play in mitigating human impact on local flora and fauna while also fostering tourism and educating visitors to the island. Learn about the balance between ecotourism and conservation, and conduct work that will help the park understand how to better serve tourists while also improving conservation efforts. Most people who visit the Galapagos only do so by boat; come live on the islands to get a better understanding of the local community and their role in conservation and learn about the pressures of local and visiting populations on the ecosystem.
As the ecotourism intern you will work alongside local staff in the communications department at the Galapagos National Park. You will gather information that will help the national park staff make important decisions to improve their ecotourism offerings. Work in our local park office and visit park sites on Isabela Island to conduct interviews and surveys with visitors to the park. Amalgamate data for park staff use to improve ecotourism on the island. This will include:
- Running satisfaction questionnaires at visitor sites.
- Generating statistical data.
- Creating databases based on the surveys you administer.
Requirements:
Intermediate to advanced level of Spanish in order to communicate with fellow workers and visitors.
Ability to communicate and act with care and patience.
Ability to work independently as well as in a team.
Flexible schedule that accounts for the day to day needs of working with a local institution.
Physical ability to work outdoors with potentially high sun, element, and temperature exposure.
Ability to independently collect and register data.
Recommended to bring a laptop for data collection.
Closed-toed shoes recommended, and appropriate clothing to interface with international visitors.
Accommodation
Accommodation is provided by one of our carefully selected host families or in our volunteer housing. In both types of housing, volunteers have their own room, a fan, bed, desk, dresser, and bathroom, as well as warm water and drinking water. In our volunteer housing, breakfast is not included, but you have access to our fully equipped kitchen facilities to cover your needs. Lunch and dinner is provided at your choice of various restaurants in town, which are usually open-air seating with local cuisine. You simply sign for your meal and we’ll pick up the bill at the end of the month.
Our host families have experience with outside culture and international living and provide an amazing immersion experience. All host family houses are nearby the IOI offices and the local schools in the beach town of Puerto Villamil. Homes are fairly simple, clean, and welcoming. You will have breakfast and dinner with your family. Lunch is at the above mentioned restaurants.
We at IOI pair you with your host family, and we are available at any time to help if any issues arrive with the restaurants, your host family, the volunteer site, if you get sick and need to visit the doctor, etc.
Participation Fee
The program fee is necessary to cover your cost of living and logistics. Our overhead is covered by other means so 100% of any funds that exceed your direct cost will go towards the project you participated in.
To book you need to pay a Reservation Deposit.
That deposit WILL BE DEDUCTED from your program fee.
What’s Included
Cost includes food, full room and board, permits, Transient visa, local coordination and training at respective facility, local transport, full access to our facilities, etc.—everything minus personal expenses, travel insurance, and your airfare to Galápagos.
**To safeguard yourself, our host local communities, staff, and other participants, IOI requires all participants to show proof of having received a full dose COVID vaccination.**
Typical day
Schedule
Schedules are based on a 25 hr/week commitment, and can voluntarily be extended to a regular 40hr/work week. Typically Monday-Friday 7:30AM-12:30PM. May be subject to change depending on the tasks at hand.
After breakfast with your homestay family or in our volunteer housing, you will start the morning at 7:30, either starting with surveys in the field or working from the park office on data entry. Work may involve visiting volunteer sites, talking with tourists, collecting surveys, improving survey questions, and compiling data to help make program change decisions.
After work, have lunch in one of the restaurants we partner with - you choose where you want to go, sign in, and at the end of the month, we pick up the tab. Enjoy local cuisine and have some time to explore, adventure, or relax on the beach. Spend the rest of the afternoon playing volleyball, learning to cook local recipes with your host family (if you choose to stay with one), and watching the sunset from the beach.
Free-time activities
On Galapagos you can live a Pacific Island life. This means you can choose between a lot of free time activities including surfing, soccer, beach volleyball, etc.
Water Sports
Swimming
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Climbing
Safari/
Zoo
Zoo
Hiking
Sports
Riding
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (intermediate level)
or Spanish (intermediate level)
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
- Intermediate to advanced level of Spanish in order to communicate with fellow workers and visitors.
- Ability to communicate and act with care and patience.
- Ability to work independently as well as in a team.
- Flexible schedule that accounts for the day to day needs of working with a local institution.
- Physical ability to work outdoors with potentially high sun, element, and temperature exposure.
- Ability to independently collect and register data
- Ability to communicate and act with care and patience.
- Ability to work independently as well as in a team.
- Flexible schedule that accounts for the day to day needs of working with a local institution.
- Physical ability to work outdoors with potentially high sun, element, and temperature exposure.
- Ability to independently collect and register data
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
from
07:30
- 12:30
What's Included
Cost includes food, full room and board, Transient visa, permits, local coordination and training at respective facility, local transport, full access to our facilities, etc.—everything minus personal expenses, travel insurance, and your airfare to Galápagos.
The program fee is necessary to cover your cost of living and logistics.
Our overhead is covered by other means so 100% of any funds
that exceed your direct cost will go towards the project you
participated in.
Accommodation is provided by one of our carefully selected host families or in our volunteer housing. All our rooms have a private Bathroom, warm water, a fan, a bed, and a desk/dresser. Many of the host family housing include A/C.
In our volunteer housing, breakfast is not included, but you have access to our fully equipped kitchen facilities to cover your needs. Lunch and dinner is provided at your choice of various restaurants in town. You simply sign for your meal and we’ll pick up the bill at the end of the month.
Our host families have experience with outside culture and international living and provide an amazing immersion experience. You will have breakfast and dinner with your family. Lunch is at the above mentioned restaurants.
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.
The nearest airport is Baltra Airport (GPS) in Galapagos Islands. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ecuador.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ecuador provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Ecuador you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ecuador.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Arrivals are on Mondays and departures are on Saturdays or Sundays. Project staff will pick you up and drop you off on these days. Please ensure this works with your travel plans.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 12 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$1,700
3 weeks
$2,200
4 weeks
$2,700
5 weeks
$3,200
6 weeks
$3,700
7 weeks
$4,200
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$6,700
Average fees
$704
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
IOI - Empowering Galapagos
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with IOI - Empowering Galapagos during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
Why book with Volunteer World
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application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
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Change your reservation at no extra costs
Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if IOI - Empowering Galapagos cancels your trip
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Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by IOI - Empowering Galapagos.
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Ecotourism Supporter in Galapagos National Park
Work in the national park's communications department. Conduct surveys, generate statistical data, and create databases to help staff make important ecotourism decisions
$704/week
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