gap year in Ecuador

  • a gap year group relaxes around the fire from volunteering in Ecuador
  • a gap year group relaxes around the fire from volunteering in Ecuador
  • This volunteer on her gap year in Ecuador on a reforestation project
  • a volunteer group washes in the river after a hard day's volunteer work in Ecuador
  • A gap year volunter group rides to their project location in the morning

Global Awareness Programs in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.


Kick off your Gap Year in Ecuador! Create a program for yourself with any combination of Spanish classes, volunteering, adventure and exploration to get the most out of all that this jewel of a country has to offer.

With the snow-capped volcanoes and turquoise crater lakes of the Andes Mountains, the Amazon rainforest with its steamy jungle, the Pacific coast with its quiet beaches and fishing villages, and the unique flora and fauna of the Galapagos Islands, all within just a few hours of each other, there is so much to do and see while you are here!

"My three months in Ecuador were all I expected and more. Thanks to Yanapuma for setting it all up and providing the support that kept my parents calm while I got right off the beaten track."

You can learn Spanish in bustling Quito or in tranquil Cuenca while you volunteer with children in daycare centers, schools, and rehabilitation centers, or with elderly-in-need or clinics and health centers.

You can volunteer in the Amazon rainforest, at the Pacific coast, in the Andean sierra or on the Galapagos Islands in projects that range from working with children and youth, environmental education, reforestation and organic agriculture, conservation, community projects, tourism, and more.

You can explore the Amazon rain forest on a 4-, 5-, or 7-day expedition, climb a volcano, go white-water rafting, or explore the wonders of the Galapagos Islands as part of your trip. Our full-service travel agency - True Ecuador Travel - can arrange everything for you to fit into your volunteering activities.

Click here for more details!

create your own program!

Month Program Activities
1. Volunteer and take Spanish classes in Quito or Cuenca, with weekend excursions and extra activities, and stay with a local host family
2. Volunteer in a project in the Amazon, the Andes, the Pacific coast or the Galapagos Islands
3+ Add an extra month or more of volunteering in any of the above locations
+ Add adventure and exploration weeks, weekend excursions and more!

Yanapuma maintains accords with over 30 grass-roots and community organizations around Ecuador, projects that we have vetted and regularly re-evaluate to ensure that they maintain their high standards of community service and volunteer hosting.

We have worked with international organizations for the past 8 years, offering our services as in-country partners and hosts, and maintaining safety and emergency standards and procedures, to offer a reliable and trustworthy service to individual and groups of volunteers.

Our GAP Ecuador service includes:

  • Airport transfer to accommodation
  • Orientation and safety briefing
  • Full backup and emergency care
  • Excursions and extra activities
  • Accompaniment to volunteer placement
  • Skilled group leaders to manage groups
  • Wide range of volunteer options
  • Spanish classes and courses