Quick Facts
Program code
EC-FS100
Category
Farm Stay, Farm Work, Nature Protection
Country
Ecuador
Location
near Canoa, Troncal del Pacifico, Manabi Region
Program start
Check-in at the project is always on a Monday.
Before heading to the project, there is a mandatory orientation session in Quito. So, please plan for at least 1 night in Quito. The airport pick-up in Quito and the overnight stay(s) in Quito are part of the program.
Minimum duration
2 weeks project + 1 day Quito
Minimum age
17 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 9 7516 9816
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Program details
Welcome to the life's work of Dario from Ecuador and Nicola from New Zealand. In 30 years of work on the Pacific coast of Ecuador, the two have built a 10-hectare organic farm with an eco-tourism project, which is so much more than just that:
Here you will find a unique ecological space in which people do not exploit nature, but observe it very closely and live according to its rules - this approach is called permaculture.
Nicola has been an expert in sustainable agriculture for many years and Dario has previously worked in tourism projects. Together they have created an oasis on the farm that fascinates guests from all over the world and not only includes the locals from the neighboring community, but also creates long-term prospects. They run an environmental school there, where the next generation of this rural area learn everything about sustainable agriculture. This knowledge about sustainable farming and the philosophy of permaculture, which goes far beyond agriculture, brings not only adventurers, families and day tourists to the farm, but also seminar participants, because the well-developed courses are well known and always quickly booked out.
You are in the right place on this eco farm if you can tackle things firmly, are ready to embrace new things, enjoy getting to know other people and are willing to learn from them. While doing agricultural work, you will learn a lot about sustainable planting methods and environmental conservation. In the projects with tourists or the local population you can teach and learn - in any case you get out of your comfort zone and immerse yourself in a completely new reality of life. This experience will shape you in the long term and probably shift one or the other priority.
On the 10 hectares of the property you will find typical local forest, orchards, pastures, alternative energy models, rotation areas for the rearing of large and small animals, holiday homes for tourists, communal accommodation, a large open-air kitchen and cozy hammocks.
The eco-farm offers everything to switch off from hectic everyday life, to get to know a completely new world and to find yourself. As if that weren't enough, the Pacific beach with surf schools and nice bars is only a few kilometers away.
Tasks
During this farm stay you will get to know a wide range of tasks, because the responsibilities are redistributed weekly. Of course, you can indicate preferences if you are particularly interested in a work area.
Ecuador has daylight from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. year round, so the work day starts early. Volunteer work around 7 hours a day. Before breakfast, the plants are watered and, if necessary, fruits are harvested. After this short work routine, the well-deserved breakfast at 7:30 a.m. tastes even better.
The second morning shift is all about farming and planting: sowing, transplanting, composting, weeding and so on. The volunteers work hand in hand with the farm staff and the owner family and are guided by an experienced person in the respective task.
The afternoon work revolves around the various projects: community work, arts / crafts, teaching, gardening, maintenance and construction projects ... there is something for everyone. At 4 p.m. it is over and everyone can enjoy their free time. On some days there are cultural offers or film evenings on the topic of sustainable agriculture for the volunteers.
Volunteers work from Monday to Friday, weekends are off.
Possible tasks on this farm stay in Ecuador can be:
- Participation in sowing, planting, watering, fertilizing the plants
- Helping with weed and pest control
- Helping with the compost production
- Supporting with feeding and caring for the animals
- Participation in the production of honey
- Participation in the harvest
- Supporting maintenance and construction work on buildings
- Assisting with the maintenance of the trails and gardens
- Participation in the creation of new gardens
- Participation in PR and fundraising measures
- Udating social networks
- Art projects
- Collaboration in the environmental school
- English classes for locals
- Tutoring for children in the community
- Attending tourists and day guests
- Other tasks that may arise
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as number of volunteers, season, current needs of the project, as well as self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
During the farm stay in Ecuador, the volunteers live in shared rooms in the cosy volunteer house with shared bathrooms on the farm. Like all buildings on the farm, the Volunteer House is a rustic, but very functional and beautifully designed, airy wooden structure.
The toilets are compost toilets and the water for the shower is heated with solar energy - a warm shower is only available when the sun is shining. Bed linen and towels for daily needs are included in the room, so you don't have to bring them with you. A bath towel for the beach does, however.
The farm stay includes daily breakfast, lunch and dinner - and in this case most of the food comes straight to the table from the farm's garden. You will probably even harvest your lunch yourself one morning. The meal times are adjusted to the working hours on the farm and are therefore very early (lunch at 12:00 noon and dinner at 6:00 p.m.).
For breakfast in Ecuador there is usually bread with eggs or cheese, yogurt or fruit, tea, coffee or cocoa. Lunch is the most important meal and usually consists of a soup and then a main course of meat or fish with rice and salad or vegetables, tortilla or beans. For dinner there is often a smaller version of lunch with tea or herbal infusion.
You are asked to only use biodegradable shampoo and detergent on the farm and therefore bring them with you, as the farm depends on filtered rainwater and its own water treatment. For a small fee you can also have your things washed and buy eco-shampoo on site.
There is internet on the farm that you can use outside of working hours.
Note: In Latin America, especially in remote areas where many of our volunteer projects take place, the cellular or internet connection is not always reliable and fast.
Location
The farm is located about 380 km west of Ecuador's capital Quito near the Pacific coast. Due to the rural location and the road conditions there, the bus journey from Quito to nearby Canoa takes seven to nine hours. So plan enough time for your journey.
The area is a mixture of wooded hills and agricultural land. Here you can immerse yourself in the authentic rural life of Ecuador, where the distances are longer, the clocks tick more slowly and the priorities are completely different than in hectic, modern cities - whether in Europe or South America.
What takes much less long than the journey from Quito is a trip to Canoa beach, because the farm is only a few kilometers in the hinterland of the Pacific coast. So on days off you can unwind on the beach, plunge into the waves or take surfing lessons. At the weekend there is also some nightlife in the bars and salsa clubs.
The nearest town, Bahía de Caraquez, is further south of Canoa on the Pacific, about 37 km from the farm. Bahía de Caraquez is a modern holiday resort popular with tourists from the capital with a very good infrastructure, a beautiful beach and surrounding forests.
There are also a number of walks that can be done upstream from the farm or to Canoa through the mountains (2 routes) or other nearby towns and beaches. Canoa offers paragliding, horse riding on the beach, cycling, surfing lessons. A special feature are the peaceful sunsets and the rich seafood food.
Language skills
Spanish at communication level. For optimal preparation for your volunteer work on the organic farm in Ecuador, we advise you to take a Spanish course before the program starts. This gives you the opportunity to slowly get used to the language, culture and mentality.
You can book your Spanish course in Ecuador directly with us!
Requirements
- Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Ecuador!)
- Minimum age 17 years
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
In addition to the assistance given by our office staff you will be supported by our volunteer coordinator based in Quito.
Depending on the day of arrival in Ecuador, the program includes one to two nights in Quito (including full board).
Before you leave for the project site, you will take part in an orientation meeting with our local team in Quito.
Costs & Services
Our Volunteer Work on the Organic Farm in Ecuador includes:
- Shared room in Volunteer House
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Airport pick-up in Quito and overnight stay in Quito*
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your placement in the volunteer project
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- Orientation upon arrival
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
* The costs for the bus ticket to the project are not included, approx 20 USD.
Costs
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 785 (minimum stay 2 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 165
Note: Full weeks are always charged at the project from Monday to Sunday. Please always add 1 night in Quito for introduction meeting.
Additionally, you can book:
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Farm Stay Guide
Find valuable information about Farm Stay abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
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