Live Life Team
Located in the heart of South America, Ecuador is becoming an increasingly popular destination for gap-year travellers, as, not only does it offer some inspiring culture and scenery, it is also an extremely budget-friendly destination. Ecuador sits on the west coast of the continent and is bordered by Peru and Colombia. There is a population of 14 million, 1 million of whom live in the capital, Quito.
No matter what sort of gap year experience you are looking for, there will be plenty on offer in Ecuador, and it could prove far cheaper than many of the more popular destinations such as Australia or South Africa. For anyone seeking volunteering work, there is a wide range of activities to choose from.
Teaching is a popular choice for many travellers, and will allow you to immerse yourself in a local community as well as have a direct impact on their social development. But one of the more intriguing volunteering placements in Ecuador is the animal conservation schemes that take place in the rainforests. There is a truly exotic array of animals that are looked after by wildlife centres in Ecuador, including such bizarre creatures as woolly monkeys, zongo zongo and a whole host of bird species.
For adventure holidays, Ecuador is sure to fit the bill, and, as well as the stunning rainforest inland, the Galapagos Islands are only a short distance away from the coast. Adding even more diversity are the barren volcanic landscapes that can be found around Quito in the north.
