How safe is it to volunteer in Ecuador?
As in many countries, foreigners are perceived as wealthy in Ecuador. Although the people are generally warm and friendly towards foreigners, as well as appreciative of the work done by volunteers, not every individual is the same. We work extremely hard to ensure you are placed in safe environments while volunteering and security policies are in place to achieve this. However, as in any situation at home or abroad, there is no way to erase all potential threats. There is lower risk of crime at the volunteer placements in Ecuador, due to their remote locations. It is still important, however, to be wary of thieves and pick pocketing, especially in cities and crowded areas. You should also avoid extremely remote areas where you will be alone. You should also be aware that there are active volcanoes in Ecuador and minor earthquakes are relatively common. Volunteers will be given further safety advice, including for the case of natural disasters, in their orientation session.
