eco-hostals outside of quito

Isinlivi is a small village in the Ecuadorian Andes, about 4 hours by bus from Quito. From this small village you can do great hikes in the Quilotoa area. In the village live indigenous people, but also mestiezos (mixture of Indigenous and Spanish people). The whole Quilotoa area is getting more and more popular with tourist who come to the area the enjoy one of the many hikes, visit one of the great indigenous markets, and of course Quilotoa crater lake. In Isinlivi there is a small ecological hostel, called Llullu Llama and this hostel will be the base of your volunteer project. The hostel is managed by a Dutch- Ecuadorian couple, Katrien and Jose Luis. Besides helping in the hostel you can help at the local school, primary and secondary and read books to the children in town and from the surrounding communities. During your time in Isinlivi you will stay in the hostel, or it can be possible that during high season your accommodation will be arranged elsewhere in the village. There are direct busses from Latacunga to Isinlivi. There is not internet in the village, but you can be reached by phone.

What can you do as a volunteer in Isinlivi?
- Helping at the hostel
- Teaching at the local school, primary and secondary
- Reading books to the children of the village
- Starting a garbage recycle project in the village
- Help with guiding hikes of the tourist and give information about the possibilities

Basic information:
Minimum:                    4 weeks
Spanish:                     Reasonable
Working hours:           About 6-8 hours per day, free in the weekends
Traveling time:            About 4 hours from Quito

Alandaluz is a very nice ecologic hosteria located between Puerto Lopez en Montañita, right at the sea. The hosteria is build with bamboo, it has a private and large beach and is surrounded by flower and vegetable gardens as well as a small bamboo forest. The hosteria also manages an area of tropical rainforest called Canta La Piedra which is a wild life sanctuary populated by howling monkeys, ant bears, “yaguarundis” wild cats and other species. As a volunteer you stay at the hosteria and you can choose to work in different areas.

What can you do as a volunteer at Alandaluz?
- maintaining and improving gardens and farming area
- tourist service area
- Bio architecture
- Community work
- Nature reserve Canta La Piedra

Basic information:
Minimum:                    4 weeks
Spanish:                     Reasonable
Working hours:           8 hours per day, one day off a week
Traveling time:            From Quito about 12 hours