Santa Lucía has been welcoming volunteers, both groups and individuals, since 2000 and our volunteer programme continues to play a crucial role in enabling the development of our sustainable ecotourism operation and of our conservation and community projects. The hard work, support and enthusiasm of so many volunteers have helped to reinforce for us the value of our cloud forest reserve and the importance of its continued protection.

Our volunteering programme offers you the opportunity to:

• Make a real contribution to conservation and sustainable development
• Experience the tranquillity, beauty and biodiversity of the cloud forest
• Learn about rural Ecuadorian life and the opportunities and challenges of sustainable development
• Build cross-cultural relationships with community members
• Learn or improve your Spanish
• Have a lot of fun!

We currently need your help with the following:

• Organic gardening - the garden supplies the lodge with fresh produce
• Trail maintenance - essential to ensure that the trails don't cause erosion and that they are safe to hike
• Agroforestry - maintaining our organic coffee, sugar cane and bananas and making panela (sugar) and coffee (seasonal) the traditional way
• Treeplanting - mainly the endandered cedro tree
• Orchid Garden - we need help maintaining and enlarging our orchidarium
• Working with children - teaching English, environmental education, and other after-school enrichment programmes. Also working with under-fives

One of the strengths of the volunteer programme is that volunteers live and work alongside members of Santa Lucía and you will gain a real insight into daily life in a rural community. People are always ready for a game of football or you can spend your free time hiking, birding, swimming, visiting waterfalls and enjoying the fiestas and dances in the nearby towns.

The volunteering fee covers your accommodation and all meals and allows us to provide a basic salary for the local people who work alongside you, as well as helping to support our conservation, sustainability and community projects.

Code of Conduct

We enjoy sharing our way of life with visitors and firmly believe that both volunteers and local people can benefit by meeting and learning about each others' lives. You will receive a warm welcome at Santa Lucía and in turn we ask that you are respectful of our community and its norms and culture, which may be different to your own. Volunteers are expected to act in a responsible manner, eg no drugs, and no drunken or overtly sexual behaviour. Please remember that in many ways Ecuador is still a conservative country and act accordingly.

Health and Safety

There is no malaria or other endemic tropical disease in this area , although you should consult with your doctor/travel clinic about recommended vaccinations or preventative medicines, especially if you plan to travel to other areas of Ecuador. The altitude at Santa Lucía is not high enough to induce altitude sickness. Santa Lucía's water supply has been tested and found to be safe to drink. All drinking water is boiled and fruits and salads are washed in food “disinfectant”.

The lodge is fully equipped with first aid kits and fire extinguishers, and the staff has full training in these areas. There is cell phone communication between Santa Lucía lodge and our office in La Delicia, Nanegal. Transport to a nearby hospital can be provided in an emergency.

Volunteers should be in reasonably good physical condition as many hikes and some of the work is physically challenging. By the same token this is an ideal opportunity to become fitter.

Your support as a volunteer really does make a difference. We look forward to hearing from you.

More Resources

For more information:

 Contact Details
 How to get to Santa Lucía
 Packing List for Volunteers