Ecuador Free Time Options

Ample time is available on evenings and weekends to enjoy the numerous nearby natural and cultural attractions. Most intriguing is Calderon's home-grown handicraft of Masapan sculpting, which you can watch and buy in small shops around town. Families have been making dough art for generations as a holiday tradition. Now, figurines of all types are sold year-round.

In Quito, volunteers enjoy markets, museums and parks. Teams often venture a couple hours north of the city to visit Otavalo, an Indian village and market, on the weekend. Others choose to see the natural beauty of the cloud forest in Mindo. Global Volunteers strongly discourages volunteers from participating in inherently dangerous activities such as zip lines or cable cars. To the south are opportunities to see llamas, wild horses and beautiful landscapes. For the strong and adventurous, there is the 16,000-foot Cotopaxi Mountain, which offers a challenging, rigorous hike. There are also opportunities for one-day excursions to the equator, which is less than an hour away.

Will Global Volunteers arrange free time options for me?
No. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, Global Volunteers is prohibited from making non-program-related arrangements for you. However, our team leaders and consultants can provide general guidance and advice, including a list of activities explored and enjoyed by previous teams.