Volunteer Locations: Quito

Quito is set in a long, shallow valley at an elevation of 2,850 m. above sea level surrounded by green Andes peaks and it is the second highest capital in the world.
It is the capital city of Ecuador and is one of the most beautiful cities in South America. Quito's weather is spring-like year-round.

Quito is a great place to volunteer, it has some of the best sightseeing and plenty of places to escape the touristic crowd. Quiteños tend to be relaxed, friendly and eager to help or make friends.

In Quito, Travel to Teach works with 35 schools. Apart from teaching English, volunteers can collaborate with the local teachers teaching math, sports, music, art, run workshops and many other extra curricular activities. Volunteers can also teach in our orphanages, centers for children workers, children's hostel, and schools for adults.

Photo Gallery: Quito Summer 2007

Local Food

In Quito there are many excellent Ecuadorian restaurants as well as Italian, French and Japanese. There are also a growing number of fast food restaurants for those who need a fix like McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

Some interesting new restaurants are now creatively incorporating international dishes with an Ecuadorian flare creating exciting new dishes.

Weather

Quito's climate is often described as eternal spring, meaning balmy days between 8-21C. Warm direct sunlight cooled by light steady breezes, picturesque clouds that usually gather for a short afternoon shower, all cappped by a cool - but not cold - darknes. Dry season in the capital lasts June-Sept, with July and August receiving the least precipitation. A shortened dry season runs Dec-Jan. More rain falls Feb-March and Oct-Nov, with at least half of April seeing a torrential downpour taking up most of the afternoon

Activities

Quito's chief attraction is the old town's dazzling array of churches, museums, monasteries and convents, dating from the early days of the colony. Volunteers can also take part in Bungee jumping, Bowling, Swimming, Whitewater rafting, Bullfighting, Snorkeling, Cockfighting and Jogging.

On the weekends volunteers can make trips to:

Otavalo, in the Imbabura province north of Quito. Otavalo is home to important indigenous and African Ecuadorian communities. It is famous for its Saturday market which attracts locals as well as tourists from around the world.

Tena, located in the Amazon rain forest southeast of Quito. This is the area to be introduced to Amazonian cultures, their folk religion (a blend of Catholicism and indigenous beliefs) as well as to the rain forest itself.

Baños, is located on the edge of the Amazonian rain forest southeast of Quito.

Accommodation

Travel to Teach has accommodation in a nice area of Quito, near to banks, shopping centers, markets/supermarkets, universities, cultural and historical places.

Volunteers stay with host families where they have the opportunity to experience Ecuadorian daily life. Volunteers will have a private and single room and will share all facilities such as kitchen, refrigerator and bathroom.