Volunteer Galapagos: Galapagos

To discover the Galápagos Islands is to discover nature in the purest form. Located in the Pacific Ocean about 1000 kilometers west of the Ecuadorian coast, this mysterious and fascinating archipelago is home to an amazing variety of animal species and plants. It is comprised of a number of large islands and islets with their volcanoes. All of these components together create this zoological, geological and botanical wonder declared a World Nature Heritage site by UNESCO.

The Galápagos Island is a great place to volunteer because Travel to Teach volunteers will have the opportunity to make a tangible contribution to the local communities in this unique, fragile and wonderful environment. Apart from getting a glimpse of paradise, you will experience Ecuadorian culture first-hand, and by doing so expand your horizons.

Photo Gallery: Galapagos

Breakfast

Volcanic Landscape at Isabella

Volunteers

Sunset at Carola

At the Naval School

Teaching 10th Grade

Professor Jimmy

Main yard at the Unidad Educativa Naval School

The Casa Vasquez Volunteer House

The surf dude!

Giant Galápagos turtle

Blue footed boobie

Marine Iguana

Sleeping sea lions

Goodbye at the airport

More Galapagos images.

Volunteer Projects in Galapagos

On the Galápagos Islands Travel to Teach works with 5 schools. Apart from teaching English, volunteers can collaborate with local teachers teaching math, sports, music, art, workshop and many other extra curricular activities. Volunteers can also teach in our orphanages, centers for children workers, children's hostels, and adult learning centres.

General Galapagos Info

Where Will I Stay?

Travel to Teach has accommodation in the nice zone of San Cristobal, near to banks, markets, groceries, drugstores, the beach and many other important 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.

Food

During your volunteer program you will have full use of the kitchen and all of the cooking facilities at your home-stay accommodation. Apart from this, the streets of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno are filled with places to eat. Many of them are open throughout the morning and some of them are open during the night. Meals costs between US$3 to US$10 per meal depending on your choice of food. For example a local lunch of rice, beans, and meat costs around US$3 where as a seafood dinner with drinks would approximately cost around $10 or more.

There's a fairly wide choice of restaurants on the island, you will be able to eat traditional Ecuadorian food and you can also find typical "Gringo" favourites like pizza, burgers and brownies.

A great option available to you is to eat at your home stay. This costs US$8 per day and you should pay monthly. This US$8 includes a complete breakfast, a large lunch (something different every day) and a light dinner. Remember that in Ecuador, like most Latin American countries, families tend to eat their largest meal in the middle of the day. If you choose to eat at your home stay you will need to pay the monthly fee to one of the coordinators in Galapagos.

In Puerto Baquerizo Moreno there are also many grocery stores and mini markets.

Weather

The ocean currents largely determine Galápagos Islands' weather. Normally from June to December the weather is cool, cloudy and dry with temperatures averaging 72F. From December to June, the weather is warm, sunny and rainy.

Free Time

Volunteers have the opportunity to try water sports such us snorkeling, scuba diving, water skiing, fishing, swimming, fauna and flora watching, ecological excursions, cruises and much more.

Furthermore, The Galápagos has many restaurants along the sea front selling fabulous seafood. These restaurants are where people from Galápagos choose to relax.

Where Is?/ Getting To Galapagos

The Galapagos islands are located in the eastern Pacific Ocean, 973 km (604 miles) off the west coast of South America. The closest land mass is the mainland of Ecuador to the east (the country to which they belong), and to the North is Cocos Island 720 km (447 miles) whilst to the South is Easter Island and San Felix Island at 3200 km (1,990 miles).

The Galapogos consists of 13 main islands, 5 smaller islands, and 107 rocks and islets.

To get to our T2T program in Galapagos we ask that our volunteers get to San Cristobel airport in Ecuador where they will be met by our in country coordinator. Airlines such as Aerogal (Galapagos Airlines) fly directly into San Cristobel airport.