Ecological Reserve Cotacachi, Ecuador

5.0
(4 reviews)4

Help us with our conservation project of the Cloud forest

Help a sustainable project
4 travelers confirmed that this host is actively contributing to a more sustainable future for everyone!
Connect with nature
4 travelers recommend this experience for reconnecting with nature
Immerse yourself in the local culture
3 travelers recommend this host for those looking for a local cultural immersion
Accepts couples and pairs of volunteers

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What you offer

20h

Hours per week
Help out and collaborate with your host only a few hours per week.
Painting & Decorating
Help with painting or decorating the property facilities.
Cleaning
Help clean the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.
Building & Repairing
Help with a wide range of repairs or building.
Farming
Plant crops, sow seeds and help in outside tasks.
Additional Fee
This host charges a fee in addition to the cost of the Worldpackers annual plan.

Additional fee required

This host charges an additional fee to the cost of the Worldpackers annual plan for the sustainability of the project and the quality of the experience for volunteers. Learn more.

Amount

US$ 8

Per day

Fee pays for

  • Benefits for travelers

Description

We kindly ask you to collaborate with $10 a day to cover the expenses as this project is just starting and is not generating any income yet.

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What you get

2

Days off per week
Have some time off for yourself, go explore the city or rest for a while.
Private Room
You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.
Shared Dorm
You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.
Breakfast
You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.
Lunch
You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.
Dinner
You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.
Fast Internet Access
High-speed internet for you to work remotely
Use our equipped kitchen
Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.
Free Hiking Tours
We’ll take you on excursions and hikes around town. For free!
Support
Get help from the Worldpackers support team in case you need it, at any point of your trip.
Verified Host
This host has been verified by our team before joining the community.
WP Safeguard
Did something not go as planned? Contact our team.
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Availability

Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Stay at least
1 week
Stay up to
2 weeks

The Experience

Martin has been the steward of this land with the vision of conserving as much of the forest as possible. He divides his time between guiding at the Los Cedros reserve and working at Los Yumbos to make his dream happen: opening an eco lodge and birding hotspot. All with conservation in mind. For this dream to become true, he needs extra hands, be it in the kitchen, on the trails or in the garden. Pueden también escribirnos en Español.

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Requirements

  • Beginner Spanish
  • Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

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Talk to those who have lived the experience

In our community, you can talk to worldpackers who have already collaborated with this host and get your questions answered directly.

You can ask things like:

  • a) How was your experience with this host?
  • b) How was your day-to-day routine?
  • c) How much did you spend on this trip?

4 Reviews

5.0

Host & Team

5.0

Hours & Tasks

5.0

Ecological Reserve

5.0

Learning & Fun

5.0

How this experience will transform you

  • 4 Get in touch with nature
  • 3 Immersing in the local culture
  • 3 Meeting locals
  • 3 Learning about sustainability
  • 3 Practicing Spanish
  • 2 Developing environmental awareness

This host contributes to Sustainable Development Goals

  • 4 15. Life on land
  • 1 3. Good health and well-being
  • 1 13. Climate action
Clara

Portugal

5

Unforgettable experience staying in the reserve! The setting is incredible, so peaceful with many beautiful birds and wild orchids. Our tasks consisted of helping Martin with building and maintaining trails in his property. We also helped a bit around the house but the work was not excessive or too tiring. In our free time, Martin shared with us his knowledge of the fauna and flora around us and lifestories.The food was nutritious, filled with fresh produce at all meals. We hope many more volunteeres come to help Martin with his the reserve-tourism project!

29 days ago


Eva Marita replied

Thank you so much for your help and energy. We are glad to know you've enjoyed your stay and hope you'll always bring a piece of our forest in your hearth wherever you go. We wish you safe travels and hope to see again!

Shannon

United States

5

Great place to reconnect with nature and birds! As a digital nomad I had no issues maintaining work. The WiFi was fast, and I was there for over 3 weeks and only had 1 small power outage the whole time, so my job was not impacted. Hosts were also able to adapt to my work schedule so I could help before and after work. This was also nice because it allowed me to have something to look forward to outside of work: taking care of the birds, the trails, and the coffee plantation and garden was a great experience. Isolated, so bring cash and plan transportation properly! Fresh water and great food.

2 months ago


Eva Marita replied

You have been a great help and the best steward for the 'potato witches' . The birds are already missing you. We wish you all the best with your future plans and hope to meet again <3

Niamh

United Kingdom

5

This was a 10/10 experience for me and my boyfriend. Martin was incredibly helpful, kind, welcoming and knowledgeable about the nature and land!! We got to assist and witness the entire process of coffee from picking off the trees to roasting to drinking it each morning - the best coffee I've ever had!! The lodge is off the beaten track but Martin helped us navigate the route and collected us off the bus. It was some hard work but with lots of snacks and breaks and relaxing in the evening!! If you get the chance do this!!!!

4 months ago


Eva Marita replied

We were so happy to host you and see how much you enjoyed the forest. You both brought a lot of joy and great energy to the place. Thanks a lot for your help, we hope to see you again someday!

Valerio

Spain

5

My time on this project has been unforgettable, thanks to Martín. I learned the full coffee process, I discovered the variety of banana types it has, and I was fascinated by how it protects the primary forest. A unique place to disconnect from everything!
It's great to be surrounded by so much wildlife, from a multitude of birds to mammals such as the montane agouti or the kinkajou.
I really enjoyed lending a hand in day-to-day tasks like fixing trails, varnishing, and helping in the kitchen.
An authentic experience, full of purpose and in close contact with nature.
100% recommended! I'll be back ❤

2 months ago


Eva Marita replied

Thank you very much for your help and, above all, for the exquisite dishes. We hope that the experience in the forest has been enriching. Both the forest and we look forward to welcoming you back with open arms 🤗

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About the host

Hosted by Eva Marita

Response Rate
This host usually answers to 100% of the messages
Response Time
This host usually writes back in A few hours
1 published videos
This host has 1 published videos showing a little bit about their place

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