Ecuador Frequently Asked Questions

Travel Visas are not required to enter Ecuador if you are a USA, Canadian, UK or European citizen for stays of up to 90 days. If you are not a USA, Canadian, UK or European citizen:

1. You must check with the Ecuadorian Embassy for your specific visa requirements.
2. Acquiring any/all necessary documents is the responsibility of the applicant.

for US citizens: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1106.html#entry_requirements and this for Canadian citizens: http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=78000#4

Participants originating from outside the United States and Canada please email your local ISV office for more information on travel insurance.

Australia - au-info@isvolunteers.org 
New Zealand - nz-info@isvolunteers.org 
United Kingdom/Europe - gb-info@isvolunteers.org

U.S and Canadian participants see the information below.

Participants are required to have traveler's insurance that includes insurance for two purposes – coverage for medical treatment and care while in your host country and travel/trip cancellation coverage. Many insurance carriers package these plans together with other travel related issues such as lost or stolen items, for example: plane tickets, passports, and personal items. Cancellation insurance is important in the event that a problem arises that prevents you from going on the Program. Policies do vary depending on the insurance provider, what country you travel to and what is covered, so make sure that you get a policy appropriate for your host country and your needs. Participants traveling on the ISV Adventure Tour in the following countries (Eastern Europe, Ecuador, and Thailand) will need to secure additional travel insurance coverage for “Adventure Sports”. This coverage provides insurance for many sports activities, including rock climbing, which would otherwise be excluded under the standard plan. Any travel agency should be able to assist you in procuring travel/trip cancellation insurance. Most travel insurance companies require you to purchase travel/trip cancellation insurance within 14 days after submitting your Agreement and paying your non-refundable deposit. The preferred travel insurance carrier for ISV is Travel Guard (U.S. and Canada Only).

In addition to travel/trip cancellation insurance (see above), ISV also requires that all participants have medical insurance. Each participant must send a photocopy of proof of both travel/trip cancellation and medical insurance into the ISV office.  Proof of travel/trip cancellation and medical insurance is due into the ISV office at least 90 days prior to departure.

After your contract and deposit have been received by ISV, you can submit your project preferences through our Project Preference form. We make every attempt to accommodate participants; however, many factors influence the project placement ISV will give you. For example, spaces on projects are limited and some projects only operate on certain dates. If you are doing academic credit or independent study, you will need to be assigned to a specific project with other academic credit or independent study participants; if you are traveling with a friend, this will also affect your placement! In effect, we cannot guarantee placement on your most preferred projects.

Details regarding academic credit for the ISV Program are available on the academic credit page of the ISV website. Some students receive credit through independent study.

All lodging is included in the ISV Program cost. All the meals for the first 2 week Volunteer Project and about half the meals for the second 2 week Adventure Tour are included in the ISV Program cost.

Vegetarians must advise ISV in advance (on their application or by emailing the ISV office on or before 65 days prior to departure) if they wish to have vegetarian meals available to them during their Program. Participants with very strict dietary requirements may need to supplement meals with additional food at their own expense.

Friends are welcome to attend the ISV Program and can get an application online. Although the ISV Program is directed toward university participants, a person does not have to be a university student to be welcomed on an ISV Program. All participants must be at least 18 years of age, unless traveling as part of the high school program.

An orientation meeting approximately 1 hour long is held at the beginning of your 2 week Volunteer Project and prior to beginning your 2 week Adventure Tour. During orientation, you will learn about the background of ISV in country, itineraries and schedules, expectations, safety, and other important Program information.

There are 5 “included” Adventure Tour activities included in the Program cost. The final Adventure Tour itinerary with these included activities will be in your ISV Participant Travel Manual, which will be sent to you 30 days prior to your departure date. ISV reserves the right to change these activities without notice.

In addition to the 5 “included” activities in the Adventure Tour, ISV offers participants an exciting Optional Activity Package (OAP). These activities are more of the best in outdoor adventure and cultural appreciation opportunities. Each year about 95% of ISV participants choose to purchase the ISV Optional Activity Package as it adds great value to the overall experience. All activities in the OAP are organized by ISV staff prior to arrival. All participants have to do is show up and be ready to have a great time. Offered exclusively to ISV participants at a discounted price, you may reserve the OAP package by checking the indicated box on your ISV Flight/Options Form. If you have already submitted your Flight/Options Form, please send an email to the ISV office indicating your desire to purchase the OAP package.

It is not a requirement to speak Spanish to participate in the ISV Program; however, ISV highly recommends participating in our Spanish Language & Cultural Immersion Program, which gives participants an opportunity to enhance their ISV experience and converse with the locals.