World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms
WHAT IS WWOOF Ecuador?
WWOOF Ecuador is an information service linking travellers like you with organic farms in Ecuador. By joining WWOOF Ecuador you get our listing of member farms where you can stay from a week to several months.
Farms listed WWOOF Ecuador are part of a world-wide effort to promote the concept of organic farming, sustainable agriculture and responsible consumer habits. As part of this effort, host farms offer WWOOF members the opportunity to learn by doing. Listed farms will host WWOOF members free of charge. As a guest in a WWOOF farm your learning experience is based on you participating in the daily chores of running the farm. In doing so, you can learn a variety of techniques employed by member farms including organic farming, Permaculture and Biodynamics. In addition to learning about organic farming, you can also learn about the local ecology and culture while getting to meet fun and interesting people.
Your daily chores at WWOOF farms may include harvesting, preparing soil for planting, milking, cleaning pens, digging trenches, maintaining fences and such; and generally involve about 5 to 7 hours per day, 5 to 6 days per week. Each farm has its own chores, rules and schedules.
WWOOF Ecuador is affiliated to the International WWOOF Association (www.wwoof.org and www.wwoofinternational.org) which promotes environmentally friendly farming and consumer habits by helping bridge the gap between consumers and environmentally-responsible farmers. WWOOF Ecuador compiles and publishes for its members a list of host farms throughout Ecuador. With this list, you can contact the farm(s) which you wish to visit and make the necessary arrangements for your stay.
Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is my membership number? / I did not get my membership number
Your WWOOF Ecuador Membership Number is made up of the letters "ECU" followed by a 5-digit number (Example: ECU00534). If you did not receive your membership number by email, please contact us.
I was unable to download the Host Farm Listing
Contact us requesting a replacement (no cost). Click HERE to contact us.
Are there any costs involved in joining WWOOF Ecuador?
Yes. When you join WWOOF Ecuador, you pay a yearly fee of $7 U.S. to receive your copy of our Host Farm Listing. This copy is for your personal use only. You may not share it, and you must show it to your hosts upon arrival as proof of your membership. While in Ecuador, you are fully and solely responsible for your travel and personal expenses. Host farms provide members with food and lodging free of charge.
How do I pay for my WWOOF Ecuador membership?
You pay by credit card or PayPal through our website only. Please do not mail cash or checks.
Do I need insurance?
WWOOF Ecuador does not require you to have insurance, but we highly recommend purchasing accident and health insurance covering you in Ecuador and wherever else you will be travelling. Some Host Farms may require you to provide them with proof of insurance. You may purchase insurance by clicking HERE.
Can I share my WWOOF member farm listing with my partner or with other travellers?
No. The Host Farm Listing is provided to you under the condition that it not be shared. Only WWOOF Ecuador members may be hosted at listed farms. Travellers sharing information or farms hosting non-WWOOF members will automatically lose their WWOOF Ecuador membership and may even be subject to legal action. Anyone contacting WWOOF Ecuador host farms who is not a member of WWOOF Ecuador may be banned from joining WWOOF Ecuador and from visiting any WWOOF Ecuador host farm.
Do children pay a membership fee?
Yes. Adults travelling with children must also pay for the membership of their children. Many farms may not accept guests with children, so be sure to check with your host before making any other arrangements.
Can I travel with my pet?
In general, most farms do not accept pets. Check with your host farm first.
Do I just show up at the farm of my choice?
No. You need to first contact the farm of your choice, and verify that they can host you on the dates you want. You must also verify conditions and requirements directly with your host prior to your arrival.
How long can I stay at the farm?
Each farm has different minimum and maximum lengths of stay, but they generally run from one week to several months. Check with your host and be sure to establish the length of your stay before you arrive.
Who can join WWOOF Ecuador?
Anyone 18 years old or over, able and willing to do hard physical work, with no criminal record and with a valid passport from a country not requiring exit visas or travel permits from its citizens is eligible to join WWOOF Ecuador. WWOOF Ecuador is NOT a volunteer work, work or work-exchange programme, and will therefore not issue memberships to anyone attempting to get work or immigration visas or intending to illegally enter Ecuador or any other country.
Is WWOOF Ecuador a volunteer work or a work-exchange programme?
Neither. WWOOF is run slightly differently in each country where it operates. WWOOF Ecuador is not a volunteer work or work-exchange programme: It is an information service linking travellers with organic farms which promote sustainable farming by hosting travellers for free.
Can WWOOF Ecuador help me get a visa?
No. WWOOF Ecuador will not get involved in any process having to do with visas or travel permits, and will not issue invitations, letters or any document to that effect.
Will WWOOF Ecuador help me in case I have a problem?
WWOOF Ecuador does not get involved with your safety and well-being at any time. WWOOF Ecuador serves only as a good-will link between farms and travellers and does not evaluate the quality or validity of the programmes and facilities available at host farms. However, we may cancel the WWOOF Ecuador membership of any host farms or travellers against whom a valid complaint has been filed. To file a complaint please go to Feedback. WWOOF Ecuador highly recommends purchasing travel and health insurance. You may purchase insurance by clicking HERE.