Alex_Cib

I am about to book a trip to volunteer in South America. I got a bit over-excited and found amazing opportunities in Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru. I was thinking of visiting 2, any suggestions of which 2 would complement each other best? Also are there any cheap internal airlines to fly between the 2?
Thanks a bunch

qwovadis

saexplorers.org/clubhouses/Lima for Peru

Careful many scammers

reputable cheap volunteering in Ecuador with

guanguiltagua.com good personal experience with them.

No good cheap air to CR

LACSA does an expensive direct flight

Just stay in SA too much rain in CA except winter but

latortugafeliz.com is nice to volunteer in CR

if you decide to go which I would skip too far.

Visit Galapagos while in Ecuador totally unuique a do not miss

Do careful research stick with reputable locals

beware foreign expat scammers who will take the gold mine

and leave you with the shaft.

qwovadis

Spirit.com flies cheap FLL to LIM

will save you a ton on air usually.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

You don't say how much total time you have. Might just one of them be enough, and then spend the rest of the time traveling? There's enough to see and do in any one of those three countries to keep you occupied for some time.

Airfare between any of those two countries won't be real cheap. Between Costa Rica and either of the other two, you can choose between Taca:

www.taca.com

or Copa (with a connection in Panama City):

www.copa.com

Between Ecuador and Peru, your only choice is LAN:

www.lan.com

You can plug in some random dates to get an idea.

GalapagosExpert

I´ve never been to Costa Rica myself, but have spent years here in Ecuador and have been to Peru several times and would recommend them both for volunteering opportunities. I think two factors play into a decision like this: how long you wish to volunteer for, and which AREA of volunteering you would like to do. For example if you want to work with kids then it is best to spend as much time as possible with one group so that they build relationships and confidence with you.

rickyloo

I have volunteered in Lima Peru ..at an orphanage. I am about to go to Ecuador to work at a day care and do some school building. I go with an organization called Global Volunteers

lcuy

I agree that if you'll be working with people (other than building things, farming, etc.), you should spend more time in one spot. The real rewards come as you get to know the people and they will gain more once they are familiar with your style of communicating.