Cost
There are no registration or program fees, although we always accept donations of any kind.
The only cost volunteers are responsible for is for their stay in the volunteer house or with a host family (not available). Volunteers must organize accommodation in Puerto López through Clara Luna (please see below for more details). A 50 percent deposit for your accommodation is required before your arrival. Your volunteer position will not be reserved until Clara Luna has received this deposit. There are no refunds.
Volunteer House
The Clara Luna house is where everything happens- programming, lessons .. and LIVING!
The house has a fully equipped kitchen, fans, wifi connection, bedding and mosquito nets, cold showers and running water. Just a heads up that you might want to pack a set of ear plugs if you are sensitive to noise- we are located on the main road.
Dorm (5 Beds) – $200/month
Private Room (3 Rooms) – $300 for single occupancy / $400 for double occupancy
** WorkAway volunteers are only offered the dorm room option and a special discount.
Homestay (not available)
– $16/day – (includes 3 meals/day)
If you are looking for a uniquely Ecuadorian experience, we also have homestays with local families that include 3 meals a day. It’s a great way to improve your Spanish and support the local community too!
Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation costs and their other living expenses in Puerto López (food, activities, etc.). Most volunteers live on anywhere from $35 to $100 a week (after rent), depending on your needs and lifestyle.
Commitment
Volunteers must stay for at least a month… and from our volunteer experiences, they don’t want to leave! We have found that it takes one month to get accustomed to Puerto López, the programming at Clara Luna, and to build relationships with the kids.
Volunteers are asked to contribute 15 hours a week, usually between 3 – 4 hours per day, 4-5 days per week with a mandatory weekly meeting on Monday evening.
Living Costs
It’s nearly impossible to predict how much a volunteer will spend, as so much depends on preferences and lifestyles.
Fruits and vegetables are generally inexpensive and plentiful at the market, especially when they are in season here and, more likely than not, there are types of foods that you have never tried available at good prices… and just a block away from Clara Luna!
The fish market here in Puerto López is an experience in itself. And fresh seafood every day?! Who could ask for more?
Here are a few basic costs:
[one_half]Local desayuno (breakfast)[/one_half] [one_half_last] $2.50 USD[/one_half_last]
[one_half]Local almuerzo (lunch) [/one_half][one_half_last] $3.00 USD[/one_half_last]
[one_half]Local merienda (dinner)[/one_half][one_half_last] $4.00 USD[/one_half_last]
[one_half]Beer in bar (large)[/one_half][one_half_last] $2.00 USD[/one_half_last]
[one_half]Mototaxi in Puerto López[/one_half][one_half_last] $0.50 USD[/one_half_last]
[one_half]Bus to Guayaquil[/one_half][one_half_last] $6.00 USD[/one_half_last]
[one_half]Bus to Quito[/one_half][one_half_last] $14.00 USD[/one_half_last]