All youth, ages 15-18, who commit to and follow the rules and safety standards of Travel For Youth can attend this trip.

Yes! Safety is, by far, our number one priority when we choose a location for our trips. We are keenly aware of the intense trust that is placed in us to provide a safe and life changing experience for your child. As parents of three children, we do not take that trust lightly. Because of this, we will never take your child to a place that we, as the founders, do not deem safe for our own small children, and that we have not PERSONALLY visited and vetted from top to bottom.

Ecuador has a similar safety rating to the United States, according to the Global Peace Index. There are geographical areas of Ecuador that have higher crime rates, so we do not travel to those areas. The most common forms of danger that tourists encounter are pickpocketing and robbery. Our group avoids walking at night, we do not use public transportation in Ecuador, and have many other systems in place to maintain the safety of our group.

You can read more about our robust safety standards and precautions here.

Ecuadorian food may be different than what you are used to, but it is delicious! Most breakfasts involve sweet or savory pastries or fresh bread, juice, cheeses, and sometimes eggs and fresh fruits. Lunch and dinners tend to have a starch—rice, potatoes, yucca, plantains, etc.—served alongside a savory and flavorful meat or seafood dish.

Eating gluten free in Ecuador is relatively easy because many of the staples of their diet are naturally gluten free. Dairy allergies are also reasonably accommodated here.

Again, safety is our number one priority. When we consider new locations, we always go beforehand and scout out the safest, highest quality housing and neighborhoods available. We never stay in hostels and we personally go and vet every accommodation for cleanliness, location, safety, and privacy. In order to provide a more immersive cultural experience, and to better support and give back to the community we are visiting, we prioritize Airbnb’s or privately owned bed and breakfasts for the majority of our stay.

First and foremost, get a passport if you don’t already have one!

Next, keep your eye out for the information and resources that we will be sending you about your trip. The more you know and understand, the more this experience will mean to you and the more prepared you will be to make a meaningful difference.

Third, be prepared to walk for a few miles each day and to take part in some moderate-difficult hiking. You will also need to be comfortable riding a bike—don’t worry, the trail will be for beginners and nothing too intense, but you will need to be confident pedaling a bicycle.

Lastly, practice getting uncomfortable: try new foods, start conversations with people you don’t know, put away your phone for a few hours every day, etc. Traveling is exhilarating and life-changing, but it can also be full of moments that are new, hard, or uncomfortable. New people, new cultures, new languages, and new food can be a lot to take in at times. Everything you do to get ready now will make it that much easier. Just know that we’ll be there to walk you through all of it and help make the experience amazing!