The Secret Garden In Old Town, Quito was started by an Aussie/Ecuadorian couple who wanted to show travellers why they chose Ecuador as home. The staff are all volunteerings who sign on for a month at a time to help serve food and look after guests.

The Garden is one of the few hotels in the area that stacks up as far as food is concerned. They serve breakfast daily and guests can sign up for a three course meal with a veggie option available.

Other choices for guests lie in the New Town or Mariscal. Locals gather at Uncle Ho´s Quito to watch movies on Tuesdays, Check out Quito´s music scene with live music on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and listen to Quito´s freshest DJ on Friday and Saturdays. The Vietnamese food is the best in South America according to well travelled guests

For those who wish to get out of the city, there is a newly built eco-hostel called The Secret Garden, Cotopaxi two hours to the north.  Shuttles leave from Quito on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Both The Secret Garden Quito and the Secret Garden, cotopaxi accept volunteers.  For more information about volunteering check out the Bucketlist, Ecuador.