Ecuador, Costa Rica, or Mexico

[dreamcrisp1]

If you were going to volunteer in one of the following, which would you choose? Why? Can anyone speak to the safety of each as well? 

Quito, Ecuador

Oaxaca, Mexico

Santa Barbara, Costa Rica

Thank you! 

[alleinesein]

Oaxaca, Mexico. The food....oh my god...the food! Oaxaca does have issues that flare up on occasion but as long as you avoid mass protests and exercise common sense you should be fine.

[wise_rita]

Uhh, real volunteer or get-in-the-way voluntour?

[emilyinchile]

Ditto wise_rita. There is a lot of "voluntourism" that doesn't help local communities as much as the volunteers would think/like, so my first step would be to really research the options you're looking at to see that you're actually fulfilling a need rather than just doing some generic good works that don't really help (or even cause other problems). Beyond that, I haven't been to any of those places, but my choice would depend somewhat on your interests, what time of year you'd be going, and whether you will be adding other travels onto the trip as well.

[dreamcrisp1]

No, it's legit. I've done a ton of research. I'll be staying with a host family down there too. I think I've decided on Ecuador based on information from the guy I've been talking too and it will suit me very well.