Volunteer Programs in Mexico
If you belong to the volunteer program in Mexico you will be able to know the rich history and plurality of the pre-Hispanic cultures of the country, live the experience of Mexican traditions, music and cuisine that its warm and colorful villages offer, as well as the attractions that the big cities in Mexico they offer.
And above all you can approach very interesting local experiences and ways of life in the volunteering in Mexico.
Volunteer programs in Mexico focus mainly on supporting local organizations focused on education, environmental preservation, social and community development and humanitarian aid, considering the multiple needs found throughout the country.
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN MEXICO
Humanitarian assistance and protection of human rights are provided to migrants in transit, foreigners and nationals.
FUNCTIONAL DIVERSITY AND SENSORY STIMULATION IN MEXICO
It is sought that children successfully acquire skills such as writing, drawing, learning and communicating effectively and emotionally.
MARINE TURTLE CONSERVATION IN MEXICO
You will be able to collaborate in the Pacific of Mexico, helping to preserve the species of sea turtles in two different areas of beaches either as an individual or part of a group.
HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS LIVING IN POVERTY IN MEXICO
This Children’s Home Center seeks to improve the vulnerable situation of these young people who have found themselves on the streets due to situations that they did not choose, such as parental abuse, abandonment, exploitation or parents in detoxification centers.
BASIC TEACHING IN MEXICO
We seek to enhance the learning of children who have greater difficulty in learning, through collaborative work environments.
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY ORCHARDS IN MEXICO
Holidays among our children and youth about environmental, domestic and community care to ensure healthy eating.
REQUIREMENTS FOR VOLUNTEERING IN MEXICO?
Any volunteer who wants to be part of a volunteer program with Adventure Volunteer in Mexico must:
- Be of legal age
- Be a committed person.
- Willingness and ability to work as a team.
- Be empathetic.
- Be flexible and adaptable.
WHERE WILL I BE DURING MY VOLUNTEERING IN MEXICO?
All projects of the volunteering in Mexico are located in Tlaxcala and San Cristobal de las Casas.
WHEN CAN YOU COLLABORATE ON VOLUNTEERING IN MEXICO?
- Basic and cultural education in school, is open from the last week of August until the last day of June.
- San Cristobal de las casas, Chiapas all year opening
- Functional diversity and sensory stimulation, is open all year according to the school period in Mexico.
- Humanitarian aid is open all year.
- School and community gardens, it is open all year according to the Mexican school period.
See specifications of schedules and arrival dates on each project through its link.
ARRIVAL AT YOUR DESTINATION
The schedule and pick-up point may vary depending on the availability of buses at the airport.
Once, at the Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City, you must board a bus that leaves the interior of the airport, through the company “Red Star” or “ADO” heading to Puebla. According to the hourly availability, the terminal of Puebla is chosen which will be reached: CAPU, 4 west or Plaza San Diego.
Upon boarding the bus, the volunteer must notify the coordinator of their arrival point, there you will be received by a local coordinator. This will take you to the volunteer’s home.
You will have an orientation day where you will be told the basic rules of the volunteer’s home, its location and environment, as well as an explanation of the program you have chosen to participate in. The orientation of the program, the location of the program, the means of transportation, the rules of coexistence in the volunteer’s house will be given on the day of arrival. And on the weekend a day is assigned for the tour of the city center.
In the case of San Cristobal de las Casas (Chiapas) you should arrive at the terminal or the airport where you will be greeted with a welcome.
VACCINE
We recommend that you consult your medical advisor about the recommended vaccinations for this region. Also, in most Latin American countries, vaccinations are not mandatory.
COVID–19 REQUIREMENTS
- Quarantine not required
- No PCR or Rapid Antigen test required
- You must fill in the Risk Indentification form, which can be found here. You will be required to present it upon arrival at Immigration Customs.
VISA TO ENTER MEXICO
Depending on the country of origin, a visa is not required for stays of between 30 and 90 days. In the case of Mexico from Spain, no visa is required for 90 days.
Necessary documentation:
- Passport in order and valid for at least six months.
- Return ticket to leave the country.
SECURITY IN MEXICO
Taking into account the insecurity problems experienced in Latin America and particularly in Mexico, we recommend that you take into account the following:
- Let your coordinator know where you will be going if you decide to go on an excursion so that he/she can warn you about the place.
- Always have the coordinator’s phone number and the address where you are staying.
- Avoid giving out information about the house, the work sites and the rest of the volunteers for safety reasons.
- Do not take anyone outside the organization to the volunteer’s home.
- Recognize and avoid risky areas in each city you visit.
- Travel frugally in your daily transfers and excursions.
- Avoid wearing flashy clothing: very revealing or expensive clothing (jewelry).
- Avoid taking out your cell phone in public.
- Use the service of “safe cabs” or services such as Uber or Pronto.
- Avoid walking alone on the street at night.
- Never get into your vehicle with strangers.
- Do not drink any beverage whose origin you do not know.
ACCOMMODATION IN HOUSES
- The distance of the project with the volunteer’s house is 20-30 minutes by public transport.
- The house is located in Acuitlapilco, Tlaxcala. CP 90740.
WHAT DOES THE ACCOMMODATION INCLUDE IN A VOLUNTEERING IN MEXICO?
- Bed, in a room shared with other volunteers.
- Self service breakfast.
- Use of common areas.
- Use washing machine
- Key for access (to be returned on deposit).
- WIFI (Internet).
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE BEACH ACCOMMODATION?
The participation of the 3-week program as a reward will provide you with a 7-day apartment in the Caribbean of the Riviera Maya.
To be able to enjoy the apartment you will only be asked for a deposit (for the loss of keys or any breakage) that will be returned at the end.
Therefore, if you want to enjoy the gift of the local association, your Volunteering in Mexico should be 3 weeks but your stay in the country will be 4 weeks, using the 7 days of the means to enjoy.
- 11 days in Tlaxcala volunteering + 7 days in the Cancun area + 10 days in your volunteering in Tlaxcala).
TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE ACCOMMODATION IN RIVIERA MAYA:
- Deposit of 1000 Mexican pesos (46 euros), there is no washing machine, nor Wifi.
- Cost of the flight (not included) indicative of CDMX to Cancun 2000 pesos (90 euros).
The initial contribution to reserve a volunteer project in Mexico is 150€. The rest is required one month prior to going. This financial contribution is subject to a tax deduction of about 45% of your income on your tax return.
| WEEKS | TLAXCALA | CHIAPAS | TURTLES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 495€ | 495€ | 745€ |
| 3 | 595€ | 545€ | 1040€ |
| 4 | 695€ | 595€ | 1335€ |
| Additional Week from 5 | 100€ | 50€ | 295€ |
WHAT ARE YOU PAYING FOR A VOLUNTEERING IN MEXICO?
- Welcome at the bus station Chiapas or Tlaxcala
- Accommodation during your volunteering.
- 24/7 support of the Adventure Volunteer team.
- Monitoring and evaluation of the program.
- Orientation and induction to the program.
- Certificate of weeks spent in your volunteering.
- I receive NGOs about your program fee.
- Guide, advice and management in the choice of the program.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN A VOLUNTEERING IN MEXICO?
- Flight and airport transportation to Puebla (bus price € 15).
- Visa if necessary.
- Vaccines if necessary.
- Travel insurance (mandatory).
- Internal transport
- Drinks or diets or special meals.
- Bottled water.
- Trips or excursions inside or outside the Country.
HOW TO BOOK MY VOLUNTEERING IN MEXICO?
The volunteering in Mexico is surprising venture into a country full of ethnic, cultural and environmental diversity. It is a territory with several climates and landscapes within its great extension, you can enjoy natural paradises such as:
- The wonderful beaches of the Caribbean.
- The green mountains, wooded mountains, lakes and rivers.
CLIMATE
Mexico has a climatic diversity. In Tlaxcala the weather is semi dry.
- June and September is the rainy season.
- October and February is the dry and cold season.
- March to May is the warmest season.
CURRENCY
The local currency of Mexico is the Mexican Peso. Convert it
Currency exchange example: 20 pesos = € 1.
- One coffee 15 pesos (€ 0.70)
- Local menu 80 pesos (€ 3.64)
- Bus ticket from 7 to 20 pesos (€ 0.94)
- 1 liter of water 10 pesos (€ 0.47)
FLIGHT
To reach your volunteer destination in Mexico, you must take a plane to Mexico City, Benito Juárez International Airport.
- Flights range from € 600 to € 800.
- You can find good deals on flights on google flights or skyscanner.
PLACES TOURIST
MEXICO CITY
In Mexico City you will have the possibility to visit the following museums of:
- Anthropology
- Modern art
- Soumaya
Also the archaeological zones such as:
- Teotihuacán
- El Zócalo
- The Mexican folklore building in Xochimilco or Garibaldi and its crowded colonies such as Coyoacán.
You can also explore the cinematic offer offered by the National Cineteca or walk through the largest parks in the city.
TLAXCALA AND SURROUNDINGS
Tlaxcala is the smallest state of the 32 that make up the Mexican Republic. It has a population of more than one million inhabitants and is surrounded by some of the most important cities in the country such as Mexico City (CDMX) and Puebla.
In Tlaxcala you will find a very important Nahua ethnic presence, which makes it a must-see tourist attraction.
It has archaeological sites, beautiful haciendas, nature reserves such as:
- La Malinche.
- Magnificent forests in which places such as the Sare preserved Santuary of the fireflies.
- Magic towns.
- Tourist centers such as Va´Quirico, Trinidad and a colorful center in the state capital that offers a variety of cafes, restaurants and recreation areas that capture the traditional cuisine of Tlaxcala.
You can also find expressions of their tradition with the carnival, the great Tlaxcala Fair, the Day of the Dead celebration and the festivities.
CHIAPAS
This region is rich in archaeology of the Mayan empire, its nature and culture stands out remarkably in the country.
Unfortunately, it is also one of the poorest and neediest states. The capital is Tuxtla, also being very important in San Cristobal de las Casas.
PUEBLA
Puebla offers several tourist points to visit such as:
- The Zocalo with its colonial architecture
- Cholula, a small town with attractions for the most adolescent people, with its organic, and urban touch.
- You will find a wide and modern proposal in cafes, bars and music.
- Activities for those who like a more alternative life.
Further north is the Northeast Sierra of Puebla, where towns such as Cuetzalan stand out, where you will enter a more natural, rural and indigenous way of life.
CANCÚN Y RIVIERA MAYA
The Riviera Maya is one of the areas that you can not miss during your volunteer program in Mexico. Once you reach Puerto Morelos, a strategic point in the area to move around the different places, you will find an apartment a few km from the Caribbean beach.
The best points that we recommend according to the route we make is:
- Holbox, a hippie island and with beautiful beaches where you can spend a night and see the bright plankton.
- Playa del Carmen, incredible Caribbean beach, bathed in its streets, squares and bars where the fun never ends.
- Isla Mujeres, considered its beaches as one of the best in the world, will be a magical day that you can go from Cancun in a Ferry.
- Cenotes, are lakes between the mountains an incalculable beauty, some are even among rocks.
- Cancun, point of arrival, airport, beach center and where most hotels are.
WHERE IS THE VOLUNTEERING PROGRAM IN MEXICO?
The program is in Tlaxcala, the city-town is about two hours from Mexico City.
CAN I GO FOR MY ACCOUNT TO MEXICO AND DO THE VOLUNTEERING?
Mexico is a very large country where we advise you for security to be within an organization, you can find yourself in situations of corruption, there is also violence, and our projects and volunteers are in safe and organized areas in a way where we ensure your integrity.
WHY IS IT CHEAPER THAN OTHER VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS WE HAVE SEEN?
We are an NGO therefore we try to make the minimum possible price and that the prices are transparent, you are paying for your accommodation, coordination, breakfast, orientation, verification of programs and everything you need to do to carry out the whole process of your incorporation
ARE TRANSPORTS INCLUDED IN A VOLUNTEERING IN MEXICO?
The pick-up transport is not included, you will only have included the transport from Puebla to the Volunteer’s house the day you arrive, and also the first day you go to the project to give you the orientation from there you can go on the transport you want, We recommend the local bus that is very very cheap.
WHAT PROFILE DO I NEED TO DO A VOLUNTEER IN MEXICO?
Volunteering in Mexico we will ask you to have a proactive and positive attitude profile, regarding culture, teamwork, flexibility.
In the case of works of functional diversity, there you are going to request an interview on Skype, to see if you have any type of social work or experience.
WILL THERE BE MORE VOLUNTEERS DURING MY VOLUNTEER IN MEXICO?
Our desire at all times is that the project has a continuity, unfortunately not at all times of the year there are volunteers, where there are usually more volunteers between May and October, also the number of volunteers is not guaranteed at any time, although you do not go to be alone since you will be with the coordination and teaching staff, the ones that will make you feel in a local environment, and you will take advantage and learn the culture better by interacting with everyone.
HOW CAN I MAKE A VOLUNTEER RESERVE IN PROGRAMS OF MEXICO?
To make the reservation of the volunteer, you will have to write to info@adventurevolunteer.org where we will send you the confirmation of place, from there you will have to fill out a form and your place will be guaranteed with the payment of € 150, the rest of the payment You must pay it one month before going, the € 150 fee is non-refundable.
HOW LONG DO I NEED TO MAKE MY VOLUNTEER RESERVATION IN MEXICO?
From experience we will advise you to do it when you are convinced, about six or eight months is the ideal to secure the place and especially to get cheap flights.
DO I NEED VACCINES TO GO TO THE VOLUNTEERING IN MEXICO?
To enter Mexico, you will not be asked, neither for vaccinations nor for a visa, at least if you come from the country of Spain, in case of being a different country it is important to consult with the embassy of your country of Mexico.
HOW IS THE VOLUNTEER’S MEXICO HOUSE, WILL I BE COMFORTABLE?
The volunteer house is located on a residential side, protected by a fence, and each volunteer has a large bed, kitchen, common areas and garden.
