VOLUNTEER PROGRAMMES 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.
Volunteering programmes in Mexico focus on supporting local organisations focused on education, environmental preservation, social and community development, taking into account the multiple needs found throughout the country.
FUNCTIONAL DIVERSITY AND SPECIAL NEEDS
The aim is for children to successfully acquire skills such as writing, drawing, learning and communicating effectively and affectively.
ANIMAL AWARENESS AND VALUES EDUCATION WITH CHILDREN
In this beautiful programme you will be able to intertwine your passions, you will be able to work with the dogs and cats of the area, as it is a project where they are protected as they are in a situation of street, abandonment and mistreatment, as well as join your collaboration carrying out tasks of awareness in values and support to the children of the area.
SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION
You will be able to collaborate in the Pacific of Mexico helping to preserve the species of sea turtles in two different beach areas. It can be either in group mode with dates indicated or individually choosing your own starting dates.
HOME FOR CHILDREN IN POVERTY
This children’s home in Chiapas seeks to improve the situation of vulnerability of these young people who have found themselves on the streets due to situations they did not choose, such as parental abuse, abandonment, exploitation or parents in detoxification centres.
TEACHING AND TUTORING
We seek to enhance the learning of children with learning difficulties through collaborative work environments.
SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY GARDENS
Our duty is to raise awareness among our children and young people about environmental, domestic and community care to ensure healthy food.
SHARK RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION
Enjoy the ocean while volunteering at the same time. It is very important for the conservation of the environment and species to contribute to the conservation of shark species. The volunteer will be with professionals in marine biology.
Requirements for volunteering in Mexico?
All volunteers who want to be part of a volunteer programme in Mexico must:
- Be of legal age
- Be a committed person
- Be willing and able to work in a team
- Be empathetic
- Be flexible and adaptable
Where will I be during my volunteering in Mexico?
All projects are located in Tlaxcala and San Cristóbal de las Casas, except for the sea turtle projects in Puerto Escondido and Costa de Oaxaca.
The shark programme is located in La Paz.
For more information, questions or assistance with a colleague of our team you can contact us via phone or Whatsapp here.
The steps to follow to register are as follows:
- Fill out the form to reserve your volunteering.
- Wait for our confirmation of availability.
- Make a 1st donation for the registration to the Adventure Volunteer association.
- You will receive an email with the volunteer agreement to be completed by you.
- You will return to us by email all the requested information and you will be able to purchase the flight.
- A few weeks before you start you will receive information from the local organization.
- Now you only have to pack your suitcase, you have a whole team that will make everything easier for you and you will be in contact at all times, so you don’t have to worry.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
To be part of the volunteer programs in Sri Lanka, it is not necessary any specific training and it is only required:
- To be of legal age (possibility minor with guardian or parents).
- To be a participative and committed person.
- Be respectful of people, culture and customs.
- To know how to adapt and work in a team.
- Criminal record certificate for social work.
- Sign cooperation agreement and interview with our team.
- Appropriate clothing for the destination.
- Knowledge of Spanish.
ACCOMMODATION IN YOUR VOLUNTEER IN MEXICO IN TURTLES AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS
Accommodation in each of the programs is in volunteer houses with shared rooms and use of common areas, such as living room, kitchen, bathroom.
They are located in safe areas, and will always be with the coordination of the program.
Volunteer accommodation in social programs in Tlaxcala
Volunteer housing in Chiapas home program
What is the volunteer accommodation like?
- Bed in a room shared with other volunteers.
- Self service breakfast (Tlaxcala only).
- All meals at Tortugas group.
- Use of common areas.
- Use of washing machine.
- WIFI (Internet).
ACCOMMODATION IN SHARK PROGRAM
It is a private studio for each volunteer with kitchen and private bathroom. It also has Wifi, and is located about 15 minutes by bike from the project.
It is located in a safe area and there are several supermarkets nearby.
Accommodation of volunteers in shark program
What is the volunteer accommodation like?
- Bed in private room.
- Kitchen and private bathroom.
- Bicycle.
- Use of washing machine.
- WIFI (Internet).
WHAT WILL THE ARRIVAL AT THE DESTINATION BE LIKE?
In the case of Tlaxcala, the time and point for welcoming the volunteer may vary depending on the availability of buses at the airport. The pick-up will take place at the bus terminal in Puebla (low cost).
Once at the Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City, the volunteer must board a bus that leaves from inside the airport, through the company “Estrella Roja” or “ADO” to Puebla. Depending on time availability, you must choose the Puebla terminal to be reached: CAPU, 4 poniente or Plaza San Diego.
When taking the bus, volunteers must notify the local coordinator of their arrival point in Tlaxcala. The local coordinator will at all times give you directions to your lodging.
In the case of San Cristobal de las Casas and the Animal Awareness and Values Education Program with children (Chiapas) you should arrive at the terminal and in the same way following the instructions of the local coordinator, get to the lodging.
In the case of Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca (sea turtles) you should arrive at the airport of Puerto Escondido, Bahias de Huatulco International Airport. Once you arrive you will follow the directions of the coordinator.
Finally, in the case of the volunteer in La Paz, shark program, the volunteer must arrive at the La Paz International Airport. There someone from the local coordinators team will pick you up and take you to your accommodation. Once you arrive you will be explained how to proceed on a daily basis.
In all the programs you will have an orientation day where the basic rules of the volunteer’s house, its location and environment will be explained, as well as the program you have chosen to participate in.
VISA IN MEXICO
Depending on the country of origin a visa is not required for stays between 30 and 90 days. In the case of Mexico from Spain, no visa is required for 90 days.
- Passport in order and with a validity of at least six months.
- Ticket to leave the country.
SECURITY IN MEXICO
Taking into account the problems of insecurity in Latin America and particularly in Mexico, we recommend that you consider the following:
- Let your coordinator know where you are going if you decide to go on an excursion so that he/she can let you know where you are going.
- 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.
The financial contribution is divided into two parts:
- The registration fee, which you will donate to the Adventure Volunteer association. This contribution has a tax benefit of 80% which you can deduct in your income tax return.
- The remaining part of the cost of the programme will go to the partner organisation that we will send in your name as a substitute or you can hand it in directly to the project.
| WEEKS | Individual turtles from January to October | Turtles group | Teaching, Special needs or gardens in Tlaxcala | Chiapas Home | Sharks | Animal awareness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 950€ (January-October) 860 (Nov-Dec) | 1080€ | 495€ | 495€ | 1460€ | 545€ |
| Additional | 300€ | – | 125€ | 50€ | Consult | 125€ |
WHAT IS VOLUNTEERING IN MEXICO?
- Airport pick-up and drop-off (Tiburones)
- Accommodation during your volunteering
- Breakfast every day (Tlaxcala only)
- All meals included in Tortugas group (except on free leisure days)
- Transportation included in Tortugas group and individual (except on free leisure days)
- 24/7 support from the Adventure Volunteer team
- Programme monitoring and evaluation
- Orientation and induction to the programme
- Certificate of weeks spent volunteering
- Tax certificate
- Guidance, advice and management in choosing the programme
- Private bed for couples in Tlaxcala (additional cost)
- Bicycle (Tiburones)
WHAT IS NOT OFFERED IN VOLUNTEERING IN MEXICO?
- Flights
- Visa if necessary
- Vaccinations if necessary
- Travel medical insurance
- Internal transport and excursions
- Beverages or special diets or meals
- Meals are not included at Animal Awareness, Sharks, Casa Hogar and individual Turtles.
- Bottled water
- Travel within or outside the country
How to get involved in volunteer in Mexico?
STEP 1
Once you fill in the form to the programme, we will verify and confirm your place.
STEP 2
The registration fee must be paid within 7 days, then your place will be guaranteed and you will be part of the family.
STEP 3
We send you the volunteer guide, compulsory insurances and the international volunteer agreement.
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: 19,74 pesos = 1€ (April 2023).
- 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.
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.
Can I go on my own to volunteer in Mexico?
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 volunteering cheaper in Mexico?
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.
Where exactly is volunteering in Mexico?
Depending on the programme you will be placed in one location. The teaching, gardening and special needs programme is in Tlaxcala, the city-village is about two hours from Mexico City. On the other hand, the home and awareness programme is in Chiapas.
On the other hand, the turtle programmes are in Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca.
The shark programme is located in lower California, in La Paz.
Will there be more volunteers during my volunteering 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 far in advance should I book my volunteer placement?
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 vaccinations to volunteer 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.
