Hiking Programs in Mexico

Explore vibrant Mexico with International Volunteer HQ and immerse yourself in a journey of cultural discovery and meaningful impact. Based in beautiful cities and welcoming communities across the country, this program lets you connect with local ways of life while contributing to vital initiatives. Volunteers can join year-round projects including Teaching, Childcare, Community Development, Animal Care, and Environmental Conservation. Whether you are on a gap year, taking a career break, or seeking a purposeful travel experience, this opportunity suits many backgrounds and passions. Your fully hosted experience includes airport pick-up, orientation, comfortable shared accommodation or homestay depending on placement, two meals per day, and 24/7 support from a dedicated local team. Before departure you will also receive guidance from your IVHQ Program Manager and access to training tools to help you prepare. Programs start every Monday and bring together a welcoming community of volunteers from around the world. Outside your placement you can explore Mexico’s cultural heritage, lively cities, stunning natural landscapes, and local traditions while making a positive impact.

Join us for a transformative adventure in Mexico! This action-packed program combines surfing, hiking, and cultural exploration, perfect for both beginners and experienced surfers. Kick off your journey in Oaxaca City, the cultural hub of Mexico, where you'll spend a couple of days discovering vibrant street art and savoring the incredible local cuisine. Next, venture into the stunning mountainous terrain of Hierve el Agua, known for its bubbling springs and petrified waterfalls. Then, travel to Puerto Escondido and settle into surf camp on the spectacular coastline. Spend a week surfing the Pacific, taking lessons, and exploring the breathtaking beaches of Puerto Escondido and Chacahua. Surf in the morning and enjoy coastal activities, including snorkeling, paddle boarding, aquatic tours, and more! This program has everything you’ve ever dreamed of, and more—adventure, culture, and unforgettable experiences await! What are you waiting for? Join us for this incredible journey filled with waves, nature, and camaraderie.

Gain a rare insight into Mexican culture and the indigenous Zapotec people on this fascinating trip into the communities of the Oaxaca Valley. See how non-profits such as Fundación En Vía are working to empower and uplift historically disadvantaged women in the region and learn how you can help. You will be invited into the homes and workplaces of local women to learn traditional cooking and craft techniques passed down through the generations. It’s a unique glimpse at a side of Mexico that most will never have the chance to see and an opportunity to play a role in supporting local women and girls in the community. Over six impactful days, you’ll get lost amid the winding colonial streets of Oaxaca City’s 16th-century historic district, visit the ancient ruins of Monte Albán, and discover the bizarre rocks of Hierve el Agua. Along the way, you’ll taste a rich cross-section of cuisines that thrive in the region. By the time your dive into the local culture draws to a close in Oaxaca City, back where you started, you’ll have built up a multifaceted picture of what life is like here and fostered connections with some unforgettable women.

At Projects Abroad, we’re passionate about travel with a purpose. Since being founded in 1992, more than 130,000 volunteers have traveled to over 20 destinations around the world. Our programs will make you step out of your comfort zone and engage with your new friends from around the world. These are long-term projects, led by local people and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By taking part in our programs, even for a short time, you will be contributing towards a sustained effort to support the communities that host us! We believe no other provider offers the safety and security to their volunteers and interns that we do. You'll receive 24-hour staff support from our trained staff, alongside a gold standard of safety planning of your trip - so you don't have to worry about a thing. Choose a project you are passionate about from working with children to medical internship, conservation, and wildlife volunteering. We offer projects starting at one week in over 20 stunning destinations across Asia, Africa, Latin America & The Caribbean, South Pacific & Europe. Ready to make a difference? Follow the link to visit our website!

Join GoEco on the beautiful beach of Puerto Escondido, Mexico to conserve the local sea turtle population! Volunteers will help with the conservation of endemic species, such as turtles and reptiles of Oaxaca who are vulnerable and threatened by tourism, illegal hunting, climate change and pollution of beaches and the sea. Volunteers go on night patrols, monitor nests, mark eggs and assist with releases when possible. In addition to wildlife conservation tasks, volunteers will enjoy two surfing lessons each week and get to explore more of Mexico during free time on weekends.

Uncover the spirit of Central America on a 10-week journey through Mexico, Guatemala, and Costa Rica. Trek lush rainforests, hike volcanoes, raft wild rivers, and explore ancient Mayan ruins. More than just adventure, this program invites you to live alongside local communities, learn Spanish through immersion, and engage in meaningful sustainability projects that leave a lasting impact. Designed for students and young adults seeking growth, clarity, and purpose, Pacific Discovery blends challenge with support. You’ll gain confidence traveling with a small group and experienced instructors who mentor you through guided reflection and leadership activities. Days balance cultural exchange, service, and personal exploration—so you’re not just passing through, but truly connecting. Whether you’re taking a gap year, looking for an alternative to study abroad, or craving a deeper cultural experience, this program helps you grow, give back, and discover your place in the world.

Join this gap year program designed for your adventurous soul and the part of you that craves out-of-the-box experiences alongside a group of fun-loving friends. We offer the chance to be seen and accepted for who you already are as well as see the world for what it is and what it could be. We inspire rather than coerce. We challenge you to be real. We get dirty. We think big. We work on organic farms, build using sustainable materials, make our own bread, and hike our brains out. As a group, we go on a road trip through the southwest down to Oaxaca, Mexico, looking for adventure and learning about what makes these areas rich and interesting. In the process, you learn the skills of self-sufficiency, community, and quality living. At the end of the program, you will possess new options for living the good life and experiencing the richness of the world. Fall '25 Where: Colorado, Mexico, and the Southwest When: 8/06 – 11/17 Spring '26 Where: Colorado; Utah; Arizona; Bordercountry When: 3/10 – 5/17

The objective of the Camino del Mayab is to generate direct benefits for the people of the communities making up this cultural reserve. The main point is to foster sustainable tourism in these areas so women, men, and young people may have opportunities for growth in guidance services, food, lodging, transportation, and more. During the program, travelers live like locals and participate in daily life activities such as beekeeping, handicrafts, cornfield work, tending to livestock, and more. We work to eradicate three main problems: Social Inequality; Species Extinction; and Environmental Destruction. It is estimated that when this project is in its fifth year of operation, it will generate direct benefits for 360 indigenous people; of which 216 will be women and 72 young people. The Camino del Mayab's conservation is crucial for recharging the aquifer that supplies Merida, so environmental protection is vital to the area. As a volunteer in this program, you will support different activities carried out: rural construction, cleaning of trails, sanitation of areas, agricultural work, and rehabilitation of schools.

Combine it all by joining a NOLs gap semester or gap year program – adventure, wilderness education, academic study, and plenty of invaluable experiences! Connect with yourself and the outdoors and gain a head start in your university studies or career with a life-changing gap year (or semester). Gain personal growth, different perspectives, and newfound confidence—all providing useful throughout your lifetime. We have worldwide campuses in India, New Zealand, Alaska, Mexico, the Rockies, Patagonia, East Africa, and so much more. Travel where you want, immersing yourself in new environments and diverse cultures. Join us for around 2.5 to 4.5 months, depending on whether it's a gap semester or a gap year program. Looking to make the most of your time out from school after high school graduation, mid-university, or after getting your degree? Visit our website or inquire today for complete details about our gap semester or gap year programs at NOLS.

Embark on an unforgettable adventure with Olivia Travel, a leading travel company specializing in vacations designed exclusively for LGBTQ+ women and their friends. From thrilling outdoor activities in breathtaking destinations to relaxing getaways on luxurious cruises, Olivia blends adventure, inclusivity, and community like no other. Whether you're kayaking through turquoise waters, ziplining through lush rainforests, or hiking dramatic landscapes, Olivia’s expertly curated itineraries ensure every moment is both empowering and exhilarating. You'll also connect with like-minded travelers in a safe and welcoming environment. With Olivia, each journey becomes more than a vacation—an inspiring celebration of life, love, and adventure tailored just for you. Choose from intimate land tours, grand cruises, or action-packed expeditions, and discover what makes Olivia an unparalleled leader in LGBTQ+ women’s travel.