Community Development Volunteering in Mexico

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Step out of your comfort zone with our amazing internships in Mexico, a country famous for its ancient ruins and stunning beaches! With Adelante Abroad, you will combine practical experience in your chosen field and cultural immersion through a discovery of a new country. Our internship programs in Oaxaca emphasize giving back to the community rather than pure work. Sign up for 1-12 months and choose from placements in various sectors - Arts, Social Work, Psychology, English Teaching, Culinary, Education, and more. These internships and volunteer opportunities are on a rolling basis, where assigned programs start the first week of every month! Housing will differ depending on the location of your internship, and candidates will be placed either with a local or with other international candidates. Both living options will allow you to improve your Spanish speaking level. Adelante Abroad offers internships and volunteer assignments based on the program's availability and your experience in the sector. Contact us to confirm placements in advance or inquire about other opportunities!

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!

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

Earn your PADI divers and coral reef research qualifications as you assist in preserving local ecosystems, coral reefs, and endangered species as well as join initiatives for ocean floor and beach waste collection efforts. You’ll be supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) while having the opportunity to dive into the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, one of the largest coral reefs in the world. Collaborate with GVI staff and local organizations to assist with reef recovery efforts as you grow coral in laboratories to transplant onto the reef. You’ll also engage in marine waste management and data collection efforts to ensure ocean floors and beaches are clear of plastic pollution. At the same time, assist to preserve the endangered hawksbill sea turtle relying on local beach fronts for nesting. In this expedition, you’ll live alongside local community members and volunteer with like-minded international participants. Learn about different cultures and languages and taste traditional cuisines in the port city of Puerto Morelos.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

Global Impact Homes, a US-based nonprofit, is partnering with a local nonprofit in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, called Chantiik. We will spend 8 nights together exploring one of Mexico's "Magical Pueblos" located in the Mexican Central highlands, with 5 days volunteering to rehabilitate homes and families in need. Founded in 1528, San Cristobal is now an international historic site. This team is limited to 14 volunteers (currently at 9), so we hope you'll consider joining us for a fantastic week of fun and work. Your donation includes: - 8 nights lodging - double occupancy in a local hotel. Single rooms may be available for an additional fee. - Three meals per day (alcohol not included) - A donation towards construction materials and local labor - All on-site tools, and plenty of water and snacks - Travel medical insurance - All in-country transportation (flights not included) - Cultural and R&R activities.

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.

This exciting program is located in Malinalco, located only 50 km southwest of Mexico City, the capital. Because of its colonial character, it is one of the Pueblos Mágicos (Magic towns). Aldeas de Paz has established a collaboration with a grassroots NGO, one of the most prestigious civil society organizations in the municipality of Malinalco, in central Mexico. This extraordinary and successful NGO was created in 2007 with the aim of promoting community participation to preserve and protect the town's natural, social, historical, and spiritual heritage. Through its programs, FCM activates, builds capacities, accompanies, and finances projects to strengthen the diversity of communities living in Malinalco. The central aim of this joint volunteering program is to be able to enhance peace culture and conflict transformation processes in the forestry field, as well as to strengthen the activities and goals of the Forestry Culture Program of the FCM in the region.

Join us for the adventure of a lifetime! Volunteers For Peace (a Vermont-based nonprofit) can place you on a team of international volunteers who contribute to a meaningful community service project designed, planned, and hosted by local partners. We offer the most affordable projects and the best way to meet people from all over the world. Work project types vary by country but may include environmental and wildlife conservation, historic preservation, educational and language learning, archaeology, organic farming, and arts and festivals. We also have social services projects, which could involve working with children, the elderly, or refugees. Projects are designed to combine service with recreational activities and cultural exchange – whether by visiting local beaches, learning local dances, meeting local officials, or volunteering with residents at the place you’re visiting. Each project is unique, but all bring people together for the most meaningful travel experience imaginable. Please note that VFP can only place US Citizens. This is due to our agreements with our international partners.

Volunteering with ICYE UK is a transformational experience with real impact. Our ethical programmes promote peace, intercultural awareness and equality of opportunity, encouraging young people from around the world to live, learn and work together. UK residents can apply now to join us on our six or 12-month placements starting in either January or August, and work with locally run NGOs in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Europe on impactful projects that matter, such as: - Human rights projects - Women’s empowerment projects - Supporting people with compromised health and/or disabilities - Environmental and wildlife conservation - Sustainable agriculture projects - Providing education, care, and support for children from under-resourced communities - Sports, art, or cultural projects - Community development programmes - And many more Additionally, short-term placements of 3 to 5 months with flexible start dates are available in some of our partner countries. Whether you join us on our long-term or short-term programme, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture and language, learn, grow, and make an impact! Get in touch to find out more!

Travel to Oaxaca—Mexico's artistic, culinary, and cultural capital, for this Global Citizen Adventure program! You will volunteer with a women's cooperative to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG) 1 - No Poverty, 4 - Quality Education, and 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth. Travelers on this program will explore historic Oaxaca, visit weaving cooperatives, adventure to ancient ruins, and hike to a petrified waterfall. The itinerary includes cooking classes, walking tours, concerts, and museums. The magic of Mexico will come to life on this 7-day adventure. Our unique, online, pre-departure global service-learning and citizenship course will prepare you to make the most of your time in Mexico. You will learn the destination's history and culture, the mission and vision of our partners, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This experience is designed to foster the development of educated, compassionate global citizens and leaders.