Volunteer Programs in Mexico

Come explore Pez Maya, home to a conservation site aimed at protecting the local coastal marine species and their coral reef homes, while also studying their populations. Participants will assist researchers in conserving a portion of the Mesoamerican Reef, which faces increased problems due to development in the nearby cities of Playa del Carmen and Cancun. Volunteers will help with long term goals to ensure the area will remain protected. Through education of the community and gaining specific knowledge on the functioning and elements of the ecosystem, participants will be better able to understand the biodiversity. The project will be split into two portions. Participants will be trained for the first three weeks on diving in order to obtain PADI certification for open water, study local specimen, and learn techniques for data collection. After this, volunteers will begin to directly assist with monitoring and researching including cleaning beaches, collecting information on coral and fish, helping with tasks such as chores and equipment prep, and reaching out to local people through education.

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.

Mexico is a beautiful country and a great place to spend time on a volunteer program or internship. It is a real meeting place of cultures: a modern, industrialized, and well-educated country that's full of history. American, Spanish, and Indian influences all come together to make it a fascinating place that mixes developed and developing worlds. Mexico is a stimulating mixture of wealth and poverty and offers amazing opportunities for volunteers to learn and travel within its expansive borders. Our projects in Mexico are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, including those on a college summer break, gap year, career break, or volunteer vacation. The large city of Guadalajara is the home of Projects Abroad Mexico. Our volunteer office base is right next to the magnificent Expiatorio Cathedral in the center of the city. Care, Teaching, Medicine & Healthcare, Conservation & Environment, International Development, Business, and Spanish language courses are available.

At the heart of this program is the belief that every child has the right to education, thus supporting the right of indigenous youth to a culturally appropriate education. It was created to provide impoverished children in Oaxaca with a solid education and ensure their well-being with additional resources such as nutritious meals, medical care, and extracurricular activities. All these aim to give a solid foundation for growth, helping them break the poverty cycle and ultimately lead enriched lives. The project center serves as a place of extracurricular learning for the children and an intercultural exchange between international students and volunteers. This diverse program allows individuals and groups from all backgrounds to participate. While qualified teachers are ideal, especially for longer-term placements, any contribution is valued and beneficial, with all volunteers contributing in their unique way.

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.

Program formerly known as "Cultural Crossroads in Health in Oaxaca, Mexico." Oaxaca, where CFHI students can explore a different culture and way of life while learning about the region's healthcare system through clinical rotations, is truly a crossroads where different cultures and healthcare practices intersect. Oaxaca City, one of the most unique cities in Mexico, is steeped in history, tradition, and the influences of a vibrant indigenous culture. Students will be immersed in the region's language and rich culture while learning about contemporary social issues facing the local population. Oaxaca is one of the poorest states in Mexico, and many of its inhabitants, especially those of the large indigenous population in rural areas, have limited access to even rudimentary healthcare services. Participants will be exposed to various elements of Oaxacan healthcare: public and private, urban and rural.

Join a life-changing Volunteer Build Week with Global Impact Homes and help construct homes for those in need. We currently offer Impact Builds in several destinations, including Puducherry, India; Zihuatanejo, Mexico; Granada, Nicaragua; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As a volunteer, you’ll participate in or lead a one-week build. You’ll collaborate with local communities, providing essential housing. At the same time, enjoy cultural immersion activities and foster connections with like-minded individuals. This rewarding experience includes all on-the-ground expenses, such as meals and travel medical insurance, allowing you to focus on making a lasting impact. Your participation will help uplift disadvantaged families, providing a safe and stable environment for generations to come.

The study program includes 20 hours per week of Spanish lessons. Participants will be grouped depending on their current level of Spanish. These 50-minute classes will be based on the four language skills: listening, grammar, oral, and written comprehension. After the minimum four-week study program, students will be placed in a volunteering position in the community for another four weeks. Participants will work with people with disabilities, such as Down Syndrome and Language Delays, or work with the elderly.

This internship provides fieldwork experience in a Latin American healthcare setting. Interns should have taken upper-level courses in their field and have an intermediate level of Spanish. This program will develop language skills and medical vocabulary and will provide insight into the cultural similarities and differences between Mexican and American healthcare systems. Qualifications * Must be at least 18-30 years old * Must have at least an intermediate level of English and Spanish * Must have a flexible and positive attitude * Must be accepting of other cultures * Must be willing to learn * Must commit to fulfilling job duties for the entire duration of the program * Must obtain a valid Passport to participate

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.

The Mexico project has both marine and terrestrial components, being based in either Akumal Bay or the Calakmul biosphere reserve. The Calakmul projects focus on assessing the reserve's biodiversity by surveying a number of key groups – butterflies and moths, reptiles, amphibians, birds, bats, and large mammals. Volunteers can get involved with each of these surveys while based at a site near an ancient Mayan city. The marine project at Akumal involves work on turtle populations, coral restoration, and mangrove mapping. Operation Wallacea is a research and environmental organization working alongside university and college academics to build long-term data sets to put toward various conservation management goals. We recruit volunteers to help out with data collection, training them in the skills and background needed to help effectively. There's also the option to complete dissertations or senior theses at our sites.

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.

Have you completed accredited certification in teaching English as a second language? Then, this position is a good fit for you! At Heslington Language Program (Help!), we believe that students effectively learn a foreign language through total immersion. Thus, in this paid ESL role, you don’t deliver lessons based on difficult grammatical rules and exercises. Instead, you teach real-life English that students can apply to everyday situations. Our English Teaching program in Mexico is ideal for both: - Recently certified teachers seeking a solid first-time experience - Teachers who have previous experience and want to try working and living abroad Help! is a private language school that brings together students and English native speakers. Together, they share authentic language experiences and cultural insights.

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.

Support animal welfare remotely with the Antonio Haghenbeck y de la Lama Foundation, based in Mexico. This volunteer opportunity is perfect for those who have a passion for making a difference and possess skills in communication, design, marketing, or translation. Our foundation is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and finding homes for abused and abandoned animals. Your remote contributions will help amplify our efforts and spread awareness. As a remote volunteer, you will assist in creating and editing multimedia content for our website, social media, and print materials. You will collaborate with our Communication and Institutional Image team to ensure cohesive and engaging designs for all our publications and campaigns. Your translation skills will be vital in making our materials accessible to a broader audience by translating documents between Spanish and English. Join us in making a significant impact on animal welfare from the comfort of your home.

Barb's Dog Rescue, located in Rocky Point, Mexico, is a sanctuary for street dogs in dire need of care and attention. Volunteers play a crucial role in providing the love and support these dogs need to thrive. If you’re visiting Mexico, spending time to volunteer with us would be greatly appreciated and make a significant impact. The rescue welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds to assist with various tasks, ensuring a fulfilling and meaningful experience for everyone involved. Volunteering at Barb's Dog Rescue offers numerous ways to get involved based on your interests and skills. From socializing with young puppies to providing essential care and feeding, every task helps prepare these dogs for a better life. Foster homes are also critically needed to support puppies and dogs recovering from surgeries or injuries. Additional opportunities include helping with website maintenance and office support.

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!