Yucatan Peninsula Volunteering

Feel like saving the world this week? Volunteering can be a powerful and fulfilling experience, especially when combined with the thrill of traveling in a new place. Mexico is currently facing significant challenges in terms of education, public safety, the environment, public health (what up, swine flu?), and rural development. Be aware that volunteering in this region may mean sacrificing many of the comforts you’re accustomed to, particularly in rural areas, and carries with it the risks of disease and less accessible health care. It’s easy to minimize these risks by doing background research on the organization you’re working with and the region to which you are traveling so that you can be appropriately prepared.

Most people who volunteer in these regions do so on a short-term basis at organizations that make use of drop-in or once-a-week volunteers. The best way to find opportunities that match your interests and schedule may be to check with local or national volunteer centers, some of which are listed below. Unsurprisingly, due to the problems Mexico is currently facing, many of the volunteer opportunities in these regions are related to economic development, environmental conservation, and public health. As always, read up before heading out.

Those looking for longer, more intensive volunteer opportunities usually choose to go through a parent organization that takes care of logistical details and often provides a group environment and support system—for a fee. There are two main types of organizations—religious and secular—although there are rarely restrictions on participation for either. Websites like www.volunteerabroad.com, www.servenet.org, and www.idealist.org allow you to search for volunteer openings both in your country and abroad.

I Have To Pay To Volunteer? Many volunteers are surprised to learn that some organizations require large fees or “donations,” but don’t go calling them scams just yet. While such fees may seem ridiculous at first, they often keep the organization afloat, covering airfare, room, board, and administrative expenses for the volunteers. (Other organizations must rely on private donations and government subsidies.) If you’re concerned about how a program spends its fees, request an annual report or finance account. A reputable organization won’t refuse to inform you of how volunteer money is spent. Pay-to-volunteer programs might be a good idea for young travelers who are looking for more support and structure (such as pre-arranged transportation and housing) or anyone who would rather not deal with the uncertainty of creating a volunteer experience from scratch.

Environmental Conservation

The quest for sustainable development is a crucial one throughout Mexico, but particularly in Yucatán and Chiapas, where the exploitation of abundant natural resources has resulted in widespread environmental ...more

Medical Outreach

Mexico offers universal health care to its citizens, but despite this provision, good medical services can be hard to find, particularly in the more rural areas of the Yucatán Peninsula, Tabasco, and ...more

Social Activism

Mexico has long been dominated by huge disparities between the country's rich and poor. Although economic growth in the postwar period has resulted in some parts of the country reaching standards of ...more

Archaeological Research

The Yucatán Peninsula’s rich history is manifest in over 10,000 Mayan ruins. The following programs provide volunteers a chance to delve into the region’s past. Foundation for Latin American ...more

Rural Development

Though Mexico’s countryside constitutes more than 80% of Mexico’s land and houses nearly 36% of the country’s population, it represents a just a small share of the country's economy. Rural areas ...more