Mexico Volunteer & Adventure Team

April 22, 2012 – April 29, 2012

Go beyond the beaches and join us for a fantastic week of volunteering and exploring in beautiful coastal Mexico. This guided volunteer and adventure tour combines volunteering for local community development with snorkeling, hiking, ziplining (if you like), and more.

The Program

How it Works

Volunteers travel individually (or with friends) to Puerto Vallarta Mexico, are picked up from the airport, and are transported to Bucerias where the group will be staying in the guesthouse. The week consists of four days of volunteering, two and a half days of Adventure Touring, and plenty of time to relax, shop, and get to know the local area. Read more for details of the Mexico 2012 Volunteer & Adventure Tour.

The Volunteer Activities

As a volunteer you may:

  • Paint murals as a part of community beautification
  • Participate as a part of a beach clean-up team
  • Build a park from recycled materials
  • Serve lunch to disadvantaged children and youth
  • Care for children at an orphanage
  • Teach English to community members (learning English enables them to be meaningfully employed in the tourist economy, which is the mainstay of the local area)
  • Assist in a traveling spay and neuter clinic for cats and dogs

If you have a skill that you would like to teach, we may be able to arrange for you to teach these two local youth or women’s groups. Examples of skills include:

  • Arts and crafts
  • Topics in health education
  • Yoga, dance or sport
  • Music
  • Other ideas you want to approach us with

The Phenomenal Adventure Tours

Las Marietas Kayaking and Snorkeling

A short boat-ride away from Puerto Vallarta awaits the exotic Marietas Islands. This short trip will give us the opportunity to spot dolphins and other sea life. Upon arrival at Las Marietas the group will begin snorkelling and kayaking. Volunteers can explore rocky caverns and archways are their own leisure. As well, the island boasts a vast array of marine life, and a plethora of majestic giant manta rays, sea turtles and exotic tropical fish. The island also hosts many birds and some of the world’s remaining Green Macaws. 

Majestic Canopy Adventure

In the heart of the Sierra Madre Mountains, a 45 minute drive from Puerto Vallarta, lays a virgin tropical forest. Here the jungle exploration begins above its floors as you move on zip lines, suspended walkways and platforms, throughout a treetop canopy. Safety is the number one priority with highly trained guides, state of the art equipment (including two safety ropes), with all of it rigorously inspected and maintained.

In total, you will enjoy two and a half days of adventure tours, four days of volunteering, and have the remainder of your time for exploring, shopping, and becoming enchanted by the local charm.

A Typical Day

A typical day begins by waking up to a tasty breakfast with your fellow roommates. Your will eat breakfast as a team, and then depart for the day’s volunteer activities. After arrival, volunteer work will commence, with plenty of time to get to know the local area and fellow team members. Finally there will be free time or a planned activity. For example, one may head to the market to do some shopping, walking on the beach, or sight-seeing.

Other Activities

There will be plenty of time for volunteering, free time, and two group activities (covered in your program fee).

A Note on the Program

The exact schedule of volunteer activities will depend on final group size and is subject to change. Both the volunteer activities and adventure tours listed here are guaranteed to take place. The exact schedule will be provided in the week prior to departure.

 

 

Destination

Where we are volunteering: Punta de Mita & Bucerias

Punta de Mita is a small fishing village 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta, located on the beautiful Bahia de Banderas (Bay of Flags). On a spectacular peninsula, Punta de Mita hosts beautiful beaches, and a striking view of both the Bahia de Banderas and the open ocean.

Where we are living: Bucerias

Bucerias is 10 minutes away from Punta de Mita. It is also located on the Bahia de Banderas. Bucerias presents a nice balance between the  bustling atmosphere in Puerto Vallarta and the tranquility of Punta de Mita. It boasts a selection of local shops, bars, restaurants, coffee shops, as well as its very own sandy beaches.

Accommodation: Self-catering guesthouse or apartment with single or double occupancy.

See & Do

  • No shortage of outdoor activities in local area including surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming & fishing
  • Take a canopy tour in the nearby jungle
  • People-watch in the nearby relaxed Bucerias and Sayulita
  • Take a weekend trip to the island village of Yelapa
  • Tour your surroundings on scooters or 4×4’s
  • Swim with dolphins or go whale watching
  • Visit Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens
  • Take a relaxing walk on the historic Malecon in Puerto Vallarta, then hit the town to enjoy some night life
  • Visit Mazatlan, a gorgeous colonial district just a short walk away from beautiful beaches

Country Profile

  • Population: 112.5 million
  • Religion:  76% Catholic, 6% Protestant, 14% unspecified, 1% none
  • Language: Spanish is official language, Mayan, Nahuatl, and several other indigenous languages also spoken
  • Poverty Line:  18.2% live below the poverty line
  • Interesting Tidbit: Mexico introduced chocolate, corn, and chilies to the world

Passport/Visa Requirements

  • Is a visa required?: No
  • Tourist Visa Extension: Yes
  • Cost of Tourist Visa Extension: Enquire in-country
  • Passport validation: 6 months required before expiry
  • Return/onward flight ticket: Not required
  • Confirmation of Funds: Not required
  • For more information visit the websites of Mexico representation abroad:

View complete information about Mexico.

Costs

Costs

Program Fee: 890 CAD per volunteer

The program fee includes:

  • 7 Nights Accommodation. Double occupancy in apartment or guesthouse,
  • 2 meals provided daily
  • Variety of group volunteer activities designed for you to both learn about local issues and contribute to local development
  • Two phenomenal adventure tours
  • Transportation to and from the airport
  • Introductory Spanish language lesson
  • Fundraising Kit
  • Trained & highly qualified group leader
  • In-country support

Furthermore this price is extremely competitive, fees for comparable programs average 1400 CAD.

Please note that unlike our other programs, tours do not require an application. You may register now, or contact us with any questions you may have.