Volunteer in Mexico: Bienvenidos!

About Volunteering in Mexico

Download a PDF of our Mexico Volunteer Guide!

Volunteering in Mexico, one of the most diverse countries in the world - biologically, ethnically, linguistically, and culturally - means you'll never be bored. Mexico is home to one of the new seven wonders of the world (Chichen Itza), dozens of biosphere reserves (monarch butterflies, coral reefs, volcanoes, and more), spectacular beaches, world-renowned cuisine, and the second-largest city in the world (Mexico City). There really is something for everyone!

Maintaining this diversity while growing economically has been one of Mexico's foremost challenges. Popular volunteer projects in Mexico include environmental initiatives and work with poor communities. Unfortunately, the country also continues to struggle with providing basic services, particularly in rural areas, which means that health and education volunteers in Mexico are regularly needed. Many volunteer opportunities are only available to volunteers with some Spanish.

Mexico Fast Facts

• Average cost of living: USD $500-$1200/month, varies widely depending on city (at the low end: $200 on food, $300 rent and utilities). For more information visit Expat Forum and Corbett Barr.
• Work Visa: Difficult, but tourist visas are automatic for U.S. citizens
• Popular Destinations: Mexico City, Oaxaca, Chiapas
• Poverty level: 18.2% (CIA World Factbook)
• There are nearly 300 languages currently spoken in Mexico.

Types of Volunteer Programs

Environmental: Mexico is one of a few "mega-diverse" countries in which most of the world's biological diversity is found. A number of different projects work to maintain this diversity, and volunteers might conduct flora and fauna censuses or provide community education about conservation. Experience in biology and botany is a plus.

Work with Children and Youth: Social services in Mexico are chronically underfunded, particularly those that work with orphans, children in poor communities, and children of single mothers. Volunteers in this realm nurture these children, and their work is truly an investment in Mexico's future.

Education: Schools in Mexico can't keep up with growing numbers of students. Poor students rarely have access to English and computer classes, which provide economic mobility, and volunteers can help create these opportunities for underserved youth.

Health: Volunteers, particularly those with a medical background, can work in clinics throughout Mexico or help with outreach projects. These positions typically require the highest level of Spanish.

Gender Equality: Violence against women in Mexico puts them at an extreme economic and social disadvantage. Women make significantly less money than men and many times they need to travel for work. Volunteers can help change the long history of discrimination and sexist attitudes.

Volunteering Tips: Mexico

• Volunteer Support: Many large cities in Mexico have fairly large populations of expats from the U.S., so you can expect to find organizations of foreigners, English-language bookstores and libraries, and stores that will sell comfort food and familiar brands. The U.S. embassies and consulates are also very helpful in case of emergency and the economic dominance of English means that you can almost always find someone to translate in a pinch. (Similarly, many doctors have trained in the U.S. and speak excellent English.)

Contributed by Jena Barchas-Lichtenstein

Jena is finishing her Ph.D. in Linguistic Anthropology and lives in Oaxaca, Mexico. In addition to being an activist and scholar, she's also an aficionada of Oaxacan chocolate, chapulines, and calendas.

Do you think there is something missing in our guide to volunteering in Mexico? Contact us and let us know! We want to make sure our information is relevant and up to date.