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.
