Mexico – Sea Turtle Conservation and Surfing 101 – Images

Please Note: This program is temporarily unavailable. Check out our alternative programs in North America or schedule a one-on-one call with one of our expert volunteer advisors.

Join our team on the beaches of Mexico to help conserve and protect the sea turtles. Find yourself learning to surf and immersing yourself in a new culture!

Program Highlights:

• Gain hands-on experience working for marine and wildlife conservation
• Ethical wildlife interactions and volunteer tasks
• Experience the language and culture of another country, surrounded by sandy beaches and friendly locals
• Volunteers will have the opportunity to take two surf lessons during the week
• During free time, volunteers can participate in activities carried out, such as salsa classes (once a week) and classes of local food or craft workshops (offered once every two weeks)

Your Schedule at a Glance (Minimum one-week commitment):

Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Puerto Escondido Airport (PXM). You will be picked up from the airport and taken to the accommodations for check-in and an introduction, including a presentation about the history and types of sea turtles in the area and explanations of the week’s volunteer tasks.

Days 1-5, Monday-Friday: Rewarding volunteer work. The day begins with breakfast at 8:00 AM. Daily tasks will include beach conservation through waste collection, turtle monitoring- including counting and marking eggs, night monitoring on the beaches and assisting with turtle releases. Some days will include surf lessons. Dinner is arranged at 6:00 PM and nightly volunteer activities will begin at 8:00 PM. Volunteers from May-October will be involved solely in environmental conservation tasks.

Day 6, Saturday: Free day for volunteers to relax or explore the area.

Day 7, Sunday: Free day for volunteers extending. Departure day for volunteers staying only one week.

Remaining Weeks: The remaining weeks will follow the schedule of working Monday- Friday and Saturdays-Sundays free.

Please note: Volunteers who do not have an advanced or native level of Spanish are encouraged to join the program for a minimum duration of two weeks. The first week will be only Spanish courses, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Monday-Friday. Having a handle on the local language will allow you to better communicate with the program staff as well as with local community members that may speak very little English.

Check out what our past volunteers had to say!

Location of the Project: Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, Mexico

Project length: Min 1 – Max 12 weeks

Arrival Airport: Puerto Escondido Airport (PXM)

Volunteer Work:  Wildlife and marine conservation

Age:  18-80. Volunteers aged 16 and 17 may apply with parental consent and will stay with local host families.

Number of Volunteers: Up to 20 international volunteers

Important Note: Volunteers have the option to swap any week of volunteering with Spanish classes at no additional fee.

What’s Included

Accommodations: Shared, single-gender rooms in cabins

Airport Transfers:  Airport transfers are provided on both arrival and departure days

Orientation: All necessary training and introductions are provided upon arrival.

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

Meals, flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, personal expenses.