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Sea Turtle Conservation in Mexico!
Do you love sea turtle, the beach, and adventure? Since 2003, Global Crossroad has offered this unique volunteer with the sea turtle conservation program in Mexico for someone just like you!
- Highly reviewed and reputable volunteer work with sea turtle conservation in Mexico
- Always feel safe with constant in country support
- Travel abroad, live on the beach, and help sea turtles starts at only $420
- Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Mexico while making a big environmental difference during your journey
Volunteering with sea turtle conservation in Mexico gives you the unique chance to work directly with sea turtle! With over two decades of success in sea turtle conservation, this project is a fantastic opportunity to pursue your passion of helping animals and the environment.
Located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico on the beaches of Cabo Corrientes, Jalisco, the project began in 2005. Volunteering with sea turtle conservation in Mexico gives you the unique chance to work directly with sea turtle! With over two decades of success in sea turtle conservation, this project is a fantastic opportunity to pursue your passion of helping animals and the environment.
The project began when local fishermen personally witnessed less and less turtles nesting on their beach each year. These fishermen still recall the days when thousands of Olive Ridley turtles laid eggs on the beach in one night. There were almost as many people there to collect the eggs and sell them to market! Something needed to be done to protect these beautiful creatures. The volunteer with sea turtle conservation program in Mexico is a proactive effort to protect and restore sea turtle populations to an acceptable number.
Today, all species of sea turtle are endangered and protected by law.
However, thousands of turtles are still slaughtered every year for their meat and eggs, often being cut open for the eggs and tossed back into the ocean. Thousands more die each year in illegal trawl nets, and while building of homes and tourist resorts on nesting beaches. The fishermen and visiting volunteers save approximately 4,000 nests each year. This effort needs to be ongoing to maintain and hopefully increase population numbers in the future. Your involvement with the volunteer work with sea turtle conservation in Mexico will be a boost to an already successful project.This project may be combined with an intensive Spanish course (based in Melaque, before arriving at camp), as well as weekend breaks to local tourist destinations and tours to some of Mexico's highlights.
Volunteer Responsibilities & Impacts
The volunteering with sea turtle conservation in Mexico program is very hands-on. Volunteers can work during night or daytime. Nighttime work involves taking turns patrolling the nesting beach, monitoring nesting activity in the incubation corral, and releasing the hatchlings to the ocean. All nests found along the 10km stretch of beach are collected and relocated to the incubation corral, where hatchlings are collected and counted as they come to the surface of the sand. An important part of this process is data collection, allowing numbers of nesting turtles and hatchlings to be monitored over the years. Some of the major tasks you will be doing are:
- Walking along the beach at night and early morning to watch out for nesting turtles and move their nests if needed.
- Taking care of turtle eggs in hatcheries, including cleaning nests and collecting data.
- Releasing baby turtles into the ocean every day.
- Helping out at the camp by gardening, cleaning, and building things like nurseries for plants and pens for turtles.
- Joining workshops at the environmental education center to learn about recycling and gardening.
- Cleaning up beaches and helping the local community.
- Also, volunteers might get to help with scientific research, go on trips to see turtles and other sea animals, and explore local places like beaches and a lighthouse.
The nesting season for sea turtles spans from May to February of the following year, with operations at the camp ongoing throughout the entire year. While officially starting in June, nesting numbers begin to rise significantly from August onwards. During the peak nesting months from August to February, there's a considerable amount of work at the camp due to the high numbers of nesting turtles and hatchlings. From March to July, efforts focus on preparing for the next nesting season, enhancing camp facilities, conducting wildlife monitoring projects, and fundraising. Additionally, participants may have the option to take an intensive Spanish course before arriving at the camp and enjoy weekend breaks to nearby tourist destinations and tours to notable attractions across Mexico.
Skills and Qualifications
If you are studying or interested in biological sciences, community development, or have a general interest in nature and the environment, this project is ideal. No previous training is needed, as on-site training will be given upon arrival to the camp. Basic Spanish skills may be helpful for communication with the locals, but not necessary in order to take part in the project. Your passion for conservation will go a long way to producing results for this volunteer with sea turtle conservation opportunity in Mexico.
Sea Turtle Project: Dates and Fees
Dates: Volunteer In Mexico
The turtle conservation volunteer programs starts and ends on Monday and is available between July-February. Please keep your arrival date on a Monday.
Fees: Volunteer in Mexico
Global Crossroad is committed to offering the most affordable and highest quality Mexico volunteer trips. We strive to keep our costs low. The humanitarian side of the business is our passion.
Global Crossroad's volunteer opportunity in Mexico application and registration fee cost US $299. The application fee covers the cost of advertising, program promotion, and office expenses (rent, utilities, and staff salaries in USA office).
In addition to the application fee, you are required to pay a weekly program fee. You will pay your weekly fee directly to the country coordinator, who in turn will allocate it to your host family, project and other in-country support we offer to our volunteers. This way, the fees that you pay will benefit those who rightfully deserve them, and not for company profit.
| Duration | Sea turtle conservation |
|---|---|
| 1 Week | $420 |
| 2 Weeks | $750 |
| 3 Weeks | $1080 |
| 4 Weeks | $1410 |
| 5 Weeks | $1575 |
| 6 Weeks | $1875 |
| 7 Weeks | $2175 |
| 8 Weeks | $2,475 |
| 9 Weeks | $2,775 |
| 10 Weeks | $3,075 |
| 11 Weeks | $3,375 |
| 12 Weeks | $3,675 |
The cost for airport pickup is $100 for a one-way trip, while both pickup and drop-off services are available for $180.
Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day ( below 28 years) and $4.49/day ( above 28 years) »
How your fee is allocated?
Program fees cover:
- Complete weekly meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Night patrols on ATVs to collect nests and sight female turtles
- Biological and ecological workshops regarding all aspects of conservation (local fauna and flora)
- Daily Hatchling release into the ocean when on camp
- Full use of camp facilities and services (kitchen, bathrooms, showers, dining room, palapas and sport areas)
- Open water excursions
- Local hikes depending on the excursion, as well as transportation by bus and boats
- Tent and sleeping bag for accommodation
- Official volunteer t-shirt
Program fees exclude:
- Airfare
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- International Travel Insurance
The volunteering programs in Mexico fees will cover expenses that will begin on the first day of the program (usually the first or third Monday of the month) to the last day of the program. If you arrive before the first day of the program or you decide you stay beyond your program’s last day, you will be responsible for the additional expenses, which would typically be around $30 a day for room and meals at a hostel.
Accommodation and Meal
You will stay in camping accommodations at the project site, which offers shaded and protected areas. You will have access to facilities such as bathrooms with toilets and showers, a kitchen, and recreational spaces. To avoid extra costs on flights, tents and sleeping bags will be provided. Hammocks are also recommended for relaxation and comfort.
Additionally, complete weekly meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, will be provided. As community involvement is emphasized, all volunteers are expected to help with kitchen activities.
Volunteer with Sea Turtle Conservation in Mexico : FAQs:
Where is the volunteer abroad with sea turtle conservation in Mexico project taking place?
Project location is the village La Cumbre in Tomatlán, Jalisco State.
Where am I supposed to fly in to, for this volunteering overseas with sea turtle conservation in Mexico project?
Please fly to Puerto Vallarta Airport. We kindly advise our volunteers to contact the country coordinator as soon as they have booked their flights.
Should I bring some auxiliary stuff when I arrive?
All sea turtle conservation volunteers will receive detailed information regarding the climate specifics, insect repellant, sleeping bag etc.
Is the volunteering work with sea turtle conservation in Mexico project on going throughout the year?
This project is only available from July through February.
Other Volunteer Programs in Mexico
There are many ways for you to make a difference in Mexico with GCR. Such as: