Volunteers who want to work outdoors, learn about sustainable farming practices and don’t mind working hard. An intermediate level of Spanish and experience on an organic farm would be helpful on this project but are not required.

Project details

Interested in farming and want to be a Sustainable Agriculture volunteer in Mexico? International Volunteer HQ’s Sustainable Agriculture project is a great opportunity for volunteers to learn about sustainable and organic farming practices while working outdoors. Volunteers gain agricultural experience and help local farmers to meet the challenges presented by growing environmental pressures and urbanisation.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

Agriculture plays a vital role in the economic and historical fabric of Mexico and day-to-day life in Mérida. However, a changing environment and increased development mean local farmers are looking for ways to adapt their approach, with a focus on moving towards traditional farming practices and sustainable agriculture.

As a Sustainable Agriculture volunteer you will help local farmers to meet and combat current challenges, as well as learn about sustainable farming practices in a hands-on, real-life manner. For those wanting to volunteer outdoors on a farm in Mexico, this project pairs you with a local farmer and promises hard but rewarding work doing things like:

Planting crops
Harvesting
Irrigating
Helping with basic construction
Working with stock
Volunteer work is based on farms that are up to two hours from Mérida.

Please wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, a hat and sunscreen. Being able to speak Spanish would be extremely useful and help you get the most out of the project and be able to make the biggest impact possible.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

As job losses escalate as a result of Covid-19, it is estimated that nearly half of the global workforce is at risk of losing their livelihoods. We must improve access to jobs, decent work conditions and community services in order to achieve peace, sustainable economic growth and a better quality of life for all.

Why do Sustainable Agriculture volunteering in Merida with IVHQ?

As a farming volunteer in Mexico you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

Supporting efforts to making farming more sustainable
Helping with farm work outdoors
Practicing your Spanish
Gaining agriculture experience
Immersing yourself in Mexican culture
Discovering Mexico’s rich history

Volunteer requirements

Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
All volunteers must speak fluent English.

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Who is going?

Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

Mexico photo gallery

IVHQ Volunteering on the Teaching project in Mexico

IVHQ Teaching English project

IVHQ Childcare project

Agriculture volunteers in Mexico with IVHQ

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

IVHQ Childcare project

IVHQ Childcare project

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

IVHQ Special Needs project

IVHQ Teaching project

IVHQ Childcare volunteer teaching in Mexico

IVHQ Childcare project

IVHQ Agriculture volunteers in Mexico gardening

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

IVHQ Childcare volunteer pointing in Mexico

IVHQ Childcare project

IVHQ Teaching English volunteer playing sports in Mexico

IVHQ Teaching English project

IVHQ Teaching project

English Teaching IVHQ volunteer in Mexico

IVHQ Teaching project

IVHQ Agriculture volunteers in Mexico gardening project

IVHQ Sustainable Agriculture project

Volunteer English teacher with IVHQ in Mexico

IVHQ Teaching project

Volunteer English teacher with classroom IVHQ in Mexico

IVHQ Teaching project

Volunteer orientation

Volunteer Spanish Class

Exploring Cancun beach with IVHQ in Mexico

Exploring Cancun during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring Merida during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring cenotes during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring Izmal during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring Merida during an IVHQ weekend

Volunteers dining in Merida with IVHQ in Mexico

Dining out in Merida during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring Cancun beaches with IVHQ in Mexico

Exploring Cancun during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring cenotes during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring Izmal during an IVHQ weekend

Swimming in Cancun beaches with IVHQ in Mexico

Exploring Cancun during an IVHQ weekend

Exploring Merida in the evening with IVHQ in Mexico

Exploring Merida during an IVHQ weekend

Volunteers exploring Merida with IVHQ in Mexico

Exploring Merida during an IVHQ weekend

What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

Geraldine Lopez

09 Aug 2023

This program is affordable and approachable. The people and the location is safe, and the orientation helped to make me feel like an insider in a new country.

...

Elodie André

26 Jul 2023

I appreciated having access to the online guide because I referred to it a lot to ensure I had every document ready to go. I had a really good time with everyone there, it was hard to leave the placement but the whole experience re-boosted my motivation to pursue my career in special education and expand it to speech therapy. If you like travelling, getting to know new people, learning a new language or culture, and helping people, you're going to love it. Just go with an open mind!

...

Marilin Castelan

19 Jun 2023

When it came to seeking guidance and having help with preparation, IVHQ was always available as the volunteers are welcome to ask questions and seek more information if needed. They would answer phone calls and help me with any questions I had. The local team was very welcoming! As my first time volunteering and my first solo trip, they made me feel safe and supported. They would explain in detail how the program would go.

By far, the best moment was when one of the kids gave me a painting they made to keep and take home. Another favorite moment was going to explore on the weekends and going to Cenotes (a deep sinkhole in limestone with a pool at the bottom). I loved learning about the culture and seeing kids who are getting help with physical therapy and being given access to healthcare providers. Some families would travel two hours to get to the facility I was volunteering with. Those families were truly inspiring. You only live once! To go abroad and volunteer it is a worldly experience that you can't just read about it, you have to live it.

...

Pablo Fuentes

15 Feb 2023

I learned the importance of working patiently and really focusing on good quality, and hard work and I learned to be much more independent. My favorite thing was getting to work every single day in the bus and being received by everyone at my placement, they where all so kind. If you're hesitant, I would say to do it! there is minimal risk associated with volunteering abroad, especially with IVHQ and even if you are afraid like I was, you will meet great people and make an impact on the world. this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

...

Jennifer Hayward

14 May 2021

This was a very rewarding experience. I believe that volunteer travel is the best kind of travel.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

Learn about course credit

Location

Location

Mérida is the capital of the Yucatán state on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast. It was an important area to the ancient Mayan people and many people living there today have Mayan ancestry. This vibrant culture mixed with a legacy of Spanish colonialism has left the city with a heady mixture of activities, events, architecture, artwork and atmosphere. Mérida is also said to be among the safest cities in the Americas and extremely clean.

IVHQ’s Mexico program is based in Merida, 30 minutes from Centro, an area where there is great food, shopping and nightlife. Volunteer placements are set in different neighborhoods around the region.

Arrival and orientation

The Mexico volunteer program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of every month and volunteers need to arrive in Mérida on the Sunday before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive into Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport (MID) in Mérida, where you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation; or if you are arriving into Cancun International Airport (CUN), you will need to take a 4-hour bus ride from the airport to Mérida. If you choose to arrive in Cancun, the best bus company for traveling to Mérida is ADO. You will see a big red and white ADO sign at a kiosk at the exit of the airport. You should purchase your ticket for the next departure for Mérida Altabrisa Station, which is close to the volunteer accommodation. Please call or email the local staff to let them know your estimated time of arrival so they can arrange for your pick-up. Your IVHQ Program Manager will provide further guidance in regards to travel options between Cancun and Mérida once you have registered for the program.

Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.If you are travelling in Mexico prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Mérida on the day before your program orientation.

Orientation will be hosted by our team in Mexico and will cover everything you need to know for your program in Mexico – an introduction to Mexico, Mexican customs, language training details, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Mexico, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising. Once orientation is complete, volunteers will be transported to their placement and introduced to all relevant parties and placement staff.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays - A typical volunteer day would be as follows:

7:30 AM	Breakfast at the volunteer house or homestay.
8:00 AM	Volunteers leave home and travel to their placements.
2:00 PM	Lunch at the volunteer house or homestay. Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel home, take Spanish lessons, prepare for the next day or do some shopping and sightseeing.
7:30 PM	Dinner at the volunteer house or homestay.

Please note, some placements do not begin until 2:00 PM and in this case, volunteers usually have their Spanish lessons in the morning.

Weekends

During the weekends, volunteers have spare time and usually just relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of Mérida and the state of Yucatán. You can make the most of Mérida’s charms and check out the bustling local markets, baroque Spanish architecture, a wide variety of music, art and cultural events, visit a 19th century mansion, sample the local Yucatan cuisine, take a dip in a volcanic crater or watch a Mayan ball game.

Day trips can be arranged so volunteers can explore popular sites in the area, such as Chichén Itzá – the most famous of the Yucatán’s Mayan ruin sites and one of Mexico’s most visited tourist destinations, the impressive Uxmal Mayan ruin site and the historical town of Izamal.

Looking for more ideas of things to do in Mexico? Check out our Mexico Travel & Tours page!

Accommodation and WiFi

Volunteers in Mexico are accommodated in a volunteer house nestled in a quiet neighborhood of Mérida.

The dormitory-style volunteer house provides shared rooms and bathrooms, a communal outdoor kitchenette for basic food preparation and access to the yard, patio and swimming pool.

You can expect to share a room with up to five other volunteers of the same gender. Living is basic, yet comfortable and the volunteer house has electricity and running water.

Volunteers who wish to arrange an accommodation upgrade for more privacy, air conditioning, filtered water and heated showers can do so with the local team after registering for the program. The host families speak Spanish and therefore homestay accommodation is also a great way to practice the local language and experience the local culture first-hand.

The volunteer house in Mérida has WiFi and internet cafes are located within walking distance of the volunteer house.

Meals

In Mexico, volunteers are provided breakfast and dinner in the volunteer accommodation, with a combination of Mexican and Western food. We recommend budgeting between US$5 (approximately AU$8) and US$10 (approximately AU$16) per day to purchase lunch. When you arrive the local staff will provide recommendations on economical places to eat in Mexico.

Tap water is not safe to drink in Mexico, however bottled water is readily available and you should budget approximately US$5 (approximately AU$8) per week for this.

Please be sure to let us know of any specific dietary requirements you have so we can make special arrangements for you.

Volunteer house pool

Volunteer house pool area

Volunteer house bedroom

Volunteer homestay living room

Volunteer homestay dining room

Volunteer homestay bedroom

IVHQ Agriculture kitchen in Mexico with IVHQ

Volunteer kitchen on the Sustainable Agriculture project

Volunteers serving dinner

IVHQ volunteers dining

Typical volunteer breakfast

Typical volunteer breakfast

Volunteer breakfast in Merida, Mexico with IVHQ

Typical volunteer breakfast

Dinner provided at the volunteer house for IVHQ volunteers in Mexico

Typical volunteer dinner

Mexican style dinner at the local site for volunteers in Mexico with IVHQ

Typical volunteer dinner

IVHQ volunteers in Mexico receive dinner as part of their accommodations at the volunteer house

Typical volunteer dinner

Volunteer dinner in Merida, Mexico with IVHQ

Typical volunteer dinner

Typical volunteer dinner

Typical volunteer dinner

Pricing

USD
- United States Dollars - $
- Australian Dollars - AU$
- Brazilian Reals - R$
- British Pound Sterling - £
- Canadian Dollars - CA$
- Chinese Yuan - CN¥
- Euros - €
- Hong Kong Dollars - HK$
- Mexican Pesos - MX$
- New Zealand Dollars - NZ$
- Singapore Dollars - SG$
- Swiss Francs - CHF
- UAE Dirhams - AED

Duration	Program Fee Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you. USD United States Dollars - $ Australian Dollars - AU$ Brazilian Reals - R$ British Pound Sterling - £ Canadian Dollars - CA$ Chinese Yuan - CN¥ Euros - € Hong Kong Dollars - HK$ Mexican Pesos - MX$ New Zealand Dollars - NZ$ Singapore Dollars - SG$ Swiss Francs - CHF UAE Dirhams - AED
2 weeks	$620 Equivalent to $44/day
3 weeks	$810 Equivalent to $39/day
4 weeks	$980 Equivalent to $35/day
5 weeks	$1,120 Equivalent to $32/day
6 weeks	$1,290 Equivalent to $31/day
8 weeks	$1,630 Equivalent to $29/day
10 weeks	$1,970 Equivalent to $28/day
12 weeks	$2,310 Equivalent to $28/day
16 weeks	$2,990 Equivalent to $27/day
20 weeks	$3,670 Equivalent to $26/day
24 weeks	$4,350 Equivalent to $26/day

All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately AU$483) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Mexico generally find US$100 per week to be sufficient for expenses, such as lunches and local tours and activities.

Breakfast and dinner
Airport pick-up
Accommodation
24/7 in-country support
In-country program orientation
Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
Discounts on language lessons
Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

Lunch
Transport to and from your placement each day
Return to the airport when your program finishes
Flights
Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.

Popular add-ons & experiences in Merida

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Merida program.

Spanish Language Lessons

Introductory package of affordable Spanish lessons offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers, tailored to your current level of Spanish.

From AU$323

View all add-ons & experiences

Spanish language lessons

Spanish language courses are available for all volunteers at all levels. IVHQ recommends these courses for all volunteers, unless they are fluent. If you have a basic level of Spanish and and are staying for a period of longer than 2 weeks, you should strongly consider these courses, as they will allow you to work and communicate with all parties more efficiently during your stay. The language course will be tailored to suit your current level of Spanish.

These language courses are available to purchase as an add-on via your MyIVHQ account once you have registered for the Mexico program. The cost is very affordable and offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers. Classes run in the morning or afternoon, Monday to Friday.

10 hours: US$198 (approximately AU$320) per person
20 hours: US$335 (approximately AU$542) per person
30 hours: US$462 (approximately AU$747) per person
40 hours: US$599 (approximately AU$969) per person
60 hours: US$874 (approximately AU$1414) per person
80 hours: US$1149 (approximately AU$1859) per person

Check what's required to visit Mexico

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.

Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital	Mexico City
Population	127 million
Languages	Spanish
Currency	Peso (MXN)
Time zone	UTC-06:00

Weather and climate: The Tropic of Cancer effectively divides the country into temperate and tropical zones. Mérida lies on the Caribbean coast in the State of Yucatán and is one of the warmer regions of Mexico. The warm season lasts from April through June, with an average daily high temperature above 35°C (94°F). The hottest day of the year is May 7, with an average high of 36°C (97°F) and low of 23°C (74°F). Being prepared for the intense heat during this time frame is essential. The colder season lasts from November to February with an average daily high temperature below 31°C (88°F). The coldest month of the year is in January, with an average low of 18°C (65°F) and high of 29°C (85°F).