Volunteering in Mexico

Calling all animal lovers! Help at this zoo in Guadalajara, Mexico. Volunteers assist with the day-to-day running of this large public zoo, dedicated to protecting some of the rarest species of reptiles, birds and mammals found in South America. Spend your days educating visitors, providing veterinary assistance and advice and help with everyday essential manual tasks such as: cleaning out animal cages, preparing food, feeding the animals and other general maintenance to animal enclosures.

The zoo is open 7 days a week so you can usually choose a day or two off that fit around your free time activities. Volunteers stay together in self-catered volunteer accommodation in Guadalajara, usually a shared house for volunteers. When busy volunteers are often paired up and placed with local families. In your free time why not head to the beaches at Puerto Vallarta on the stunning Jalisco coast or even closer still at only 45 minutes away, the largest lake in Mexico, Laguna Chapala. With a hippy/artistic relaxed feel to this sleepy town, rest, cycle round the lake or swim for a break from your zoo activities. Weekends here can be lively in the summer and festival periods and makes a welcome escape from the crowds and hustle and bustle of Guadalajara.

Interested but not sure? For the less confident animal lover try the live-on-site monkey sanctuary in South Africa where volunteers, monkeys and support staff are all in one place! But even if after having a go at the zoo it isn't for you, volunteers can easily swap over to our community and social work volunteering programme without even moving accommodation! Please see the other Guadalajara community page for more information on community opportunities.

We consider this project ideal if you...

Are interested in animals and species diversity
Want to gain some animal care experience for your career or a future course of study
Would like to improve Spanish or learn it for the first time by working alongside Mexican staff

Mexico at a glance

Mexico is a land of contrasts, a developing country yet one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Guadalajara is the second the biggest city in Mexico with a population of 5 million people but with an altitude of approximately 1500 metres it is not quite as steamy in the summer heat as other Mexican cities.

Local must-sees include the city's historic quarter with buildings of hundreds of years old. Further afield, a must see or must visit is Chapala Lake to swim, relax and party.
Weekend excursions can be booked easily to places of interest, or take a weekend break on the stunning Jalisco pacific coast at Puerto Vallarta or Mazatlan.

Not sure where to volunteer?

Call our advisor team on 01603 627 007.