Mexico - Merida Overview

Summer now full - limited spaces October 2013 onwards

A volunteering experience with a difference! Live and work on the stunning Yucatan peninsula and experience daily life through the eyes of local people.

If you love children and would like to offer your time to volunteer with very special children then this placement is ideal. Following some help to settle you in by a local coordinator, volunteers work in pairs and small groups teaching informal classes of English and organise fun activities in a variety of locations from soup kitchens to children homes and community centres in and outside the colonial city of Merida.

No teaching experience is needed and you will be supported on your teaching journey by experienced volunteer coordinators who are also experienced teachers themsleves. This is a great volunteering placement for anyone who wants to leave at the end of their stay feeling they have taken away a new skill, gained in self-confidence whilst putting something back at the same time.

For a good idea of what community volunteers get involved with watch the video.

No experience is needed and you don't need to speak Spanish! In fact better if you don't! These children want to hear you speaking English all the time and are eager to learn whether by singing pop songs, reading or drawing pictures together.

Nursing/medical/physio/occupational therapy undergraduate?

Or simply thinking about healthcare as a career?

Flexible opportunities are available at the Red Cross hospital in town and these can be combined with regular volunteering placements. Call us to discuss further or apply online writing your preference on the form in the information box on the second page. Opportunities are available all year round but spaces are limited, especially in the UK student holiday periods, so book early to avoid disappointment. Confirmation will be sent within 24 hours.

Veterinary medicine/veterinary nurse/animal science undergraduate?

Or simply love animals?

The cat and dog sanctuary always needs helping hands. So if you want to combine helping animals, some worthwhile work experience in a beautiful colonial city not far from the stunning Caribbean coast, this is the project for you. As for hospital placements these are available all year round and can be combined with other regular volunteer placements, mark your preference for working with animals in the information box when applying online.

Images from Mexico - Merida

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Mexico - Merida placement map

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Book now on 01603 627 007 and contact people travelling to the same project!

Video - Below you'll find all the videos for Mexico Merida so you don't have to search around whole the site!

Volunteer Pictures

Your memories

We have been sent some of the most lovely photos from volunteers at play and at work, they are truly inspirational.

Photo Album by volunteer Callan Rivers

Photo Album by volunteer Sophie Turner

Photo Album by volunteer Laura Newnes

Photo Album by volunteer Patrick Morris

What next?

If you would like to book over the phone or simply ask more questions please call us on 01603 627 007 See related video ‘How to book’
If you know where and when you want to go, then you can book online.
You can also change your date of arrival or country at any time.

Change lives and volunteer in Merida 2013 - 2014

Volunteer in Mexico - Merida

Volunteer in the steamy colonial city of Merida, close to Caribbean beaches and Mayan ruins. Enjoy a mixed variety of projects from teaching English, arts and crafts activities to hospital work, there is plenty to try when helping in Mexico. Placements can be easily chosen on arrival, according to your preferences, after chatting with the local volunteer co-ordinator, who is there to support you during your stay. Volunteers travel and volunteer together in groups or pairs, so you will never be short for company whilst volunteering. Helping in Merida is a great experience as you get the chance to live in the stunning Yutucan peninsula, a culturally unique part of Mexico and a must-see region for any tourist. Volunteers spend their free weekends in a variety of ways from climbing the Mayan pyramids to swimming in the famous sinkholes.

Skills and Experience, no experience is required when working in Merida. As long as you come with energy and enthusiasm, you will be sure to fit in and have fun in your volunteering experience. Your volunteer co-ordinator will provide training and support for all volunteers new to English teaching.

Highlights

Opportunity to take part in different activities
A dedicated English speaking co-ordinator, always there to help
Exploring the Mayan pyramids and sinkholes Volunteer in Mexico Merida

Accommodation

Volunteers stay in shared accommodation, in a house. There are four bedrooms in the house, with bunk beds for the volunteers to sleep in. There is also a living room, dining room and a large kitchen that has a sink, fridge, stove, dishes and utensils to cook with.

Local support

An English speaking volunteer co-ordinator provides support during your stay, and can be easily reached for any out of hour’s advice or assistance.

Project resources and advice

Volunteers are encouraged to take some general activity books or language books, to help with ideas for teaching.

Local facilities

Merida has all the local facilities that are needed within walking distance, including banks, doctors, cafes and other amenities.

Getting around

Merida is a fairly big city and has most of the amenities and facilities needed, including: cinemas, bars, restaurants, internet cafés and nightclubs. A day after arrival, the co-ordinator will usually arrange a tour of the city and the area surrounding the city. On this tour you will be shown the facilities, shops, and where best to get buses etc.

Not on your own

Although some volunteers travel with friends, the bigger majority travel alone. It is possible to get in contact with other volunteers before your travel, and a lot of people tend to do this. Some volunteers even plan to travel together and set this up themselves before they depart.

How to apply

It is quick an easy to book with Original Volunteers. You can book online or call us on now on 01603 627 007 and book over the phone.
See related video ‘How to book’.

It costs £125 to book. Once book you can go to as many placements as you want within a year without having to pay the booking fee of £125 again.

The booking fee instantly books and reserves your place for any month you choose .We are very flexible. Just let us know if your plans change and spaces permitting we will put you on another list.

When to pay for this project

Accommodation for Morocco is paid before you travel. The latest in which to do this is about two weeks before your departure. In order to pay, all you need do is ring us on 01603 627 007 and using your bank details, pay for your accommodation over the phone with one of our advisors.

Fast facts - Project information

Project Duration: Min 1 week - Max 12 weeks
Location of project: Merida and surrounding villages
Arrival Airport: Merida
Activities: General day-to-day care of the children, English teaching, assisting at the orphanage, organising and assisting arts and crafts activities and hospital work.
Working Hours: 5 days a week. Weekends free.
Getting to the project: Airport pick-up and transfer from Merida airport or Merida bus station (if travelling from Cancun) to the volunteer house is automatically arranged for all volunteers, once flights have been received.
Requirements: Minimum age 18

On arrival

Most volunteers fly into Merida airport and an airport pick up is available. Volunteers can also be picked up from the Merida bus station, if they have travelled from Cancun.

Food

Merida is a self-catering project. There are plenty of shops nearby where you can buy food to take back to the kitchen and prepare. There are also cafés and bars close by where you can go to eat out.

Free time

During the week, volunteers often spend their evenings at the volunteer house relaxing or strolling in the colonial heart of the city. Merida is well known for its street café culture, especially in the evenings with live bands and a typically Latin party fiesta feel. With weekends free to explore and some of Mexico’s tourist highlights to see this placement in Merida is the perfect volunteer holiday. Merida is known for its archaeological sites; Chichen Itza is the most popular, easily reached on a day’s visit. Almost all volunteers will climb the Chichen Itza ruins and often report this is one of the highlights of their Merida volunteering experience. Volunteers also like to visit the Mayan city, Dzibilchaltun, which is only nine miles from Merida. Dzibilchaltun is a great historical site and an amazing experience. Another great day out especially on a hot day is a trip to the underground caverns where you can swim in the azure warm water amidst the stalactites. All activities and excursions can be easily organised through one of the many tourist agencies in Merida. Just ask your co-ordinator for advice on what to see during your visit.

Health

There is a hospital nearby and should you need the use of one, the project co-ordinator will help you with your transfer there.

What to take

Once you have applied and registered with Original Volunteers, you will receive an Information Pack via email that will have further details on the project in Merida; in this email there will be a list of items to take and items that are best not to take.

Things that you will need to organise yourself

Flights to Merida
Travel Insurance
Any resources you wish to bring
Food

Mexico - Merida at a glance

Mexico is a land of contrasts, a developing country yet one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Other attractions away from the beach resorts include ancient Aztec and Mayan cities, Spanish colonial architecture, the Copper Canyon railway and bustling markets selling local handicrafts.
Local must-sees include the Loltun Caves, Los Cenotes (underground caverns), a boat tour of the coastal mangrove swamps and Mayan ruins.
Weekend excursions can be booked easily in Merida through one of many tour operators for as little as £20 for a full day including plenty of time to explore, swim , take photos and relax.

Merida is the largest city of the Mexican State of Yucatan. Yucatan Peninsula is now known for having the largest group of modern Maya. The Maya’s were first found by Europeans in 1511 when a group of Spanish shipwreck survivors arrived in Yucatan. The Maya is a Mesoamerican civilisation. It is most known for its fully developed written language of the pre-Colombian Americas. Merida is most popular for its Maya architecture. A spectacle to see, architecture that spans from thousands of years, the Mayan style is unique, and an amazing experience for the tourist. For those interested, Mel Gibson’s 2006 film, Apocalypto depicts the last days of the Mayan civilisation.
Cancun, only a short bus ride away from Merida, has the world’s second longest coral reef. A popular tourist visit in Cancun is The Hotel Zone of Cancun. It shaped like a 7, with bridges on each end that connect to the mainland. This zone has beautiful beaches on the short end where locals go to surf and relax.

Climate

The Climate in Merida is tropical and warm. In Yucatan the average highest temperature is 28 Celsius. The hottest months are June to August but the region is generally warm all year round making it a great winter getaway.

Skills and Experience, no experience is required when working in Merida. As long as you come with energy and enthusiasm, you will be sure to fit in and have fun in your volunteering experience. Your volunteer co-ordinator will provide training and support for all volunteers new to English teaching.