Multi-project ecovolunteering in Mexico. Discover Mexico's Oaxaca region on an eco-participation trip that combines eco-tourism and volunteering. Get involved in different projects while discovering a region rich in biodiversity! Allecovolunteering missionsin the Americas
Community support for environmental preservation and ecotourism
The partner association supports sustainable development and biodiversity conservation initiatives in the Oaxaca region of Mexico.
It works with local communities, helping to :
- Conservation of wild species ;
- The development of environmental workshops for children or English courses;
- Planting trees in private and public areas;
- Beach clean-ups;
- Promoting ecotourism.
Tartarakus supports development projects linked to ecotourism and works with partners to protect species such as sea turtles, crocodiles... Environmental brigades with children from the Ventanilla and Escobilla communities have also been set up. Indeed, while working on the conservation of endangered species in these communities, the founder of Tartarukus developed a project for children and families. This project consists of planting endemic species in gardens to attract birds.
To finance conservation projects, our partner has opted for eco-participatory travel.
Ecovolunteers take part in activities run by local groups on the coast of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Between volunteering and ecotourism
On this eco-participation trip, you'll travel along the coast of Oaxaca, where you'll support several community conservation projects. This immersive experience is a great way to discover ecovolunteering. It gives you the chance to take part in a wide range of activities such as :
- Night patrols on beaches to protect sea turtles and their nests;
- Monitoring marine wildlife during boat excursions;
- Snorkeling on the seabed;
- Environmental awareness...
Depending on the season, you can witness the Arribada, the mass arrival of sea turtles on beaches to lay their eggs. The Arribada is a phenomenon that only occurs on 12 beaches worldwide. These include Escobilla and Morro Ayuta, in Oaxaca. This phenomenon only occurs a few days a month, during the turtle season.
The partner association supports seven community projects. However, in 15 days, you won't be able to visit every project. Generally speaking, you'll be involved in four different projects.
Here's an example of a two-week schedule. Depending on the season, the program may change.
Seasonal activities
- Whale watching: mid-November to mid-March
- Turtle egg-laying (and possibly Arribada): January, February, July, August, September, October, November, December (September to mid-October high season).
- Tree-planting season: July, August, September, October.
- Best time for birdwatching: March and April
- Dry season: January to June
- Crocodile breeding season: June
First week
- Monday: On the first day, you arrive in Manialtepec, a town known for its horses and rural lifestyle. You'll be introduced to the various programs before a stroll through Manialtepec.
- Tuesday: visit Manialtepec's natural hot springs. Followed by an hour-long hike to the thermal waters, cherished for generations by Manialtepec's indigenous Chatino communities. Preparation for workshops.
- Wednesday : After setting photo traps in an area where the community is working to create a nature reserve, you'll take part in environmental awareness or English workshops.
- Thursday: In the morning, Mexican tortilla cooking workshop and construction activities (poster design, improvements to the volunteer house). Afternoon: boat trip to the Manialtepec lagoon, beach clean-up and sunset on Puerto Suelo beach.
- Friday : morning activity in the Zapotalito community and boat excursion in Chacahua National Park. In the evening, you'll go on a night patrol to protect the turtles in the Chacahua Bay sanctuary (October to May only).
- Saturday : free ;
- Sunday: free.
Second week: Escobilla
- Monday: morning transfer from Manialtepec to Escobilla. Release of baby turtles and night patrol to monitor sea turtles (depending on season).
- Tuesday: in the morning, support for local groups in the promotion, design and construction of ecotourism signs. Release of baby turtles and night patrol to monitor sea turtles (depending on the season).
- Wednesday : morning boat trip to Ventanilla lagoon and visit to the island. Deer feeding and maintenance. In the evening, enjoy the Ventanilla beach and the sunset.
- Thursday : hike through the Gavilan jungle with the help of a local team to locate camera traps, plant trees or install signs for ecotourism.
- Friday : morning marine wildlife observation. Afternoon visit to Pueblo Mágico de Mazunte and Punta Cometa.
- Saturday: free.
- Sunday : departure.
Rates
- 14 days (13 nights): €1,598
- One-week stay: €899
- Possibility of staying longer (up to 12 weeks)
Included in price
- Coordinator 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; volunteer-coordinator ratio 8:1 max.
- Airport pick-up
- Program and safety orientation
- Accommodation in rooms for 2-3 volunteers with shared bathroom outside the room
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner, 5 days/week
- All ecotourism and volunteer activities
- Public and private transport to/from all activities
- Official volunteer certificate
- WiFi
- Cooking workshop
- 24/7 emergency contact number
Not included in price
- Travel insurance
- Airline tickets
- Personal effects
- Departure on Mondays to join a group
Dates (2025) - departures on Mondays to form groups
- January 6 to 19
- January 20 to February 2
- February 3 to 16
- February 17 to March 2
- March 3 to 16
- March 17 to 30
- April 7 to 20
- April 21 to May 4
- June 16 to June 29
- From July 7 to July 20
- August 4 to August 17
- August 18 to August 31
- September 1 to 14
- October 6 to 19
- October 20 to November 2
- November 3 to 16
- November 17 to November 30
- December 1 to 14
- December 22 to January 4
- Minimum and maximum stays: 2 to 12 weeks - one-week stays possible
- From 18 years old - Families with children over 8 years old
- Language: English (medium level)
- Time commitment: Monday to Friday
- Be open-minded and flexible to changes in itinerary due to social or climatic imperatives.
Food
The cuisine is mainly vegetarian and Mexican. If required, menus can be adapted to cater for intolerances and allergies. Meat is served as a complement to certain meals.
Housing
Shared rooms in the different communities we visit.
Arrival
Pick-up at Puerto Escondido airport before 4pm on Monday.
What to bring
- A backpack instead of a suitcase and a small daypack.
- Comfortable warm-weather clothing.
- During sunset, you'll need loose-fitting pants that cover your legs to avoid using repellents, as well as long-sleeved shirts. A cap or hat.
- A sweatshirt for night patrols. November to February.
- A waterproof jacket if you travel from June to October.
- Comfortable footwear: sneakers or boots for walking in the forest, sandals, and flip-flops for the shower.
- Towel and hygiene products: shampoo, body soap... the team recommends solid products that are as natural as possible.
- Swimsuit (long-sleeved to avoid sunscreen in the water), goggles.
- For mosquitoes, the team recommends essential oils: citronella, lemon eucalyptus, neem, ... instead of chemical repellents. (Nothing works 100% here, so travel with loose-fitting clothes that cover your body).
- A small first-aid kit for your special needs.
- Earplugs and light sheet for camping.
- A gourd! Please, let's avoid plastic!
Discover the Oaxaca region in Mexico
- Take advantage of the beaches of Puerto Escondido, Mazunte, Chacahua, etc. for swimming.
- Surfing in Puerto Escondido or Chacahua
- Take a weekend trip to Oaxaca de Juarez and see Monte Alban, an archaeological site with pyramids, Hierve el Agua (petrified waterfalls) and historic buildings, the most cultural place in Oaxaca.
- Visit to the Tututepec Museum
- Huatulco bay tour by boat
All reviews of Tartarukus missions
About the partner association
Tartarukus is a Spanish non-profit organization that supports local communities working to preserve the environment and develop ecotourism, in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. Tartarakus was created in 2021 by Beatriz, who after several years spent on the Oaxaca coast as a student and volunteer, wanted to strengthen the local population's impact on sustainable development. The association offers a range of volunteer experiences in the less-visited areas of the Oaxaca coast. All Tartarukus missions