Overview
Mayan Explorer

Explore the coral reefs in Mexico or surround yourself with the volcanoes and mountain lakes of Antigua, Guatemala? A difficult decision to make for any individual with a keen sense of adventure. GVI have fused two of their most exciting Latin American programs to allow volunteers to experience both by creating the ‘Mayan Explorer. Over a period of 11 weeks you will combine 2 different programmes in Mexico and Guatemala. Learn to dive and survey the reef in Mexico and join established educational projects focused on teaching indigenous children in Guatemala. The new Mayan Explorer package allows you to immerse yourself in these magical countries diverse cultures whilst giving something back to the local communities.

This combination trip allows you to enjoy a mixture of different projects and countries and offers you the opportunity to explore the region in-between your time on each program. You will arrange the travel/flights from one location to the next, allowing you more flexibility and the option to build these worthwhile programs into your travel itinerary.

View Film Footage, images, blogs, volunteer stories from the field, volunteer video diaries and more at the programs media centre

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting interesting people from around the world, teach school children about corals in english, random crazy games like the Beach Olympics, Saturday night dress up parties, freeing turtles from their nest, bucket showers in the scrub while being circled by fireflies (seriously -was amazing experience), relaxing on the hammocks. I want to go back!

Cherie O'Sullivan, 2007

What Difference Does This Project Make?

In Mexico the data GVI obtains provides an invaluable baseline to assess the health of reefs found in a pristine location. This data is now being used by GVI and its partners to promote the management of the reserve’s resources in a more sustainable manner. As a result of GVI’s work, a variety of changes have been implemented in the area, including educating local fishermen, increasing development controls and creating signs to educate visitors about the fragile ecosystem.

In Guatemala a substantial part of your fee goes towards the day-to-day running costs of the projects, which includes rent, electricity, local salaries, fruit and other food for the children, educational materials for classes, monthly birthday and other celebrations, painting and maintenance. We currently pay for over 400 children to attend National School, as well as our own schools. Included in your fee is one scholarship per child, per year.

Highlights

Living and working on a remote jungle base with incredible wildlife; waking up to the deserted white-sand beach and turquoise Caribbean sea; learning about the reef and how to identify the fish or coral you see; participating in monitoring dives to explore different sites along the coast; being the only people diving in the biosphere reserve surveying the deserted reefs under GVI’s special research permit; chancing upon mega-fauna such as dolphins, sharks and manatees; searching the beach at night for turtles laying eggs; learning some Spanish; joining sea and cenote fun-dives, and enjoying cultural visits to Mayan ruins.

Living with a host family in Antigua; learning Spanish (optional); teaching literacy and numeracy to indigenous children in remote communities in GVI schools; going on an adventure weekend at Lake Atitlan (optional) to enjoy activities including hiking, biking and kayaking, opportunities for Salsa Classes and further travel.

Location

In Mexico you will be Located south of Cancun and about an hour from Tulum on the Yucatan Peninsula, the expedition base is situated in the heart of the Sian Ka’an (Mayan for ‘Where the Sky is Born’) Biosphere Reserve at Boca Paila. The Mayan ruins of Tulum, Coba and Chichen Itza can also be visited in the area.

Guatemala is one of the jewels of Central America, packed with ancient ruins, active volcanoes and intriguing Mayan culture. Volunteers live in the beautiful old Spanish colonial town of Antigua and project work is carried out in communities all within a one hour journey from the town.

Field Conditions

Mexico - This base is set in the jungle on a narrow peninsula, with the open Caribbean Sea and coral reef on one side and a sheltered lagoon on the other. It supplies very basic cabana accommodation, with bunk beds (approximately six expedition members per room) or tents. Conditions are basic and all freshwater comes from a well and is restricted, so expedition members take bucket showers.

Antigua, Guatemala - Living with local families in comfortable but basic accommodation allows for an enriching cultural experience and the valuable opportunity to practice your Spanish!