Conservation volunteer along the Oaxaca Coast

Our team will pick you up from Puerto Escondido airport to this exciting project by public transport, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. We will take you to Manialtepec, a town known for its strong connection with horses and its typical Mexican rural environment, surrounded by lush forests and rolling hills. We will begin with an introduction to the programme, followed by a leisurely ride to get acquainted with the new environment and the natural beauty of San Jose Manialtepec.

On the second day, we'll embark on an enriching adventure in Manialtepec. We'll start the day with a scenic one-hour hike, tracing the path along the river, and occasionally crossing its currents. Our destination - the soothing hot spring waters, a place cherished by the Indigenous Chatino communities of Manialtepec for generations as a source of natural healing. You can rejuvenate your body and soul by immersing yourself in these healing waters, leaving you feeling relaxed and refreshed, just like the locals have experienced for centuries. In the afternoon/evenings, we'll also prepare for the Day 3 workshop (Environment or English).

We'll set camera traps in the jungle, and participate in tree planting or taking a hike to an amazing viewpoint. In the afternoon, we will conduct workshops with the community.

On the third morning, we'll dive into the local culture as Eneida teaches us how to make tortillas and traditional Mexican dishes. Later in the afternoon, we'll head to the beach, crossing the river by boat, which offers opportunities to spot birds and maybe even some small crocodiles! As the sun sets, we'll join a beach cleanup at Puerto Suelo, followed by a beachfront bonfire, providing a chance to stargaze beneath the brilliant night sky. And during the rainy season, you might be treated to the enchanting sight of fireflies!

We'll visit the stunning Lagunas de Chacahua National Park, which spans an area of 132 square kilometres. This place is a natural wonderland, with lush mangrove forests, calm lagoons, and a diverse range of wildlife. We'll team up with the local group Ecoturismo y Aventura Lagunas de Chacahua to help with conservation tasks such as planting trees or monitoring crocodiles. As part of our nature experience, we'll take a boat expedition through the expansive lagoon, passing through the magnificent mangrove forests and beautiful tree tunnels. Turtle night patrol in Chacahua Bay Sanctuary is available Oct to April.

This marks your first free day! You can explore Puerto Escondido, where you can bask in the beauty of Carrizalillo Beach and appreciate the stunning coral reefs near the shore. Take a dip and spot turtles feeding among the rocks! And don't forget to savour a delicious meal in this vibrant surfer city.

Another free day to hit the local museums or simply relax on the stunning beach.

Our journey takes us to Escobilla, where we'll witness the mesmerising arribada (arrival by sea) phenomenon, a breathtaking spectacle where thousands of turtles nest simultaneously. As part of this extraordinary experience, we'll have the privilege of releasing baby turtles into the sea as the sun sets, all under the care of Centro Ecoturistico Escobilla.

We'll team up with Escobilla's young environmental brigade, participating in an engaging environmental awareness workshop and taking part in sustainability initiatives. As the night falls, we'll lend our support to the local group, aiding in the protection of sea turtles. This involves observing our guide collecting and safeguarding nests in a hatchery, where the group will protect them until the baby turtles emerge after approximately 45 days.

In the morning, we'll take a boat trip to the Ventanilla Lagoon and visit the Environment Management Island and its deer feeding and maintenance programme. We'll enjoy the sunset at Ventanilla Beach.

We'll venture into El Gavilan Jungle, a sprawling evergreen forest covering 1,130 hectares and guarded by 70 individuals born on this very land. Their commitment to conservation led them to dedicate themselves to protecting this pristine habitat. During our visit, we'll contribute to these efforts by utilising camera traps to monitor wildlife and planting fruit trees to sustain the local fauna. After a full afternoon of hiking, we'll camp here, surrounded by the captivating sounds of the jungle. This night presents a unique opportunity for wildlife monitoring, providing chances to encounter armadillos, deer, and owls.

We will join Azul Profundo, a local ecotourism group, along with passionate young biologists from SICEA to monitor marine life, particularly whales. In the morning, we'll hop on a boat, spotting and documenting various species. Plus, we'll take some time for snorkelling in a beautiful Puerto Angel bay. Later, during whale season (from November to March), we'll head to Mazunte to continue our quest for these majestic creatures. The day wraps up at Punta Cometa, Mexico's most breathtaking cliff, where you can witness both sunrise and sunset.

You'll have the incredible opportunity to explore Huatulco and its stunning bays, the National Park, or enchanting waterfalls during your free day.

On our final day, we'll enjoy breakfast together and bid farewell to an incredible 14 days together.