At a glance
- Stay by a stunning Pacific beach and take part in protecting sea turtles
- Explore this idyllic destination with other teenagers
- Add conservation and biology study skills to your resume
- Live and work in El Naranjo, immersed in Mexican culture
- Volunteer Service Hours: 40
- Download an itinerary for this project.
Is volunteering with sea turtles in Mexico for teenagers right for me?
Eager to team up with people your age to protect the environment? Can you picture yourself carefully scooping up a turtle egg from the sand and moving it to a safe nest until it hatches? Do you want to release a newborn turtle and watch it scurry over the sand and into the ocean? If you answered yes, then this is the project for you.
You’ll work with a group of teenagers, and get involved in hands-on work at our Conservation Project. You’ll also learn directly from conservation experts. Together with your group, you’ll be getting your hands dirty digging in the sand for turtle eggs, counting the animals you spot during the nature hikes, and more. It’s the perfect combination of conservation work and adventure!
This High School Special gives you plenty of experience, which can help you decide if a career in conservation is for you. This is also a great way to add practical experience to your CV, and it will give you interesting points to talk about in applications or interviews. You’ll also develop your personal skills, like teamwork, planning, and communication. These skills can be applied to any career you pursue.
You don’t need previous experience to join. You’ll be supervised by experts, and our staff are always available to provide guidance and advice. All you need to do is focus on working hard, learning, and having fun.
What will I do on this project?
There’s a lot to be done at El Naranjaro for your group! Here are some of the activities you can get involved in:
Your project will be divided into the following:
Search for and move turtle nests to a protected area
Coastal erosion is a big problem affecting turtles in Mexico. However, poachers have proven to be an even bigger problem. Once a turtle has laid eggs, poachers dig up the eggs to sell at local markets. To protect the nests, the local community and volunteers do beach patrols everyday. When we find a nest, we move it to a safe location at the ecological centre we work with. This is a protected area, and the eggs will incubate in peace here. Once the eggs hatch, we release hatchlings into the ocean.
Interpretative nature walks
Walk through the lush mountains of Bahía de Banderas, where you’ll explore the incredible biodiversity of the region while gaining insight into local conservation efforts. Led by experienced naturalists, this immersive experience takes you deep into the tropical forests of the Sierra Madre, home to a stunning variety of wildlife.
As you hike along scenic trails, you’ll have the chance to spot vibrant birds like military macaws, trogons and hummingbirds, while learning about their role in the ecosystem. You’ll also discover the importance of native plants, observe pollinators in action, and see firsthand how reforestation projects are helping to protect these fragile habitats.
Beyond wildlife observation, this walk offers a meaningful opportunity to engage with local conservation initiatives. You’ll learn how communities are working to preserve their environment, from protecting endangered species to promoting sustainable practices.
Community beach clean-ups
Reducing litter in our oceans is vital for keeping marine life safe. Rubbish, particularly non-biodegradable plastic, is hazardous. The sea turtles that nest here can get caught in the discarded plastic. Or, they may mistake it for food, which can hurt and even kill them.
Your group will work together to keep the beach as clean as possible. With this many hands involved, you’ll be able to remove a lot of rubbish from the environment.
Exploring Mexico
Finally, this project is also an opportunity for you to travel, learn, and grow in a safe environment with a group of volunteers your age. On the weekend, you will go on a boat trip to a nearby island and explore the town of Puerto Vallarta to experience more of Mexico. Make the most of the opportunity to have fun in the sun with your new friends!
Where interns work
Cuyutlan
El Naranjo
During your time in Mexico, you'll be based in a town called El Naranjo next to La Peñita de Jaltemba in the State of Nayarit. It is a typical Mexican Pacific beach, laid-back attitude with amazing sunsets.
You'll spend most of your time working at the turtle conservation center and the Crocodile Sanctuary, there will be other activities in the nearby towns.
You'll stay in a shared accommodation. It is a 10min drive from your placement.
Your accommodation has several single and shared rooms. Only volunteers of the same gender are permitted to share a room.
What are the aims for this project?
The aim of this project is to bring teenagers together to become part of our ongoing efforts to protect endangered sea turtles in Mexico. We are also working to preserve the ecological well-being of the surrounding area.
The endangered turtles we work with can only lay their eggs on the beach. Unfortunately, these nesting areas are disappearing rapidly. This is because of climate change and increased human development. This is why we are working to protect as many of these nests as possible. And we need the help of volunteers like you to do it.
By joining this High School Special, you’ll provide us with another pair of much-needed helping hands. You’ll help identify and relocate nests to safe, protected corrals. You’ll monitor the eggs, and help release the baby turtles into the ocean once they’ve hatched.
Join our Sea Turtle & Coastal Conservation with Spanish High School Special today, and become part of our long-term efforts to protect Mexico’s ecology.
Management plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring our impact
Every year, thousands of High School Special volunteers and interns actively make a difference around the world. During their time abroad, they contribute towards achieving long-term goals and make a long-lasting positive impact on the communities where they work.
We produce an annual High School Specials Impact Report, which documents some of these achievements. Find out more about the impact of these projects, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll share accommodation with other Projects Abroad volunteers during your stay in El Naranjo. This is a great way to get to know your fellow volunteers, share experiences, and explore your surroundings in your time together.
On our High School Specials, we will always try to have you share a room with at least one volunteer or intern of the same gender and approximate age. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your programme fees include three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have all the extra support you need as a young person travelling abroad. Our Projects Abroad staff are there for you 24 hours a day during the week and over weekends to provide constant support and guidance. Our staff also make sure you feel comfortable and safe at your placement and accommodation. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
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