• Life On Land

Organic Farm and living camp Supporter

location
1 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Below average response rate

Highlights

  • An exceptional opportunity to discover the Yucatec Mayan culture, its actors as well as the richness of its cultural and environmental heritage.
  • Learn more about the themes of agroecology, forest gardening, eco-construction and ecosystem preservation and get closer to a unique fauna and flora
  • Live in a unique place, in the heart of the Yucatecan forest, with its own cenote and lookout tower. An ideal place to disconnect and reconnect with nature.

Highlights

  • An exceptional opportunity to discover the Yucatec Mayan culture, its actors as well as the richness of its cultural and environmental heritage.
  • Learn more about the themes of agroecology, forest gardening, eco-construction and ecosystem preservation and get closer to a unique fauna and flora
  • Live in a unique place, in the heart of the Yucatecan forest, with its own cenote and lookout tower. An ideal place to disconnect and reconnect with nature.
  • Learn about alternative ways of living that are much more aware of the territory, its cycles and its potentialities
  • Discover the magical places of the Yucatan Peninsula during your free time (cenotes, Mayan ruins, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico …)

    • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups

    About the program

    Two axes : Support to agroecological projects for farmers and women in Yalcobá (Mayan community). The development of the eco-place carried by the association.

    The 15 hectares of this eco-place located in the Yucatecan jungle are much more than that. You will find a wonderful ecological place where volunteers and tourists reconnect with nature to understand its cycles. 
    The eco center is located in the heart of the Yucatecan jungle, surrounded by cenotes, ...

    About the program

    The 15 hectares of this eco-place located in the Yucatecan jungle are much more than that. You will find a wonderful ecological place where volunteers and tourists reconnect with nature to understand its cycles. 
    The eco center is located in the heart of the Yucatecan jungle, surrounded by cenotes, in the mysterious atmosphere of the Mayan civilization. 

    The place is part of the communal lands of the community and is totally integrated into its environment. 

    One of the objectives of this place is to reach a relative autonomy (energetic, financial, food) and for that, 2 axes have been developed. 

    - The development of an agroecological center, with the implementation of permaculture projects and the combination of different agroforestry knowledge. 
    - The development of an eco-tourism project and the reception of guests from all over the world. The eco-tourism project is linked to the community to enhance the cultural and natural heritage of this territory. 

    The idea is also to achieve a complete integration with the community and to develop projects with it and to integrate it in the development of this place. 

    The eco-center offers everything you need to detach yourself from everyday life, to experience a completely new world, to find yourself and to be inspired and learn from the Mayan culture. 

    Typical day

    As a volunteer at the Eco-Center, you will have a wide range of tasks. Responsibilities are redistributed on a weekly basis. You can indicate your preferences if you are particularly interested in an area of work. 

    Life in the eco-center is based on the principles of community living. 

    The work day ...

    Typical day

    As a volunteer at the Eco-Center, you will have a wide range of tasks. Responsibilities are redistributed on a weekly basis. You can indicate your preferences if you are particularly interested in an area of work. 

    Life in the eco-center is based on the principles of community living. 

    The work day at the farm is about 5 and 7 hours. The sun rises early in Yucatán and so does the work day.

    The actual working hours vary depending on the year and the weather conditions. 

    In summer, it is best to work early in the morning and later in the afternoon to avoid the heat. 

    A well-deserved breakfast at 7:30 am.

    After breakfast, volunteers help water the plants and continue with their daily tasks. 

    The volunteers work hand in hand with the eco-center staff. 

    The afternoon work revolves around different projects: community work, arts/crafts, teaching, gardening, maintenance and construction projects... 


    Possible tasks at this location can be:

    - Eco-construction

    - Landscaping of spaces

    - Pruning 

    - Maintenance and development of agricultural spaces 

    - Development of traditional agricultural spaces  (milpa type and syntropic agriculture) 

    - Take care of animals 

    - Artistic development of the place 

    - Development of the cenote 

    - Inventory of fauna and flora 

    - Establishment and development of links and projects with the community 

    - Help to traditional farmers 

    - Exploration of the territory and places of interest with the community 

    - Development of communication of the place and the association

    - Participation in the daily tasks of the eco-place 

    Free-time activities

    The region is characterized by tropical forests filled of virgen cenotes. Here you can immerse yourself in the authentic rural life of Yucatan, where the clocks tick more slowly and the priorities are completely different than in modern cities.
    You will learn to live the buen vivir Maya. 
    The eco ...

    Free-time activities

    The region is characterized by tropical forests filled of virgen cenotes. Here you can immerse yourself in the authentic rural life of Yucatan, where the clocks tick more slowly and the priorities are completely different than in modern cities.
    You will learn to live the buen vivir Maya. 
    The eco place is perfect to disconnect and practice activities like meditation or yoga. 

    You will be able to explore the surrounding jungle and discover its wonders (cenotes, caves, fauna and flora etc.) 

    The Yucatan Peninsula is also known as an important place for birdwatching. You will be able to observe a lot of unique bird species, many of them endemic to Mesoamerica. 
    The relative isolation that this place offers is also ideal for inspiration and for any artistic creation (writing, painting, music etc.) and to observe the stars from the top of the tower, whitout any contamination. 

    The nearest city, Valladolid, is located 40 minutes away. It is a typical manioc pueblo, with a very particular charm. 
    Located in the center of the Yucatan Peninsula, you will be at a maximum of 2 hours from most of the places of interest in the region such as the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the numerous Mayan cities (Chichen Itza, Ek Balam, Coba, Uxmal, Calakmul), lagoons etc. 

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak Spanish (basic level) or English (basic level)

    Required Documents

    CV

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Ta Náayta

    The allowances asked to the volunteer, allow to assure the accommodation within an ecolodge managed by the association, the breakfast as well as the transport on the spot. 

    Accommodation

    The volunteer will be housed in the eco-place, in the heart of the Yucatecan jungle. 
    You will be accommodated in dormitories within a large palapa (traditional Mayan construction) in direct proximity to the cenote. 

    All the building are rustic, but very functional and beautifully designed, wooden structure. 

    The place has a common kitchen area, showers, compost toilets, relaxation areas (hammocks ...). 





    Food & Beverages

    We only provide the drink and the breakfast. 

    The food is not provided but is usually shared among all the people living there. 

    Internet Access

    Limited access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Cancun International Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Cancun International Airport (CUN) in Cancun. We assist you to find cheap flights to Mexico. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Mexico provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Mexico you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Mexico. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    There are no specific dates or days for the arrival of volunteers. 
    The team on site can adapt to the volunteers' schedule. 

    The reception place is located 2h30 from Cancún and its international airport. 
    We don't provide airport pick up but we pick up you by the city of Valladolid or the village of Yalcobá. 
    Generally, a meeting point will be set with the volunteer (in the city of Valladolid or directly in the central square of Yalcobá) so that the team on site can pick him/her up. 




    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 200€
    3 weeks 599€
    4 weeks 698€
    5 weeks 898€
    9 weeks 1,397€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 1,995€
    Average fees 183€/week

    Program fees

    183€ per week 1 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    1 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Ta Náayta during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

    Meet your organization

    Ta Náayta

    Outstanding 4.9 rating (11 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2019

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Below average response rate

    Coordinated by

    Clement

    About the project

    Ta Naayta is a NGO supporting the Mayan community of Yalcoba through projects for the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and traditional ecological knowledge.

    Meet your organization

    Ta Náayta “What you dreamed of” in Yucatec Maya is a 3 years old dynamic Mexican NGO located in Yalcoba, 30 minutes away from Valladolid, in the Yucatan Peninsula. 

    Our vision : Be inspired by the Mayan philosophy to develop resilient and sustainable ways of life in close relationship with their environment.

    For the past 2 years, we have implemented several development projects in Yalcobá to support the creation of local economic opportunities, the enhancement of the social and community network, the adaptation and mitigation of the effects of climate change, and the empowerment of women.

    Our projects focus on 3 areas:

    - The strengthening of the traditional peasant fabric through agro-ecological practices and solar irrigation systems for traditional farmers in Yalcobá. It aims to improve the food security and income generation of Mayan farming families by enhancing traditional ecological knowledge.

    Climate change has significantly weakened the traditional Mayan agricultural model, an important source of community resilience. Local economic opportunities are fewer and force men and young boys to take precarious jobs in the tourist areas of the peninsula and thus destabilizes the family, peasant and community social fabric. 

    - The rehabilitation of traditional Mayan knowledge focused on meliponiculture that participates in the empowerment of the Mayan women of Yalcobá. 

    The Melipona Beecheii is a native bee from Central America which is in danger of extinction. Rescuing them and the knowledge that comes with them enables the protection and reproduction of the species, as well as their participation in the pollination and reproduction of flowering plant species. 

    - The establishment of a community-based tourism project that highlights the natural and cultural Mayan heritage and ensures the creation of jobs in the medium and long term. 

    The association also has its own plot within the community lands of Yalcobá. 

    • The idea is to create a multifunctional eco-place, integrated to the indigenous territory, and serving as an experimental base in agroecology, agroforestry and autonomy process (energetic and food) as well as a place of eco and agritouristic reception. 

    You have the possibility to join us and help the community while learning from them or help us to develop our eco-place. 

    11 reviews · rating4.9

    Rodrigo Díaz rating5

    2022 at Organic Farm and living camp Supporter

    I had a great experience working with everyone in the proyect. I highly recommend doing a stay with them. You can work in the jungle where they have a permaculture proyect and also with a people from the Mayan community. Also you can get to enjoy Valladolid that it's a beautiful city in Yucatán. ..
    I spent 6 weeks with the Ta Naayta association. The experience of living in the wild was very enriching and I learned a lot from the locals. We were alternating between maintaining the Soluna eco-place, which includes an experimental plot of syntropic agriculture, and helping the village farmers. ..
    Simon Lepetit rating5

    2022 at Organic Farm and living camp Supporter

    The projects of the NGO Ta Náayta in relation with Mayan people are really important. They help perpetuating the traditional way of farming by giving them some technical helps (irrigation) and increasing the knowledge of the farmers on agroecological thecnics to be more resilient. They also help ...
    Juan Manuel Kohrs rating5

    2022 at Organic Farm and living camp Supporter

    Google Translator: It is a great experience and learning, the attention of the guys is great, and a cultural nourishment working with the local people and learning from them as well. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Original Review: Gran ...
    Baptiste Langlois rating5

    2022 at Organic Farm and living camp Supporter

    It was an interesting experiment with the TA NAAYTA team. They are very welcoming and I learn lots of thinks from them. Excellent, it was amazing, thank you for everything! We learn a lot about the Mayan lifestyle, the eco-tourism, the eco-construction and the agro-forestry. We lived half-time ...
    I spent 5 months with Ta Naayta while I was traveling through Mexico. I had an incredible time with the team and the other volunteers in the forest. I also learned a lot about living in comunity, working in the forest and crops, and discovering the mexican mayan culture. ..

    Location

    Americas > Central America > Mexico > Yalcoba

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    Contact Clement
      Below average response rate

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