Misconceptions About Volunteering in Mexico

Monte Albán, Oaxaca

What do you think about when you think of volunteering in Mexico? You may be surprised to find that many Mexican stereotypes and mainstream representations are far from reality. Mexico is a developing country with lots of interesting and impactful volunteer opportunities. Here is a list of the most common misconceptions and why they are false:

Mexico is a dangerous country.

Although some Mexican cities are more dangerous than others, most are just as safe as any city in the United States. Regular precautions should be taken but as long as you are smart and careful with your belongings and at night, there shouldn’t be a problem.

According to reports on crime statistics from the FBI and Mexican government, in 2010 Mexico City's drug-related-homicide rate per 100,000 people was one-tenth of Washington DC's overall homicide rate. Other sources, like the San Francisco Chronicle, have cited parts of Mexico has being safer than Disneyland. The best source of safety information for travelers and volunteers is the State Department’s travel alerts website.

Mexicans are lazy.

First of all, siestas are originally a Spanish tradition, not a Mexican one. Mexicans have a different schedule and view of punctuality than Westerners. “Mexican time,” as many foreigners refer to it, means arriving up to 20 minutes “late.” In Mexico this isn’t considered late or rude. Having patience in these cases is important.

Another thing you will notice about Mexican culture is the importance placed on family relationships and spending time together. There is usually a break (“descanso”) in the middle of the day for lunch (the largest meal of the day). You may come home from your volunteer work for a midday break, this is a time when families come together. This eating schedule can be hard for foreign volunteers to get used to.

The idea of long breaks in the middle of the day and lateness may seem like a sign of laziness to those of us who are used to stricter schedules. However, you shouldn’t get the idea that this seemingly laid-back attitude will make your volunteer work easier. Mexicans are some of the most hard-working people I have ever met.

Mexico is primitive and lacking technology.

Although Mexico may not be as technologically advanced as the West, technologies like the Internet, laptops and cell phones are still common. Mexico is behind the U.S. in technology, but by no means lacking. The emphasis placed on personal relationships may be part of the reason Mexican culture hasn’t relied so heavily on communication through technology. That being said, it is important for families who don’t live near each other to keep in touch. Of course there parts of Mexico, like isolated pueblos, that don’t use much modern technology.

Most volunteers choose to rent a “pay as you go” phone through the Mexican mobile carrier Telcel because it is the most economical choice, especially if you are volunteering for a longer period of time. Most home-stay families, cafes, hotels and hostels have wireless Internet. There are also Internet cafes everywhere. Mexicans may not use Internet and email as frequently as Westerners do, but it is becoming more popular and accessible all the time. Most volunteers also bring their own laptops, which can be useful for keeping in touch with people back home, uploading photos, keeping a blog, and more.

Volunteering in Mexico may surprise you

Mexicans are always trying to get something from you.

A wonderful thing about Mexican culture is the friendliness of the people. Although you will get asked for money and people will try to sell you things on the street, many people you meet will want to talk to you just for the chance to learn about you.

In the United States, we are usually wary of talking to new people. You will find that you can learn a lot from personal stories of people from all walks of life and make the most of your volunteer trip by talking to as many people as you can! This is a great opportunity to also learn from citizens and people you might not normally meet.

You can get away with anything because laws aren’t enforced.

When volunteering abroad you should take time on the weekends to explore Mexico’s nightlife, but that doesn’t mean going too crazy. Drinking and going out on the weekends is a fairly regular occurrence for many young Mexicans. As a foreign volunteer, you should take caution and pride in representing yourself and your home country when going out. Most of the time, your interest in volunteering in Mexico is a sign that you are more mature and level-headed than the party-goers on MTV.

You may have heard that bribes can get you out of trouble, but it is uncertain, unsafe and not worth the possibility of going to jail in a foreign country. Most officials who accept bribes do so because they get paid so little it is almost impossible to make a living, not because they are dishonest people.

Most tourist and resort destinations, like Cabo San Lucas, Cancun or Tijuana, don’t need the help of volunteers like other cities and pueblos of Mexico. Try branching out to cities and pueblos near Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, or Oaxaca.

It’s all hot beaches and deserts.

Ancient Ruins of Mitla, Oaxaca

Mexico’s climate is usually portrayed in one way: hot and dry. In reality, the country is made up of 31 states and has a range of hot deserts and beaches, snowy mountains, and lush valleys and plains. There are two main seasons, the wet season and the dry season. The rainy season, from about May to September or October, can be a great time to volunteer in Mexico. Not only is the landscape beautiful, there are also great volunteer opportunities in the rainy season like reforestation projects. Even during the rainy season, most of the rainfall only happens in the afternoon and evenings. The dry season, from about October to April, can also be a good time to volunteer if you are looking for warmer weather.

Mexico is made up of different states, regions, people, languages, and cultures. There are many more Mexican stereotypes out there that are mostly false generalizations. As a foreign volunteer, you should be as open-minded as possible and take the time to learn about all Mexico has to offer and how you can help. If you think you know Mexico, think again!

Additional Resources:

• Related Article: Volunteering on Your Next Trip to Mexico
• Explore dozens of opportunities and volunteer programs in Mexico
• Provider - Voluntrek Programs in Mexico
• Provider - International Volunteer HQ Programs in Mexico