{"id":31716,"date":"2019-05-02T20:29:00","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T20:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/?p=31716"},"modified":"2019-05-02T20:59:01","modified_gmt":"2019-05-02T20:59:01","slug":"7-easy-ways-to-volunteer-in-cancun-on-a-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/7-easy-ways-to-volunteer-in-cancun-on-a-budget\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Easy Ways to Volunteer in Cancun on a Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Although taking a dedicated volunteer trip or mission trip is a great way to get out there and do good, they can be extremely expensive. A far simpler way to do good while on a budget is to work a simple volunteer project into a trip<\/a> that you are already taking.<\/p>\n

Within Quintana Roo, the area encompassing Cancun, Cozumel, Puerto Morelos, etc., there’s an abundance of opportunities for you and your family to make a difference. From providing a nutritious meal to restoring the reef, or working with children in need, it’s likely that there’s a volunteer opportunity that will best fit with your available time and budget. Here are seven easy ways you can help others around the Cancun<\/a> area.<\/p>\n

7 Affordable Ways to Travel For Good in Cancun<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Restore the Coral Reef<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"Cozumel

A small part of one coral farm.<\/p><\/div>\n

The reefs of Cozumel<\/a> are part of the second largest reef system in the world. In order to protect and conserve the reef, The Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration Program is restoring parts of it all around the island. The program relies on volunteers, and there are several ways you can help out in the process of restoring the coral reef in Cozumel. <\/span><\/p>\n

The program needs divers to work at the coral farm, restoring the coral by hand. In order to participate, you have to take the coral reef restoration course. The course includes the AWARE Coral Reef Conservation Specialty and a diploma as a Coral Reef Restorer Volunteer Diver. It is divided into academic sessions and four open water training beach dives in the restoration areas and in the coral farm. Upon completion, you become a volunteer and can start helping with the restoration efforts taking place in the most affected areas of Cozumel. The course costs $160 USD.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you’re a diver or you own any diving gear, you can donate the used equipment that you no longer need. Equipment such as regulators, goggles, wetsuits, tanks, or any other type of diving gear is all acceptable.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you are not a diver, but still want to help in the restoration of Cozumel’s coral reef, you can do your part by giving a monetary donation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s a video of what you will experience when you volunteer to plant reef.<\/p>\n