Explore a new culture, serve the community, and savor local cuisine – all while creating lasting memories with like-minded people. Our trip participants have an unforgettable, meaningful experience visiting areas in need. See the image gallery at the bottom of this page for a visual representation of the experience.
Mom, this was one of the best trips I have ever been on. As good as Disneyland.
13 year old boy who didn’t INitially want to go on the service trip to Mexico
Where Do We Serve?
Currently, we are leading humanitarian service trips to orphanages in or around the Guadalupe Valley in Baja California, Mexico. It is about 2 hours south of San Diego, CA in an arid valley famous for vineyards and olive groves. The valley has a mix of tourist spots and regular Mexican living. Most of the area is dirt roads with small, cinder block houses. The people are extremely friendly and appreciate our visits.
What Do We Do?
Our primary purpose on these trips is to serve others. And we organize our trips with a variety of activities so you get the full cultural and service experience. You will feel completely immersed in the culture as we serve at the orphanage and visit people in the community.
A typical day includes:
- Breakfast
- Projects at the orphanage or service in the community
- Lunch in town
- Play with the Ninos (children) in the afternoon or take care baskets to individuals or families in the community
- Dinner at the orphanage or in town
- Activities with the Ninos
- Sleep
- Repeat
Some specific activities include:
- Breakfast at a 5 star, Michelin star, Gordon Ramsey approved restaurant.
- Painting, cleaning, fixing things, digging septic holes, and organizing at the orphanage. They are always doing improvement projects and need help.
- We are also currently helping with building projects at the local homeless shelter.
- Lunch at one of the yummy Taquerias in town. The food is spectacular, and very cheap. You can get a meal for between $3 and $8.
- Extra food, like ice cream, Helados, popsicles, or baked goods at a local store.
- Visits to people in the community who need extra help. We put together food or hygiene baskets. Many times we go with the local missionaries to visit families they are visiting.
- A lot of play time with the Ninos. Crafts, games, painting, nails, hair, soccer, basketball, volleyball, swings. Any activity you can think of with children.
- A Fiesta at the end of our stay with catered tacos, pinatas, and a dance.
- On some trips we are able to visit the beach in La Mision, shop for souvenirs in Rosarito, and do baptisms at the Tijuana temple (for those able and interested).
Pricing
Current pricing for trips is included on the trip page. We try to keep costs down and logistics easy so anyone can attend these trips.
What is included in the trip cost?
- Housing
- Most meals (At orphanage, 5 star restaurant for breakfast, catered fiesta tacos)
- Supplies for projects
- Donation to orphanage
- T-shirts
- Great memories
What isn’t included in the trip cost?
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is it safe?
Although there are always dangers going to another country, we will be serving in a generally safe area. It is an area where tourists come and we have never had any issues. Participants in our trips always comment about how safe they feel.
We regularly monitor the travel advisories and use common sense to stay safe. We stick together in groups, don’t go to unsafe areas or out at night, and sleep in a fenced compound.
For more information about travel restrictions for US citizens, you can read the travel advisories from the US government. There is currently a travel advisory in Baja California, Mexico but that is for Mexicali, 3 hours east of where we will be located. There is no travel advisory for the area where we will be staying. However, we will still exercise caution and stay together.
Where can I rent a car?
We recommend two places. And if you call you can usually talk them down on price. Especially if you tell them you are looking at both places. https://www.sundiegocarrental.com/ and https://www.readivan.com/. Both are in San Diego and will require you buy Mexican car insurance.
What is required to drive into Mexico?
It is the law in Mexico for vehicles to have at least liability auto insurance purchased from a Mexican insurance agency, and recommended to have comprehensive coverage. Your US auto insurance isn’t sufficient.
You can purchase Mexican auto insurance at https://www.bajabound.com or get a quote from other companies at https://www.mexinsurance.com/auto-insurance/.
FMM
Will my cell phone work?
Not unless you have a plan that covers Mexico.
Options:
- Upgrade your plan for the month to include Mexico (recommended)
- Buy a SIM card in Mexico
Why are your trips so inexpensive compared to others?
Our main purpose is to help other families and individuals do the same thing we have enjoyed doing, humanitarian service trips in another country that are cost-effective for a family, safe, and logistically reasonable. These trips to Mexico fill that need for us and many others.
We keep our overhead costs low by leading the trips ourselves and doing all the administrative work, go to places and do activities that are inexpensive but make the biggest difference, and just don’t charge a lot extra.
Do I need international travel or medical insurance?
Travel insurance covers trip cancellation or interruption due to something on your part or something out of your control. Medical insurance covers health and medical costs that your own insurance won’t cover because you are in another country. We do not purchase international travel or medical insurance for volunteer participants so if you want/need to get it, you will need to purchase it.
First check with your credit cards and current health insurance to see what is covered. Many credit cards cover a lot for trips purchased with the card.
We recommend using https://www.travelinsurance.com/ to find coverage or Berkshire Hathaway’s travel insurance.
Trip Image Gallery
