Destination and living conditions:

Intercambio will be traveling to Yaxunáh, Yucatan, Mexico. It is a small rural subsistence-living agricultural Maya community of 650 persons located in the central part of the Yucatan peninsula several hours west of Cancun.

Living conditions will be very simple. Participants will sleep in hammocks in the homes of their Maya hosts and learn to take refreshing bucket baths at the end of the work day. Intercambio prepares most of the food, and there will be the opportunity to share some meals in the homes of the Maya hosts. By immersing in Maya culture, participants gain firsthand experience of daily life in a developing nation.

typical mayan house

Construction: The villagers of Yaxunáh have asked Intercambio to help them build a community building that also will provide shelter during extreme weather conditions. Special skills are not needed to participate in the construction project; only willingness to work hard.

construction bucket line pouring a roof
Medical & Dental: Intercambio will conduct medical and dental clinics in the village. Physicians, dentists, optometrists, nurses, pharmacists, dental assistants, lab technicians, and health care students should contact Intercambio for more specific details on how their skills can be used to help the villagers.
doctor examining patient in village clinic
Health Education: Intercambio health educators will show village leaders how to use Donde No Hay Doctor (Where There is No Doctor). This health care manual, designed for use in developing nations, deals with basic sanitation, health issues, and medical treatment. Participants will also conduct health education learning opportunities for the women and children in the village. health education class with village children
Cultural Exploration: After completing the construction, medical, dental, and health education projects, participants will have the opportunity to explore the Maya ruins at Chichen Itza and relax in the colonial city of Merida..
Attention:    FLIGHT and Payment Options for this Trip!
Trip Costs:

OPTION 1: $975.00: Includes lodging, food (some exceptions), a handmade hammock to use and take home, and transportation in Mexico begining and ending at a Cancun hotel (to be named later).
Not included in the fee above are the roundtrip airfare to Cancun and the roundtrip transportation between the Airport and the Cancun hotel (these are the responsibility of the participant).
Or....

OPTION 2: $1,600.00: Includes all provisions listed for Option 1 plus roundtrip airfare from Indianapolis, Indiana, and roundtrip transportation between the Airport and the Cancun hotel (to be named later). Space for this option is limited. (This fee may be altered if airfares increase).

Please Note: For both options, this trip officially begins at 7:00 am on December 30, 2008, at the designated Cancun hotel, and ends with the group's arrival at the Cancun hotel on January 9, 2009. Any other services arranged for Option 1 or 2 participants before or after these dates and times are provided as a convenience and are not a part of the official Intercambio Cultural Maya trip.

2 intercambio volunteersvolunteers resting in their hammocks
To Apply :
If you're interested in participating, click here for an online copy of the application kit or write us winter2008@intercambio-maya.org.


Copyright 2008 Intercambio.