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Akumal Dental Project (Comfort Clinic)

In partnership with the local communities of Akumal and Francisco Uh May, GDR hosts volunteer teams in nearby pueblos. Akumal is located 105 kilometers south of Cancun and is home to indigenous Maya families who have moved to the area to find work. Volunteers stay in beachfront accommodations and walk to the pueblo each morning to work in the clinic. After five days in the clinic, participants have a free day to enjoy the beach, go snorkeling, or visit the famous ruins of nearby Tulum or Coba.
Project Cost: $2,275 (based on double occupancy)

Clinic-Only Itinerary: $2,125 (based on double occupancy)

Call our office for single-occupancy and triple-occupancy rates.

Volunteers may opt out of the sightseeing portion of the project and head home after the clinic.

Project Dates
  • May 18 – 26, 2024
  • May 26 – June 3, 2024
  • March 29 – April 6, 2025
  • May 24 – June 1, 2025
  • June 1 – 9, 2025
What’s Included?
  • Four-star accommodation in a two bedroom, two bathroom beachfront condo on Akumal Bay for eight nights
  • Two meals a day while working in the clinic and breakfast only on sightseeing days
  • Signature GDR T-shirt and water bottle
  • All internal overland transportation within Mexico
  • Airport transfers
  • Sightseeing as listed in the project itinerary
  • Celebratory farewell dinner on the beach

Plus, you will get all this too:

  • A small group of 14 to 18 international volunteers
  • The chance to make connections and create lifelong memories with new friends from all over the world
  • GDR Return Volunteer Discount on all future projects
  • Two GDR designated trip leaders
  • A GDR volunteer coordinator in the office to answer questions and ensure you are prepared for your trip
  • All tips for guides and drivers (except for arrival and departure airport transfers)
Sightseeing Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. — Cancun — Akumal. On arrival in Cancun, volunteers are met by their driver and transferred from the airport to Akumal. Evening at leisure in Akumal. Overnight in Akumal.

Day 2: Akumal. Morning snorkeling in Akumal bay to see the sea turtles. Afternoon project briefing. Overnight in Akumal. (B/L/-)

Day 3: Akumal — Pueblo Travel to the clinic, situated in the pueblo of Akumal, less than a mile away. Full day working in the clinic. Return to Akumal in the late afternoon. Overnight in Akumal. (B/L/-)

Day 4: Pueblo Working in the clinic. Return to Akumal in the late afternoon. Overnight in Akumal. (B/L/-)

Day 5: Pueblo Working in the clinic. Return to Akumal in the late afternoon. Overnight in Akumal. (B/L/-)

Day 6: Pueblo Working in the clinic. Return to Akumal in the late afternoon. Overnight in Akumal. (B/L/-)

Day 7: Pueblo Working in the clinic. Return to Akumal in the late afternoon. Evening farewell dinner. Overnight in Akumal. (B/L/D)

Day 8: Akumal. Day at leisure. For those interested, your project leader will offer optional excursions (to be paid on site) to a nearby cenote, snorkeling in Yal-Kú lagoon or an excursion to see Maya ruins. Overnight in Akumal. (B/-/-)

Day 9: End Akumal. Transfer to the Cancun airport for your flight home or continue with independent travel. End of services. (B/-/-)

Clinic-Only Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. — Cancun — Akumal. On arrival in Cancun, volunteers are met by their driver and transferred from the airport to Akumal. Evening at leisure in Akumal. Overnight in Akumal.

Day 2: Akumal. Morning snorkeling in Akumal bay to see the sea turtles. Afternoon project briefing. Overnight in Akumal. (B/L/-)

Day 3: Akumal — Pueblo. Travel to the clinic, situated in the pueblo of Akumal, less than a mile away. Full day working in the clinic. Return to Akumal in the late afternoon. Overnight in Akumal. (B/L/-)

Day 4: Pueblo. Working in the clinic. Return to Akumal in the late afternoon. Overnight in Akumal. (B/L/-)

Day 5: Pueblo. Working in the clinic. Return to Akumal in the late afternoon. Overnight in Akumal. (B/L/-)

Day 6: Pueblo. Working in the clinic. Return to Akumal in the late afternoon. Overnight in Akumal. (B/L/-)

Day 7: Pueblo. Working in the clinic. Return to Akumal in the late afternoon. Evening farewell dinner. Overnight in Akumal. (B/L/D)

Day 8: End Akumal. Transfer to the Cancun airport for your flight home or continue with independent travel. End of services. (B/-/-)

Physical Demands

Volunteer dental clinics are fast paced and require a fair amount of physical activity each day. Volunteers attending our service trip in Akumal should be able to:

  • Walk at a steady pace for 15 to 30 minutes, including climbing stairs.
  • After orientation, be able to navigate the walk to clinic location and local restaurants.
  • Tolerate hot temperatures and indoor spaces without air conditioning
Wolfgang Pfannenstiel

What Volunteers Say

After my first dental volunteer trip I was sure to do this continuously no matter what! This is helping kids in need effectively. This is having enjoyable conversations with new friends. This is creating unforgettable memories. So in my specific case the letters GDR stand for the German Dentist Returns :)”

- Wolfgang Pfannenstiel, Dentist, Germany

Darshani Khosla

What Partners Say

Global Dental Relief makes sure children are receiving continuous care and that clinics are run efficiently and with the highest ethical standards. They take care of every detail on your service trip — I plan to volunteer with them for years to come!

- Darshani Khosla, Dentist, Texas

Carol Lim

What Volunteers Say

Thank you Global Dental Relief! Nothing compares to the efforts and impact of your volunteer overseas programs, working hard to bring healthy smiles to children.

- Carol Lim, Vice President of Business Development, Cranberry U.S.A

TJ Gabriels

What Volunteers Say

I plan my whole year around these opportunities to volunteer abroad. I love travel with a purpose, being more than a tourist and making a small, positive mark in the world. This organization has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and has really helped broaden my world view.

- TJ Gabriels, Lawyer and General Volunteer, New York

Michael Pasoff

What Volunteers Say

As a dentist, I have treated and cared for many patients, however, nothing can compare to the sense of fulfilment when volunteering your time and skill to ease the pain and suffering of others. It never ceases to amaze me what can be accomplished when surrounded by dedicated, caring and talented volunteers, such as those I met in past international dental clinics with GDR.

- Michael Pasoff, Dentist, Montreal, Canada

Nour Shehadeh

What Volunteers Say

I am honored and grateful to help these amazing children, meet incredible people, explore their culture and change children's lives for the better. I look forward to many service trips with GDR in the future.

- Nour Shehadeh, Dental Hygienist, Illinois

Peggy Lamm

What Volunteers Say

If you want to literally change lives, this is a great way to do that. Our work with Global Dental Relief produced more real good than all the other cumulative good works I've helped with through the rest of my life.

- Peggy Lamm, CEO Colorado Mesa University Foundation and General Volunteer, Colorado