Travel FAQ's

Our Expedition dates are set annually by the Building Hope Abroad Foundation Board and have traditionally been December 26- January 1st. Participants are expected to meet at the Walmart in Douglas Arizona at 10:00am for check-in. 

Building Hope Abroad has been traveling to Mexico for over 20 years for their expeditions.  Safety has been achieved by participants through their commitment to being respectful of the local culture and staying with the group.  Building Hope Abroad Foundation takes no responsibility for the safety of their volunteers.

As of 2022, Mexico is requiring US passports to travel across the border. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to make sure they have the appropriate travel documents.  

Volunteers are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from Agua Prieta as well as during the build project.  It is recommended to take two days to travel. We typically drive to Tucson the first day as a group, stay for the night and then driving to the border early the next morning. We meet at the Walmart in Douglas, AZ in the morning of 12/27 to regroup from travelling and for instruction once we cross the border. It can take some time to cross the border for those with larger loads.

While we recommend driving, yes you can fly into Tucson and rent a car to the border. At this time, we are not aware of any rental car company that allows you to drive across the border. You would have to park in a paid lot at the border for the week and walk across. We cannot guarantee that you would have transportation in Mexico with the group.

We recommend you checking with your insurance carrier for international travel details.  We do recommend getting additional insurance while in Mexico.  Mexpro is a common carrier and you can get more details by visiting www.mexpro.com.

THIS IS NOT A VACATION! Daily manual labor is required. We advise each participant to be in good health before applying for the expedition. Building Hope Abroad Foundation is not  responsible for illnesses that may occur while traveling. Since expedition projects and group sightseeing can be physically taxing, we recommend that persons who suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, or any physical impairment which could hinder them from normal participation contact us prior to submitting an application. 

Think of working on a construction site as you prepare your packing list.  We recommend packing layers as the weather in Agua Prieta is normally cold in the morning and evenings and warm during the day.  We recommend sturdy shoes, gloves, sturdy and durable pants, shirts and sweatshirts.  Consider that clothing may become soiled with construction materials such as paint, sawdust and mud.

Yes! Building Hope Abroad Foundation does not provide tools for volunteers. Every volunteer should bring with them a tool belt, hammer, tape measure, construction pencil and work gloves. 

Building Hope Abroad will provide lodging for participants during the build. Lodging to and from Mexico will be your responsibility. Depending upon the year, lodging has been at motels and communal facilities like the Catholic Church Mission Migrant Home and the State Run Migrant Home (Road House).  We recommend staying together with the group, but volunteers may also arrange for their own lodging at their expense.  

Building Hope Abroad provides meals during the expedition.  The facilities of a local church are offered as a gathering place for breakfast and dinners.  Lunch is served on the job site by local volunteers. We recommend bringing water, snacks and anything diet specific to your needs. 

Meals are planned to feed the group. Volunteers with food allergies should plan accordingly and bring meals that meet their needs.  Storage can be provided once arriving in Agua Prieta at the local church facilities. 

While we work from sun up to sun down, there usually is some time to visit local shopping centers and explore the culture.  Since we visit during the holidays, there is no school in session and most are getting ready to celebrate the new year.  We normally celebrate the New Year as a group and do not recommend going out in the streets as the local celebrations can be intense.