Costa Rica: La Brunca
A 3-Week Exploration of Nature and Culture
Project Overview
Spend your time in southern Costa Rica in the foothills of two national parks, where agriculture and wildlife protection go hand in hand. Partner with women‑led organizations driving innovation in conservation and sustainable farming, and see how communities balance protecting biodiversity with building resilient local economies.
Live with a host family and immerse yourself in rural culture through hands‑on projects like sustainable farming, community‑based conservation, and educational activities that connect environment, culture, and daily life.
Training & Preparation
Start Strong, Stay Confident.
Explore projects offer a guided experience with support, so training equips you to engage respectfully and safely with your host community.
National Volunteers:
3–5 hour self‑paced online course (about one month before departure)
Project Information (PIP) Webinar
Family member attends Health & Safety Webinar
Local Chapter Volunteers:
In‑person chapter training (Feb–May)
Short online concept quiz (mid‑May)
Project Information (PIP) Webinar
Family member attends Health & Safety Webinar
Ready to lead, ready to explore! Once you land, you’ll spend 3-4 days getting grounded. Orientation introduces you to local culture, daily life, and your community assignment. Project staff lead sessions on health, safety, and project activities and expectations so you feel confident and prepared before diving into the local community.
Closing strong, Carrying forward! In your final two nights, you’ll come together with fellow volunteers to reflect, celebrate, and prepare for the journey home. Debriefing helps you process your experience, navigate reverse culture shock, and wrap up travel logistics. It’s a supportive space to share growth and learn how to tell your story to family and friends.
What to Expect
Experience More, Discover Yourself.
AMIGOS projects are designed to challenge and inspire. You’ll dive into hands‑on activities, connect with local communities, live with a host family, and experience life tech‑free. Every moment builds connection, leadership, and friendships that last far beyond the program.
A look at what volunteers do in La Brunca project.
- SERVICE
- Rotate between hands‑on projects on local farms: gardening, coffee farm maintenance, trail upkeep, tree planting, and more.
- Team up with Local Youth Leaders (LYLs) to facilitate Recreos — fun, educational activities for kids — five days a week.
- CONNECTION & IMMERSION
- Volunteer with a women‑led organization supporting environmental conservation.
- Join workshops on coffee and cacao production and learn about local wildlife protection efforts.
- Participate in a lively language exchange with youth from nearby schools.
- Discover your host family’s entrepreneurial projects and daily life in rural Costa Rica.
Volunteers develop connections with the people who make each project possible: host families, local youth, community members, partner organizations, AMIGOS staff, and fellow volunteers. These relationships are central to the AMIGOS experience, creating space for cultural exchange, shared learning, and collaborative service.
Living with a host family moves volunteers past the tourist experience, offering a genuine sense of belonging in the community. It’s the ultimate way to rapidly improve Spanish skills and build cross-cultural relationships that often last a lifetime. With 60 years of experience, AMIGOS strictly vets every household through in-person home visits, interviews, and mandatory health and safety training. Staff supervisors conduct regular check-ins and provide 24/7 emergency support.
“My favorite part of the AMIGOS program was the host family aspect. Living with a host family made me feel supported and welcomed into a new environment, while giving me an entirely new experience and perspective.”
Over the years, we have observed that volunteers who choose a full digital detox report higher satisfaction, stronger community bonds, and fewer instances of homesickness or emotional distress. Our experience, supported by emerging research on technology use and mental health, demonstrates that disconnecting from devices allows volunteers to connect more deeply with themselves, their peers, and their host communities.
Full Technology PolicyCurious about the daily experience? Explore a sample itinerary for this trip.
Safety and Support
AMIGOS prepares volunteers with health and safety training before departure and project-specific guidance during in-country briefing. Volunteers learn what to expect, how to make responsible decisions, and where to turn for support if needed.
Throughout the project, staff develop emergency plans for each volunteer and location, conduct regular risk assessments, and are available 24/7 through AMIGOS’ in-house Health and Safety On-Call System, supported by a team of medical and mental health professionals.
Cost and Financial Aid
Program fees covers all essential costs, including lodging with host families, local meals, in-country transportation, group excursions, and a 24/7 emergency support network. What’s included:
- 3 weeks of immersive programming and activities
- All meals and accommodations
- In-country transportation
- 24/7 safety and support system
- Pre-departure and training, online or in-person
What’s not included: flights, travel protection, gear.
More About Fees & FundingOur transparent, all-inclusive pricing and flexible financial aid and fundraising options maximize value for your family.
Participant Voices
Preguntado frecuentemente Preguntas
La Brunca is ideal for volunteers ready to step outside their comfort zones and embrace a more independent experience. You’ll divide your time between group lodging and host family stays in rural communities, meeting up with your cohort for activities and planning community projects.
During the host family period, the group is split among three different communities in the same region, giving you the chance to connect deeply with local people and cultures. This project is a great fit for students who enjoy physical activity, outdoor work, and meaningful cultural immersion.
Learn directly from local farmers and community groups about how agriculture and wildlife protection shape daily life in southern Costa Rica. Volunteer at family farms and private conservation reserves, contributing to hands‑on projects that support sustainability and biodiversity.
While living with a host family, you’ll practice Spanish every day and immerse yourself in the rhythms of rural culture. This experience blends meaningful service with authentic connection, giving you a deeper understanding of how communities protect their environment while building resilient futures.
AMIGOS has operated in Costa Rica for more than 35 years and in that time has built strong relationships with our partner agencies and host families. We are so excited to be continuing these relationships in the summer of 2027!
Yes! Receive college credit for joining this project! Learn more here.
You can earn 60 service hours while supporting local conservation initiatives.
You’ll experience both group and family living. At the beginning and at the end of the project, the whole group stays together in dorm‑style lodging. For most of the program, volunteers are split into groups of up to six and placed with host families — either independently or with one partner. An AMIGOS staff member is regularly present in the communities, ensuring support while you immerse yourself in daily life.
Most meals feature traditional Costa Rican cuisine — plates with rice and beans, meat or eggs, fresh vegetables, and salad. This project is vegetarian‑friendly, with host families and cooks able to adapt meals to meet dietary needs.
This project is located in Costa Rica’s Brunca region, spanning Pérez Zeledón and Biolley. During June–August, expect the rainy season with daytime temperatures from the low 70s to low 90s°F and cooler nights in the 50s–60s°F. Humidity is high, and frequent showers or heavy downpours are part of daily life, keeping the landscape lush and green.
The terrain is hilly and rugged, with winding roads, forested areas, and agricultural valleys. Volunteers should be prepared for lots of walking on uneven paths and muddy trails during the rainy season. The region’s biodiversity is striking, with tropical plants, birds, and wildlife adding to the immersive environment.
Costa Rica has a lot of unique slang, here is a taste of it!
pura vida = life is good, cool
tuanis = cool
mae = dude, friend (used like “bro”)
brete = work, job
choza = house, home
AMIGOS uses an Asset‑Based Community Development (ABCD) approach, meaning service activities respond to the priorities of each community. For Explore programs, AMIGOS works with partner agencies and local leaders in advance to identify needs. Volunteers then join to support these efforts through hands‑on service and connection.
Past service activities have included:
Cleaning and revamping partner agency headquarters
Community clean‑ups
Beautification projects (painting, planting, signage)
Working in community gardens
Reforestation and environmental conservation activities
Because service activities are prepared ahead of time, volunteers focus on participation and teamwork, building relationships with local youth while contributing to meaningful community efforts.
Ideal for volunteers who like outdoor work and deep community connection, the Costa Rica: La Brunca project explores conservation, agriculture, and rural life in southern Costa Rica. Volunteers live with host families, support women-led environmental organizations, learn about coffee, cacao, and wildlife protection, and earn 60 service hours through hands-on conservation work.
- Meet the health criteria for AMIGOS participation
- Receive required immunizations
- Be age 15–19 on the project start date
- Have taken 1 year of Spanish or the equivalent
- Passport valid 6 months after project start date
- Complete pre-departure training, online or in-person
