Costa Rica: La Brunca
A 3-Week Exploration of Nature and Culture
Proyecto Resumen
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.
Capacitación y preparación
Empieza fuerte, mantén la confianza.
Explore projects offer a guided experience with support, so training equips you to engage respectfully and safely with your host community.
Voluntarios Nacionales:
curso en línea a su propio ritmo de 3 a 5 horas (aproximadamente un mes antes de la salida)
Seminario web sobre información del proyecto (PIP)
Familiar asiste a seminario web sobre salud y seguridad
Voluntarios del capítulo local:
Capacitación presencial del capítulo (feb-may)
Breve cuestionario de conceptos en línea (mediados de mayo)
Seminario web sobre información del proyecto (PIP)
Familiar asiste a seminario web sobre salud y seguridad
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.
Qué hacer Esperar
Vive más, descúbrete a ti mismo.
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.
- SERVICIO
- 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.
- CONEXIÓN E INMERSIÓN
- 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.
Los voluntarios desarrollan conexiones con las personas que hacen posible cada proyecto: familias anfitrionas, jóvenes locales, miembros de la comunidad, organizaciones socias, el personal de AMIGOS y otros voluntarios. Estas relaciones son fundamentales para la experiencia de AMIGOS, ya que crean un espacio para el intercambio cultural, el aprendizaje compartido y el servicio colaborativo.
Vivir con una familia anfitriona lleva a los voluntarios más allá de la experiencia turística, ofreciendo un genuino sentido de pertenencia en la comunidad. Es la manera definitiva de mejorar rápidamente las habilidades en español y construir relaciones interculturales que a menudo duran toda la vida. Con 60 años de experiencia, AMIGOS evalúa rigurosamente a cada hogar mediante visitas domiciliarias en persona, entrevistas y capacitación obligatoria sobre salud y seguridad. Los supervisores del personal realizan visitas de seguimiento periódicas y brindan apoyo de emergencia las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana.
“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.”
A lo largo de los años, hemos observado que los voluntarios que optan por una desconexión digital total informan una mayor satisfacción, vínculos comunitarios más fuertes y menos casos de nostalgia o angustia emocional. Nuestra experiencia, respaldada por investigaciones emergentes sobre el uso de la tecnología y la salud mental, demuestra que desconectarse de los dispositivos permite a los voluntarios conectarse más profundamente consigo mismos, con sus compañeros y con sus comunidades de acogida.
Política Integral de Tecnología¿Tienes curiosidad sobre la experiencia diaria? Explora un itinerario de ejemplo para este viaje.
Seguridad y Soporte
AMIGOS prepara a los voluntarios con capacitación en salud y seguridad antes de la salida y orientación específica sobre el proyecto durante la sesión informativa en el país. Los voluntarios aprenden qué esperar, cómo tomar decisiones responsables y a dónde acudir en busca de apoyo si es necesario.
A lo largo del proyecto, el personal elabora planes de emergencia para cada voluntario y ubicación, realiza evaluaciones de riesgo periódicas y está disponible las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana a través del Sistema Interno de Llamadas de Salud y Seguridad de AMIGOS, respaldado por un equipo de profesionales de la salud médica y mental.
Costo y Ayuda Financiera
Las tarifas del programa cubren todos los costos esenciales, incluidos el alojamiento con familias anfitrionas, las comidas locales, el transporte dentro del país, las excursiones grupales y una red de apoyo de emergencia 24/7. Qué está incluido:
- 3 weeks of immersive programming and activities
- Todas las comidas y el alojamiento
- Transporte dentro del país
- sistema de seguridad y soporte 24/7
- Antes de la salida y capacitación, en línea o en persona
Lo que no está incluido: vuelos, protección de viaje, equipo.
Más sobre aranceles y financiamientoNuestros precios transparentes y con todo incluido y nuestra ayuda financiera flexible opciones de recaudación de fondos maximice el valor para su familia.
Voces de los participantes
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 Aquí.
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
