VOLUNTEER AND EXPLORE COSTA RICA

Explore AMIGOS Programs for 2020 have been suspended due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Click here to read an open letter from President & CEO Sara Nathan about this decision.

Explore Costa Rica with a group! This program combines all of the main AMIGOS components of training, volunteering, mentorship, community service, and reflection while also delving into the different environmental issues that Costa Rica is facing today. Additionally, you'll get to take Spanish classes and use your language skills to interact with people from the local community.



Project Dates at a Glance


Session A: June 20–July 6
Session B: July 11–27

REQUEST INFO

What you'll do:
  • Go beyond travel and live in a local community.
  • Make real friendships that last a lifetime.
  • Volunteer side by side with local residents.
  • Improve your Spanish by taking classes and talking to people.
  • Learn about conservation and how climate change is affecting Caribbean communities.
  • Experience a new culture.
  • Earn 25 service hours.
  • Gain confidence and leadership skills.

APPLY NOW


WHY CHOOSE EXPLORE AMIGOS?

AMIGOS has run programs in the United States and Latin America for more than 55 years. We’re the expert in service and immersion programs in Latin America and the industry leader in health and safety. Learn about our health and safety system here. We book the airfare for each of our volunteers and an AMIGOS representative travels with the group on the international leg of their flight.

AMIGOS programs provide a unique opportunity to experience a new culture as a local, not a tourist. All volunteers will take Spanish classes at the beginning of the program to jumpstart their Spanish language learning or improvement. Volunteers who already know some Spanish will play a leadership role in their group, translating and practicing the language in a real-world context. Living in an immersive environment and spending time with locals makes it more fun and easier to learn. You will not believe how fast your Spanish improves when you use it in conversation everyday!

We work with trusted local partner organizations to identify communities that are passionate and committed to working with our volunteers. You’ll be supporting existing initiatives the partner organization and community have identified prior to your arrival. You’ll earn 25 service hours while having a blast!

Do more than just travel — live in a local community with a host family and join in day-to-day life! Build long-lasting relationships as you become part of your host family and community. You’ll connect with people you otherwise would never have the chance to meet. Bond with locals, make friends, and spend time with your fellow volunteers.

Travel to must-see spots in your host country! You’ll visit unique destinations like national parks and nature reserves. Experience Costa Rica from the distinct perspective of someone who has lived in the country and learned about the culture firsthand. Plus, you’ll bond with fellow volunteers and have fun!

Earn 25 service hours while you work on an environmental project that protects wildlife. Be a champion for endangered sea turtles by working with a local agency to clean up the beach and conserve turtle eggs. You’ll get to have a hands on part in local conservation and you will learn about many community-led initiatives around climate adaptation.

AMIGOS prepares volunteers with pre-departure and in-country training in:

  • Multicultural understanding;
  • Health and safety;
  • Community development;
  • Travel safety;
  • Spanish;
  • Leadership; and
  • Team building.

While abroad, volunteers join in on nightly reflections led by AMIGOS staff members. At the end of their service, volunteers come together as a group to participate in debriefing — putting what they learned in context, preparing to go home, and exploring their host country on group excursions.

We believe it is crucial to work with local communities, not for them. If we listen to what communities actually want, instead of making decisions for them, the service projects that volunteers implement will be more successful and sustainable. Local buy-in facilitates a deeper, more meaningful experience for volunteers and paves the way to building positive relationships across cultures.


2020 PROJECTS
My favorite part of the trip was seeing how strong the relationships we formed were, even in just a few days with community members. When we left Belen (the community I was in), it felt like I'd been there for weeks. Though it was sad to leave all of the new people we'd played and worked with, I was thrilled and impressed by how much we'd collectively accomplished in our short time together.
Sabine, AMIGOS Volunteer