Example Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Costa Rica and meet your project staff and fellow volunteers.
Days 2–6
Travel to the Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica to collaborate with an endangered sea turtle protection project and begin briefing, group preparation and training for your time abroad. Learn first-hand how local organizations work to protect endangered marine life by supporting with beach cleanups and preparing turtle egg hatcheries. You might get lucky and spot a rare sea turtle!
Days 4–6
Volunteer as a group on the beach with an endangered sea turtle protection project.
Days 7–12
Travel to host community in the rolling green hills of southern Costa Rica. Meet your host family and work on a community service project alongside local students.
Days 12–13
Despedida (going away party) in your host community. As a group, visit cool spots in the region. Reflect on your experience and prepare to return home.
Day 14
Pack your bags and fly home!
About the Region
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a rugged, rainforested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity. Roughly a quarter of its area is made up of protected jungle, teeming with wildlife including spider monkeys and quetzal birds.
Climate
Tropical
Pura Vida
You’ll get to see biodiversity and conservation in action while volunteering with a sea turtle protection project. Part of your stay will take place in a rural community, where you’ll get the chance to live with a host family for a few days! While you’re there, you’ll work with your AMIGOS partners to lead fun and educational activities for children each day. You’ll also collaborate on a service project that’s specific to the community in which you’re staying.
Why Choose AMIGOS?
Travel with Trust
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. We book the airfare for each of our volunteers and an AMIGOS representative travels with the group on the international leg of their flight. Volunteers will be accompanied by AMIGOS staff members at all times.
Learn Spanish
AMIGOS programs provide a unique opportunity to experience a new culture as a local, not a tourist. 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 a host family makes it more fun and easier to learn. You will not believe how fast your Spanish improves when you use it in conversation everyday!
Make an Impact
We work with trusted local partner organizations to identify communities that are passionate and committed to working with our volunteers on service projects. You’ll get to collaborate on a service project with volunteers your own age as well as other members of the community.
Build Real Relationships
Do more than just travel — live with a host family, sharing in their day-to-day life! You will become part of your host community, and you’ll connect with people you otherwise would never have the chance to meet. Bond with your host family, make friends, and spend time with your fellow volunteers.
Have an Adventure
Travel to must-see spots in your host country! You’ll visit unique destinations like volcanoes, national parks, and historical sites, and see these places 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!
Protect the Environment
Earn 30 service hours while you work on an environmental project that protects wildlife. Be a champion for endangered sea turtles by working with local agencies to clean up the beach and conserve turtle eggs. You’ll get to have a hands on part in local conservation and you’ll get to lead activities with kids in your host community.
Train and Prepare
AMIGOS prepares volunteers with pre-departure and in-country training in topics like 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.
Our Service Philosophy
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.
| Length | Requirements | Dates | Ages | Application Deadline |
Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session A | 2 weeks |
Online and incorporated into briefing |
June 17–July 1 |
13–15 | April 7, 2020 |
$3,695 |
| Session B | 2 weeks |
Online and incorporated into briefing |
July 8–22 |
13–15 | April 7, 2020 |
$3,695 |
| Session C | 2 weeks |
Online and incorporated into briefing |
July 29–August 12 |
13–15 | April 7, 2020 |
$3,695 |
- Session A
-
Length2 weeks
-
Requirements
Online and incorporated into briefing
-
Dates
June 17–July 1
-
Ages13–15
-
Application DeadlineApril 7, 2020
-
Price
$3,695
- Session B
-
Length2 weeks
-
Requirements
Online and incorporated into briefing
-
Dates
July 8–22
-
Ages13–15
-
Application DeadlineApril 7, 2020
-
Price
$3,695
- Session C
-
Length2 weeks
-
Requirements
Online and incorporated into briefing
-
Dates
July 29–August 12
-
Ages13–15
-
Application DeadlineApril 7, 2020
-
Price
$3,695
The goodbye party made me feel very welcome and happy, even though it was our last day at the school. It made me feel very special that they would share their culture with us.
—Jordan, Discover AMIGOS Volunteer, 2018
- Meet the health criteria for AMIGOS participation and follow the mental health procedures if necessary.
- Receive required immunizations and medications
- Be age 13–15 on the project start date
Read about Discover AMIGOS Costa Rica!
Happy #GivingTuesday, Amigos!🤗❤️ Today, make AMIGOS your charity and help us open the door for even more students to embark on life-changing immersion experiences!
Even the smallest contribution can make the biggest difference today.
Together, we can expand the AMIGOS mission and ensure these inspiring and transformative programs thrive for years to come.
Your donation creates opportunities for students to gain new perspectives, build lifelong skills, and make a lasting impact across the Americas.🌎✨
🎁 Donate today and support the next generation of AMIGOS leaders!
🔗 Click the link in our bio to donate or visit amigosinternational.org/donate.
“HOPE! These kids will save the world. I was so incredibly impressed with the students—they were mature, sweet, curious, and engaging.”
That’s how the Bantuveris family described hosting a Youth Ambassador in Austin, TX!🏡❤️ The experience brought joy, cultural exchange, and lifelong memories to their family in Austin.
🗓️ Join us tonight at 6 PM Central for a Youth Ambassador Host Family info session with our YA Coordinator, Carly!
This upcoming January, AMIGOS will welcome Youth Ambassadors from both Paraguay and the Dominican Republic to Texas!
🌟Register for tonight’s info session by visiting amigosinternational.org/youth-ambassadors-program or click the link in our bio or IG stories.
Have any questions? Contact our team at [email protected].
Exciting News! Have you heard about our new summer projects in the Dominican Republic?
That’s right!! AMIGOS is back en la República Dominicana! 🎉🌊🇩🇴
We’re so thrilled to announce the projects:
🏐 Dominican Republic: Cultural Connection Through Sports
🌺 Dominican Republic: Community Transformation in the Caribbean Mountains
Check out our website to explore project themes, service activities, excursions, and everything else these fun projects have to offer!
We can’t wait to see you embark on one of these exciting summer adventures.💙❤️
Learn more and apply today! Visit amigosinternational.org/summer-programs
“People are people everywhere–we all have things we care about, and a lot of our differences are based on our unique life experiences…” –Hannah R., January ‘24 Host Mom 🏡❤️
A huge “gracias” to the Rabin family for being part of our 2024 Youth Ambassadors host families!
🇩🇴 🇵🇾This upcoming January, you can also join us in hosting our Youth Ambassadors from Paraguay and the Dominican Republic in Austin, Texas! Don’t miss out on this rewarding experience!
🤠 To sign up or learn more about being a YA host family in Austin:
📧 Email us at [email protected]
📞 Sign up for a 1:1 call with our YA Coordinator, Carly Pearson! Or
📅 Join our YA Host Family Info Session next Monday at 6 PM CT!
Find all these links in our bio or visit amigosinternational.org/youth-ambassadors-program
👉 YA Program dates: January 24 to February 2, 2025
Announcing our new project, Panama: Schools and Community Connection!📚❤️
Length: 2 weeks
Ages: 15-19
🏡Lodging: Group Travel & Homestay
Spend your summer in Panama volunteering at rural community schools and leading fun, educational activities for kids alongside local youth!
Live with a host family to fully experience authentic Panamanian culture.🇵🇦
Session A: June 17-July 1, 2025
Session B: July 8-22, 2025
Session C: July 28-August 11, 2025
🗓️ Important Deadline: Apply by December 10, 2024 to be eligible for priority financial assistance!
🔗 Join us for our live Sunday info sessions to learn more. RSVP through the link in our bio, or visit amigosinternational.org/online-info-sessions.
🌟Calling all San Francisco Bay Area families! Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, November 19, for Engage & Empower – A 2025 AMIGOS Program Info Session, in-person!
💌 Join us at The Light House on Dolores from 6PM-7:30 PM.
🔗 To RSVP, visit the link in our bio!
Light bites and reception will begin at 6:00 PM with the info session beginning at 6:30 PM.
🌎🤗 This will be an evening of community, featuring AMIGOS alumni and staff members from the Bay Area who will give a presentation and answer your questions about our 2025 projects! You will also have the chance to meet with Sara Nathan, AMIGOS President & CEO, and local leadership in the Bay Area.
We hope this will be an opportunity for you to connect and learn. We look forward to seeing you there!
“My two children have learned about other countries’ cultures, about nourishing connections with foreigners…The Youth Ambassadors have taught my children about independence, leadership, and good manners…The YAs were role models for my children.”
—Griselda P., January & September 2024 Host Mom 🌎✨
🤗 Ready to make a difference like Griselda? AMIGOS is looking for host families in Austin, TX to welcome our Youth Ambassadors from Paraguay and the Dominican Republic next January! 🏡❤️
Program dates: January 24 to February 2, 2025
Want to learn more about being a host family in Austin?
📧 Email us at [email protected]
📞 Sign up for a 1:1 call with our YA Coordinator, Carly Pearson! Or
📅 Join our YA Host Family Info Session next Monday at 6 PM CT!
🔗 Find these links in our bio or visit amigosinternational.org/youth-ambassadors-program
Learn more about Panama: Supporting Sea Turtle Habitats🐢🇵🇦 (Only 5 spots left in Session A!)
Length: 3 weeks
Ages: 15-19
🏡Lodging: Group Travel & Homestay
*College credit available for this project!
Head to Panama next summer for an adventure where you’ll practice Spanish, make new friends, and volunteer with inspiring conservation organizations! Begin in the scenic Valle de Antón, supporting local reforestation efforts to help protect Panama’s unique plants and wildlife.🌼
Then, travel to a peaceful Pacific coast town, where you’ll stay with a welcoming host family in a rural beachside community.🌊💫 Get hands-on with a sea turtle protection project and work alongside local youth to make the coastline safer for nesting turtles.
Session A: June 26 - July 17, 2025 (5 spots left!)
Session B: July 23 - August 13, 2025
🗓️ Priority Financial Assistance Deadline: Dec 10, 2024
🔗 Want to learn more? Join us this Sunday for a live info session on Summer 2025 projects! RSVP at the link in our bio or visit amigosinternational.org/online-info-sessions.
Still deciding?
See more projects like this one!