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 | Training Dates |
In-Country 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
-
Training Dates
Online and incorporated into briefing
-
In-Country Dates
June 17–July 1
-
Ages13–15
-
Application DeadlineApril 7, 2020
-
Price
$3,695
- Session B
-
Length2 weeks
-
Training Dates
Online and incorporated into briefing
-
In-Country Dates
July 8–22
-
Ages13–15
-
Application DeadlineApril 7, 2020
-
Price
$3,695
- Session C
-
Length2 weeks
-
Training Dates
Online and incorporated into briefing
-
In-Country 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!
New AMIGOS project alert!💙 Learn more about Panamá: Valle y Veraguas 2023 🌊🇵🇦
Theme: Community-Driven Conservation
Length: 3 weeks
Ages: 15-19
🏡Homestays: 10+ days with a host family & group lodging for briefing
*Get college credit for this project!
See the different sides of Panama, from a cloud forest to the Pacific Coast. Live with a host family and hang out with local peers to practice your Spanish and learn more about Panamanian culture!
Inspire yourself by talking to community leaders to better understand the climate challenges they are facing and the actions they are taking. Volunteer with local organizations, like a sea turtle protection organization. Enjoy the pristine coastline and do hands-on volunteer activities that help make the area safer for the sea turtles that nest and hatch there!🐢
Date: June 15–July 5
Financial assistance deadline: March 21, 2023
More details on our website, link in our bio!
#visitpanama #panamatravel #highschool #practicespanish #ibcas #apspanish #serviceprojects #highschoolvolunteering
Join the AMIGOS HQ family!🌎 We have exciting AMIGOS + AmeriCorps VISTA openings for 2023:
📚 Learn about curriculum and summer program design as the AMIGOS Program Associate
📋 Grow the size and impact of annual fundraisers as the AMIGOS Fund Development Associate
🎙️ Collect stories of impact and learn about marketing as the AMIGOS Storytelling Associate
📝 Dive into volunteer training workshop design as the AMIGOS Program Training Associate
📆 Learn about community building and business operations as the AMIGOS Operations Associate
Learn more about our AMIGOS + AmeriCorps roles on our website. Explore the “Join Our Team” page and apply!
@americorps #americorps #americorpsvista
Calling all young professionals! Want to live and work in Latin America this summer? Join us TONIGHT for an info session to learn more about our 2023 summer roles!
Serve as a mentor, a coach, and supervise youth in our programs!
👉 Join us: Wednesday, January 18: 6:00–7:00pm (US Central Time)
Sign up at the link in our bio!🕺🏻Los esperamos✨
You’re just one application away from having the best summer ever!!🤗🥳✈️
Will we see you in Latin America this summer?❤️🌎 Apply today!
#volunteerabroad #highschoolspanish #studyabroad #apspanish #visitecuador #ecuadortravel #serviceprojects #ibcas #travelbucketlist #latinamerica
Happy AMIGOS deadline day!🎉 What AMIGOS experience are YOU embarking on this summer?
Submit your application today to apply for financial assistance or join AMIGOS through your local chapter!
We are so excited about 2023 - and we can’t wait to see you in Latin America this summer!🌎💚
Panamá: Tierras Altas…Exploremos el colorido altiplano panameño!💐🇵🇦
1 DAY left!! Learn more about this project and apply before our January 17th financial assistance and local chapter deadline.🎉
Theme: Stewardship & Sustainable Harvests
Length: 3 weeks
Ages: 15-19
🏡Homestays: 10+ days in community & group lodging for briefing
*Get college credit for this project!
Explore the beautiful Panamanian highlands near the border with Costa Rica. This region bursting in color is considered the agricultural hub of Panamá, as it produces most of the food for the whole country.
Learn about sustainable environmental practices alongside our partner agencies. Participate in workshops and service activities in organic farms, community gardens, and compost plants. Live with a host family, enjoy the breathtaking views of the Chiriquí Province, and share special moments with Panamanian youth, farmers, and local leaders.
Visit a waterfall, lagoon, orchid center, an archeological park, and explore the wonders of Panama City at the end of your project!
Session A dates: June 7-June 27
Session B dates: July 5-July 25
More details on our website, link in our bio!
#visitpanama #panamatravel #chiriqui #sustainableharvests #serviceprojects #highschoolspanish #apspanish #summer2023 #travelbucketlist #panamabucketlist
Panamá: Coclé!! Aprendamos sobre el medio ambiente y la salud comunitaria🌱🇵🇦⚕️
Learn more about this project and apply before our January 17th financial assistance and local chapter deadline - only 3 days left!
Theme: Community Health
Length: 4 weeks
Ages: 15–19
🏡Homestays: 20+ days in community & group lodging for briefing
Share and exchange ideas with Panamanian community leaders and our incredible partner agencies! Through this, identify challenges such as mosquito-borne illnesses and environmental practices harmful to nature and the local community’s health.
Get to know the beautiful Coclé province through excursions, cultural activities, and share special moments with local youth and your Panamanian host family.🇵🇦❤️
Session A dates: June 6—July 3
Session B dates: July 11—August 7
Financial Assistance and Local Chapter Deadline: Tuesday, January 17th
More details on our website, link in our bio!
#visitpanama #panamatravel #communityhealth #summerprograms #highschoolvolunteering #volunteerabroad #highschoolspanish #serviceprojects #apspanish #travelbucketlist
Ecuador: La Sierra…Descubre la magia de las montañas ecuatorianas 🌄💫
Learn more about this project and apply before our January 17th financial assistance and local chapter deadline!🇪🇨
Theme: Indigenous Rights & Food Security
Length: 3 weeks
Ages: 15-19
🏡Homestays: 10+ days with a host family & group lodging for briefing
*Get college credit for this project!
Through visits to farms, communities, and national parks, experience agricultural practices in the beautiful mountainous regions of Ecuador. Meet local leaders, food producers, and youth making an impact on food systems in the region!
Understand the impact of agriculture on indigenous communities, ancestral cultures, and traditional medicine. Hear from community members and learn about cosmovisión, the way in which the indigenous culture understands the world.✨🌾
Session A dates: June 15-July 5
Session B dates: July 13-August 2
Financial Assistance and Local Chapter Deadline: Tuesday, January 17th
More details on our website, link in bio!
#ecuadortravel #cosmovision #visitecuador #volunteerabroad #highschoolspanish #apspanish #serviceprojects #ibcas #sustainabletourism #summerprograms
Still deciding?
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