Costa Rica: Cartago y Caribe | Amigos de las Americas

Explore community efforts to adapt to climate change in Costa Rica! From the mangroves of the Caribbean coast to the cloud forests, we will examine local conservation initiatives that have persisted despite challenges due to a changing climate. We will also dig into the root causes of climate change and how international actions can have a profound effect on local communities. There is no Spanish requirement, but you'll get to use introductory Spanish and take Spanish classes!

The deadline to apply was May 17.

	Length	Training Dates	In-Country Dates	Ages	Application Deadline	Price
Session A	3 weeks	Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.	June 8–28	15–19	The deadline for Session A has passed. Please email our Admissions team with any questions at [email protected]	$5,875 – includes all in-country expenses
Session B	3 Weeks	Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.	July 6–26	15–19	The deadline for Session B has passed.	$5,875 – includes all in-country expenses

Session A
Length

3 weeks
Training Dates

Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.
In-Country Dates

June 8–28
Ages

15–19
Application Deadline

The deadline for Session A has passed. Please email our Admissions team with any questions at [email protected]
Price

$5,875 – includes all in-country expenses
Session B
Length

3 Weeks
Training Dates

Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.
In-Country Dates

July 6–26
Ages

15–19
Application Deadline

The deadline for Session B has passed.
Price

$5,875 – includes all in-country expenses

About the Project

Project Type

Pod-based. Maximum enrollment is 20.

Slang

pura vida = life is good, cool
tuanis = cool

College Credit

Get two college credits for this project! Find out more here.

Service Hours

Earn 30 service hours!

Food

Pinto (rice and black beans), plantains, tortillas
Great for vegetarians!

AMIGOS History in the Region

AMIGOS has worked in Costa Rica for more than 35 years.

What makes this project unique?

You’ll get to travel to two distinct regions in Costa Rica: the Caribbean coast and the volcanic valleys of Cartago Province. Meet local institutions and community members who are taking action to adapt their environmental protection efforts to the challenges of climate change!

Unnamed Road, Provincia de Cartago, Costa Rica

Find out more about our programs

Join an online info session!

RSVP HERE

Spotlight on Conservation and Climate Change

Cartago Province & THE Caribbean

You will spend part of your time in the agricultural hub of the Cartago Province, a farming region filled with rivers and mountains, and a rural coastal community nestled between tributaries and jungle.

Cartago Province: Explore how education and private conservation efforts have contributed to agricultural research in the process of adapting to climate change. Meet local producers and how climate change has impacted their farms.

Caribbean Coast: Focus on community-based initiatives to adapt to climate change as well as the impact of climate change on coastal communities. Support wildlife protection by setting up sea turtle nurseries, identifying nests, and other needs.

Partner Agencies

Volunteer with a sea turtle protection and environmental education organization. Earn 30 service hours while supporting local initiatives.

Example Activities

Take a Costa Rican cooking and dance class
Volunteer at a botanical garden and with nightly sea turtle patrols
Explore Tortuguero National Park
Visit a handcraft fair and hike a volcano

A Day in the Life

Days 1–6

Wake up and have breakfast in small groups
Morning: Rotating schedule of activities, including Spanish classes, orientation, explore topics like conservation in Costa Rica and community adaptation to climate change
Lunch outside
Afternoon: Rotating schedule of activities—Spanish classes, briefing, etc. in small groups
Free time to explore the grounds
Dinner in small groups
After Dinner: free time, fun group activities

Day 7–End of Project

Wake up and eat breakfast as a group
Morning: volunteer on a community service project, take part in fun intercultural and leadership activities
Lunch outside
Afternoon: travel to local farms, nature preserves, and take tours with local organizations. Meet local community members and take part in fun activities led by the group!
Dinner
After Dinner: fun group bonding, free time to relax

Program Pillars

Ethical Service

Learn how to create ethical service initiatives by working with–not for–a community, engaging local organizations and partners, and evaluating the impact of your work. AMIGOS works with trusted local partners that are passionate and committed to working with our volunteers on community service projects.

Cultural Humility

Cultural humility is a process of both self-reflection about your own culture as well as learning about other cultures. You will examine your own beliefs and cultural identity and gain an understanding of how structural racism has impacted societies and the roles that communities can take to lead systemic change.

Leadership

Learn, grow, and discover your leadership potential! Explore your sense of purpose and start to establish your personal goals and values through introspection and inquiry.

Just a few spots left!

Apply Now

Why Choose AMIGOS?

Have an Adventure

Travel to must-see spots in your host country! You’ll travel as a group to experience unique destinations like volcanoes, ancient ruins, national parks, and historical sites. You’ll get to see these places from the distinct perspective of someone who has spent time in that country and learned about the culture firsthand. Plus, you’ll bond with their fellow volunteers and have fun!

Travel with Trust

AMIGOS is the industry leader in health and safety management. Our staff is prepared to help you with any situation that may arise. Each volunteer receives a personalized emergency plan, as well as support from local staff teams and a professional 24-hour On-Call Safety Team of travel specialists, doctors, and mental health specialists. A Health and Wellness Coordinator is on staff with the group throughout the duration of their stay. AMIGOS also has an established network of vetted medical clinics and hospitals throughout the region.

Training for AMIGOS and Beyond

Prepare for AMIGOS through guided training in topics like: cultural humility, health and safety, emotional intelligence, travel safety, Spanish, leadership, and team building.

Upon arrival in the field, you’ll start country-specific training with your pod. During your time abroad, you’ll meet regularly with an AMIGOS staff member who serves as your mentor.

It was truly the best experience I have had. I made so many great memories and even greater friends. We learned important things about the world around us can carry our lessons over to our lives at home.

–Avian, 2021 Volunteer

Program Requirements

Meet the health criteria for AMIGOS participation and follow the mental health procedures if necessary.
Receive required immunizations and medications
Be age 15–19 on the project start date

Resources

Apply Now

Field Notes

Monteverde Updates from Jayna and Aydin

Cartago y Caribe, Costa Rica

Monteverde Updates from Dean and Tres

Cartago y Caribe, Costa Rica

Monteverde: Intro to the Project

Cartago y Caribe, Costa Rica

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May 18

Open

Alistando los últimos preparativos para recibir a los programas cortos del 2022!

Si participarás en uno de nuestros proyectos este año recuerda invitar a tus familiares y amistades a seguir nuestra página para mantenerse al tanto de tus aventuras 🤗

Wrapping up the field visits before we start the 2022 summer projects!

If you are participating in one of our projects this summer, remember to invite your family and friends to follow our page to keep updated with your adventures 🤗

#montañasymar
#cartagoycaribe
#olasycerros ...

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Mar 25

Open

Les invitamos a nuestra sesión informativa de este martes 29 de marzo

Es una excelente oportunidad para aprender más sobre nuestros programas en Costa Rica para este 2022.

Agradecemos si nos ayudan a compartir para así llegar a más jóvenes interesados en el liderazgo e Intercambio cultural. ...

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Feb 18

Open

Jóvenes participantes y sus familias nos cuentan cómo fue su experiencia del proceso de aplicación y selección a nuestros programas del 2021.🥰🥰🥰

Nos da mucha alegría de que sean parte de nuestra familia de AMIGOS. 💚

El plazo de recepción de aplicaciones cierra el 31 de marzo.

El enlace a la aplicación está en nuestra bio.

🤗🐢🐸🐢🦥🐢🤗 ...

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Feb 10

Open

Les invitamos a nuestra sesión informativa de este 15 de febrero

Es una excelente oportunidad para aprender más sobre nuestros programas en Costa Rica para este 2022.

Agradecemos si nos ayudan a compartir para así llegar a más jóvenes interesados en el liderazgo e Intercambio cultural. ...

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Sep 1

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New AMIGOS programs for summer 2022 just announced today! Head to @amigos_americas to find out more 🙌 ...

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Aug 16

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Buen viaje to our wonderful, adventurous Session B! Keep getting out of your element, fighting for ecological conservation, and eating copious amounts of gallo pinto back home... Pura vida! 🌟🐢 ...

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Aug 15

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Closing out our program in Tortuguero: Last games of volleyball, debriefing bonfire activities, and lots of monkey sightings at the national park! ...

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Aug 15

Open

Hands up for early morning sightseeing (by canoe!) in Tortuguero National Park! Ft. matching rainy season fits 🕺🐦 ...

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