A 2-Week Introduction to Service and Homestays in the Perez Zeledon Province

Experience the incredible biodiversity that Costa Rica has to offer on the Eco-Tourism and Environmental Protection project! Spend your time abroad getting to know your host family in a rural community surrounded by lush green plants and the chatter of tropical birds. You’ll volunteer at an environmental conservation reserve and visit community entrepreneurship initiatives to learn how they approach conservation efforts.

🌎 First 20 students to pay their application fee will receive a $500 discount! 🌎

About the Project

Project Features
  • Group Travel and Housing
  • Short Homestay with Group Meet-Ups
Who is this project good for?

Students who are looking for an introduction to travel and service abroad. Students will divide their time between group housing and a short homestay. During the homestay, the group will meet for daily activities.

Food and Dietary Restrictions

Most meals will be typical Costa Rican food, which can include a plate with meat or eggs, rice and beans, vegetables, and salad. This project is vegetarian-friendly.

Homestay and Lodging Info

Combination of dormitory-style lodging and homestays. The homestays will all be in the same community. Volunteers will be placed in groups of two or three, or individually.

Climate and Terrain

This program is primarily located in the central mountains of the Perez Zeledon province. Rain and high humidity are common, and temperatures range from the low 70s to the low 90s.

Slang

pura vida = life is good, cool
tuanis = cool

Service Hours

Earn 24 service hours while supporting local conservation initiatives.

AMIGOS History in the Region

AMIGOS has operated in Costa Rica for more than 35 years and has built strong relationships with our partner agencies and host families. We are so excited to continue these relationships in the summer of 2025!

What makes this project unique?
  • Explore entrepreneurship: learn how local families and community groups combine conservation with rural tourism to create alternative income opportunities in their community. 
  • Conservation: Visit a private conservation reserve and income-generating initiatives in the buffer zones of national parks.    
  • Local culture: Spend time with your host family learning about their community’s customs, local economy, and culture.
Las Quebradas Biological Center, San José Province, Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica
Join an online info session!

RSVP Here
Length Requirements Dates Ages Application
Deadline
Price
Session A 2 Weeks

No Spanish experience required

Passport valid 6 months after project end date

Pre-departure training, online or in-person

Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

June 11 – June 25, 2025

15–19 Priority Financial Assistance: Dec 10, 2024

Local Chapter: Jan 21, 2025

National Chapter Financial Assistance: March 11, 2025

National Chapter - June Departures: April 8, 2025

$4,775 – National Chapter

$4,475 – Local Chapters

Fees include all in-country expenses

Fundraising Support Available

Flight costs are not included.

Session B 2 Weeks

No Spanish experience required

Passport valid 6 months after project end date

Pre-departure training, online or in-person

Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

July 1 –July 15, 2025

15–19 Priority Financial Assistance: Dec 10, 2024

Local Chapter: Jan 21, 2025

National Chapter Financial Assistance: March 11, 2025

National Chapter - July Departures: May 14, 2025

$4,775 – National Chapter

$4,475 – Local Chapters

Fees include all in-country expenses

Fundraising Support Available

Flight costs are not included.

Session C 2 Weeks

No Spanish experience required

Passport valid 6 months after project end date

Pre-departure training, online or in-person

Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

July 21 – Aug 8, 2025

15–19 Priority Financial Assistance: Dec 10, 2024

Local Chapter: Jan 21, 2025

National Chapter Financial Assistance: March 11, 2025

National Chapter - July Departures: May 14, 2025

$4,775 – National Chapter

$4,475 – Local Chapters

Fees include all in-country expenses

Fundraising Support Available

Flight costs are not included.

  • Session A
  • Length
    2 Weeks
  • Requirements

    No Spanish experience required

    Passport valid 6 months after project end date

    Pre-departure training, online or in-person

    Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

  • Dates

    June 11 – June 25, 2025

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    Priority Financial Assistance: Dec 10, 2024

    Local Chapter: Jan 21, 2025

    National Chapter Financial Assistance: March 11, 2025

    National Chapter - June Departures: April 8, 2025
  • Price

    $4,775 – National Chapter

    $4,475 – Local Chapters

    Fees include all in-country expenses

    Fundraising Support Available

    Flight costs are not included.

  • Session B
  • Length
    2 Weeks
  • Requirements

    No Spanish experience required

    Passport valid 6 months after project end date

    Pre-departure training, online or in-person

    Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

  • Dates

    July 1 –July 15, 2025

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    Priority Financial Assistance: Dec 10, 2024

    Local Chapter: Jan 21, 2025

    National Chapter Financial Assistance: March 11, 2025

    National Chapter - July Departures: May 14, 2025
  • Price

    $4,775 – National Chapter

    $4,475 – Local Chapters

    Fees include all in-country expenses

    Fundraising Support Available

    Flight costs are not included.

  • Session C
  • Length
    2 Weeks
  • Requirements

    No Spanish experience required

    Passport valid 6 months after project end date

    Pre-departure training, online or in-person

    Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

  • Dates

    July 21 – Aug 8, 2025

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    Priority Financial Assistance: Dec 10, 2024

    Local Chapter: Jan 21, 2025

    National Chapter Financial Assistance: March 11, 2025

    National Chapter - July Departures: May 14, 2025
  • Price

    $4,775 – National Chapter

    $4,475 – Local Chapters

    Fees include all in-country expenses

    Fundraising Support Available

    Flight costs are not included.

Want to learn more?

Join an info session!

RSVP Here

Linking Entrepreneurship and Conservation

PURA VIDA

Spend part of your time living with a host family! Practice your Spanish with your host family and even learn some local slang. Relax in the region’s tropical cloud forest and learn the true meaning of pura vida.

 

PARTNER AGENCIES

Earn 24 service hours while volunteering with a women’s association and nature reserve. Both of these organizations collaborate with the shared goals of protecting local biodiversity and generating income through conservation.

 

Example Activities

  • Support reforestation work planting trees and working in a cloud forest nursery
  • Trail and fence maintenance in a forest reserve
  • Local youth connection through sport and cultural activities
  • Explore the cloud forest in a wildlife refuge near a national park

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: San Jose – Arrive in Costa Rica and stay the night in a hostel with the group.
Day 2-3: Central Valley – Dorm style lodging. Briefing activities, excursions, and team building.
Day 4-13: Perez Zeledon Province—Host families, 2-3 volunteers per household. Volunteering opportunities at a nature reserve, such as tree planting, trail maintenance, and supporting the nursery. Learn from local women-led entrepreneurs about conservation initiatives. Excursions and volunteering during the day, and time with a host family in the evenings.
Day 13-14: Nature reserve in Perez Zeledon – Dorm-style housing. Wildlife excursion. Debriefing activities and reflection.
Day 15: Departure day
*Itineraries are subject to change.

 

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I’ve learned so many skills that I know I’ll use for the rest of my life. The rich experiences I’ve had and shared in a whole different country have been like no other.

–Flynn, Costa Rica Volunteer, 2022

Program Requirements
  • Meet the health criteria for AMIGOS participation
  • Receive required immunizations
  • Be age 15–19 on the project start date
  • Passport valid 6 months after project start date
  • Complete pre-departure training, online or in-person
Apply Now

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.

Why Choose AMIGOS?

Practice Spanish

AMIGOS programs provide a unique opportunity to live with a host family and experience a new culture. Volunteers report increased fluency in Spanish after completing our program. Activities go far beyond the classroom — you’ll lead activities in Spanish, get to know your host family, learn local slang, and increase your confidence with real-world practice. You will not believe how fast your Spanish improves when you use it in conversation every day!

Have an Adventure

Get to know Costa Rica from a local perspective! Explore an area few tourists get to see. Do hands-on volunteering in a national park and experience the pristine nature around you. Make friends from Costa Rica, learn about their culture, and share experiences together.

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.

Find out more about our programs

Join an online info session!

RSVP HERE

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