Travel to Costa Rica with a group of students to learn about global issues like climate change, conservation, and preserving endangered wildlife! Earn 24 service hours while you do hands-on community service with local organizations and visit nature conservation sites. Explore Costa Rica's beautiful Pacific beaches and immerse yourself in the tropical forest of the Brunca Region.
Length Training
Dates
In-Country
Dates
Ages Application
Deadline
Price
Costa Rica: La Bahia 2 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 27–July 10

13–14 This project is now full. Have any questions? Contact us at [email protected]

$3,975 – includes all in-country expenses. Flight costs are not included.

  • Costa Rica: La Bahia
  • Length
    2 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 27–July 10

  • Ages
    13–14
  • Application Deadline
    This project is now full. Have any questions? Contact us at [email protected]
  • Price

    $3,975 – includes all in-country expenses. Flight costs are not included.

About the Project

Project Type

Group-based. Maximum enrollment is 17.

Slang

pura vida = life is good, cool
tuanis = cool

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 practice your Spanish while making new friends and volunteering with two amazing community-based organizations!Ā You will immerse yourself in environmental conservation work while visiting tropical forests and exploring the Pacific coast.

 

88X7+9HC, San JosƩ Province, San Isidro de El General, Costa Rica
Find out more about our programs

Join an online info session!

RSVP HERE

What You'll Do

Forest & BEACH

Explore two key landscapes in the environmental paradise of Costa Rica! You will spend part of your time on the Pacific Coast and the other part of this trip in the forests of the Brunca Region.

 

Partner Agencies

Volunteer with a sea turtle protection organization and private conservation reserve. Earn 24 service hours while supporting local initiatives.

 

Example Activities

  • Explore some of Costa Rica’s famed national parks and protected areas
  • Spot animals like toucans, butterflies, monkeys, and maybe even sea turtles!
  • Earn 24 service hours volunteering on environmental projects

A Day in the Life

Briefing and Site 1

  • During the day: activities like Spanish classes, icebreakers, free time
  • After dinner: free time, fun and social activities, group meeting

SITE 1 (Perez Zeledon Area):

  • Wake up and eat breakfast. A typical tico breakfast may be gallo pinto (rice and beans), eggs, and plantains or tortillas.
  • Morning: volunteering and/or field trips and volunteer-led activities.
  • Lunch. Costa Rican lunch may be a casado – a plate of meat or eggs, rice and beans, vegetables, and salad
  • Afternoon: guest speakers, volunteer-led activities, free time, Spanish classes, workshops, and diving deeper into environmental topics.
  • Dinner. Dinners in Costa Rica are typically smaller than lunch and may be a meat or vegetable soup served with tortillas.
  • After Dinner: fun group bonding, group meeting, free time, relax.

Site 2 (Uvita Area):

  • Wake up and eat breakfast as a group.
  • Morning: wildlife and coastal conservation volunteering and group-led activities.
  • Lunch with your group.
  • Afternoon: guest speakers, volunteer-led activities, free time, Spanish classes, workshops, and diving deeper into topics like sea turtle conservation, international development, and diversity and inclusion.
  • Dinner with your group.
  • After Dinner: fun group bonding, group meeting, free time, 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.

Apply Now

Click here

Why Choose AMIGOS?

Have an Adventure

Travel to must-see spots in Costa Rica! You’ll travel as a group to experience unique destinations like volcanoes, 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 group. During your time abroad, you’ll meet regularly with an AMIGOS staff member who serves as your mentor.

AMIGOS has just been an opportunity for me to grow as a person and become the best version of me possible. That’s pretty much why I came here—just to grow and have a great experience and learn more about myself and other cultures. It’s just been fantastic.

—Lex, Volunteer in Costa Rica

Program Requirements
Apply Now

Field Notes

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Llamado a todas las personas exparticipantes recientes de AMIGOS a aplicar al Acelerador de Impacto Social.

Es un programa virtual bilingüe. Las aplicaciones cierran el 30 de septiembre. šŸ¤—
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