From farming and coffee growing to conservation and wildlife corridors, explore how local communities in southern Costa Rica practice sustainable development. Stay at a nature reserve and a lodge in the rolling hills of the Brunca region as well as a wildlife refuge on the Pacific coast!

Session A is full! Apply for Session B or join the waitlist for Session A.
Length Training
Dates		 In-Country
Dates		 Ages Application
Deadline		 Price
Session A - Full 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 21–July 11

 15–19 This session is full. Apply now for Session B or join the waitlist for Session A.

$5,875: National Chapter

$4,375: Local Chapter

What are chapters? Find out more here.

Financial assistance is available! Learn more here.
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 19–August 8

 15–19 Apply now!

Local Chapter Deadline: January 31, 2022

Final Deadline: May 17, 2022

$5,875: National Chapter

$4,375: Local Chapter

What are chapters? Find out more here.

Financial assistance is available! Learn more here.
  • Session A - Full
  • 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 21–July 11

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    This session is full. Apply now for Session B or join the waitlist for Session A.
  • Price

    $5,875: National Chapter

    $4,375: Local Chapter

    What are chapters? Find out more here.

    Financial assistance is available! Learn more here.

  • 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 19–August 8

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    Apply now!

    Local Chapter Deadline: January 31, 2022

    Final Deadline: May 17, 2022
  • Price

    $5,875: National Chapter

    $4,375: Local Chapter

    What are chapters? Find out more here.

    Financial assistance is available! Learn more here.

About the Project

Project Type

Pod-based. Maximum enrollment is 20, with two spots reserved for students from Costa Rica.

Slang

pura vida = life is good, cool
tuanis = cool

Food

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

Service Hours

Earn 30 service hours while supporting local sustainable development initiatives.

AMIGOS History in the Region

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

What makes this project unique?

This experience will be led in Spanish and English, so you’ll get a chance to use your language skills in Costa Rica! Plus, two spots on this project are reserved for students from Costa Rica so you’ll have the chance to make friends across borders. Travel around southern Costa Rica and stay at a nature reserve, a lodge run by a women’s association, and a wildlife refuge! Learn how farmers support conservation. Get to know a local family with afternoon community visits!

 

Las Quebradas Biological Center, San José Province, Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica

Spotlight on Sustainable Development

PURA VIDA

Two spots on this project are reserved for youth from Costa Rica and you’ll get to spend part of your time visiting local host families! Practice your Spanish and even learn some local slang. Relax in nature and learn the true meaning of pura vida.

 

Partner Agencies

Volunteer with women-led organizations working in agrobiodiversity as well as coastal conservation. Earn 30 service hours while volunteering.

 

Example Activities

  • Explore Marino Ballena National Park and enjoy the beach
  • Visit a host family in a local community
  • Hike in the foothills of Chirripo National Park
Join an online info session!

RSVP Here

A Day in the Life

Days 1–4

  • Wake up and have breakfast in small groups
  • Morning: Rotating schedule of activities, including Spanish classes, orientation, explore topics like biological corridors, livelihoods in buffer zones, and sustainable development
  • Lunch outside
  • Afternoon: Rotating schedule of activities—Spanish classes, briefing, etc. in small groups, volunteering with the partner agency
  • Free time to explore the grounds
  • Dinner in small groups
  • After Dinner: free time, fun group activities

 

Day 5–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 conservation organizations. Meet local community members and take part in fun activities led by the group! Take afternoon visits to a host family.
  • 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.

Ready to apply?

Apply Now

Why Choose AMIGOS?

Practice Spanish

AMIGOS programs provide a unique opportunity to 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, 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

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.

Find out more about our programs

Join an online info session!

RSVP HERE

AMIGOS is a fun experience but at the same time, it’s meaningful. It gave me a more globalized perspective and allowed me to grow.

–Sofia, 2021 Costa Rica 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
  • Have taken 2 years of Spanish or the equivalent
Resources
Apply Now

Field Notes

Montanas y Mar: Turtle Conservation

Montañas y Mar, Costa Rica


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Montanas y Mar: Canopy, Café, y Caminatas

Montañas y Mar, Costa Rica


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First Week with Amigos in Costa Rica

Montañas y Mar, Costa Rica


Read More

amigos_americas_costarica

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amigos_americas_costarica

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Sep 2

Open
Want to join AMIGOS this fall? Apply by September 6 for the Social Impact Accelerator! Head to @amigos_americas to learn more.

Want to join AMIGOS this fall? Apply by September 6 for the Social Impact Accelerator! Head to @amigos_americas to learn more. ...

amigos_americas_costarica

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Sep 1

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

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

amigos_americas_costarica

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Aug 18

Open
Hey Monteverde volunteers! We miss you already 💚 Don’t forget to follow our main account @amigos_americas to stay up to date with AMIGOS, and tag them if you share photos from your summer experience!

Hey Monteverde volunteers! We miss you already 💚

Don’t forget to follow our main account @amigos_americas to stay up to date with AMIGOS, and tag them if you share photos from your summer experience! ...

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