Experience the abundant biodiversity that Costa Rica offers and contribute to its protection! Explore ecosystems, sea turtle protection, and natural resource management all while volunteering with local environmental conservation initiatives. Spend time on the coast near Marino Ballena National Park and in the rolling hills near Chirripo National Park.
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 12–June 26, 2024

13–14 National Chapter: April 16

$4,475 – National Chapter

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 3-July 17, 2024

13-14 National Chapter: May 14

$4,475 – National Chapter

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 24–August 7, 2024

13–14 National Chapter: May 14

$4,475 – National Chapter

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 12–June 26, 2024

  • Ages
    13–14
  • Application Deadline
    National Chapter: April 16
  • Price

    $4,475 – National Chapter

    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 3-July 17, 2024

  • Ages
    13-14
  • Application Deadline
    National Chapter: May 14
  • Price

    $4,475 – National Chapter

    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 24–August 7, 2024

  • Ages
    13–14
  • Application Deadline
    National Chapter: May 14
  • Price

    $4,475 – National Chapter

    Fees include all in-country expenses

    Fundraising Support Available

    Flight costs are not included

Apply now!

Click Here

About the Project

Project Type

Group travel only.

Who is this project good for?

Students who are looking for an introduction to travel and service abroad. Volunteers will travel and live with their volunteer cohort and AMIGOS staff for the duration of the program.

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

Dormitory style lodging in multiple locations, including hostels and eco-lodges.

Climate and Terrain

This program is primarily located off of the southwest coast in the Puntarenas and San Jose regions of Costa Rica. Volunteers should expect temperatures in the 80’s and high levels of humidity and rain.

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 in that time has built strong relationships with our partner agencies and host families. We are so excited to be continuing these relationships in the summer of 2024!

What makes this project unique?

This experience will give you an opportunity to practice your Spanish while volunteering with two amazing environmental conservation organizations! You will dive into the rich biodiversity of Costa Rica by contributing to conservation through wildlife inventories, trail maintenance, and turtle nursery setup. You will also explore community and private conservation reserve initiatives. 

Unnamed Road, Provincia de Cartago, Turrialba, Costa Rica
Join an online info session!

RSVP Here

Spotlight on Conservation and Biodiversity

Brunca Region

Your first site will be based in the canton of Perez Zeledon in the south of Costa Rica. A region known for its diverse environments and economic activities, you will volunteer with different biodiversity conservation initiatives in the buffer zones of Chirripo National Park. 

Your second site is located on the southern Pacific coast, in the Uvita region. The area is known for its rich biodiversity on land and in the ocean. Volunteer with partner agencies dedicated to river and sea conservation initiatives, including setting up a nursery for baby sea turtles when they hatch later in the year.

 

Partner Agencies

Earn 24 service hours while collaborating with two different partner agencies. First, volunteer with an environmental association that focuses on biodiversity and conservation education. Then, volunteer with a private conservation reserve that protects sea turtles (among other local wildlife) in the buffer zones of Marino Ballena National Park. 

 

Example Activities

  • Rotate through several conservation sites while supporting current initiatives
  • Trail and sign maintainence in reserves
  • Reforestation day to plant trees
  • Community river cleanup and monitoring
  • Beach clean-up and sea turtle nursery set up
  • Participate in a youth exchange with local youth from a nearby community

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: San Jose – Arrive in Costa Rica, stay the night in a hostel with the group.
Day 2-7: Rivas, San Jose Province – Dorm style lodging. Briefing activities, volunteers will split into groups and rotate through several ecological reserves supporting conservation efforts.
Day 8-13: Biological Center, Puntarenas Province – Dorm style lodging on the coast. Service activities include beach clean-up and sea turtle nursery support. Youth exchange with nearby community.
Day 13-14: San Jose- Return to San Jose for the night before flying out the next day!
Day 15: Departure day, adios AMIGOS!
*Itineraries are subject to change.

Check out Blog and Instagram Posts from this Project

Montañas y Mar: From Sloths to Sugarcane

Montanas y Mar, Costa Rica


Read More
Montañas y Mar: Hello from Montaña Verde!

Montanas y Mar, Costa Rica


Read More
Montañas y Mar: Hasta luego, Costa Rica!

Montanas y Mar, Costa Rica


Read More

We say goodbye to Session C of Cartago y Caribe 🌳🌳🌸🌸🌱🌱🌊🌊✨
We hope you return home safely, thank you very much for your energy, attitude and motivation throughout the project! From Zyro, Steven, Lucy and Silvia ❤️‍🔥
We are the last group to leave Costa Rica this summer of 2023. Thank you all for your work
Pura Vida Mae ❤️❤️❤️🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷

Le decimos adiós a la Sesión C de Cartago y Caribe 🌳🌳🌸🌸🌱🌱🌊🌊✨
Esperamos regresen bien a casa, muchas gracias por sue energía, actitud y motivación durante todo el proyecto! De parte de Zyro, Steven, Lucy and Silvia ❤️‍🔥
Somos el último grupo en dejar Costa Rica en este verano 2023. Gracias a todos/as por su trabajo
Pura Vida Mae ❤️❤️❤️🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷
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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, Montañas y Mar Volunteer

Program Requirements
  • Meet the health criteria for AMIGOS participation
  • Receive required immunizations
  • Be age 13-14 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 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

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