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.

Apply now!
Length Training
Dates
In-Country
Dates
Ages Application
Deadline
Price
Session A 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 6–19

15–19 Final Deadline: April 18, 2023

$3,975 (National Chapter)

For local chapter students, contact us at [email protected] for more details.

Fees include all in-country expenses.

Session B 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.

July 18–31

15–19 Final Deadline: May 9, 2023

$3,975 (National Chapter)

For local chapter students, contact us at [email protected] for more details.

Fees include all in-country expenses.

  • Session A
  • 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 6–19

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    Final Deadline: April 18, 2023
  • Price

    $3,975 (National Chapter)

    For local chapter students, contact us at [email protected] for more details.

    Fees include all in-country expenses.

  • Session B
  • 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

    July 18–31

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    Final Deadline: May 9, 2023
  • Price

    $3,975 (National Chapter)

    For local chapter students, contact us at [email protected] for more details.

    Fees include all in-country expenses.

About the Project

Project Type

Group project. Maximum enrollment is 20.

Slang

pura vida = life is good, cool
tuanis = cool

Food

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

Service Hours

Earn 24 service hours while supporting local conservation 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 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

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

  • Explore Costa Rica’s famous national parks and protected areas
  • Volunteer on a private conservation reserve, where you’ll learn about the importance of jaguars in biological corridors
  • Spot wildlife like toucans, butterflies, monkeys, and maybe even sea turtles!
Join an online info session!

RSVP Here
turtle nursery

A Day in the Life

Briefing and Site 1

  • Until Dinner: Rotating schedule of 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. Don’t forget the coffee!
  • Morning: community service and/or field trips with ecological reserves 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 topics like environmental issues, Costa Rican history and culture, and social justice.
  • 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?

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, Montañas y Mar Volunteer

Program Requirements
Apply Now

Field Notes

Montanas y Mar: Last Days at CATIE

Archive


Read More
La Costa: Volunteering at Asociacion de Recicladores

Archive


Read More
Western Colorado: Letter from Alex

Archive


Read More

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. 🤗
...

Still deciding?

See more projects like this one!