Travel to Panama with a group of students to learn about environmental issues like conservation and preserving endangered wildlife! From exploring beaches for turtle eggs to hiking through nature reserves, you'll earn 24 service hours. See how local youth are getting involved with issues they care about. Enjoy Panama's unspoiled Pacific beaches and immerse yourself in the tropical forests of the Veraguas Province.

Apply now!
Length Training
Dates		 In-Country
Dates		 Ages Application
Deadline		 Price
Session A 2 Weeks

Online training on health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.

June 8–21, 2023

 13–14 Financial Assistance Deadline: January 17, 2023

Final Deadline: April 18, 2023

$3,975 – includes all in-country expenses

Financial assistance is available! Find out more here.
Session B 2 Weeks

Online training on health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.

June 29–July 12, 2023

 13–14 Financial Assistance Deadline: January 17, 2023

Final Deadline: May 9, 2023

$3,975 – includes all in-country expenses

Financial assistance is available! Find out more here.
Session C 2 Weeks

Online training on health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.

July 20–August 2, 2023

 13–14 Financial Assistance Deadline: January 17, 2023

Final Deadline: May 9, 2023

$3,975 – includes all in-country expenses

Financial assistance is available! Find out more here.
  • Session A
  • Length
    2 Weeks
  • Training Dates

    Online training on health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.

  • In-Country Dates

    June 8–21, 2023

  • Ages
    13–14
  • Application Deadline
    Financial Assistance Deadline: January 17, 2023

    Final Deadline: April 18, 2023
  • Price

    $3,975 – includes all in-country expenses

    Financial assistance is available! Find out more here.

  • Session B
  • Length
    2 Weeks
  • Training Dates

    Online training on health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.

  • In-Country Dates

    June 29–July 12, 2023

  • Ages
    13–14
  • Application Deadline
    Financial Assistance Deadline: January 17, 2023

    Final Deadline: May 9, 2023
  • Price

    $3,975 – includes all in-country expenses

    Financial assistance is available! Find out more here.

  • Session C
  • Length
    2 Weeks
  • Training Dates

    Online training on health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.

  • In-Country Dates

    July 20–August 2, 2023

  • Ages
    13–14
  • Application Deadline
    Financial Assistance Deadline: January 17, 2023

    Final Deadline: May 9, 2023
  • Price

    $3,975 – includes all in-country expenses

    Financial assistance is available! Find out more here.

About the Project

Project Type

Group experience. Maximum enrollment is 15.

Slang

aguacero = rain shower
ofi = okay

Service Hours

Earn 24 service hours!

Food

Sancocho de gallina – chicken soup with vegetables and yucca
Hojaldres – fried dough
Tamales – spiced meat filling in corn dough, wrapped in banana leaves, and cooked

What makes this project unique?

You’ll get to practice your Spanish while making new friends and volunteering with two amazing community-based organizations! Travel to the crater of an extinct volcano surrounded by mountains and cloud forests! Learn about orchid conservation and visit butterfly haven. Then, travel to help protect sea turtles and learn about marine conservation from experts at a local agency.  

 

Azuero Peninsula, Panama
A group of students in the forest, some looking up
Find out more about our programs

Join an online info session!

RSVP HERE

Climate Change and Conservation

VALLE Y VERAGUAS REGION  

You will spend part of your time in one of the few inhabited volcanic craters in the world surrounded by mountains and clouds. Then, live like a local in a rural community on the Pacific Coast. 

Coclé Province: Understand the importance of natural resource conservation to community well-being and native flora and fauna. Hear from local people about the challenges of climate change and its impacts on people’s lives.   

Veraguas Province: Learn about climate change and its impact on mangroves and on endangered wildlife. Explore sea turtle conservation and participate in night patrols and nesting activities. Spend time with local youth leaders and dive into the Panamanian traditions.  

PARTNER AGENCIES 

Volunteer with a sea turtle protection organization and a sustainable development organization. Earn 24 service hours while supporting local initiatives. 

EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES

  • Nocturnal sea turtle monitoring on the beach 
  • Hike Cerro Gaital and see both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans 
  • Learn to process sugarcane through a trapiche field visit 
  • Visit a secret beach and join a beach cleanup before swimming 

Example Itinerary

Days 1–6* – Valle de Anton

  • Eat traditional Panamanian food
  • Volunteer at a recycling center
  • Visit a butterfly haven
  • Plant trees with a reforestation project
  • Take in the views at the top of Cerro Gaital, formed by lava domes in the crater of an old volcano!
  • Community service at an orchid center
  • Learn about environmental protection from Panama’s Ministry of the Environment

*Approximate

Day 7 through End of Project – Veraguas Province

  • Stay on-site at a sea turtle protection project on the Pacific coast
  • Night walk to protect sea turtles laying eggs on the beach
  • Games with kids from the community
  • Swim at a secret beach
  • Join in a beach cleanup
  • Learn about how sea turtles are protected
  • Visit a local honey production plant
  • Hike to a waterfall

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 off the beaten path and to must-see spots in Panama! You’ll travel as a group to experience unique destinations like extinct volcanoes, cloud forests, and waterfalls. 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.

My time in Panama with AMIGOS was one of the most incredible, life-changing experiences I have ever had. Immediately meeting the other Amigos I was on the trip with, I knew I had found my life-long friends.

—Eliza, Volunteer in Panama

Program Requirements
Resources
Apply Now

Field Notes

Discover AMIGOS Panama: Nature, Turtle Patrol, and Community

El Pacifico, Panama


Read More
Discover AMIGOS Panama: On Imposing the “American Dream”

El Pacifico, Panama


Read More
Discover AMIGOS: Mata Oscura

El Pacifico, Panama


Read More

amigos_americas_panama

250

amigos_americas_panama

View

Aug 5

Open
Not us missing them 🤐💖 • • • We guess it’s a tbt now 🤧💕 #explore #panama #amigospanama

Not us missing them 🤐💖
•
•
•
We guess it’s a tbt now 🤧💕
#explore #panama #amigospanama ...

Still deciding?

See more projects like this one!

2 Weeks
Ages 15–19

Costa Rica: Cartago y Caribe


A: June 15–28; B: July 6–19; C: July 27–Aug 9 Conservation & Climate Justice
3 Weeks
Ages 15–19

Costa Rica: Olas y Cerros


A: June 22–July 12; B: July 19–Aug 8 Conservation & Climate Justice (Spanish Required)
SEE ALL PROGRAMS
Latest posts by lyoung (see all)