Explore community efforts to adapt to climate change in Costa Rica! From sea turtle protection on the Caribbean coast to the cloud forests in Valle Central, you'll get hands-on with local conservation projects. Dig in to the root causes of climate change and how international actions affect local communities. And, get to know Tico culture by living with a host family on the Caribbean coast! Two or more years of high school Spanish are required for this project.

Just two spots left on Session A! Apply now!
Length Training
Dates		 In-Country
Dates		 Ages Application
Deadline		 Price
Session A - 2 Spots Left 3 weeks

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

June 22–July 12, 2023

 15–19 Financial Assistance and Local Chapter Deadline: January 17, 2023

Final Deadline: April 18, 2023

$4,375 – Local Chapter (Find out more about joining AMIGOS through a local chapter here)

$5,875 – National Chapter

Fees include all in-country expenses.

Financial assistance is available! Click here for more information.
Session B 3 Weeks

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

July 19–August 8, 2023

 15–19 Financial Assistance and Local Chapter Deadline: January 17, 2023

Final Deadline: May 9, 2023

$4,375 – Local Chapter (Find out more about joining AMIGOS through a local chapter here)

$5,875 – National Chapter

Fees include all in-country expenses.

Financial assistance is available! Click here for more information.
  • Session A - 2 Spots Left
  • Length
    3 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 22–July 12, 2023

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    Financial Assistance and Local Chapter Deadline: January 17, 2023

    Final Deadline: April 18, 2023
  • Price

    $4,375 – Local Chapter (Find out more about joining AMIGOS through a local chapter here)

    $5,875 – National Chapter

    Fees include all in-country expenses.

    Financial assistance is available! Click here for more information.

  • Session B
  • Length
    3 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 19–August 8, 2023

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    Financial Assistance and Local Chapter Deadline: January 17, 2023

    Final Deadline: May 9, 2023
  • Price

    $4,375 – Local Chapter (Find out more about joining AMIGOS through a local chapter here)

    $5,875 – National Chapter

    Fees include all in-country expenses.

    Financial assistance is available! Click here for more information.

About the Project

Project Type

Group living with a week-long homestay component. Maximum enrollment is 20, with two spots reserved for students from Costa Rica.

Homestays

Spend a week living with a host family on the Caribbean coast!

College Credit

Get two college credits for this project! Find out more here.

Slang

pura vida = life is good, cool
tuanis = cool

Food

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

Service Hours

Earn 36 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?

Stay with a host family for a week on the Caribbean coast! Practice your Spanish and build connections across borders as you get to know your host family as well as Costa Rican students on your project and community members in the places you visit. This project is a great option for volunteers who want to learn about Tico culture, improve their Spanish, and spot wildlife!

You’ll get to travel to two distinct regions in Costa Rica: the Caribbean coast and the volcanic valleys of Cartago Province. Meet local institutions and community members who are taking action to adapt their environmental protection efforts to the challenges of climate change!

 

Unnamed Road, Provincia de Cartago, Turrialba, Costa Rica

Pura Vida in Costa Rica

The Atlantic Region

You will spend part of your time in the volcanic valleys of the Cartago province, a farming region filled with rivers and mountains, and a rural coastal community nestled between tributaries and jungle.

Cartago Province: Explore how education and private conservation efforts have contributed to agricultural research in the process of adapting to climate change. Meet local producers and how climate change has impacted their farms.

Caribbean Coast: Focus on community-based initiatives to adapt to climate change as well as the impact of climate change on coastal communities. Support wildlife protection by setting up sea turtle nurseries, identifying nests, and other needs.

 

Partner AgencY

Volunteer with a sea turtle protection organization and an environmental education organization. Earn 36 service hours while supporting local initiatives.

 

Example Activities

  • Get to know Costa Rican culture through cooking and dance classes
  • Volunteer at a botanical garden and with wildlife conservation patrols
  • Visit an artisan handcraft fair and hike a volcano
  • Get up close to the unique mangrove ecosystem on a boat tour through the canals
Join an online info session!

RSVP Here

A Day in the Life

Cartago Region

  • Wake up and eat a typical breakfast of gallo pinto (rice and beans) with fried plantains or tortillas and eggs
  • Morning: volunteer at a tropical agriculture research station and learn about the impact of climate change on coffee and cacao farms
  • Learn to make cheese with a women’s ecotourism group
  • Eat lunch – rice and beans, salad, and meat or eggs
  • Afternoon: support with trail maintenance, harvesting cacao, reforestation, or a river clean-up
  • Visit the Turrialba Volcano and explore the burnt forest
  • Dinner – soup and tortillas
  • After Dinner: fun group bonding, group meeting, free time, relax

Caribbean Coast

  • Wake up and eat breakfast with your host family
  • Morning: spend time with your host family time and do local community service projects, like volunteering at a sea turtle hatchery
  • Take a boat tour of the surrounding area
  • Lunch with your host family
  • Afternoon: beach cleanup, organic gardening, lead activities for local kids
  • Join a bracelet-making class and visit an artisan fair
  • Dinner with your host family
  • After Dinner: community service (night turtle patrols), play soccer with local kids

 

 

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.

RSVP for an Info Session

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 was an amazing experience for me. It was incredible to be able to immerse myself in Costa Rican culture and talk to people from all different backgrounds. It also allowed for personal growth and I became a better global citizen and group member.

–Josefina, Costa Rica Volunteer, 2022

Program Requirements
Resources
Apply Now

Field Notes

Cartago y Caribe: Homemade Empanadas, Making Bracelets, and Tortuguero

Cartago y Caribe, Costa Rica


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Cartago y Caribe: Student Exchange, Typical Day, and Sea Turtles

Cartago y Caribe, Costa Rica


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Cartago y Caribe: Volunteering at CATIE, Cacao Farm, and more!

Cartago y Caribe, Costa Rica


Read More

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Sep 20

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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. 🤗

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. 🤗 ...

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