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 for part of your stay!

The deadline to apply was May 17.
Length Training
Dates		 In-Country
Dates		 Ages Application
Deadline		 Price
Session A 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 16–July 6

 15–19 The deadline for Session A has passed. Please email our Admissions team with any questions at [email protected]

$5,875 – includes all in-country expenses
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 14–August 3

 15–19 The deadline for Session B has passed.

$5,875 – includes all in-country expenses
  • Session A
  • 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 16–July 6

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    The deadline for Session A has passed. Please email our Admissions team with any questions at [email protected]
  • Price

    $5,875 – includes all in-country expenses

  • 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 14–August 3

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    The deadline for Session B has passed.
  • Price

    $5,875 – includes all in-country expenses

About the Project

Project Type

Pod-based 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 30 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!

 

Unnamed Road, Provincia de Cartago, Turrialba, Costa Rica

Pura Vida in Costa Rica

Tico Culture

Find out the meaning of pura vida as you get to know your host family and Costa Rican students on your project! Practice your Spanish and immerse yourself in Costa Rican culture.

 

Partner AgencY

We will support two organizations on this program. One organization supports sea turtle conservation and environmental work and the other one focuses on education and agricultural and biological research. Earn 30 service hours while volunteering.

 

Example Activities

  • Tour a community-based ecotourism project, learning about farm-to-table food production
  • Explore the unique volcanic landscape of Costa Rica’s second-tallest volcano
  • Learn local arts and crafts
  • Visit a national park and wildlife refuge
Join an online info session!

RSVP Here

A Day in the Life

Days 1–4: San Jose/Turrialba

  • Wake up and eat breakfast in small groups
  • Morning: Rotating schedule of activities—Spanish classes, briefing
  • Lunch in small groups
  • Afternoon: Rotating schedule of activities—Spanish classes, briefing, free time
  • Dinner in small groups
  • After Dinner: free time, fun and social distanced activities, group meeting

Days 5–9: Turrialba

  • Morning: community service, field trips, and student-led activities
  • Afternoon: speakers, field trips, free time, Spanish classes, student-led activities, and workshops
  • After Dinner: fun group bonding, group meeting, free time, relax

 

Day 10–End of Project: Caribbean Coast

  • Morning: host family time and community service
  • Afternoon: group meeting, student-led activities, workshops, free time, and host family time.
  • After Dinner: community service (night turtle patrols), fun group bonding, 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.

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 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
Resources
Apply Now

Field Notes

Monteverde Updates from Jayna and Aydin

Cartago y Caribe, Costa Rica


Read More
Monteverde Updates from Dean and Tres

Cartago y Caribe, Costa Rica


Read More
Monteverde: Intro to the Project

Cartago y Caribe, Costa Rica


Read More

amigos_americas_costarica

42

amigos_americas_costarica

View

May 18

Open
Alistando los últimos preparativos para recibir a los programas cortos del 2022! Si participarás en uno de nuestros proyectos este año recuerda invitar a tus familiares y amistades a seguir nuestra página para mantenerse al tanto de tus aventuras 🤗 Wrapping up the field visits before we start the 2022 summer projects! If you are participating in one of our projects this summer, remember to invite your family and friends to follow our page to keep updated with your adventures 🤗 #montañasymar #cartagoycaribe #olasycerros

Alistando los últimos preparativos para recibir a los programas cortos del 2022!

Si participarás en uno de nuestros proyectos este año recuerda invitar a tus familiares y amistades a seguir nuestra página para mantenerse al tanto de tus aventuras 🤗

Wrapping up the field visits before we start the 2022 summer projects!

If you are participating in one of our projects this summer, remember to invite your family and friends to follow our page to keep updated with your adventures 🤗

#montañasymar
#cartagoycaribe
#olasycerros ...

amigos_americas_costarica

View

Mar 25

Open
Les invitamos a nuestra sesión informativa de este martes 29 de marzo Es una excelente oportunidad para aprender más sobre nuestros programas en Costa Rica para este 2022. Agradecemos si nos ayudan a compartir para así llegar a más jóvenes interesados en el liderazgo e Intercambio cultural.

Les invitamos a nuestra sesión informativa de este martes 29 de marzo

Es una excelente oportunidad para aprender más sobre nuestros programas en Costa Rica para este 2022.

Agradecemos si nos ayudan a compartir para así llegar a más jóvenes interesados en el liderazgo e Intercambio cultural. ...

amigos_americas_costarica

View

Feb 18

Open
Jóvenes participantes y sus familias nos cuentan cómo fue su experiencia del proceso de aplicación y selección a nuestros programas del 2021.🥰🥰🥰 Nos da mucha alegría de que sean parte de nuestra familia de AMIGOS. 💚 El plazo de recepción de aplicaciones cierra el 31 de marzo. El enlace a la aplicación está en nuestra bio. 🤗🐢🐸🐢🦥🐢🤗

Jóvenes participantes y sus familias nos cuentan cómo fue su experiencia del proceso de aplicación y selección a nuestros programas del 2021.🥰🥰🥰

Nos da mucha alegría de que sean parte de nuestra familia de AMIGOS. 💚

El plazo de recepción de aplicaciones cierra el 31 de marzo.

El enlace a la aplicación está en nuestra bio.

🤗🐢🐸🐢🦥🐢🤗 ...

amigos_americas_costarica

View

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 🙌 ...

Still deciding?

See more projects like this one!

3 Weeks
Ages 15–19

Costa Rica: La Brunca


A: June 21–July 11; B: July 19–Aug 8 (Sessions Closed) Sustainable Development (Spanish Required)
3 Weeks
Ages 15–19

Panama: Valle y Veraguas


A: June 15–July 5; B: July 13–August 2 (Sessions Closed) Community-Driven Conservation (Spanish Required)
SEE ALL PROGRAMS
Latest posts by lyoung (see all)