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!

This project is full. Apply for a different project or join the waitlist.
Length Training
Dates		 In-Country
Dates		 Ages Application
Deadline		 Price
Session A - FULL 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 Session A is full. Apply for a different project or join the waitlist.

$5,875: National Chapter

$4,375: Local Chapter

What are chapters? Find out more here.

Financial assistance is available! Learn more here.
Session B - FULL 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 Session B is full. Apply for a different project or join the waitlist.

$5,875: National Chapter

$4,375: Local Chapter

What are chapters? Find out more here.

Financial assistance is available! Learn more here.
  • Session A - FULL
  • 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
    Session A is full. Apply for a different project or join the waitlist.
  • Price

    $5,875: National Chapter

    $4,375: Local Chapter

    What are chapters? Find out more here.

    Financial assistance is available! Learn more here.

  • Session B - FULL
  • 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
    Session B is full. Apply for a different project or join the waitlist.
  • Price

    $5,875: National Chapter

    $4,375: Local Chapter

    What are chapters? Find out more here.

    Financial assistance is available! Learn more here.

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!

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
This project is full.

Join the Waitlist

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.

This project is full.

Join the Waitlist

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
  • Meet the health criteria for AMIGOS participation and follow the mental health procedures if necessary.
  • Receive required immunizations and medications
  • Be age 15–19 on the project start date
  • Have taken 2 years of Spanish or the equivalent
Resources
Apply Now

Field Notes

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Monteverde: Intro to the Project

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amigos_americas_costarica

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amigos_americas_costarica

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Sep 2

Open
Want to join AMIGOS this fall? Apply by September 6 for the Social Impact Accelerator! Head to @amigos_americas to learn more.

Want to join AMIGOS this fall? Apply by September 6 for the Social Impact Accelerator! Head to @amigos_americas to learn more. ...

amigos_americas_costarica

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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 🙌 ...

amigos_americas_costarica

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Aug 18

Open
Hey Monteverde volunteers! We miss you already 💚 Don’t forget to follow our main account @amigos_americas to stay up to date with AMIGOS, and tag them if you share photos from your summer experience!

Hey Monteverde volunteers! We miss you already 💚

Don’t forget to follow our main account @amigos_americas to stay up to date with AMIGOS, and tag them if you share photos from your summer experience! ...

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