Explore community efforts to adapt to climate change in Costa Rica! From sea turtle protection on the Caribbean region 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.
Length Requirements Dates Ages Application
Deadline
Price
Session A 3 Weeks

Minimum 2 years of Spanish

Passport valid 6 months after project end date

Pre-departure training, online or in-person

Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

June 6–June 27, 2024

15–19 National Chapter: April 16

$5,975 – National Chapter

Fees include all in-country expenses.

Fundraising Support Available

Flight costs are not included.

Session B 3 Weeks

Minimum 2 years of Spanish

Passport valid 6 months after project end date

Pre-departure training, online or in-person

Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

June 19–July 10, 2024

15–19 National Chapter: April 16

$5,975 – National Chapter

Fees include all in-country expenses

Fundraising Support Available

Flight costs are not included.

Session C 3 Weeks

Minimum 2 years of Spanish

Passport valid 6 months after project end date

Pre-departure training, online or in-person

Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

July 3–July 24, 2024

15–19 National Chapter: May 14

$5,975 – National Chapter

Fees include all in-country expenses

Fundraising Support Available

Flight costs are not included.

Session D 3 Weeks

Minimum 2 years of Spanish

Passport valid 6 months after project end date

Pre-departure training, online or in-person

Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

July 17–Aug 7, 2024

15–19 National Chapter: May 14

$5,975 – National Chapter

Fees include all in-country expenses

Fundraising Support Available

Flight costs are not included.

  • Session A
  • Length
    3 Weeks
  • Requirements

    Minimum 2 years of Spanish

    Passport valid 6 months after project end date

    Pre-departure training, online or in-person

    Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

  • Dates

    June 6–June 27, 2024

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    National Chapter: April 16
  • Price

    $5,975 – National Chapter

    Fees include all in-country expenses.

    Fundraising Support Available

    Flight costs are not included.

  • Session B
  • Length
    3 Weeks
  • Requirements

    Minimum 2 years of Spanish

    Passport valid 6 months after project end date

    Pre-departure training, online or in-person

    Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

  • Dates

    June 19–July 10, 2024

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    National Chapter: April 16
  • Price

    $5,975 – National Chapter

    Fees include all in-country expenses

    Fundraising Support Available

    Flight costs are not included.

  • Session C
  • Length
    3 Weeks
  • Requirements

    Minimum 2 years of Spanish

    Passport valid 6 months after project end date

    Pre-departure training, online or in-person

    Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

  • Dates

    July 3–July 24, 2024

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    National Chapter: May 14
  • Price

    $5,975 – National Chapter

    Fees include all in-country expenses

    Fundraising Support Available

    Flight costs are not included.

  • Session D
  • Length
    3 Weeks
  • Requirements

    Minimum 2 years of Spanish

    Passport valid 6 months after project end date

    Pre-departure training, online or in-person

    Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

  • Dates

    July 17–Aug 7, 2024

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    National Chapter: May 14
  • Price

    $5,975 – National Chapter

    Fees include all in-country expenses

    Fundraising Support Available

    Flight costs are not included.

Join an online info session!

RSVP Here

About the Project

Project Type

Group travel with homestay.

Who is this project good for?

Students looking to step out of their comfort zone with the support of supervisors and fellow volunteers. Volunteers will divide their time between group housing and a short homestay, which includes meeting up with their group for daily activities.

College Credit

Receive college credit for joining this project! Learn more here.

Food and Dietary Restrictions

Most meals will be typical Costa Rican food which can include a plate with meat or eggs, rice and beans, vegetables, and salad. This project is vegetarian friendly.

Homestay and Lodging Info

Combination of dormitory style lodging and homestays. The homestays will all be in 2 different communities with typically 2 volunteers per host family.

Climate and Terrain

This program is located in both the Cartago and Limón provinces of Costa Rica. Students should expect rain and high levels of humidity with daily temperature ranging from low 70’s to high 80’s.

Slang

pura vida = life is good, cool
tuanis = cool

Service Hours

Earn 36 service hours while supporting local conservation initiatives.

AMIGOS History in the Region

AMIGOS has operated in Costa Rica for more than 35 years and in that time has built strong relationships with our partner agencies and host families. We are so excited to be continuing these relationships in the summer of 2024!

What makes this project unique?
You’ll get to travel to two distinct regions in Costa Rica: the volcanic valleys of Cartago Province and the Caribbean coast. Meet with local organizations and community members who are taking action to adapt their environmental protection efforts to the challenges of climate change. You will live with a local Costa Rican host family on the volcanic valley and on the Caribbean Coast.
Unnamed Road, Provincia de Cartago, Turrialba, Costa Rica
RSVP for an Info Session

Click Here

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

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 Agencies

Volunteer with local farms and an environmental education organization in Cartago province and with a sea turtle protection organization in the Caribe. Earn 36 service hours while supporting local initiatives.

 

Example Activities

  • Farm maintainence including trail maintainence and organic gardening
  • Reforestation day to plant trees
  • Community river cleanup and monitoring
  • Beach clean-up
  • Visit and volunteer at the sea turtle hatchery, where you will learn how to identify turtle nests and do beach patrols to find nesting turtles
  • Facilitate educational activities with local youth

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: San Jose – Arrive to Costa Rica, stay with the cohort in a hostel
Day 2-3: Turrialba, Cartago Province – Group lodging: Briefing activities and on site orientation to the project.
Day 4-12: Support a local farms with a variety of service activities while staying with host families up in a rural community!
Day 12-20: Limon Province – Volunteers paired up in community, each with their own host family. Workshops and community service activities with our partner agencies revolving around beach and sea turtle conservation. Engage with the local community.
Day 21: Cartago Province – Dormatory style lodging. Debriefing actvities and reflection with the group.
Day 22: Fly home, adios AMIGOS!
*Itineraries are subject to change.

Check out Blog and Instagram Posts from this Project

Olas y Cerros: Bienvenidos a Parismina!

Olas y Cerros, Costa Rica


Read More
Olas y Cerros: Días de Voluntariado

Olas y Cerros, Costa Rica


Read More
Olas y Cerros: Good Vibes in Costa Rica

Olas y Cerros, Costa Rica


Read More

We say goodbye to Session C of Cartago y Caribe 🌳🌳🌸🌸🌱🌱🌊🌊✨
We hope you return home safely, thank you very much for your energy, attitude and motivation throughout the project! From Zyro, Steven, Lucy and Silvia ❤️‍🔥
We are the last group to leave Costa Rica this summer of 2023. Thank you all for your work
Pura Vida Mae ❤️❤️❤️🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷

Le decimos adiós a la Sesión C de Cartago y Caribe 🌳🌳🌸🌸🌱🌱🌊🌊✨
Esperamos regresen bien a casa, muchas gracias por sue energía, actitud y motivación durante todo el proyecto! De parte de Zyro, Steven, Lucy and Silvia ❤️‍🔥
Somos el último grupo en dejar Costa Rica en este verano 2023. Gracias a todos/as por su trabajo
Pura Vida Mae ❤️❤️❤️🇨🇷🇨🇷🇨🇷
...

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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
  • Meet the health criteria for AMIGOS participation
  • Receive required immunizations
  • Be age 15–19 on the project start date
  • Have taken 2 years of Spanish or the equivalent
  • Passport valid 6 months after project start date
  • Complete pre-departure training, online or in-person
Apply Now

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.

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

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