A 3-Week Eco-Conservation Experience throughout Inland and Coastal Panama

Head to Panama this summer to explore how local communities conserve the country's unique plants and wildlife! Spend a few days in the Valle de Anton supporting reforestation efforts and working at an orchid conservation center. Next, travel to a quiet town on the Pacific coast that's home to a sea turtle protection project and live with a host family. Enjoy the pristine coastline and do hands-on volunteer activities that help make the area safer for the sea turtles that nest and hatch there. Spent time with your host family in a rural beachside community where you will meet local youth involved in conservation efforts.

About the Project

Project Features
  • Group Travel and Housing
  • Homestay with weekday group meet-ups and weekend host family immersion
Who is this project good for?

Students looking to step out of their comfort zone with the support of supervisors and fellow volunteers. Students will divide their time between group housing and a homestay, which includes meeting up with their group for daily activities on weekdays and spending time with their host families during the weekends.

Food and Dietary Restrictions

Most meals will be typical Panamanian food, which can include a protein (meat, chicken, or eggs), a side of rice and lentils or fried dough, a salad, and either fried plantains or yucca.

Homestay and Lodging Info

Combination of dormitory-style lodging and homestays. The homestays will all be in the same community with typically 1-2 volunteers per host family.

College Credit

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

Climate and Terrain

The first site is located in a lush valley surrounded by green hills. The temperature ranges from the mid-70s to the low 90s. The second site is located in a rural, beachside community along the Pacific coast. The temperature ranges from the low 80s to the high 90s. There is a lot of humidity in both locations, and it is rainy season, which means there will likely be tropical rain for a few hours every day.

Slang

aguacero = rain shower
ofi = okay

Service Hours

Earn 36 service hours.

AMIGOS History in the Region

AMIGOS originally worked in Panama from 1981 to 1987. We returned in 2004, when we opened a project in the provinces of Veraguas and Coclé. AMIGOS worked in Coclé for 16 consecutive years and we are excited to continue working in this region.

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 a butterfly haven. Then, travel to help protect sea turtles and learn about marine conservation from experts at a local agency.

Azuero Peninsula, Panama
Find out more about our programs

Join an online info session!

RSVP HERE
Length Requirements Dates Ages Application
Deadline
Price
Session A 3 Weeks

2 Years Spanish or equivalent

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 26 – July 17, 2025

15-19 Priority Financial Assistance: Dec 10, 2024

Local Chapter: Jan 21, 2025

National Chapter Financial Assistance: March 11, 2025

National Chapter - June Departures: April 8, 2025

$5,875 – National Chapter

$4,875 – Local Chapters

Fees include all in-country expenses

Fundraising Support Available

Flight costs are not included.

Session B 3 Weeks

2 Years Spanish or equivalent

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 23 – August 13, 2025

15-19 Priority Financial Assistance: Dec 10, 2024

Local Chapter Deadline: Jan 21, 2025

National Chapter Financial Assistance: March 11, 2025

National Chapter - July Departures: May 14, 2025

$5,875 – National Chapter

$4,875 – Local Chapters

Fees include all in-country expenses

Fundraising Support Available

Flight costs are not included.

  • Session A
  • Length
    3 Weeks
  • Requirements

    2 Years Spanish or equivalent

    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 26 – July 17, 2025

  • Ages
    15-19
  • Application Deadline
    Priority Financial Assistance: Dec 10, 2024

    Local Chapter: Jan 21, 2025

    National Chapter Financial Assistance: March 11, 2025

    National Chapter - June Departures: April 8, 2025
  • Price

    $5,875 – National Chapter

    $4,875 – Local Chapters

    Fees include all in-country expenses

    Fundraising Support Available

    Flight costs are not included.

  • Session B
  • Length
    3 Weeks
  • Requirements

    2 Years Spanish or equivalent

    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 23 – August 13, 2025

  • Ages
    15-19
  • Application Deadline
    Priority Financial Assistance: Dec 10, 2024

    Local Chapter Deadline: Jan 21, 2025

    National Chapter Financial Assistance: March 11, 2025

    National Chapter - July Departures: May 14, 2025
  • Price

    $5,875 – National Chapter

    $4,875 – Local Chapters

    Fees include all in-country expenses

    Fundraising Support Available

    Flight costs are not included.

Apply Now

Click here

Wildlife Protection, Cultural Connection, and Hands-on 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 36 service hours while supporting local initiatives.

EXAMPLE ACTIVITIES

  • Reforestation work with the Ministry of the Environment
  • Beach cleanup and trash disposal
  • Nocturnal turtle monitoring (we cannot guarantee that volunteers will get to see turtles or turtle eggs)
  • Learn how microplastics are damaging the oceans.
  • Environmental activities on sea turtle nesting beaches

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: Panama City – Arrival Day!

Day 2-5: Valle Anton – The Group stays together in dormitory lodging. Participate in briefing activities, team building, and service opportunities like reforestation work and supporting a recycling center. Enjoy activities such as hiking, visiting a butterfly haven and an orchid nursery, and exploring local markets.

Day 6-11: Veraguas Province – Live with a host family and immerse yourself in Panamanian culture! Work with an organization supporting sea turtle conservation, including beach cleanups, nocturnal turtle monitoring, and youth engagement/cultural activities. Go on an excursion to a “secret beach” and visit a cane milling plant.

Day 12-13: Panama City – Group stays in a hostel. Tour the Panama Canal and Casco Viejo, and participate in debriefing activities.

Day 14: Departure – Fly home

*Itineraries are subject to change.

Field Notes

El Pacífico: Mata Oscura

El Pacifico, Panama


Read More
El Pacífico: Exploring El Valle

El Pacifico, Panama


Read More
El Pacífico: Our Days in Valle de Antón

El Pacifico, Panama


Read More

The adventure with Session C just started! ✨

Days full of fun, learning and friendship are coming soon 💕

_______

¡La aventura con la Sesión C apenas comienza!

Días llenos de diversión, aprendizaje y amistad se avecinan 💕
...

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
  • Meet the health criteria for AMIGOS participation
  • Receive required immunizations
  • Be age 15-19 on the project start date
  • 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?

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.

Still deciding?

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