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.
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.
Combination of dormitory-style lodging and homestays. The homestays will all be in the same community with typically 1-2 volunteers per host family.
Receive college credit for joining this project! Learn more here.
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.
aguacero = rain shower
ofi = okay
Earn 36 service hours.
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.
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.
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. |
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
$5,875 – National Chapter
$4,875 – Local Chapters
Fees include all in-country expenses
Fundraising Support Available
Flight costs are not included.
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
$5,875 – National Chapter
$4,875 – Local Chapters
Fees include all in-country expenses
Fundraising Support Available
Flight costs are not included.
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
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
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 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
See more projects like this one!