A 3-Week Investigation of Sustainable Agricultural Practices and Climate Change in the Mountains of Panama

Explore the Panamanian highlands near the Costa Rican border! This region produces most of the food for the whole country. Learn about sustainable environmental practices through community service activities on organic farms, compost plants, and community gardens. Live with a host family and enjoy the pastoral scenery in your host community.

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.

College Credit

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

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. Volunteers may be placed in pairs, groups of three, or individually. Volunteers will stay in the same community and do daily activities together.

Climate and Terrain

This program is primarily located in the highlands of the Chiriqui Province and on the Pacific Coast of the Cocle Province. In the highlands, you can expect a temperature ranging from the low 60’s to mid 70’s and in the Pacific coast, a range between the mid 70’s and mid 90’s. During the months of June to August, rains and humidity are expected in both locations.

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 to the country in 2004, when we opened a project in the provinces of Veraguas and Coclé. During this time, we have been able to impact the lives of hundreds of volunteers and community members and forge ties with various government and social organizations. Throughout the years we have had projects in the Azuero Peninsula, the Kuna Yala Region, Coclé, Veraguas, and Chiriquí provinces.
In 2022, we resumed operations and reestablished our partnerships in the country with two projects. We currently have four projects in Panama and we keep expanding our work with partner agencies and communities.
What makes this project unique?
Dive deep into Panamanian culture by living with a host family! You’ll get to practice your Spanish and spend time with your host family and local community members. You will learn to prepare local food such as sancocho or hojaldres.
Many of the host families have small farms or gardens where they harvest their own vegetables and fruit. Some of the families even distribute their food throughout the whole country! During your day-to-day activities on the project, you will learn how environmental challenges and climate change are impacting agriculture.
Chiriquí, 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

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 11–July 2, 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

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 9–July 30, 2025

15–19 Priority Financial Assistance: Dec 10, 2024

Local Chapter: 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

    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 11–July 2, 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

    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 9–July 30, 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 - 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

What You'll Do

Chiriqui

This project takes place in the highlands of Panama near the border with Costa Rica. We will be in the Chiriquí Province, also known as the agricultural capital of the country because around 80% of the fruit and vegetables come from farms in the area.
Through field visits to environmental organizations that promote sustainable and chemical-free agriculture and by sharing with local people, you will learn about practices like cultivating fertile soils to guarantee the long-term supply of food and minimize the effects of global warming.
In addition, you’ll get to visit an organic coffee farm to learn about different processing practices in the area.

 

Partner Agencies

You’ll take part in community service activities with environmental and agritourist organizations and organic farms.

 

Example Activities

  • Learn about organic and sustainable agriculture from local farms and social organizations
  • Plant vegetables and make biopreparations for the sustainable management of pests and diseases in agriculture
  • Attend workshops on water, soil protection, and good environmental practices
  • Visit a coffee farm
  • Participate in a cultural activity with the local school and community members

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Panama City – Stay the night with the group in a hostel

Day 2-4: Santa Clara – Arrive at our first project site – Dorm-style lodging at camp – Briefing activities, Spanish classes, community service activities such as maintenance of the lodging site

Day 5-18: Guadalupe – Travel to the highlands of Panama. Volunteers live with host families, work in a compost plant, orchid garden, and community farm. Attend workshops, spend time with host families, and go on group excursions around the area

Day 19-20: Panama City – Return to the city, stay in a hostel, participate in debriefing activities, and visit the Panama Canal and Casco Viejo

Day 21: Departure – Head to the airport and fly home

*Itineraries are subject to change. 

Field Notes

Montanas y Mar: Last Days at CATIE

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☀️✈️ Want to learn more about AMIGOS Summer or Gap 2025 programs? Join us for a live Zoom info session!

Meet our team, get your questions answered, and explore the amazing opportunities waiting for you next year!

💌 RSVP at amigosinternational.org/online-info-sessions or click the link in our bio!
...

My favorite part of the project was building connections with those around me. I got to meet so many interesting people from all over the country and from Panama. I made friendships that will hopefully last a lifetime.

—Kate, Volunteer in Panama, 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?

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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