Project Focus Areas: Agrotourism, organic food production, and environmental protection
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, community gardens, and beautification projects. Connect with local youth and children through fun and engaging recreational activities. Live with a host family and enjoy the peaceful, pastoral scenery of your host community.
Our Panama: Tierras Altas project is an AMIGOS DISCOVER program. Ready to step outside your comfort zone and experience something new? AMIGOS Discover programs are perfect for high school students seeking a short, immersive service-learning experience. Spend 2 to 3 weeks abroad, live with a host family, and volunteer alongside your local community with a tight-knit group and daily support from a project staff team. Whether you’re doing beach cleanups, helping lead youth activities, or gaining insights from local leaders, every day is a new chance to learn, grow, and make a difference. Earn 12 service hours a week and college credit on 3-week projects while discovering a new culture, making new friends, and taking the first steps to becoming a global leader. No Spanish is required for AMIGOS Discover programs. Just bring your curiosity and sense of adventure!
This project takes place in Panama’s highlands near the Costa Rica border. 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.
You’ll also visit organic coffee, hydroponic, and other local farms to learn about the different production and processing techniques used in the region. You’ll take part in community service activities with environmental and agrotourist organizations and organic farms.
Example Activities
Day 1: Panama City
Fly into Panama City and spend the night.
Day 2-3: Santa Clara
Travel to Santa Clara, the first project site, for briefing activities, team-building, the AMIGOS curriculum, cultural activities, and asambleas. Then, enjoy a day at the beach.
Day 4: Tierras Altas
Travel to our community in Tierras Altas. Meet your host family and settle in with them.
Day 5: Spend the day with your host family.
Days 6-11: Tierras Altas
Participate in workshops with AMIGOS partner agencies, work in compost plants, and a recycling center. Assist with community schools, reforestation, tree planting, harvesting on small farms, community clean-up, and beautification projects. Do AMIGOS core curriculum activities and participate in asambleas, reflection exercises, and local excursions.
Day 12: Spend the day with your host family.
Days 13-17: Tierras Altas
Continue community service and community immersion activities.
Day 18: Despedida, then travel to Santiago
Day 19-21: Panama City
Travel to Panama City. Participate in debriefing activities. Visit the Panama Canal and Casco Viejo.
Day 22: Fly home
Hasta Luego!
* Note, itineraries are subject to change
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. Please also view this program’s requirements.
What makes this project unique?
Dive deep into Panamanian culture by living with a host family! You’ll practice your Spanish, spend time with your host family and local community members, and learn to prepare local food such as sancocho or hojaldres.
Many 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 impact agriculture.
What is AMIGOS’ history in the region?
AMIGOS initially worked in Panama from 1981 to 1987. In 1987, the U.S. Marines invaded Panama and ousted the Panamanian president, Manuel Noriega. When this occurred, AMIGOS suspended its projects in Panama. We returned to the country in 2004, when we opened a project in the provinces of Veraguas and Coclé.
Over the years, we have been able to impact the lives of hundreds of volunteers and community members and forge ties with various government and social organizations. 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 continue to expand our work with partner agencies and communities.
Can I receive college credit?
Yes! Receive college credit for joining this project! Learn more here.
How many service hours can I receive?
You can earn 36 service hours on this program.
What are the accommodations like for this project?
We use a combination of dormitory-style lodging and homestays. At the beginning and end of the trip (briefing and debriefing), the entire group will stay together at shared lodging sites. For the community experience, volunteers will be divided into homestays in one rural community, and AMIGOS project staff will be on site. They will typically live with host families in groups of one to three volunteers and engage in daily activities within smaller cohorts.
What is the food like?
Most meals will be typical Panamanian food, including a protein (chicken, beef, pork, or eggs), rice, beans or lentils, a fresh salad, and sides like fried plantains, yucca, or hojaldras (fried dough). This project can accommodate vegetarians.
What about the climate and terrain?
This program is primarily located in the highlands of Chiriqui Province and the Pacific Coast of Cocle Province. In the highlands, temperatures range from the low 60s to the mid-70s, and on the Pacific coast, they range between the mid-70s and mid-90s. Both locations can expect rainfall from June to August, but high humidity is common only on the Pacific coast.
Can you teach me some slang?
Sure! Here are some important ones to remember. Aguacero = rain shower. Ofi = okay. Qué xopa = What’s up? ¡Ayala vida! = an expression of surprise or misfortune. Fren = Friend. Pipa = coconut.
| Length | Requirements | Dates | Ages | Application Deadline |
Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session A | 3 Weeks |
No Spanish experience required 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, 2026 |
15–19 | National Chapter: May 14 |
$4,975 – Local Chapter $5,975 – National Chapter Fees include all in-country expenses Fundraising Support Available Flight costs are not included |
| Session B | 3 Weeks |
No Spanish experience required 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 7 – 28, 2026 |
15–19 | National Chapter: June 9 |
$4,975 – Local Chapter $5,975 – National Chapter Fees include all in-country expenses Fundraising Support Available Flight costs are not included |
No Spanish experience required
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, 2026
$4,975 – Local Chapter
$5,975 – National Chapter
Fees include all in-country expenses
Fundraising Support Available
Flight costs are not included
No Spanish experience required
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 7 – 28, 2026
$4,975 – Local Chapter
$5,975 – National Chapter
Fees include all in-country expenses
Fundraising Support Available
Flight costs are not included
Que hermosa experiencia la que vivieron nuestros jóvenes líderes locales de Panamá 🇵🇦, sin ellos esta inmersión cultural no habría sido la misma 🙌🏽🥹, gracias a ellos ➡️
1. Pudimos ver su liderazgo y empoderamiento a la hora de compartir sobre la cultura de su país 🇵🇦📚
2. Lograron conectar como familia, incluso con cada miembro de nuestros equipos 💙
3. Involucraron a los niños de las escuelas para despedirse con mucho color y amor ✏️
4. Aprendieron sobre la fauna y flora de su territorio 🌻🦋
5. Le abrieron las puertas a nuestros voluntarios en sus hogares, siendo familias anfitrionas 🏡
6-7. Trabajaron en varios proyectos comunitarios con el fin de hacer un cambio positivo en sus comunidades 🌳
8. Bailaron y gozaron al compás del folclor típico panameño 🪗💃🏻🕺🏽
9. Nos acompañaron en varias excursiones para profundizar sus conocimientos ✈️
10. Recibieron su certificado como agradecimiento a su gran labor y apoyo durante este verano 👏🏼
.
.
Una vez más GRACIAS 🙏🏼, porque sin ustedes esta aventura no habría sido la misma 🧡🙌🏽
It`s amazing how 15 days flew by!
This is a short recap of what Session C of the Anton Valley project was like ✨.
Diverse activities, such as going to a butterfly heaven, hikings, preparation activities, social sustainability projects and a beautiful interaction with the communities of El Águila and El Sofre, leave us with unforgettable memories. 🌱
See you soon Amigos! ❤️
_______
¡Es increíble cómo 15 días pasaron volando!
Este es un pequeño resumen de lo que fue la Sesión C del proyecto Valle de Anton. ✨
Actividades diversas, como ir a un mariposario, hikings, actividades de preparación, proyectos de sostenibilidad social y una hermosa interaccion con las comunidades del Águila y el Sofre; nos dejan unos recuerdos inolvidables. 🌱
¡Nos vemos pronto Amigos! ❤️
So there we were , listening to crabapple, having conversations about our life experiences and working hard to make an impact in our beautiful Guadalupe. There is no words to express how fun it was to share time with you, the most expressive, funny and hard working volunteers. Thank you for creating beautiful moments and let us take care of you, We will remember you in every “stale” plantain chip we eat, every farm we pass and every card game we play for the rest of our life. 🍓❤️⛰️
#dutch #AmigosdelasAmericas #corecurriculum #lore
Así que ahí estábamos, escuchando Crabapple, conversando sobre nuestras experiencias de vida y trabajando duro para generar un impacto en nuestra hermosa Guadalupe. No hay palabras para expresar lo divertido que fue compartir tiempo con ustedes, los voluntarios más expresivos, divertidos y trabajadores. Gracias por crear momentos hermosos y dejarnos cuidar de ustedes. Los recordaremos en cada chip de plátano “rancio” que comimos, en cada granja por la que pasemos y en cada juego de cartas que juguemos por el resto de nuestra vidas.🍓❤️⛰️
#dutch #AmigosdelasAmericas #corecurriculum #lore
🇵🇦🥳Panama Tierras Altas Session C⛰️⛰️
🤗These are some of the amazing moments our volunteers shared in this session🫶🎉
1) ☕️💐BOQUETE🤝 Enjoying the coffee tour and Centro Artesanal de Boquete 🫶
2) 👏Briefing: Volunteers enjoying, learning, and participating in activities CAMPAMENTO NUESTRO RANCHO 🏐🌳🦥
3) 💪🪴Time to make compost, at AMIPILA working together on preparation.
4) 🏞️🦋☀️ A spectacular morning surrounded by nature 🍃
5) 🎨🧑🎨Community service at Parque Internacional de la Amistad PILA🌳🫶
6) 💃🏻FUNDICEP: Learning to dance Panamanian music in the community 🇵🇦🥰
7) 💃🏻🕺Dancing at the DESPEDIDA party 👏🫶
8) 🎤🎶 Our volunteers and their great talent, singing at the DESPEDIDA party 🤗
9) 💐FINCA DRACULA 🧛: Appreciating the beautiful views of Tierras Altas ⛰️
10) 🇵🇦CINTA COSTERA 🌊🏙️: We couldn’t say goodbye without exploring the beautiful attractions of Panama City. ❤️❤️
Que viva PANAMÁ! 🇵🇦🫶
🇵🇦🥳Panamá Tierras Altas sesión C⛰️⛰️
🤗Estos son algunos de los increíbles momentos que compartieron nuestros voluntarios en esta sesión🫶🎉
1) ☕️💐BOQUETE🤝 Disfrutando del Tour del café y Centro Artesanal de Boquete🫶
2) 👏Briefing: Voluntarios disfrutando, aprendiendo y participando de las actividades en el CAMPAMENTO NUESTRO RANCHO🏐🌳🦥
3) 💪🪴Hora de hacer compost, en AMIPILA trabajando juntos para la preparación.
4) 🏞️🦋☀️ Una mañana espectacular rodeados de naturaleza 🍃
5) 🎨🧑🎨Servicio comunitario Parque Internacional de la Amista PILA🌳🫶.
6) 💃🏻FUNDICEP: Aprendiendo a bailar música Panameña en la comunidad 🇵🇦🥰
7) 💃🏻🕺Bailando en la DESPEDIDA 👏🫶
8) 🎤🎶 Nuestros voluntarios y su gran talento, cantando en la DESPEDIDA 🤗
9) FINCA DRACULA 🧛: Apreciando las hermosas vista de Tierras Altas ⛰️
10) 🇵🇦CINTA COSTERA 🌊🏙️: No podíamos despedirnos sin recorrer las bellas atracciones de ciudad de Panamá. ❤️❤️
Que viva PANAMÁ! 🇵🇦
#panamá
#amigos
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 💕
Two weeks full of learning with El Valle Session B ✨
Getting to know new cultures, trying new food, hikings, beautiful landscapes and interacting with different communities in Panama left an impression on all our volunteers. 🎒🤍
Undoubtedly, two weeks that changed everyone`s life ❤️
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Dos semanas llenas de aprendizajes con la sesion B del Valle de Antón ✨
Conocer nuevas culturas, probar nueva comida, caminatas, paisajes hermosos e interacción con diferentes comunidades en Panamá; dejaron una huella en todos nuestros voluntarios. 🎒🤍
Sin duda alguna, dos semanas que cambiaron la vida de todos ❤️
Panamá Tierras Altas B🇵🇦.
It was an incredible trip, full of adventure and fun moments, We are going to remember this trip for the rest of our life .
From planting coffee to making compost all the way to casco viejo and Cerro Ancon, thank you all for sharing this moments and creating this wonderful memories!Hope to see you all soon! 💚🍌🐒. #panama #amigosdelasamericas
——————————————-
Panamá Tierras Altas B🇵🇦.
Fue un viaje increíble, lleno de aventuras y momentos divertidos. Vamos a recordar este viaje por el resto de nuestra vida.
Desde plantar café hasta hacer abono ,hasta el casco viejo y Cerro Ancón, ¡gracias a todos por compartir estos momentos y crear estos maravillosos recuerdos! ¡Esperamos verlos a todos pronto! 💚🍌🐒. #panama #amigosdelasamericas
Hello to all our AMIGOS friends and family! 🤍
Thank you so much for a wonderful first session! ✨
We started in Santa Clara with briefing where we learned all about the work we would do in community, had the opportunity to help build a roof and repaint the school, and went to the beach! 🌱
Once we arrived in El Valle, a local dance troupe visited the campamento along with the local youth we would be working with🕺🏻💃🏻. We spent the afternoon with them to learn about Panamanian culture before heading to community the next day! We went in two groups to the schools in Sofre and El Aguila where we began with presentations and introductions to the schoolchildren. Each day we worked on service projects, held educational activities for the children, and engaged in cultural activities with community members like artisanal painting, traditional cooking methods, and visiting a local farm! 🎒
At the end of the project we had farewell gatherings with both communities that proved a lovely sendoff, culminating a week of hard work and lots of fun. The next day we visited the amphibian center to learn about the golden frog, helped clean their local habitat, and took a guided hike to the top of a local natural monument 🐸.
The next day found us in Panama City once again, visiting the historical neighborhood of Casco Antiguo and the Panama Canal. After a long day we headed back to the hostel to perform a candlelit ceremony that commemorated the trip and all that the participants had accomplished 🇵🇦.
Thank you all for a great project! Hope to see you again soon! 🌈
En pocas palabras, estas semanas fueron llenas de risas, aprendizajes y nuevas experiencias para todos nuestros voluntarios 🤍, algo, que sin duda alguna marcará la vida de todos nosotros. Cada uno dejó su huella en este lindo país y sobretodo recuerden que AMIGOS nos hizo "Amigos por siempre" 💕🌎
I really connected with my host family. I absolutely loved them—they were incredibly kind. One of my first interactions with them was when they drove us to their farm, where they had a café. They let us try fresas con crema from their farm and took us on a tour. They talked a lot about the methods of sustainability they use and let us try some of their food, which was really amazing.
– Rosalee P.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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