SUMMER VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN THE U.S. AND LATIN AMERICA


AMIGOS programs in Latin America give you the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica, Ecuador, or Panama to explore an issue you're passionate about! Dive deep into coffee production, climate change adaptation, and conservation in Costa Rica, ecosystem restoration and indigenous rights in Ecuador, or community-driven conservation in Panama.

“Those three weeks in Nicaragua gave me the opportunity to step back from my own life and examine my exact place in the world. Yes, I am still small in the face of time and the universe, but I still have my place in it, and it is my job to make that space as beautiful of a garden as I can.” –Meah, Nicaragua

Sign up for an info session on 2023 programs!



Project and Session Ages Dates Spots Left
Costa Rica: Cartago y Caribe - Session A National Chapter Only 15-19 June 15–28 6
Costa Rica: Cartago y Caribe - Session B National Chapter Only 15-19 July 6–19 15
Costa Rica: Cartago y Caribe - Session C National Chapter Only 15-19 July 27–August 9 17
Costa Rica: La Brunca - Session A 15-19 June 7–27 13
Costa Rica: La Brunca - Session B 15-19 July 5–25 17
Costa Rica: Los Santos 15-19 June 20–July 31 16
Costa Rica: Olas y Cerros - Session A 15-19 June 22–July 12 2
Costa Rica: Olas y Cerros - Session B 15-19 July 19–August 8 15
Costa Rica: Pérez Zeledón - Session A 15-19 June 13–July 10 Open
Costa Rica: Pérez Zeledón - Session B 15-19 July 18–August 14 Open
Ecuador: Azuay - Session A 15-19 June 6–July 3 17
Ecuador: Azuay - Session B 15-19 July 11–August 7 19
Ecuador: Chimborazo 15-19 June 13–July 24 Open
Ecuador: La Sierra - Session A 15-19 June 15–July 5 14
Ecuador: La Sierra - Session B 15-19 July 13–August 2 17
Ecuador: Santa Elena - Session A 15-19 June 6–July 3 Open
Ecuador: Santa Elena - Session B 15-19 July 11–August 7 Open
Panama: Coclé - Session A 15-19 June 6–July 3 Open
Panama: Coclé - Session B 15-19 July 11–August 7 Open
Panama: El Pacífico - Session A
Middle School Program		 13-14 June 8–21 12
Panama: El Pacífico - Session B
Middle School Program		 13-14 June 29–July 12 6
Panama: El Pacífico - Session C
Middle School Program		 13-14 July 20–August 2 13
Panama: Tierras Altas - Session A 15-19 June 7–27 18
Panama: Tierras Altas - Session B 15-19 July 5–25 18


Learn more about our middle school program!



Community Choice Award 2020

Join an Info Session

What you'll do:
  • Go beyond travel and become part of a new community
  • Make real friendships that last a lifetime
  • Volunteer and learn about ethical service
  • Improve your Spanish by using it in everyday conversation
  • Experience a new culture
  • Earn 24+ service hours
  • Gain confidence and leadership skills that prepare you for college and beyond!
  • Earn two college credits on certain projects

APPLY NOW

About AMIGOS Programs

AMIGOS programs provide a unique opportunity to experience a new culture as a local, not a tourist. Volunteers report increased fluency in Spanish after going through 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!

AMIGOS works with trusted local partner organizations to identify communities that are passionate and committed to working with our volunteers on community service projects. It has been our experience that a service project is sustainable only when the community owns it and participates in the effort. In our in-person programs, you will collaborate on a service project with volunteers your own age as well as community members. You’ll earn at least 24 service hours.

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. AMIGOS also has an established network of vetted medical clinics and hospitals throughout the region.

Volunteers must meet the general health criteria for participation in AMIGOS programs and receive all the required immunizations. Learn more about our health and safety system.

Prepare for AMIGOS through guided training in topics like:

  • Multicultural understanding;
  • Health and safety;
  • Community development;
  • Travel safety;
  • Spanish;
  • Leadership; and
  • Team building.

At the beginning of your program, you’ll train with your group of fellow volunteers. During your time in the program, you’ll meet regularly with an AMIGOS staff member who serves as your mentor. Finally, at the end of your service, come together again as a group to participate in debriefing — putting what you learned in context, preparing to go home, and going on fun excursions (in-person only).

Earn two college credits through our partnership with Western Colorado University!

Don’t miss out on must-see spots near your AMIGOS community! You’ll travel as a group to experience unique destinations your area has to offer, like volcanoes, ancient ruins, national parks, and historical sites. You’ll get to see these places from the distinct perspective of someone who has learned about the culture firsthand. Plus, you’ll bond with their fellow volunteers and have fun!

You’ll receive a leadership certificate upon completion of any AMIGOS program. Build your leadership skills by identifying your strengths, exploring your interests, and experience with project management.

2023 PROJECTS
2 Weeks
Ages 15–19

Costa Rica: Cartago y Caribe


A: June 15–28; B: July 6–19; C: July 27–Aug 9 Conservation & Climate Justice
3 Weeks
Ages 15–19

Costa Rica: La Brunca


A: June 7–27; B: July 5–25 Sustainable Development (Spanish Required)
6 Weeks
Ages 15–19

Costa Rica: Los Santos


June 20–July 31 Food Justice: Coffee and Communities (Spanish Required)
3 Weeks
Ages 15–19

Costa Rica: Olas y Cerros


A: June 22–July 12; B: July 19–Aug 8 Conservation & Climate Justice (Spanish Required)
4 Weeks
Ages 15–19

Costa Rica: Pérez Zeledón


A: June 13–July 10; B: July 18–Aug 14 Biodiversity & National Parks
4 Weeks
Ages 15–19

Ecuador: Azuay


A: June 6–July 3; B: July 11–Aug 7 Entrepreneurship
6 Weeks
Ages 15–19

Ecuador: Chimborazo


June 13–July 24, 2023 Youth Entrepreneurship
3 Weeks
Ages 15–19

Ecuador: La Sierra


A: June 15–July 5; B: July 13–August 2 Indigenous Rights & Food Security (Spanish Required)
4 Weeks
Ages 15–19

Ecuador: Santa Elena


A: June 6–July 3; B: July 11–Aug 7 Youth Empowerment
4 Weeks
Ages 15–19

Panama: Coclé


A: June 6–July 3; B: July 11–Aug 7 Community Health
2 Weeks
Ages 13–14

Panama: El Pacífico


A: June 8–21; B: June 29–July 12; C: July 20–Aug 2 Intro to Service Abroad
3 Weeks
Ages 15–19

Panama: Tierras Altas


A: June 7–27; B: July 5–25 Stewardship and Sustainable Harvests (Spanish Required)
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“
I feel like I have been able to grow as a leader, community organizer, friend, and person [...] throughout this program I have learned, grown, and formed connections. This has been one of the best experiences I have had in a really long time.

Jonathan, AMIGOS Volunteer
“