Maximo Nivel

Why choose Maximo Nivel?

Founded in 2003, Maximo Nivel is a leading organization in study abroad and educational travel. We are an internationally accredited organization with 4 locally based institutes in 3 of the most beautiful countries in the world—Costa Rica, Guatemala. and Peru. At Maximo Nivel, we strive to set ourselves apart and provide the best education and travel experiences in Latin America, as well as top-notch client service and great home base facilities.

Since 2003, our commitment to quality programs and great client service has made Maximo Nivel the leading study abroad and educational travel organization in Latin America. Our job is to provide you with great work-study-travel programs in a safe and supportive environment. We are here to make sure your experience is nothing short of excellent! The Maximo team is available 24/7, so please reach out and let us know when you need support or help along the way.

Website

maximonivel.com

Founded

2003

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Community Photos

Picture of Guatemala’s mountains from Sky Bar Café

A visit to class by Kayla, from Maximo Nivel

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Diversity & Inclusion

LGBTQIA+ Support

At Maximo Nivel, we deeply value diversity in all its forms. We maintain an open-minded approach, recognizing the significance of varied perspectives, intelligent discourse, and the transformative power of a positive mindset. We warmly welcome and respect individuals from all backgrounds, irrespective of politics, gender, gender identity, age, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. Whether it’s volunteering, Spanish immersion, TEFL certification, international internships, university courses, or GAP year experiences, members of the LGBTQIA+ community are wholeheartedly invited to participate in our programs.

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Impact

Ethical Impact

At Maximo Nivel, we work in close partnership with our local communities in Latin America to ensure that volunteer projects align with genuine local needs, fostering meaningful and relevant impact. We emphasize sustainable initiatives designed for enduring change, rather than short-term interventions. By promoting cultural sensitivity, we facilitate enriching exchanges rooted in mutual respect, and our commitment to local employment further integrates and supports the communities we serve.

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Reviews

I appreciated how positive and welcoming the staff were. They were very honest about what to expect from this experience so I felt very prepared before coming to Guatemala. Also, I was surprised at how immersive and hands-on my experience at the elderly home was and it was a great opportunity to learn and practice Spanish. Although I was here for a short time, it was very rewarding to know that my friends and I were able to communicate with the staff of Casa Maria to find out what their specific needs were. We then relayed those needs to the Maximo Nivel staff who were appreciative of the information and eager to utilize humanitarian funds to ensure that those needs are met.

I had an amazing time supported by Máximo Nivel in Peru volunteering at a nearby rural clinic. I gained invaluable experience and felt like I made a difference. Emails were responded to promptly and the staff were always so friendly and helpful. They were even available during the national holiday Corpus Christi. Shoutout to Becca, Dina, Alfred, Lucas, and Patrick (and the rest of the staff of course). I highly recommend Máximo Nivel and I can’t wait to travel with them again in Guatemala or Costa Rica!

I was skeptical at first when I was planning my staying in Guatemala. But the outcome was excellent: everyone from the staff to the locals to the host fam was highly welcoming and helpful throughout my 8 days in Guatemala. The trips I attended were all amazing: Monterrico and Acatenango were two beautiful excursion that further amplified my love towards the country. The highlight was the volunteering: helping children in one of the poorest neighborhoods of the country was heart warming, the sole action of making them smile gave me the forces to wake up every day. This experience changed me and my way to see education.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Go to the volcanos!!!

Pros

rewarding effort
Knowing to acknowledge a new culture
beautiful nature

Cons

Although short, I had a wonderful time in Antigua. Máximo Nivel was very helpful with resources and set me up for success. The volunteer program at PAIDOS Dueñas was beyond rewarding. The kids were absolutely amazing and smart. I look forward to coming back in the future. Although short, I had a wonderful time in Antigua. Máximo Nivel was very helpful with resources and set me up for success. The volunteer program at PAIDOS Dueñas was beyond rewarding. The kids were absolutely amazing and smart. I look forward to coming back in the future.

What was your funniest moment?

Getting lost on a straight path to school

Pros

Learn a new culture
Rewarding experience with the kids

I loved my program placement! The kids I was teaching were so sweet and it’s exactly the kind of experience I wanted for my career (I want to be an ESL teacher). The people at Maximo and at my home stay were really kind and I always had something to do in Antigua after my placement ended for the day. In addition, the excursions were really fun. The only negative thing I would say is that it would be helpful to have more information up front, such as a list of the schools I could be volunteering at and more details about what kind of work I’ll be doing. It was all fine, but I would have preferred to know more in advance. Overall, though, my experience was fantastic!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?

Plátanos en mole! It’s a traditional Guatemalan dessert made with fried plantains and a slightly spicy chocolatey sauce. It’s really yummy, but very different than anything I’ve eaten before.

Pros

The food!
The program placement!
The Pacaya Volcano hike!

Cons

Lack of information up front
Cockroaches :(

4.96 •46 reviews

Learn Spanish in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica! Combine fun in the sun...

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I wanted an opportunity to change my career path from a dissatisfying corporate job to a rewarding career that can take me traveling around the world and enable me to gain cultural experiences in different diverse countries whilst helping others in learning a 2nd language to enable better job opportunities.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The Maximo Nivel program provided me with top quality information travel assistance, support staff and teachers who were extremely knowledgeable and made the whole experience extremely worthwhile.

They organized my volunteer program and also the accommodation at my host family, and assisted with holiday and activity options.

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

If I were to do the course again, I would definitely choose a professional organization that is well-credentialed and respected like Maximo. It makes it so much easier having a strong support base and experienced team.

I would definitely allow for more travel time either before or after the course, so you can get to appreciate the country you are visiting.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

The program is very solid and lots to fit in every day, as it is a compact course.

Having said that, there were still afternoons off and a couple of free days to chill. And an average day consisted of about 8 hours at school with a mixture of theory and practical class observations and activities.

After school, you would generally need to do 2 hours of homework or reading.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Jennifer Pazdzior

2018 Alum

Alain Alisca

2018 Alum

Samantha Ni

2018 Alum

Elissa Tauscher

2018 Alum

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What is your favorite travel memory?

Visiting Panama is definitely my most memorable travel experience. It was my first time traveling alone and I met a lot of new people. Seeing new places, experiencing a new culture and being by myself for the first time was amazing.

I participated in a lot of tours and activities and I learned a lot. This experience motivated me to keep travelling.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would love to be part of the Mini Adventure program in Guatemala. I have always wanted to go to Tikal and learn more about the Mayan Culture in Guatemala.

I feel the Mini Adventure gives you the opportunity to visit really nice places in Guatemala in a short period of time.

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What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I feel proud of my team every time we happily adapt to last minute changes in order to make the participants experience be awesome and unforgettable.

Becca Wilgosh

Program Advisor

Website

Founded

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Community Awards

Alumni Interviews

Richard Lovegrove

Why did you choose this program?

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Any last thoughts?

Staff Interviews

Annia Alvarez

What is your favorite travel memory?

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?