Location
  • Costa Rica
    • San José
    • Playa Blanca
    • Monteverde
    • Cartago
    • Nosara
    • Puerto Limón
Length
1 to 52 weeks

Program Details

Language
Spanish
Age Min.
17
Age Max
90
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Apartment Guesthouse Host Family Hostel
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
725
Price Details
Maximo Nivel has been offering volunteer abroad programs since 2003. We are a locally-based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Our volunteer abroad program fees are affordable and transparent.

New volunteer programs start every Monday year-round
Professional Field Managers
Volunteer abroad programs available from 1-52 weeks
All-inclusive—accommodations, meals, and many extras
24/7 in-country support
Academic credit available
No registration or processing fees
All-inclusive program fees from $665
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Some Meals Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance
Feb 15, 2022
Feb 15, 2024
134 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Costa Rica is known for having progressive environmental and social policies, and Costa Rica is widely considered one of the planet’s most sustainable countries. At the same time, Costa Rica is still a developing country with a low national income and a number of socio-economic issues. This means Costa Rica offers a wide variety of ways to get involved in volunteer abroad projects, contribute to sustainable programs, and provide help to vulnerable populations. There is a lot to do in a country like Costa Rica and international volunteers are needed and welcomed!

Maximo Nivel provides volunteer abroad projects at our institutes in San Jose (capital city) and Manuel Antonio (beach). Projects are also available off-site in Guanacaste (beach), Caribbean (beach), and Monteverde (cloud forest), which are rural areas and offer a more “off-the-grid” experience than San Jose or Manuel Antonio.

Video and Photos

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.

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.

Program Highlights

  • New volunteer programs start every Monday year-round
  • All-inclusive—shared accommodations, meals, and many extras
  • Academic credit available
  • No Registration or processing fees
  • 24/7 in-country support

Popular Programs

Working with Kids in Costa Rica

When you are volunteering with kids in Costa Rica, you are directly impacting the 1 in 5 families that live in poverty. Your day will be focused on helping underprivileged children with homework and fun activities.

Teaching English in Costa Rica

When you do this program, you are giving access to a skill that most kids learn in private language centers: speaking English. By volunteering with Maximo Nivel to teach english, you are giving a leg up to under privileged kids.

Conservation Projects in Costa Rica

When you think of Costa Rica, the first thought is usually the incredible beaches, and we are determined to keep it that way. Volunteering in this conservation project helps us keep Costa Rica preserved.

Construction Projects in Costa Rica

When you volunteer on this project, you will have a high tangible impact on the community by building homes, schools, and community centers. These projects are led by a local foremen and are focused on community development.

Program Reviews

4.92 Rating
based on 211 reviews
  • 5 rating 91.94%
  • 4 rating 8.06%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.8
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.85
  • Value 4.65
  • Safety 4.85
  • Benefits 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Facilities 5
  • Safety 4
Showing 1 - 8 of 211 reviews
Default avatar
Mary Jolene
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

It was great and I´m 68

Step out of your comfort zone. The IVHQ program is well orchestrated and the Maximo Nivel´s crew on the ground are outstanding. Yeah, it takes a lot of patience and understanding but the rewards are ten fold. I worked with kids and they ran me around like I haven´t moved in ages. Even though I don´t speak Spanish, there was enough help to communicate with these great children.

Overall it was challenging, unique and FUN.

Jolene Bowers, Connecticut USA

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
The Macaws flying by in clusters, screaming as the go, are special to see.
Pros
  • Maximo Nivel¨s help and attention
  • The kids
  • The fresh seafood is wonderful - tuna, Mahi-Mahi, shrimp etc...
Cons
  • It is challenging to get to the beaches
  • The busses are hot, but inexpensive
  • Sometimes the water goes bye bye in the whole town. Usually overnight
17 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Anna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical Campaign

Overall, it was a good experience. Excellent, professional. Things were well planned and thought out. There was diverse medical campaigns and lots of support. Was able to asses a number of different ages and detect lots of conditions. They provided equipment and PPE. However, I would recommend that an organization also brings there own specifically otoscopes and pen lights. The host family was kind and were one of the highlights of the trip. Not recommend for children or people with severe physical impairments. I would absolutely come again.

46 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Allie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical campaign

This was the best trip ever. We learned so much while talking to the local doctors and nurses in Costa Rica. This trip will always have a special place in my heart with meeting all the people that we cared for. My group cared for 315 patients of all ages (children, adults, elders, newborns, etc.) I am beyond bless to of gotten this opportunity. The people here were so sweet and encouraging for our group and I’ve never felt more like a team and the flow of the campaign was so well. Our group leader was amazing and always there for us. 10/10 trip… 100% recommend

Pros
  • Food
  • Weather
  • Experience
Cons
  • Water pressure
  • Sanitary
49 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jonas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Just amazinf

It was the most amazing experience of my life and I am so grateful for everyone who made it what it was.
The memories I made here, whether on the construction site or at the beaches, national parks, clubs or bars are what will stick with me forever.
And the help from the Maximo Team, my host mum, the local construction team and the friends I made here, really made the trip more than what I ever expected it to be.
I can recommend this journey to everyone out there!
Unless you don‘t like talking to new people and making amazing new friends from all over the world… in that case it might not be for you ;)

Pros
  • Everyone helps you if you have a problem
  • Sooo much fun, and easy to make friends
  • Helps you set priorities for yourself
Cons
  • Not really a con, but it helps you if you are an outgoing person
  • The food can be a bit monoton at times :D
76 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Mia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Maximo Nivel program

There is so much to learn and do here, i have never been bored! the locals are friendly and very helpful, they go out of their way to help me, especially with translations! the weather is beautiful leaving many activities to be done everyday. The scenery is amazing and only can be found here! tthe animals are so interesting and one of a kind. the culture is so interesting and there is truly so much to learn! i have never felt truly unsafe and i feel if you are kind the locals are willing to help. defiently worth the visit and more!

Pros
  • people and culture
  • activities
  • scenery
Cons
  • a bit scary to go out at night
  • need to be careful with how food is prepared
  • driving can be scary
81 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kevin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible Experience

It was such a great experience here with Maximo Nível Costa Rica. I scheduled this program on a whim 5 days before my program started. Even with such little time, they made me feel very comfortable with traveling alone to a foreign country. They picked me up from the airport, brought me to my host house (even though it was need up being 2am… plane delays), and welcomed me with a proper orientation the following morning.

It was so easy to make friends through Maximo, whether it be to hang out at the facility or go out and explore what the city had to offer. The volunteer experience itself was great. I taught English to people in a drug rehab center, and our students were incredibly nice, wanted to learn, etc.

This was my first time ever doing a solo travel abroad trip and I would certainly recommend it to anyone. You really feel like a local living in the city with how it’s set up, but you’re also given the knowledge and tools to navigate that so you feel comfortable. I’ve made so many great friends that I’m sure I’ll keep in touch with. I’ll definitely be doing something like this again in the future. Thank you Maximo Nível!!

¡¡Pura Vida!!

101 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Nicolas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

construction

The workers on the construction site are very open and funny people and the days go by incredibly fast. You definitely get the feeling that you are making an impact and help the people. The staff from Maximo come and visit the project regularly and are very nice. You do lots of different tasks and have a lot of variety so it does not get boring.

108 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Debra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Máximo Nivel: Most Incredible Volunteer Opportunity, best decision ever!

Maximo Nivel provides optimum support to not only make the greatest impact possible in my community volunteer experience, but they also provide the best ways possible to experience the culture for both personal enjoyment and growth. I spent a week teaching English in an after-school program for underprivileged children. I believe I had an impact on the children, but they also had a tremendous impact on me. In between the volunteer work, I was able to take in the culture through a coffee plantation tour, a walking tour of San Jose and a Volcano tour, all of which were worth it!

Pros
  • Socialization both in the community and with other volunteers
  • Support services for navigating the program and the culture
  • Excursion opportunities at your fingertips
Cons
  • Transporation is challenging for those who are not city slickers
123 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

From my experience plan 2 months earlier is good for volunteer:)

Yes, at least the basics. Try a few classes on online sites like Duolingo and/or a phrase book. It will make your life much easier and minimal communication is required. Don't expect most of the people we interact with to know English, apart the volunteer organization and travel agencies, or at least it was my experience in Costa Rica. And they will appreciate the effort !