Volunteer in Costa Rica with Maximo Nivel - Best Rated Projects

I came into this volunteer project with one thing in mind, to make a change. Not only was I able to make a tangible change but I had an incredible time. Working in construction was a great experience. I met great people and did great work. I truly felt as if I was changing lives directly. Turtle conservation was great as well. Once again I met great people and did great work, but I also got to experience life in a small isolated village. The things I was able to experience these past few weeks were awe inspiring. Never again will I experience something quite like this.

The best part of the project is the opportunity to directly impact young children's lives. The staff at both Maximo Nivel and Ositos daycare was amazing. The staff at Maximo Nivel properly assists their volunteers in regards to navigation around San Jose, directions to the project, and prompting the volunteers mentally for their project. The staff at Ositos was extremely nice and more than understanding of volunteers that do not speak Spanish. The children are respectful and full of energy. Being around the children was the highlight of my day.

Overall the experience here in Costa Rica was a great experience! My host mom Maria was great and very helpful. Working with kids here in Costa Rica was also great! The kids and the facility staff our amazing!! Its a great way to give back to amazing kids and to make a different in their lives. This trip is worth it in order to truly impact someones life and make a different in the kids lives!! I recommand this experience to anyone who enjoys working with kids!!

My time in Costa Rica has been incredible! The most enriching experiences have been staying with my host family and meeting the english students in Coronado. Staying with a host family allowed me to really experience the Costa Rican culture and "live like a local". I really enjoyed teaching english to adults either seeking jobs that that require advanced english, wanting to speak english when they visit relatives in the US, or just as a hobby that they enjoy. They told me they were most thankful for having native english speakers as teachers so they could learn how to pronounce words correctly and also for understanding native speakers. Exploring the city of San Jose in our free time was also a blast!

Overall, it was an incredible experience and I would recommend it to anyone! You make relationships with Costa Ricans and volunteers both that making leaving the hardest part!

Who knew that you would be able to attain so much knowledge and apprication for a country in just one short week. After arriving on Saturday, I went to the volcano on Sunday and learned about the history of the country. I soon learned that the people of Costa Rica are kind and patient, and it was a very nice break from the fly fast style of the United States. Our host mom Vicky is one of the kindest people I have ever met. She opened her home to us and made us meals and took care of us as if we were her own.

At my project, I taught English to adults. It was so refreshing to see how engaged they were, and how much they wanted to learn. Ticos share their life with you after a small amount of time, so learning about the reasons of why the study, you truly feel like you are making a difference. Be careful though, because you will soon find that while you are helping them with their English, they are also slowly changing your view on life, and making you learn to enjoy the simple moments in life. At the end of our week, my class had "Cafecita" for us, and everyone brought something to share. One student brought me a mug that was customized with my name on it, and coffee from Los Santos. The entire class worked together and bought us necklaces as well. To think that people from very modest means would invest so much in a stranger that they have only known for one week is humbling, and makes you realize that these moments come few and far between, and need to be cherished.

I am forever grateful to the people at Maximo Nivel for setting this incredible experiance up. They were there for every step of the way, from pick up to drop of. Without them, this trip would not have been possbile. I leave Costa Rica with a deep appreication for the Tico culture. Pura Vida!

My time spent volunteering in Costa Rica was incredible, and definitely one of the best decisions I have made! I worked with the nurses in Casa Nazareth for 22 weeks, and so I had a lot of time to get to know the people, city, and country in general. The staff was super helpful and willing to teach. I would suggest to other volunteers to do a longer length program if possible, not necesarily 5 months, but more than a week or two to get the most out of it. Dont come into the project with too many specific expectations and you will adjust much better. It is important to be patient with the healthcare projects, as everything might not be done exactly as youre accustomed to. Spending time simply getting to know the residents of the home will greatly improve your experience. Taking spanish lessons helps a ton! I took 10 weeks of classes and can now communicate decently well, coming to Costa Rica with barely any spanish knowledge. San Jose is a city full of culture, lots to do, and easy travel access, so give it a consideraton when choosing your location.

My daughter and I volunteered for one week in Costa Rica through Maximo Nivel. We were very lucky to be placed at Maria Aux with some of the sweetest kids. We both wish we could've stayed longer. This staff at both Maria Aux and Maximo were very helpful and of course, the kids were the best part. If you're looking for a way to give back, I highly recommend doing it through this company. This was a truly unforgettable experience and we hope to do it again soon!

My time in Costa Rica with IVHQ and Maximo Nivel was incredible.

From the staff at the Maximo office to students and staff and my fellow volunteers, everyone was opening and welcome and ready to help make this experience one for the books. Everything was easy from pre-departure info to everything I needed on the ground here in Costa Rica. I had ample time to explore San Jose as a city, discover more of myself with the help of others, and see more of this beautiful country. Thanks to everyone involved for an unforgettable time, hope to be back again soon!