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
Oct 30, 2024
146 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

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

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

4.90 Rating
based on 220 reviews
  • 5 rating 90.91%
  • 4 rating 8.64%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0.45%
  • Impact 4.8
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.85
  • Value 4.65
  • Safety 4.8
  • Benefits 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Facilities 5
  • Safety 4
Showing 105 - 112 of 220 reviews
Default avatar
Martina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Turtle conservation experience in Costa Rica

I have been part of a turtle conservation project in Parismina, Costa Rica. I am been supported by Maximo Nivel, which helped me during my three weeks volunteering to be sure I was safe all of the time. it has been an amazing experince, highly raccomended and life changing. The project is a comunity based one, which git us involved even in helping the reallyhumble and small lovely community of Cota Rica! Best experience of my lif so far!!

66 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Tait
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Incredible Adventure

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.

65 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
nicolas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Childcare in Ositos

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.

62 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Maximo Nivel Ositos working with kids

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!!

What would you improve about this program?
Bringing more activities to your placement from home makes a different. The kids and the staff are amazing and its great to see a smile on their faces!!
66 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Alli
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Two Weeks Teaching English

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!

63 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Carly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

One Week in Costa Rica

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!

What would you improve about this program?
Nope
63 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Madison
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Casa Nazareth Healthcare Project Costa Rica

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.

47 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jennifer
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Working with Kids in Costa Rica

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!

49 people found this review helpful.
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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 !