Volunteer in Costa Rica with Maximo Nivel - Best Rated Projects

I really enjoyed my time in Costa Rica. My host parents and the Maximo Nivel staff were so kind and welcoming from the first hello to the last goodbye. I met other volunteers who became close friends in such a small amount of time and we hope to continue our friendship after our departure from Costa Rica. The project I participated in was childcare. I had so much fun playing soccer, doing art, and teaching them yoga. I was still able to communicate with the children and teachers, despite not being able to speak spanish fluently. The children were so vibrant and eager to learn and play. I really feel like I made an impact. I also had the opportunity to do some week night and weekend excursions. I definitely recommend the Calypso Tortuga Island boat trip, the Toucan Rescue Ranch (they have sloths!), and rappelling down waterfalls at Lands of Love. Overall, this was such a learning experience for me as I got to immerse myself in a different culture, and see life like a local. My advice to prospective volunteers would be to come with a purpose, build relationships, and be ready to step outside your comfort zone.

I volunteered through Maximo Nivel in Costa Rica for 5 months and it was the best choice I have ever made! I worked alongside nurses and doctors in a retirement home and learned so much! As a nursing student, I felt the medical project really helped me become eager to learn more about healthcare in poverty countries. The staff was beyond helpful and so compassionate, they always made sure I felt at home and never had any questions! Even my host family felt like real family by the end of my trip. My housing was beautiful as well, and I still keep in contact with the family! I highly recommend volunteering through Maximo Nivel, they are an outstanding organization. Even if you can only make time for a week, take the chance and do it anyways. It truly is life changing!

I had a great time here and definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to help out and have fun at the same time! There's so much to do and I wish I could stay longer! I did the holiday club and Casa Nazareth projects. The holiday club was great way to have a blast while helping the community, and I got to meet all kinds of awesome people. The Casa Nazareth project was so meaningful and I learned a lot in the field of healthcare. I took the Spanish lessons here and I think it really improved my language skills. Additionally, I loved my host family and had such a great time learning about them and practicing Spanish. If I had any advice to other participants, I would definitely tell them to plan to stay in Costa Rica for as long as possible! There's just too much to do in just one week, I'm sure people are bound to regret not staying longer; you can go on tours, ziplines, cruises, and so much more!

I was fortunate enough to take part in the Holiday Experience and the Childcare Program in San Jose. Coming here, I was super nervous about travelling alone to a country I was not familiar with and could barely speak the language. Thanks to Maximo I was never alone! I met some great friends on my very first day and saw so much of Costa Rica with them.

The Maximo Staff were so helpful in organising volunteer activites, activities outside of volunteering and were always willing to help in any way they could - whether it was recommendations or just a general chat. The Maximo facility was a cool place to hang out, eat and use WiFi.

The Childcare Project was so much fun! The kids are always so enthusiastic and willing to get to know you. We organised craft activites, soccer games and indoor sports. Even though there was a strong language barrier I still got to know them so well and enjoyed my time with them.

Costa Rica is a must do! Aside from volunteering there are so many weekend/ half day trips. There is always the opportunity to be doing something or going somewhere. I would definetly recommend.

I had the opportunity to become involved in Maximo Nivel's program here in Costa Rica for two weeks. I was intending on only doing the childcare program, but ended up being a part of the Holiday Program as well.

For the Holiday Program, Maximo worked with local daycare and nursing home facilities where volunteers, such as myself, were able to go and interact in various ways. On the first day of the Holiday Program, we were actually able to do a beautification project, in which we visited Ositos Daycare and helped clean up, paint, and improve the visual and overall quality of the playground, allowing kids to fully enjoy their time. Not only that but we were also able to return to the same daycare and entertain the kids as well. Some were able to teach them a little bit of English and/or draw and write with them. In complete honesty, there was a mutual learning experience. We taught the children a few English words, and they, in return, taught us a few Spanish words. The nursing home was just as enjoyable, and being in an environment where we were welcomed and loved despite our short time there really lifts spirits. The project manager there said it best: "You will leave here with your hearts filled with love."

The Childcare portion of my stay here was definitely an experience that I am happy to have had. Many facilities in Costa Rica have a ratio of 20 kids to 1 teacher, and being able to help those teachers was the least we could do. During this week, we assisted in playing with the kids, completing activities, watching over them during the times they were at the playground, and at times, feeding them. The kids always have love in their hearts, and if you take the step to return that same love to them, the experience will not only be worth it, but you'll wish that you can stay longer. :)))

As my very first time volunteering abroad, I have to say this was one of the best experiences of my life. The program Maximo Nivel has a staff that has no competition when it comes to support and care because they are the best ones out there. Costa Rica is a beautiful place that everyone should come and visit in their lives. Safety is the top priority here and not once have I had the feeling of being unsafe. My host families were amazing here in the city and also at the project location. The Turtle Conservation Project is an experience that is a must do. To be able to see and help out the beautiful creatures of the sea, is an honor that I will never forget. I highly recommend anybody who is deciding to volunteer abroad, GO TO COSTA RICA and do the Turtle Conservation Program, you will not regret it!!!

Had an amazing experience. For a first time solo traveller, it helped ease the worries of travelling alone and language barriers of a foreign country. Maximo Nivel was very supportive and helped me experience more than I would've imagined. All the staff I had the opportunity to meet were very kind and helpful, it was an fantastic experience, like none other. Not only was the host in San Jose very kind and cooked delicious meals but made us all feel very welcomed and safe. This program provided great information with travels and where to get needs. The staff in Ostional were amazing, truly some great people who really loved what they did and had a good time doing it, I would love to go again. They were friendly helpful, and really helped us to quickly learn so we could make an impact. I always felt welcomed and safe no matter where I was, I was with other new found friends from this program at all times and it made the travelling much more fun and comfortable.

From start to finish, this program was a fantastic experience.

The communication and preparation before I arrived in Costa Rica was brilliant, and when I finally got here I felt so welcomed and supported. The team at Maximo Nivel are all incredibly helpful and really want you to get the most out of the experience, even though I was only able to stay 10 days - I took advantage of the opportunities offered in the San Jose office such as salsa classes and the free coffee. My host mum, Vicky, was also fantastic...you can tell that Maximo seek out individuals who are warm, welcoming and (as a bonus) excellent cooks!

My project was a daycare centre in Purral, and I had the most amazing time there. My first day was their Christmas party - and it was manic! However, it was a perfect example of how hard the staff at the daycare work, and how much they genuinely love and cared about the kids there. I spent my mornings getting covered in paint and glitter, being used as a human climbing frame, and laughing and dancing with the kids...truly the best few hours of any day!

I am a teacher back home and speak some Spanish so felt comfortable leading some games and activities - but there was never any pressure for me to do this. The main thing I felt I was able to contribute was an extra pair of hands for the thinly stretched regular teachers, whether it was with reading stories, playing games, or lining up the toothbrushes for the kids after the meal they get at midday. Top tips for any childcare project - learn their nams as soon as possible, don´t wear clothes you care too much about, and jump in with confidence and energy!

I would definitely recommend this experience to everyone - Maximo will support you through it all to allow you to learn more about yourself and make a difference to the wonderful people they work with.