Maximo Nivel

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.

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.

Reviews

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Steve
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching English in San Juan, Guatemala

I've had an amazing experience in Guatemala! I've felt supported by the volunteer agency, Maximo Nivel, at every stage of my volunteer journey.

I've spent a fortnight teaching English at San Juan, helping to improve the English of children here. I worked to augment their existing education to improve their life chances and career opportunities in the future.

The challenge is that the student numbers are small and attendance is variable! Also, their ages and abilities vary, so be prepared to teach 3 things at once to different kids! But they are a delight to teach and they have a willing attitude to learn.

They learning points for me were to realise that I can't change the world in a fortnight: to teach in baby steps and look to achieve 100% percent of a few things rather that 10% of everything!

Overall, a great experience 😊

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
One of my most memorable experiences was spending a morning making a traditional breakfast with 2 Mayan ladies, then making some tapestry with them. The cultural experience was an add-on I chose and I thoroughly recommend it to everyone for an authentic cultural immersion.
Pros
  • Cultural immersion
  • Meeting new people
  • Sharing experiences with other volunteers and students
Cons
  • Poor cleanliness in homestay
  • Limited catering for a vegan diet
Default avatar
Claire
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Guatemala 2024

This trip was really fun. For future participants, I would tell them to research more about the excursions they are doing. For example, we signed up for the Mayan ruins. We did not know that it closed at 4:00 pm. We arrived at 3:40 and only had 20 minutes to explore. It was unfortunate because it cost $65 each for the trip. I think the staff could have done a better job informing us as well! As well as for the excursion to Monterrico, we were informed it was a two hour drive. It was around 3-4 hours.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would definitely become proficient in Spanish. I think I would have had a more impactful experience if I would have learned more before the trip!
Pros
  • Cheap food
  • Cheap transportation
  • Fun things to do
Cons
  • Crazy drivers
  • People approaching to sell things all the time
  • Over priced excursions
Default avatar
Brittany
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical mission review

This week has been an amazing experience! All of our days were meaningful and well organized. Every day was a new experience and there were many activities available to participate in during the evenings. The physician we worked with so kind and a wonderful teacher as was Jorge. I am so thankful I was given this opportunity! If you are thinking about participating in this program, do it for sure, you will not regret it! Our host family was amazing as well and were so kind and welcomed us in to their home. I cannot say enough good things about this experience.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Take in every opportunity offered to you, you will not regret it! Everything about this program was amazing. I could not have asked for a better experience.
Pros
  • Organized
  • Impactful
  • Fulfilling
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Anne
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical service group

The medical volunteer program was a wonderful experience with a patient doctor that took the time to educate us. Setting up clinic in the most rural locations provided an opportunity to see local residents and areas that one would not be able to otherwise. The patients we saw were so kind and patient with our beginner language ability. Our host family was great! There was plenty of time for exploring and having fun on our own. The food and coffee did not disappoint. Guatemala and especially the area of Antigua is beautiful! I need to learn Spanish and come back where I can be more helpful in clinic.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Learn at least the basics to speak Spanish!
Pros
  • Seeing rural Guatemala
  • Cultural experience
  • Inexpensive
Cons
  • Felt a little unsafe at night traveling to host house. Use transportation and travel in groups.
Default avatar
Aleigh
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience!

I had the most amazing time learning from the people of Guatemala and experiencing their culture. I would recommend this to everyone who is interested in doing a volunteer trip. My life is forever impacted in the best was possible and I will never forget the people I have met. I believe everyone should travel abroad and volunteer and learn about different cultures. You meet many new friends and gain so much experience learning about different cultures and their healthcare system. I am definitely doing this again!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I knew some Spanish before this trip, but if I were to do it again, I would learn Spanish before I came.
Pros
  • Meeting new friends!
  • Learning all about the culture!
  • Learning Spanish!

Jobs

Programs

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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.

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?

I guess my only fear was not finishing the course or not being able to do the assignments and lesson plans in time. But the course structure and support of the teachers was a huge benefit in allaying my fears. This made a big difference in my ability to manage the course effectively and get everything done.

Any last thoughts?

This is a really fun and rewarding opportunity. It is full-on but satisfying in so many ways. You learn so much about yourself and build up comradery with people from all over the world, with diverse backgrounds and age ranges. It will give you great confidence and belief that you can do whatever you want to set your mind to.

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.

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.

Professional Associations

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