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.

Website

maximonivel.com

Founded

2003

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Community Photos

Volunteering at a local center for 60+ citizens

Loading up the truck before changing sites

Me at Maximo Nivel Manuel Antonio (Quepos)

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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.

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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.

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Reviews

The online course was engaging and thorough, and I feel truly prepared me to start teaching. I had to create a variety of different lesson plans and even write a research paper on a grammar topic. I was able to pace myself and complete the work in the evenings after my full-time job.

As a math teacher, there is a lot that was transferable from my experience, and there was even more that I needed to unlearn. My trainer, Sean, was very patient and helpful, as I navigated this new discipline. He gave me actionable feedback and helped me to improve after each lesson I taught during my practical teaching experience.

Volunteering in Antigua, Guatemala for two weeks with Maximo Nivel was an unforgettable experience. I worked in a local school, helping children with English and daily activities. The staff at Maximo Nivel were incredibly supportive, and the cultural immersion was both eye-opening and rewarding. Antigua’s charm, combined with the meaningful work, made every day fulfilling. I left feeling inspired, grateful, and connected to a beautiful community. Please please do this even if you’re on the fence!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Come with an open mind and heart! Be flexible things may not always go as planned, but that’s part of the adventure. Learn basic Spanish to better connect with locals. Embrace the culture, try the street food, and explore Antigua’s vibrant history.

I participated in this program to try something new and learn more about Latin American culture. I btw am learning Spanish and am barely conversational - at all times, I was able to get help when I needed it.

I had a wonderful experience and time teaching English to children in the the village of San Juan del Obispo. This is a village I would never found /visited on my own,

If you are looking to expand your frame of reference/world view, I would highly recommend a Maximo Nivel volunteer experience. Just be prepared to go with the flow and get out of your comfort zone.

What was your funniest moment?

Seeing someone try to sell ice cream cones on the bus

Pros

Autonomy
Support
Friendly staff at Maximo Nivel

I recently completed my TEFL course and I have to say, it was an amazing experience from start to finish. The content was well-structured and covered everything I needed to feel confident in the classroom—from grammar and lesson planning to classroom management and teaching strategies.

What really made the course stand out, though, was my tutor. He was incredibly supportive, always available to answer questions, and continued to offer guidance even after I completed the course. I felt genuinely encouraged throughout the process.

This course gave me the foundation I needed and more. I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking of teaching English abroad or online!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

The most surprising thing for me was realizing how much strategy goes into effective teaching. I used to think it was mostly about knowing grammar and vocabulary, but the course showed me how important it is to plan lessons carefully, manage classroom dynamics, and adapt to different learning styles. That really changed the way I think about teaching.

Pros

Comprehensive course content
Supportive and knowledgeable tutor
Practical and engaging approach

Cons

Limited Real-Time Interaction
Not a lot of practical teaching
Self-Paced format requires strong motivation

I am incredibly happy I chose complete my TEFL at Maximo. I not only learned so much, but was able to practice and receive feedback while completing the course. Christina was one of the best teachers I have ever had, in any type of school. The amount of care and thoughtfulness she puts not only into her lesson plans, but into her students was immeasurable. Christina always did, and continues to care about my growth and offers support emotionally and professionally. I don’t think I would’ve been properly prepared to teach in a foreign country without her and Maximo’s guidance. Everyone from my teachers, the international staff and academic staff played a positive role in my pursuit to be TEFL certified.

What was your funniest moment?

The daily classroom. We were all learning together and vulnerable and allowed for a lot of truthful funny moments.

Pros

Faculty at Maximo
Feel prepared to teach immediately
Christina

Cons

Global Work and Travel third party.
Water shuts off in Cusco during some hours.

4.96 •46 reviews

Learn Spanish in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica! Combine fun in the sun...

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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.

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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?

Jennifer Pazdzior

2018 Alum

Alain Alisca

2018 Alum

Samantha Ni

2018 Alum

Elissa Tauscher

2018 Alum

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.

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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.

Becca Wilgosh

Program Advisor

Website

Founded

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Community Awards

Alumni Interviews

Richard Lovegrove

Why did you choose this program?

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Any last thoughts?

Staff Interviews

Annia Alvarez

What is your favorite travel memory?

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?