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 💙

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.

Reviews

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Jennifer
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Divino niño in Purral

The site was great! The kids were welcoming and eager to learn and the teachers were helpful, we had a great time 😊 the baby room was a bit overwhelmingly. Don’t be afraid to talk to the kids and jump in to help if you think you can help with something. The home stay was comfortable and the family was welcoming and accommodating. At least a basic level of Spanish is helpful. There are some great Italian restaurants in town, try el ancor. If you’re looking for souvenirs, eñe is a nice shop near el parque national.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
First day driving in Costa Rica 😂
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Catelyn
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A rewarding experience!

I took the 4-week TEFL course with Maximo Nivel, and it was amazing. I learned SO much in a short period of time and I got practical teaching experience with real, paying clients. My trainer, Karen, was the best part of this program. She is full of knowledge and experience and high energy. She helped me with any questions I had, stayed with me before class, and after class, and was a huge supporter. I am very grateful to have had this experience at Maximo.

I also took private Spanish lessons, which Maximo was good at accommodating my busy schedule so that I could do both. My teacher Sandra was great. She’s so funny and easy to talk to. I am missing Maximo Antigua already.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate a traditonal dessert that was made of plantains and filled with sweet black beans and served with sour cream. It was an interesting combo, but so delicious.
Pros
  • Teachers
  • Location
  • Quality of classes
Cons
  • Very intensive program
  • Rainy season
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Jardar
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEFL-icious

This was an excellent TEFL certification course overall! The first two weeks were quite relaxed, allowing students to gradually adjust to the teaching concepts and methodology. However, the final two weeks became extremely intensive - expect back-to-back assignments, lesson planning tasks, and teaching practicum preparations. While challenging, the workload ensures you're fully prepared for real classroom teaching. Our instructor was fantastic - patient, engaging, and always available to clarify doubts. The course materials were comprehensive and practical. Just be warned: you'll need strong time management skills during those final weeks. Despite the intensity, I finished feeling confident in my teaching abilities.. Definitely worth the effort for anyone serious about teaching English abroad!

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Theo
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Exciting and Well Worth It

I highly recommend the TEFL course with Maximo Nivel in Cusco to anyone considering teaching English abroad. The program is exceptionally well-organized and offers a comprehensive mix of theory and practical application. Sean Barter and the entire Maximo Nivel team are professional, trustworthy, and genuinely committed to the success of their student teachers. Their hands-on approach, constructive feedback, and supportive environment make it an ideal place to train. You’ll leave feeling confident, prepared, and inspired.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
It's a trustworthy program. Don't wait get in touch.
Pros
  • Reliable
  • Trustworthy
  • Life changing
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joanna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent preparation teach English as a Second Language

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.

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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