Program Reviews

Overall, the Maximo Nivel institute is a pretty good place to learn Spanish. The teachers are very interactive and motivated to help you learn, and they are locals as well. The classes include both grammar lessons and a fair amount of talking back and forth. The school itself is not in Manuel Antonio, but a small town called Quepos about 15 minutes away from Manuel Antonio. However there are buses that can take you to and from both towns for under a dollar. Overall, the program is a good way to brush up on Spanish against a beautiful tropical backdrop!

As an alumnus returning more than a decade after my first experience with your TEFL program, I chose to study Spanish with you because of the exceptional quality I remembered. And once again, you delivered a remarkable experience.

From the moment I arrived—greeted by a kind driver who safely transported me from a late-night flight to my host family's home—I felt supported and cared for. The home I stayed in for four weeks was warm, welcoming, and culturally rich. I didn’t just learn the language; I lived it. I was embraced by my host “mother,” who made me feel like part of something truly special.

Each day, my bus journey to San Pedro was enjoyable and I really felt part of the city. I was greeted like a returning friend, where all the staff, from the front desk to the cafeteria ladies, helped me with the smallest requests.

But the heart of my success lies with a gem of a teacher: Leda. Her impact on my learning was profound. She didn’t just teach me Spanish; she helped me internalize it, live it, and use it with confidence.

What made Leda truly exceptional was not only her mastery of the language but the depth of life experience she brought into every lesson. As a mature learner myself, I found her wisdom, grace, and lived perspective deeply enriching. She didn’t just teach vocabulary and grammar—she infused our sessions with cultural insight, emotional intelligence, and a kind of mentorship that only someone who has genuinely lived can offer.

Her ability to connect, to challenge, and to uplift came from a place of authenticity. It was her quality of life—her richness of experience—that made my learning journey not just successful, but transformative.

Her dedication, sophistication, and depth of experience made her an exemplary educator. While I’m sure many of your teachers are treasures, Leda is a polished diamond—one that deserves to be displayed in the crown of your organization.

Thank you, Máximo Nivel, for continuing to uphold the highest standards of education and care. And thank you for Leda—an educator who embodies everything your organization stands for.

As an alumnus returning more than a decade after my first experience with your TEFL program, I chose to study Spanish with you because of the exceptional quality I remembered. And once again, you delivered a remarkable experience.

From the moment I arrived—greeted by a kind driver who safely transported me from a late-night flight to my host family's home—I felt supported and cared for. The home I stayed in for four weeks was warm, welcoming, and culturally rich. I didn’t just learn the language; I lived it. I was embraced by my host “mother,” who made me feel like part of something truly special.

Each day, my bus journey to San Padro was enjoyable and I really felt part of the city. I was greeted like a returning friend, where all the staff, from the front desk to the cafeteria ladies, helped me with the smallest requests. But the heart of my success lies with a gem of a teacher: Leda. Her impact on my learning was profound. She didn’t just teach me Spanish; she helped me internalize it, live it, and use it with confidence.

What made Leda truly exceptional was not only her mastery of the language but the depth of life experience she brought into every lesson. As a mature learner myself, I found her wisdom, grace, and lived perspective deeply enriching. She didn’t just teach vocabulary and grammar—she infused our sessions with cultural insight, emotional intelligence, and a kind of mentorship that only someone who has genuinely lived can offer.

Her ability to connect, to challenge, and to uplift came from a place of authenticity. It was her quality of life—her richness of experience—that made my learning journey not just successful, but transformative.

Her dedication, sophistication, and depth of experience made her an exemplary educator. While I’m sure many of your teachers are treasures, Leda is a polished diamond—one that deserves to be displayed in the crown of your organization.

Thank you, Máximo Nivel, for continuing to uphold the highest standards of education and care. And thank you for Leda—an educator who embodies everything your organization stands for.

It was very good, I will come again, the host was also good. Antigua is a very pleasant little city, public safety is good. I am leaving for the airport now but I don't know why yet, Latin America is very beautiful, there is still a lot to discover here for everyone. The world is a book and those who do not travel can only read one page of this book. Saint Augustine said it and how right he was. I wish everyone a good trip.

Sean was amazing! I feel prepared to move forward in my ESL career confidently since dedicating a month to this certificate. His guidance, feedback, and consistent encouragement pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t expect. I not only gained practical tools for the classroom, but also a stronger sense of purpose as an educator. This experience has reshaped how I view teaching, and I’m excited to bring these skills into my future ESL roles.

I’ve been doing an internship at Maximo Nivel and have loved my time here. I have grown a lot and I highly recommend. I have met so many amazing people. Join all the activities, they have cooking class and salsa. They always make really good food. My host family has also been a wonderful experience. I recommend to be open minded and to put yourself out there. You will be able to get more out of this experience. The team in Cost Rica has been amazing, especially Gabby! Come join one of there programs you won’t regret it.

I was in Antigua for only 1 week but found it a valuable time. The school was well organized, and the teaching was very good. The homestay family was very kind. Most of the students were young, but I found companionship there. Antigua is a small town but very interesting. I have a few free days here and am excited about doing a variety of excursions available in the surrounding towns. I have studied Spanish in multiple locations in Mexico, Latin America, and Spain, and this was among the best. I look forward to returning.

I had the privilege of having Sean Barter as my TEFL instructor during my online Maximo Nivel certification course, and I could not have asked for a better guide. Sean was with me every step of the way from the 15 learning modules through the daily practicum sessions - always patient, supportive, and encouraging (especially when my computer went down and I had to use my iPad to create and teach lesson plans by Zoom which were challenges on this platform). His clear explanations, thorough feedback, and professionalism gave me the confidence to teach online, something I was not sure I could do at first.

Sean’s calm presence, sense of humor, and genuine belief in his students’ potential make him a truly five-star instructor. I highly recommend this course and Sean’s expert guidance to anyone earning their TEFL certification.

I had an amazing experience!! I was there for 3 weeks and the project at the time was building a veterinary clinic in San Felipe! I would walk 50 minutes everyday from my host family’s house to the project and though it was long it gave me a chance to see Antigua and see so many people! The foreman Freddy was so awesome and knew how to do everything so expertly and once he showed me what to do he kind of left me to my work, so I got a lot of hands on experience but if I ever had a question or needed help Freddy was always there. It was satisfying to see the progress of the project by the end of my trip but it would have been a lot more fulfilling to have been able to see it through start to finish. The first week I was the only person working, which was not what I was expecting, but you never know how many volunteers are gonna be there each week. I would work for about 3 and half hours and then had the afternoons free which gave me a chance to take a private Spanish class for one hour everyday with the most amazing teacher, Ana! I learned a lot and it gave me the chance to practice my Spanish and review some things that I was rusty on. I had the weekends off and I would always do whatever activity Maximo had planned for Saturday morning because it gave me a chance to meet and make friends and it immersed me in some Guatemalan culture!! Also I would highly recommend if you have time to do some tours/activities with Guinness Travel you definitely should! I was able to go and hike Acatenango Volcano which was one of the most amazing experiences I had in Guatemala!! I would also like to give a Shout Out to the whole staff at Maximo who are so friendly, supportive and helpful if I ever needed anything I felt comfortable talking to any one of them!! Overall it was a great experience for me and a good way to immerse myself in a different culture while also feeling like I made some sort of an impact even if it was small!

This has been an experience of a lifetime. My Spanish comprehension and speaking has improved exponentially. I'm so grateful for this opportunity, my fantastic Maximo teachers and my kind and welcoming host family. Maximo provides lots of opportunities to see local sights and get to know other learners. On the weekends, I travelled to a local coffee farm, visited local ruins and climbed a volcano! The local food is fantastic. I highly recommend Maximo Nivel to anyone considering travel with purpose.