Location
  • Costa Rica
    • San José
    • Playa Blanca
    • Monteverde
    • Cartago
    • Nosara
    • Puerto Limón
Length
1 to 52 weeks

Program Details

Language
Spanish
Age Min.
17
Age Max
90
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Apartment Guesthouse Host Family Hostel
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)
Travel Type
Budget Family Older Travelers Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
725
Price Details
Maximo Nivel has been offering volunteer abroad programs since 2003. We are a locally-based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Our volunteer abroad program fees are affordable and transparent.

New volunteer programs start every Monday year-round
Professional Field Managers
Volunteer abroad programs available from 1-52 weeks
All-inclusive—accommodations, meals, and many extras
24/7 in-country support
Academic credit available
No registration or processing fees
All-inclusive program fees from $665
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Some Meals Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance
Feb 12, 2025
Dec 14, 2024
148 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Costa Rica is known for having progressive environmental and social policies, and Costa Rica is widely considered one of the planet’s most sustainable countries. At the same time, Costa Rica is still a developing country with a low national income and a number of socio-economic issues. This means Costa Rica offers a wide variety of ways to get involved in volunteer abroad projects, contribute to sustainable programs, and provide help to vulnerable populations. There is a lot to do in a country like Costa Rica and international volunteers are needed and welcomed!

Maximo Nivel provides volunteer abroad projects at our institutes in San Jose (capital city) and Manuel Antonio (beach). Projects are also available off-site in Guanacaste (beach), Caribbean (beach), and Monteverde (cloud forest), which are rural areas and offer a more “off-the-grid” experience than San Jose or Manuel Antonio.

Video and Photos

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.

Program Highlights

  • New volunteer programs start every Monday year-round
  • All-inclusive—shared accommodations, meals, and many extras
  • Academic credit available
  • No Registration or processing fees
  • 24/7 in-country support

Popular Programs

Working with Kids in Costa Rica

When you are volunteering with kids in Costa Rica, you are directly impacting the 1 in 5 families that live in poverty. Your day will be focused on helping underprivileged children with homework and fun activities.

Teaching English in Costa Rica

When you do this program, you are giving access to a skill that most kids learn in private language centers: speaking English. By volunteering with Maximo Nivel to teach english, you are giving a leg up to under privileged kids.

Conservation Projects in Costa Rica

When you think of Costa Rica, the first thought is usually the incredible beaches, and we are determined to keep it that way. Volunteering in this conservation project helps us keep Costa Rica preserved.

Construction Projects in Costa Rica

When you volunteer on this project, you will have a high tangible impact on the community by building homes, schools, and community centers. These projects are led by a local foremen and are focused on community development.

Program Reviews

4.89 Rating
based on 221 reviews
  • 5 rating 90.5%
  • 4 rating 9.05%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0.45%
  • Impact 4.8
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.85
  • Value 4.65
  • Safety 4.8
  • Benefits 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Facilities 5
  • Safety 4
Showing 1 - 8 of 221 reviews
Default avatar
Felix
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Expensive, but good

It is pretty pricey, not gonna lie. However, if you can afford it, then you can have a very fun time. If you are already very confident abroad, then it may not be worth it for you. However, if you are a solo, new, student, or uncertain traveler, then I would recommend you look into this organization. The Máximo support staff are excellent, welcoming, and understanding. Liam and Andres are the GOATS. There are many volunteer programs here, so you can generally find one that fits your interests and goals.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Due to heavy rains, a power line fell across the road stopping traffic. After moving three miles in two hours, my field manager Liam and I decided to walk. We walked for two hours in the rain at night from Cartago to Tres Ríos. I still can’t believe I did that. It was very scary and less than fun in the moment, but bad days make for fun stories. Shoutout to Liam for letting me rant about US History to keep me calm lol.
Pros
  • Safe environment
  • Knowledgeable staff
  • Various programs, experiences, and opportunities
Cons
  • Expensive
18 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
macie
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching English At CTP

I thought that this was great experience because i was able to learn to a lot about my students and connect with them as well. I also thought that they were able to learn a lot of english specifically working with pronunciation in vowels and sounds. Many of the students felt comfortable enough to ask me ask me questions about different topics when they were confused and come up to me after and talk to me too. I thought that getting to connect with the teachers was also really special because they really connected me as well.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
When students invited me to the haunted house with them after school
Pros
  • connected with students
  • learned about more english myself
  • connected with teachers
Cons
  • a little difficult to figure out which teachers and when they’re working with the students
24 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Martina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica Maximo

I had the time of my life and I owe it all to Maximo Nivel Costa Rica. Thanks for taking me really really far out of my comfort zone and creating life time memories !!!!!!’ Navigating the city and daily travel was simple. Program assistance (humans) always available. Maximo office staff patient kind and wanting always to know if you are ok. Great host family experience. Would highly recommend this program. Once is probably not enough. !!! Traveling with my best friend was perfect for this experience

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Keep an open mind. Do it to create lasting memories.
34 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Khalifa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica is the best

My name is Khalifa and I am 54 years old man from United Arab Emirates. I am retired and like to travel a lot. My trip to Costa Rica was so rewarding as I felt I was making a positive impact on society while enjoying the travel. My experience in Costa Rica and with Maximo Nivel was a game-changer in my life. I encourage everyone to devote some of their time to helping society by choosing a program suitable to their needs. And if you are thinking about traveling to Latin America consider Costa Rica to be your destination. Costa Rica is very beautiful and the people here are amazing

What was your funniest moment?
I participated in a cooking class in Maximo nivel while I don’t like cooking. The reason was to eat only. I hope nobody noticed
Pros
  • Charming people
  • Great weather
  • Delicious food
31 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Moritz Hans
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Gatitos Experience

I came to work with kids also to improve my experience as a coach working with kids back home and I really enjoyed the activities the teachers did with the kinds and how they integrated me in them. I learned new games, met and got the chance of helping amazing young kids and had fun playing and dancing together with the kids and teachers. I recommend to be open-minded, flexible with the schedule and creative with the activities. The teachers have infinite ideas of different activities so you will never get bored.

37 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Aquila
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

This was the first time I had traveled alone and spent time away from my family, to say I was nervous was an understatement. However, I quickly settled in at placement and the staff at placement and Maximo Nivel were amazingly supportive! I highly recommend Maximo to any nursing students looking for international placements. Alongside placement I took Spanish classes which really helped day to day. Costa Rica is also a beautiful country, there’s no shortage of great trips to take in your free time. I highly reccomend La Paz waterfall and Volcán Irazu!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
This was the first time I had traveled alone and spent time away from my family, to say I was nervous was an understatement. However, I quickly settled in at placement and the staff at placement and Maximo Nivel were amazingly supportive! I highly recommend Maximo to any nursing students looking for international placements.
41 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Melania
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

First Experience!!

To be honest, this is the first time I’ve travelled out of the country and it was an absolutely fantastic experience! I had no idea what to expect, both with my host family and the place I was to volunteer in, but both exceeded my expectations!! Everyone was so kind and patient, and everything was perfect from the beginning to the end! The workers at Maximo Nivel were so kind and helpful, and they gave us detailed instructions on how to get around and on how to use the public transportation. They were really fun to talk to, and very helpful!!! It was absolutely superb, and I’m sure to come back!

What was your funniest moment?
I very much enjoyed geeking out with one of the Maximo Nivel workers, and being absolute nerds about varying topics! It was splendiferous!
Pros
  • The workers
  • The host family
  • Everything
Cons
  • Slightly loud at the night times in the host family but still great
44 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience

It was very well organized from the very beginning till the very end. We were extremely satisfied with Maximo Nivel and Medical Pets veterinarian hospital. We came through their website and signed up for the animal care program for 1 week, helping clean up, watch over, and walk the animal patients as well as shadow surgery during our week at Medical pets. As we didnt speak spanish before coming we took spanish classes with maximo nivel as well and would highly recommend it to any future volunteers.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Mamonis
Pros
  • Well organized
  • Friendly everyone
  • Unique experience
Cons
  • My lack of Spanish
43 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

From my experience plan 2 months earlier is good for volunteer:)

Yes, at least the basics. Try a few classes on online sites like Duolingo and/or a phrase book. It will make your life much easier and minimal communication is required. Don't expect most of the people we interact with to know English, apart the volunteer organization and travel agencies, or at least it was my experience in Costa Rica. And they will appreciate the effort !