Volunteer in Costa Rica with Maximo Nivel - Best Rated Projects

I have had a really good time here at Maximo Nivel these past two weeks. The first week I did the Holiday Experience which consisted of different projects each day. All the AM volunteers gathered in a shuttle and we went to different parts of Costa Rica, poor sides or slums, and we painted a mural, had a party for the kids with different activities, and spent a day doing different stations of activities. The following week I was placed at an orphanage where my main job was to play, entertain, and show affection to a group of about 8 kids. One other volunteer from Maximo Nivel was placed with me. This is a very hands on job, they take you the first day so you know how to get around and then you do the rest. At Maximo Nivel they have a closet that volunteers can take from to do different activities. Mind you, supplies are very limited and there is a great need to be creative and think outside the box. At the orphanage the kids were very enthusiastic and grateful to do anything. Another thing, be mindful that these children only speak spanish and if you don't there may be a bit of a language barrier that will enable you from connecting with them.
During your week stay you will be with a host family. I have had an absolutely amazing experience with my host mom, Marita, she has been very accomodating with my vegan diet and very pleasant to stay with. I shared a room with another volunteer who joined me from the states, however, other volunteers were placed in rooms with people they may have not known prior to arriving. If you feel uncomfortable with your belongings, I would suggest bringing a lock for your suitcase. Your host mom will make you breakfast and dinner. Breakfast usually will consist of toast and cut up fruit, if you're lucky, maybe eggs, empanadas, gallo pinto, or quesadillas. At my home dinner was always delicious, typical meal is a meat, rice, and beans. She also made soup on two separate occasions. The only negative thing I have to say about my house visit is that I had to take ice bucket cold showers. Literally, I would wet the wash cloth and wash the important parts.
As for Maximo Nivel, I would suggest doing all the activities they offer because they are all free and fun to do. Also, it gives you something to do since there is not much to do around San Jose, well at least not enough to do for a two week stay. Another word of advice, you WILL have a lot of free time. Your project will only last about 3-4 hours every day. Had I known this ahead of time, I would have maybe chosen a different program and budgeted more money.
My final thing, budget more money than expected. I came to Costa Rica with the impression that things were going to be a lot cheaper. I'm from California and everything is about the same price! Also, if you plan on doing any leisure activities such as the beach or volcanos, budget for transportation and a hotel/hostel. You will need to stay the night or at least want to stay the night because all these places are about a 3-4 hour drive from San Jose. I stayed at Selina hostel in La Fortuna the weekend I went to explore and it was an amazing experience. Shop around and look for tours around whatever area you choose to stay in. Booking through M&J travels is really costly and you can bargain for better deals in person (don't book online either).

Have fun and be adventurous, make the most of your stay and be mindful that you are in a developing country. Don't be a spoiled brat and be thankful for what is provided to you.
If you need help wit anything, the staff at Maximo Nivel is amazing and there to help or to just talk to. Tati, Dan, Emmy, and Steve are great people and I hope you love them as much as I did.

The two weeks that i have been volunteering in Costa rica with Maximo Nivel have been a gret experience. The first week that that we were here we did a program called the "holiday experience". During that time we visited daycares, where we were able to paint murals and play with children, threw parties for young children who are less fortunate in the slums, and spent time with elderly people. During the weekend, we had free time to do as we pleased, so i decided to travel to La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano and check out more of this beautiful country. The second week of my stay I worked on a project at a nearby orphanage caring for aprozimatly 8 children between the ages of 0 though 7 years of age. The children love to play, dance, and simply be held, as they dont generally recieve that love and attention for anyone. While here, i was able to stay with a wonderful host family with a couple of other volunteers as well. My host "mom" is such a wonderful woman, and her children are also part of the Maximo staff. Being that i am vegan, she gladly accomodated and cooked all of my breakfasts and dinners vegan, we were to provide lunchs for our selves. At Maximo Nivel during the evenings, there are days where they host activities such as free cooking classes.. YUM! and also free salsa classes. The activities here were a lot of fun and helped me to meet new friends from around the world, as we were all here for the same reason we were all able to connect in some way. The only thing i wish was different within the programs were the lentgh of time that we worked during the day. My hours with the children were between 9am to 12pm. Although i did love having so much free time to explore the country and be on my own without work, I would have loved to have been able to spend more time with the children or been put at two programs at once, one in the morning and one in the evening to make me feel that i was making even more of an impact in the community. I know that those children cherished the time and the attention that we were able to give to them, although short. Would i do it again.. OF COURSE I WOULD. The staff at Maximo are people, and now friends that i will never forget.

This program was something exceptional. For 2 weeks I had the privilege of teaching English to a group of children in an area of San Jose called “La Carpio”, which has a reputation for being one of the most underdeveloped and dangerous parts of Costa Rica, though I never once felt in danger. The team at Maximo Nivel showed me the ropes, and made me feel like family. I’m already planning my next trip back! Do yourselves a favor, and volunteer with this passionate team. Everyone here has such a great energy and positive vibe. Pura vida!

One amazing week volunteering in Costa Rica. My daughter and I volunteered in Casa Hogar Maria a home for children ages 0 to 6. We volunteered the morning shift so we had time to explore San Jose in the afternoons. I was a little apprehensive since I had never done anything like this before but the Team at Maximo Nivel is incredible with their support. Working with the children was a wonderful experience. I was sad to see the week go by so fast. One week was not enough. I look forward to returning in the future and volunteering on another project.

Although I was only in Costa Rica for one week, it was an amazing week. I worked at a local orphanage called Hogar Infantil Maria with kids whose ages ranged from a 10 day old baby to a 6 year old. The kids are so polite and clearly excited about having people to play with. They are full of energy so there was always something to do during my 3 hour morning shift. There was never a dull moment during my trip. I loved the project I signed up for, I loved my host famlily, and I loved everything in between. To anyone who is interested in doing what I was able to do, or anything similar, Do it! There are so many things to do when visiting a different country and so many wonderful people to meet along the way. My only piece of advice would be to go for more than just one week because it flies by!

A friend asked me what my one favorite thing was about volunteering in Ostional on the turtle project - I couldn't pick one. I was placed with a family and was able to really be immersed in the culture and the language. My homestay family was so kind and gracious, I met great friends, who I hope to carry with me for the rest of my life, and turtles! I was there during arribadas and was able to experience hatchlings and the nesting process of adult Olive Ridleys and we even got to work with a leatherback! On our time off, we adventured to other towns and beaches and when we came back to Ostional, it felt like coming home. The volunteer posiion itself could be really physically demanding, but I wouldn't change it for the world. It was truly one of the coolest things I've ever done.

Whether you're new to traveling or a seasoned volunteer abroad, Maximo Nivel is amazing. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and they provided all the support we needed to feel comfortable, safe, and equipped for our project. We were teaching English in one of the poor neighborhoods near San Jose, and it was great to have access to computers, supplies, and TEFL certified field managers to do our lesson planning. They made sure we had everything we needed and then some. I have taught English before with other organizations abroad, and did not receive nearly as much support. They also partner with a local travel agency so you can plan excursions and activities during or after your volunteer experience. I would HIGHLY recommend using Maximo Nivel to volunteer abroad!

As a volunteer, I worked in a nursing home in San Jose in Costa Rica. It was very interesting, and I was suprised at how many responsibilities I was given - sorting medications, taking vital signs, interacting with patients, helping in decorating, helping feed patients, and so on. I highly recommend it if you're like me and a pre-med student trying to improve your application for medical school - you have the opportunity to do a lot of things that you wouldn't be able to do without specialized training in the United States. San Jose itself is pretty cool, but if you do come to this project, make sure that you take the weekends off to go explore the countryside of Costa Rica. The staff is very helpful, and they have all sorts of trips that you can sign up for through a travel agency literally nex tdoor.