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 15, 2022
Feb 15, 2024
135 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

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.

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.

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

4.92 Rating
based on 211 reviews
  • 5 rating 91.94%
  • 4 rating 8.06%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.8
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.85
  • Value 4.65
  • Safety 4.85
  • Benefits 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Facilities 5
  • Safety 4
Showing 17 - 24 of 211 reviews
Default avatar
Gabriel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

What a time!

I really enjoyed every second of my time here at Maximo Nivel, and I was set up with a really cool construction project, which has had a positive impact on the surrounding area and community, which helped me feel a sense of accomplishment, all whilst I was having fun and enjoying myself, and making great friends along the way. I will most definitely be recommending Maximo Nivel to my friends, as well as anyone who wants to go abroad and leave a positive impact on the country. Make sure you have a go

Pros
  • Make great friends
  • Always active
  • go out your comfort zone
Cons
  • There are none
23 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Eliana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

New Experiences and Immersion at Maximo Costa Rica

As a volunteer through Maximo Nivel, I worked at a childcare center with kids ages 2-4 in San Jose, Costa Rica. My experience was amazing! Both the kids and teachers I worked with were incredibly sweet and energetic. At the Maximo Program center, I met volunteers from so many different places around the world, as well as so many kind and supportive staff members. Additionally, the host family Maximo placed me with was so friendly and hospitable. Through immersion at the childcare center, practice activities at the Maximo Program center, and time with my host family, I was also able to develop foundational communication skills in Spanish. I am so grateful for my experience and would highly recommend this program to anyone who is interested!

Pros
  • New friends
  • Explore a new country/city
  • Learn Spanish
28 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kate
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Máximo Nivel: Most Incredible Volunteer Opportunity, best decision ever!

I would recommend Máximo Nivel a million times over. The warm, engaging staff and volunteer/student community makes you feel welcome from the moment you step in the door and I met several life-long friends. There are lots of opportunities to go explore, including around the city and the country as a whole. I felt so fulfilled working in the childcare program with students who are eager to learn-- I learned a lot about myself from them and my Spanish really flourished. I can´t say enough great things about this company and the programs, best experience ever!

Pros
  • Maximo Nivel staff support
  • Genuine connections in the program
  • Lots of adventure opportunities
24 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Brooklyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Holiday Program

I went on the Holiday Program to San Jose, Costa Rica with Maximo Nivel and IVHQ. I had an incredible experience, and I would recommend this trip to everyone. I am 18 years old, and it was my first time doing a program like this. However, I was able to adjust quickly due to the constant support and care by the Maximo Nivel staff, other volunteers, and my host family. Even though I was a solo traveler, I never felt alone. My advice to future volunteers is to come in with an open mind and kind heart, and be ready to learn, listen, adapt, and have a life changing experience!

Pros
  • Maximo Nivel staff support
  • Meeting amazing people
  • Cultural immersion
40 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Brooklyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Maximo Nivel Holiday Volunteer Program

The holiday program was overall a great experience. I think it is one of the best ways to travel to a new country while being able to give back. The volunteering fills part of the day with different types of work while leaving the rest of the day free to travel and see other parts of the city and country. It especially is a great way to travel for a long period of time as there is a host family to prepare the breakfasts and dinners. This type of a trip can accommodate a wide range of travels, from going alone to a family coming together. In the holiday program there is a group of people from all different places, and it is a great way to meet new and friendly people. Overall this trip has been the best one I have ever taken, as the volunteering experience does make an impact, so you don't feel just as a tourist, but more immersed in the country. This aspect as well as the people I have met have been the best part of the trip.

Pros
  • Price of the trip
  • Workers from Maximo Nivel
  • Immersion
Cons
  • Host family lived far away
33 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Eliana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica Holiday Program

It was a very rewarding experience and my fellow volunteers all were very lovely and nice! I became close friends with them, which was very nice. And all the activities we participated in during the mornings were very impactfu and were all very different, so there was variety and it was never boring.

Pros
  • living with a host family so you can experience a new culture
  • making an impact in the community
  • form close friends
37 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ellie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

holiday week program

We as a family were looking for an opportunity to volunteer, expose our children to a different culture, and gain a new perspective on the world. We had never volunteered before. The program was well organized, safe, knowledgeable, and fun!!!! We stayed with a host family and it was enriching. An example of our daily activities include painting murals for an orphanage and spending time with the elderly. Afternoons were free for excursions or spanish classes. Highly recommend this program. The staff are kind and caring. We look forward to coming back to volunteer.

Pros
  • Fun
  • Organized
  • Impactful
Cons
  • none
32 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Eliana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica Medical Campaign Winter 2022

I had such a great experience! The staff was super helpful and showed us around the area. Our host family was so sweet and we had great food every day. I loved being immersed in Spanish and the culture of Costa Rica. Working with the community was so fun. I loved going to different places each day. It was great to learn about medicine in general here in Costa Rica. I wish we could have stayed longer to help more people in the community. We loved all of the activities. I couldn't have asked for a better trip.

Pros
  • The staff
  • Working with the community
Cons
  • Too short
36 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 !