...Maximo is great. But, they have zero volunteer loyalty and their number 1 priority is earning money for the business aspect, rather than their projects and their voluneers, and it shows in the way they treat their staff, their host families, and their volunteers who stay for more than 3 weeks. If you're looking to make a significant impact, which requires someowhat of a chunk of time, find a different organization. Behind the scenes, Maximo cares about making their money and nothing else, and unfortunately this has a negative impact on their projects and volunteers.

I just returned home from assisting with the "Madre Crea con Hijos" construction project for two weeks volunteering with Maximo Nivel. This was a women's rehabilitation facility with children located in Coronado in the province of San Jose.

Some of the daily tasks included installing sheet metal, laying concrete, painting, and tiling. I went into the project hoping to make a difference and that is exactly what occurred. As you complete each and every day at work, you notice all the progress and improvements that have been made and you get this uplifting feeling. It is truly a surreal experience knowing that your hard work is well appreciated.

The Maximo Nivel staff made the whole volunteer trip as smooth as possible right from the very first day of orientation to the last. They were well organized and always available to answer any questions that you had.

The accommodation at the home-stay with the host family was a unique experience for me and I really enjoyed it. The home cooked meals are really good and if one of your goals is to learn Spanish while volunteering, then this is one of the best ways to do it.

The whole experience was truly amazing from contributing to your project, to exploring the beautiful sights of Costa Rica, to making lifelong friendships with the volunteers at Maximo. The best advice I can give anyone considering volunteering abroad is to just do it! Once you immerse yourself in the culture and begin assisting at your project, you will not look back. Numerous discussions among volunteers are usually with regards to planning another volunteer trip in the near future.

All in all, Maximo Nivel was a great organization to work with and I felt this trip opened up new horizons for me. It was truly an experience of a lifetime.

PURA VIDA!

I expected to come abroad and have an incredible experience teaching English this summer, but never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that this please, and the people with whom I am working could touch my heart the way that they have. My biggest fears about coming were my host family, and a lack of support system while in a foreign country, and now that I am here, I can't believe I was ever concerned. After six short weeks, my Costa Rican family already feels like my own family, and not only do I feel supported by the Maximo Nivel staff, but I also feel loved, and known, which is more than I could've ever asked for.

As per my project, I am not going to lie, it isn't what I was expecting. I was expecting to be in a classroom with a bunch of screaming children who would rather do just about anything than listen to me speak English. Instead, I am not only helping teach, but also learning from two of the most special groups of people I've yet to encounter. I'm getting to not only watch them struggle through conjugations and exams, but also getting to watch them anticipate the births of their first children, being welcomed into their homes, and building friendships that will leave hold a permanent place in my heart.

It's amazing how when we have no expectations at all, life can totally take us by surprise, and that is the best way I can describe my experience with Maximo Nivel in Costa Rica. I am love with this country, these people, their language and Maximo and would recommend it absolutely anyone. Best of luck!

During the first week of May 2013, a group of nine of us from the University of Michigan volunteered through Maximo Nivel in San Jose, Costa Rica to help with construction improvements in un hogar de ancianos, a shelter for the elderly in Tejarcillos. I speak for the whole group when I say the trip was one of the most amazing experiences of our lives. By the time the end of the week came, we wanted nothing else but to extend our stay in Costa Rica. In fact, as we were leaving Costa Rica, we were all ready planning our Maximo Nivel trip for next year.

This trip could not have been as incredible without the amazing work of the Maximo Nivel team. Maximo Nivel worked tirelessly to ensure that my group had a comfortable place to stay, a project that met our interests, an itinerary that included both work and play, and a clear budget for my group to plan around. Without the talent of Maximo Nivel employees, this trip would have never happened. In country, we felt completely safe with Maximo Nivel and our house mom. Maximo Nivel has its own private transportation through TransLeo Tours in Costa Rica, and the transportation was reliable and safe. Our house mom was delightful and made sure that we felt at home.

Overall, volunteering through Maximo Nivel was a life-altering experience. We gained more perspective on other culture, but we also grew closer as a group. I won't ever forget the community's pastora thanking us and telling us that God brought us to Tejarcillos to make a difference. This trip has touched and has helped us further appreciate the impact of taking time in our lives to reach out and work with others to make the world a better place.

I was a medical volunteer for one week in Costa Rica through IVHQ and Maximo Nivel. Overall, the experience was truly a great one. I felt as though I did impact the people I was working with and affected there lives positively. My day to day schedule was my project from 8-12 and then free time from 12 until bed time. With my free time, I shopped in downtown San Jose, zip-lined, took the Doka, Poas, LaPaz tour (HIGHLY RECOMMEND), and I bungee jumped on my last day all in my one week stay! I did all my tours through Trans-Leo and although they are slightly overpriced, the convenience and time saved in my opinion makes it well worth it. My host family was very nice, although no English was spoken in the home to the family. The people at Maximo Nivel were very kind and helpful but let you be independent as well, so, be prepared for that.

The most difficult thing I had to deal with was arrival. Finding my ride took about 15 mins but it was smooth sailing from then. Be calm, and do not worry if this happens to you. Just call and they will help you as they did me. Also, it is very stressful to not know what you will actually be doing once in CR, but you will find out on day one of arrival. My best advice is to just relax, let things happen, and pack scrubs and plan to wear those every day at you project.

I can't even begin to describe how amazing my experience was! I volunteered in Costa Rica with Maximo Nivel for four weeks, and my only regret is that I didn't stay longer. I worked on two projects, childcare and turtle conservation. Every moment in each project was simply amazing. Upon arrival, I was welcomed by helpful, loving staff who all quickly became friends. Any time I had a question or conern they were more than happy to help. They went above and beyond my expecations.
The projects were both great learning experiences, but you definitely get out of it what you put into it. We were only with the kids for a few hours every day but in that time we grew to love them. It was wonderful getting to see how they live day to day, getting to play with them, and teach them.
The turtle project was indescribeable, spending time on the beach, meeting people from all over the world, and learning all about sea turtles and the effort to learn about them and help the populations grow.
Without hesitation, I would HIGHLY recommend Maximo Nivel to anyone. I would return to Costa Rica to work with them again in a heartbeat.

I was nervous at first, but felt much better after orientation and meeting other volunteers. My placement at an orphanage teaching English was as Maximo said...chaotic. The children take a while to warm up to you (who can blame them?), but the first hug you get makes it worthwhile. I made a picture along with a young girl, and had the other volunteers "vote" on which one they liked better.Her grin when she won (and got a first place ribbon I made), was priceless. You can tell she felt special! The biggest difficulty I saw was the "competition" from their television and snacks during our time there in the afternoons. Luckily, we could usually get them outside at some point. Very sweet kids, but they have obviously been through a lot. One more suggestion would be to try and pair someone fluent in Spanish with the rest of us, at least in the beginning. The kids seem to listen better for awhile afterwards.

Waking up at 6:30 to wonderful aroma of fresh Costa Rican Coffee and Gallo Pinto ( rice & beans) seved with a fried egg and fried plantains my fav!!!Catching the local bus only .50 cent fare and runs regularly every 10 min's (except for rush hour around the universities).Arrive in San Jose in about 20 mins and walking the beautiful Avenida Central (pedestrian only avenue) for approx another 15-20 mins to catch the second bus to my project. On the way pass by many Tostadors (Roasting place) (coffee & nuts)$1 for amazing coffee also cappuccino, lattes you name it! And the most appetizing aromas form the freshly baked pastries in the various bakeries!Easy breakfast, ooops I forgot already had breakfast at home OK just a snack, hahaha! With all the walking and the playing with the kids (skipping rope and soccer)once you arrive at the project, no problem!Beautiful faces and open hearts!What else can one ask for???