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
Jun 20, 2025
151 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 222 reviews
  • 5 rating 90.54%
  • 4 rating 9.01%
  • 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 217 - 222 of 222 reviews
Default avatar
Jenna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteer Costa Rica

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What would you improve about this program?
There was quite a bit of free time, and although I'm sure many people love that, I would have loved to spend more time with the kids in the childcare program!
60 people found this review helpful.
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Default avatar
Debbie
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

comfortable

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.

What would you improve about this program?
The tias involved more with supporting us when the kids takeoff to their Room, as we cannot go back there.


69 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Elie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica -Pura Vida

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???

71 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ajay
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fantastic experience in Costa Rica !

This was our first overseas volunteer experience and we did not know what to expect in terms of the culture, the stay with a local family and the volunteering itself. We were amazed by what the country had to offer and Maximo is surely the icing on the cake. They are so organized and take care of every need you have, even going out of the way to ensure your questions and needs are cared for. The Spanish lessons are extremely nice and we loved our teaches (Teddy and Angela). I wish we could stay more than just 2 weeks, and next time I will definitely plan to stay longer. I am already planning my next trip to Latin America and if I go to CR, Peru or Guatemala, it will surely be through Maximo!

Ajay and Sonali, USA.

57 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Katie
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Eco-conservation coffee plantation

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74 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Avee
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An experience not be forgotten!

I did my volunteer placement in San Jose, Costa Rica. Upon reaching the new country, as expected, there was a culture shock, especially due to the language barrier between my host family and I. However, after day 1, I adjusted rapidly. The people at Maximo Nivel were very friendly, helpful and made you feel comfortable. I was placed in an HIV clinic in Cartago, a nearby city. Volunteering there was one of the best experiences I've had. I learned so much, was able to meet many wonderful people, and enjoyed every moment there. Additionally, during my free time, I was able to go zip-lining, white water rafting, and bungee jumping. You really make your trip what you want it to be. I only wish that I had spent longer than 9 days there. It was an amazing experience!

72 people found this review helpful.
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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 !