Volunteer in Costa Rica with Maximo Nivel - Best Rated Projects

I did the healthcare program in San Jose Costa Rica and absolutely loved it. It was the perfect combination of work and play as the placements were about 4 hours per day. The Maximo Nivel staff was so supportive once I was in the country. I was a little nervous in the beginning because I only had a week to make an impact and experienced a degree of culture shock on my first day here. However, after the orientations, meeting my host family, and the arrival of another volunteer, I felt right at home. I did not feel unsafe at any point of my program and was well prepared. It may seem as though you are heading into your program slightly blind, but you get all of the information you need as soon as you are picked up from the airport and taken to your host family. All the other volunteers are wonderful and you are all in different points of your journey so you can learn from each other. Even though I only volunteered for one week, I got to know the employees of the volunteer well and am so grateful to have met them.

In my opinion, you should have a basic level of Spanish speaking ability if you are coming for a short time. It makes the world of a difference in connecting with patients and your placement staff.

I highly recommend this experience to anybody looking to volunteer abroad in a meaningful and fun way!

I'm so grateful to have participated in Maximo Nivel's Medical Volunteer program in Costa Rica. All aspects of the program were terrific- the staff at Maximo were pleasant and professional. The program was well organized and well run. My host family was warm and inviting. The accommodations were spotless and very comfortable and the food was great. I'm a nurse in my home country and found the work at my project very rewarding and with just the right amount of patient interaction. The staff at my project were warm and very appreciative.

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

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.