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
131 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 57 - 64 of 211 reviews
Default avatar
Renee
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Extremely Rewarding

I completed three weeks of childcare volunteering with maximo nivel and there is nothing I can say more than how amazing it was. The childcare was far away from the city in a poorer area and while considered unsafe, I didn't experience anything negative. Everyone is incredibly warm and welcoming, it makes transition into a foreign country that much easier. The children are the sweetest gems I've ever met and while the language barier can be challenging at times, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge. It helps to take lessons or know some basic spanish as everyone predominatly speaks spanish. Maximo also offers free salsa classes and cooking classes which are great. One person I'll never forget is my host mom, she is the kindest and sweetest soul. Always went out of her way to make sure we were well fed and comfortable. Keeping an open mind throughout the entire time helped avoid going through any tough experiences. Other than that if you're considering a trip like this definitely go for it, when will you ever be able to sip sangrias on a beautiful carribean beach one day and help out the kindest and sweetest kids on the next.

What would you improve about this program?
Volunteers should all be able to meet each other as a whole.
54 people found this review helpful.
Read my full story
Default avatar
Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Childcare in San Jose

I worked at a local daycare in San Jose for a week in Costa Rica. I cannot say enough about my experience! The staff is very supportive and you leave with an experience like no other. I recommend taking the Spanish classes, even if you are only there for a short time. During my week at the daycare, the kids taught me Spanish. Even with the language barrier, I was able to communicate with the staff and the kids. The kids are so appreciate of everything and really enjoy volunteers coming to hang out with them. My host family was very accomodating and helped me with any questions I had. My family memories were making Santa faces with the kids out of paper plates. Also, I enjoyed when the older kids and I would help each other learn the others language (I helped them with English and they helped me with Spanish). I will never forget this experience and look forward to doing it again!

43 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Healthcare and Spanish in Costa Rica

Through Maximo Nivel, I was in Manuel Antonio and San Jose, each for 4 weeks. The Spanish teachers at Maximo are so wonderful. I had no experience with Spanish before arriving and I learned so much in just four weeks. I feel confident living day to day life in a Spanish speaking country. I feel like I have the preparation and materials to continue learning Spanish with confidence. In San Jose, I volunteered with a healthcare project and had a very humbling and eye opening experience. I loved working with the patients and I felt supported by the Maximo Nivel staff. The field managers, supervisors, and the rest of the staff at Maximo Nivel in both Manuel Antonio and San Jose were very supportive and helpful through the duration of my stay. I have plans of volunteering and taking classes with Maximo in the future, and I cannot say enough good things about this organization.

50 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ebonie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical catargo

During my time in costa rica doing my medical program I have had the best time you get to learn so much, make life long friedships, be provided with endless support and make a difference. I am so happy to be able to come on this journay as it is something I will never forget.

This program has made a life long impact as not only have my nursing skills improved I have learnt how lucky we are.

I would reccommend this to everyone because its a once in a life time experience which has been a blast, for furture volunteers it ,ay be scary but it will be amaing and by backing out you will have so many regrets. I was so scared when I first got here I thought I had made a mistake by coming her but now I dont want to leave. the staff are amazing and provide so much support so there is no need to be afraid just take the jump and do it.

I feel so blessed to be able to do this I have made so many memories with patients, other volunteers, friends and staff.

What would you improve about this program?
I have no comments its amazing. There are no faults in this program its full of learning opportunities, support and new friendships
57 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Nadia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience

Spending 3 weeks with maximo doing medical voluntering has been a massive eye opener. I have learnt so much from the country and the people. Working with the nurses and doctors was very interesting and seeing the way that they execute different procedures. Even with the language barrier between my english and spanish i was able to bond with my patients and the nurses. This trip has allowed me to meet life long friends and do things i would not normally do. I definitely recommend taking the advise from the locals to travel on your weekends because there is so much of the country that needs to be seen.

Maximo itself was amazing, the staff are so friendly and helpful. i never felt uncomfortable and would definitely do something like this again.

What would you improve about this program?
Maximo in my opinion doesnt need improving. the organisation and welcoming nature of the unit is fantastic. would not fault the service.
52 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Mary Catherine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Costa Rica Experience

What an amazing experience in San Jose - from the host family, to the staff at Maximo, to the childcare facility - everything and everyone was amazing. The staff at Maximo was helpful leading up to the program and all throughout the week. Maximo hosted lots of different events throughout the week that you can participate in as you wish - like trivia night, cooking classes, and salsa lessons. It´s great that they help arrange travel from the airport to the city and they can help you arrange day trips or half day trips around Costa Rica. My host family was so warm and welcoming and made sure that I was enjoying my time and provided both breakfast and dinner every day. I am so glad I decided to take time off from work to come and experience the amazing experience that is Costa Rica and volunteering through Maximo.

56 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
John
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Cartago Medical

At risk of sounding cliche, this was a lifechanging experience. Without knowing what to expect, I was placed in an assisted living facility in Cartago. My spanish leaves something to be desired, and the first week it was difficult to converse with the nurses and residents. Everyone I encountered however was extremely patient and kind. Further, there were nursing students at the project from a local university, and they were helpful and it was a joy practicing spanish while they worked on english. There was a doctor who came once a week, and he was open to questions and often we had conversations about treatment options for the residents. He has a lively sense of humor and did excellent work. I was able to build meaningful relationships with the residents, nurses, and made a number of friends at Maximo. I couldn´t be happier with my placement and my time spent in Costa Rica.

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

Construction at a day-care-center

During 4 weeks, we've worked in construction at a day-care-center and we liked it. We were able to support the local taskmaster and had a lot of fun working there. The taskmaster always came along with the team, supported and encouraged us. For us it was a great experience to help with our own hands and to see a result after every day. We also liked the way to work for 3 to 4 hours a day, to take spanish classes and stay at our host family. During free time or to organize trips, you can stay at Maximo Nivel and use free internet there, which is very useful. The team of Maximo Nivel can give you great suggestions of tours and nice places to visit. Nextdoor to the school, you can find a travel agency.

Yes, specially the time with our host family was very precious; to share life with them, talk with them about everything, to spend time with them as locals. It was so worth it!

What would you improve about this program?
We personally would recommend to know some words and phrases in spanish and not to rely, that there will always be someone to translate.
49 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 !