Volunteer in Costa Rica with Maximo Nivel - Best Rated Projects

Had an amazing experience. For a first time solo traveller, it helped ease the worries of travelling alone and language barriers of a foreign country. Maximo Nivel was very supportive and helped me experience more than I would've imagined. All the staff I had the opportunity to meet were very kind and helpful, it was an fantastic experience, like none other. Not only was the host in San Jose very kind and cooked delicious meals but made us all feel very welcomed and safe. This program provided great information with travels and where to get needs. The staff in Ostional were amazing, truly some great people who really loved what they did and had a good time doing it, I would love to go again. They were friendly helpful, and really helped us to quickly learn so we could make an impact. I always felt welcomed and safe no matter where I was, I was with other new found friends from this program at all times and it made the travelling much more fun and comfortable.

From start to finish, this program was a fantastic experience.

The communication and preparation before I arrived in Costa Rica was brilliant, and when I finally got here I felt so welcomed and supported. The team at Maximo Nivel are all incredibly helpful and really want you to get the most out of the experience, even though I was only able to stay 10 days - I took advantage of the opportunities offered in the San Jose office such as salsa classes and the free coffee. My host mum, Vicky, was also fantastic...you can tell that Maximo seek out individuals who are warm, welcoming and (as a bonus) excellent cooks!

My project was a daycare centre in Purral, and I had the most amazing time there. My first day was their Christmas party - and it was manic! However, it was a perfect example of how hard the staff at the daycare work, and how much they genuinely love and cared about the kids there. I spent my mornings getting covered in paint and glitter, being used as a human climbing frame, and laughing and dancing with the kids...truly the best few hours of any day!

I am a teacher back home and speak some Spanish so felt comfortable leading some games and activities - but there was never any pressure for me to do this. The main thing I felt I was able to contribute was an extra pair of hands for the thinly stretched regular teachers, whether it was with reading stories, playing games, or lining up the toothbrushes for the kids after the meal they get at midday. Top tips for any childcare project - learn their nams as soon as possible, don´t wear clothes you care too much about, and jump in with confidence and energy!

I would definitely recommend this experience to everyone - Maximo will support you through it all to allow you to learn more about yourself and make a difference to the wonderful people they work with.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 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.