Location
  • Guatemala
    • Antigua
Length
1 to 52 weeks

Program Details

Language
English
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
665
Price Details
Maximo Nivel offers top-rated volunteer abroad programs. We strive to offer all-inclusive program fees that are affordable, transparent, and accessible to everyone. Along with Maximo’s professional program management, multi-lingual team, and 24/7 in-country support, your volunteer program includes:
Airport pick-up
Host family accommodations (shared room)
Breakfast and dinner, 7 days/week
3-4 hours/day practical work, Monday-Friday
Program and safety orientation
Walking tour
Official certificate of volunteer service
Letter of recommendation
Spanish language tutoring table
Tandem Conversation Program
Office-wide WiFi and computer lab
Salsa dance classes
Cooking classes
Institute is open 7 days/week
Emergency contact number 24/7
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Some Meals Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance
Feb 12, 2025
Mar 14, 2025
100 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

From stunning volcanoes to its captivating Maya heritage, Guatemala is a popular travel destination. However, over half of its population is living in poverty. International volunteers can help in a wide variety of ways, from working with kids to helping out at an eco-agriculture project. Make your travels meaningful!

With Maximo Nivel, you can travel sustainably without sacrificing excellent customer service. Professional field managers bring structure to your experience abroad while helping you meet the community’s real needs. Volunteer projects are run out of our institute in the quaint cobblestone streets of Antigua.

What to Expect:
- Transportation, Accommodation & Meals Included
- No Registration or Processing Fees
- Field Managers Present at Project Sites
- Access to Maximo’s Campus 7 Days a Week
- New Programs Start Every Monday

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
  • Earn University Credits
  • No Registration or processing fees
  • 24/7 in-country support

Popular Programs

Working with Kids  in Guatemala

Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed! By volunteering with kids in Guatemala, you help keep at-risk youth off the street and in the classroom. From homework help to extracurricular activities, your time is what matters most. Volunteer placements include projects at daycare facilities, community centers, orphanages, schools and enrichment programs in and around Antigua. Make an impact that will last longer than your trip.

Teach English in Guatemala

Learning English opens doors, but the majority of Guatemalans can’t afford classes. In public schools across the country, ESL programs lack adequate funding and native instructors. Private language institutes are not an option for the average family, but volunteers like you can help close the gap. Volunteer placements include projects at underserved schools, after-school programs and community centers in and around Antigua. Become a part of building brighter futures.

Volunteer in Medicine & Healthcare in Guatemala

Many Guatemalan medical facilities lack sufficient funding, resources and staff. Local healthcare professionals need volunteers like you to meet the community’s needs. Volunteer placements include projects at hospitals, clinics and assisted living facilities in and around Antigua, as well as mobile medical campaigns and vaccination programs. Help care for vulnerable and rural communities that aren’t receiving adequate medical attention.

Construction projects in Guatemala

The Guatemalan economy cannot continue to develop as long as poor infrastructure stands in its way. The impact of construction and renovation projects is undeniable. You’ll make a difference you can actually see. Volunteers help build community centers, medical clinics, schools, assisted living facilities, housing and churches in and around Antigua. No building experience is required, only a willingness to work. Spark change: give Guatemalan communities the means to grow.

Program Reviews

4.87 Rating
based on 235 reviews
  • 5 rating 87.66%
  • 4 rating 11.49%
  • 3 rating 0.85%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.7
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.8
  • Value 4.7
  • Safety 4.85
Showing 1 - 8 of 235 reviews
Default avatar
Santbir
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Antigua Maximo

Everything exceeded my expectations! The city is beautiful and the weather was amazing. The food was unique and excellent. The staff were all very friendly and supportive and answered any questions. The host family was very sweet and accommodating. Their house was beautiful and they had a very sweet dog. Lorena was the host! The place we volunteered at (cat cafe) was an awesome fulfilling experience. Everyone who worked there was very patient with us! It was the perfect experience for me and my girlfriend Brooke Doyle.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Do as many of the extra events as possible! Volunteer work was only 4 hours a day for us so we had the afternoons free. We did a volcano trail at PACAYA that was exhausting but worth the hike for the sunset views! The coffee tour was our favorite event. It was at a small town near Antigua and a family run business. We also did a tour of the market and saw the Mayan museum and the view from the second floor of city hall.
Pros
  • The extra events as described above
  • The friendly staff
  • The beautiful city
Cons
  • Nothing really just maybe inconvenience of not being able to flush toilet paper and drink tap water
2 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jean
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Positive recommendation

Second week in and another month to come. So far, happy with the program and teacher! The school location is tight in the corner of Antigua near the central park.

Two buildings, one three levels with open air, private spacing, great accommodations, and more.

I am from Canada but spend two to three months/ year. I have family living here( some with English) and it does help by listening and trying to get basic sentences together. My first language French Canadian is also very helpful. I go to school 3 days/week for two-hour sessions.

What was your funniest moment?
more difficult to learn a language when you get older nut still, I believe that I will be able to manage within the next 4 months
Pros
  • great professional set up
  • I would most likely recomend the school for most categories of learners
  • pricing reasonable
Cons
  • only two weeks in the program, no con
2 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Joanna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Dental volunteering

Great fun and loads of support given before and during the programme. Lovely host family and friendly guests from all over the world. It was really good at the end of the day to catch up with everyone. Delicious food and lots of local sites and restaurants to visit.

I did the 2 hourly one-to-one lessons Spanish course which really helped progress my limited skills. If you are coming to help the dental program and can donate any stock or materials they will be greatly appreciated so please ask.

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

February 25 at the Eco-farm in Guatemala

I had so much fun in here during the whole month of February 2025. This agriculture project was far better than i had expected. I got to know the owners and workers quite well. They were all very kind and generous and they showed great appreciation for any type of help provided to them. This place is a beautiful little paradise. Either you weed, rake leaves, plant, water, feed little animals or just watching the Maya spiral gardens, you find yourself in a different world and this environment is a perfect place for reflexions and the surroundings help in soothing your soul. I am certainly thinking very hard to come back here. I highly recommend this place and don’t be shy to apply for this program as Eco-Farm Guatemala is growing fast and they could do with more volunteers.

Pros
  • Being outside and enjoying the great weather in Antigua
  • Flexible working hours
  • The two co-founders of Eco farm are good communicators and close to their people
Cons
  • Equipment a bit old and difficult to finish tasks efficiently
3 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Brooke
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical Volunteering

Jorge, Medical Volunteer Director, is truly exceptional and so knowledgeable! He supports you throughout the entire duration- always available for questions, eager to teach, and very personable. He creates a warm and welcoming environment that allows for all other areas of the program to be successful (volunteer placement, extracurricular activities, cultural immersion, and overall experience).

He goes above and beyond to cater your experience to your interests. I would highly recommend doing a medical volunteer project with Jorge overseeing your project.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be eager to learn and ask questions. Immerse yourself in the culture and take advantage of all the opportunities you are presented with!
Pros
  • Hands- On Learning
  • Cultural Immersion
  • Project Placement
Cons
  • Low Volunteer Hours
8 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Melissa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical Volunteer Program

Overall an amazing experience. The program was very attentive to the needs of each volunteer, which optimized the learning experience. As a volunteer in the medical program, I can attest to the value and impact that basic healthcare can make in the lives of individuals who are unable to easily access support and address their needs. In addition to learning, the opportunities to explore and submerse oneself in the culture was abundant. I had plenty of time to see the city and partake in tourist experiences.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Climbing the Acatenango Volcano.
Pros
  • Learning
  • Cultural experiences
  • Safety
Cons
  • Cost
  • Short hours of volunteering
7 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Glenn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Eco Agriculture

I volunteered on Eco Farm Antigua. The staff gave a very detailed tour of the property the first day. We learned so much about the processes they are incorporating and the future plans of their organization. Very nice accommodating volunteer environment, and I hope to do it again. The volunteer opportunity was so much more than advertised, in a good way. I was expecting a basic coffee farm, but was able to experience so much more on the complex Eco Farm. Great experience! I hope to do it again in the near future.

Pros
  • Help promote organic movement
  • Learn about Mayan agriculture
  • Very comfortable volunteer environment
10 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Marina
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

So Glad I Booked the Trip!

At first I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I booked my volunteering in Guatemala, but I’m so glad I did! Everyone here is super friendly and helpful and I hope to be back someday! The children that I was teaching were awesome and the other volunteer I was teaching with was so nice and we became friends quickly. I also loved my homestay location and host family! The meals were great and I felt very taken care of. Can’t wait to come back and explore more that Guatemala has to offer! Thanks for a great time!

Pros
  • Learning Spanish with immersion
  • Exploring a new city
  • Meeting like minded people
Cons
  • Safety is a concern
  • Don’t know who is joining your program ahead of time
  • Sometimes hard to make friends
13 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers