Best Rated Volunteer Abroad Programs in Latin America
- Peru
- Cusco
- Guatemala
- Antigua
- Costa Rica
- San José
- Playa Blanca
About Program
Maximo Nivel is a locally based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Partnering with local communities ensures that our volunteers cater to the needs of the residents. Maximize your impact by getting involved in one of our various volunteer projects abroad.
Since 2003, Maximo Nivel has been a leader in educational travel and study abroad. We are a professional, ethical, and hard-working organization that is completely dedicated to the communities we serve while providing an exceptional experience to every participant, student, traveler, and client!
In your volunteer abroad program at Maximo Nivel:
- All-inclusive—shared accommodations, meals, and many extras.
- Field Managers work side-by-side with volunteers to ensure integration at project sites.
- Great home-base facilities, open 7 days/week, including holidays.
- Special add-on programs: Surf School, Scuba Certification, Yoga Certification, and more
- Earn university credit via our School of Record
Video and Photos
Diversity & Inclusion
LGBTQIA+ Support
Impact
Ethical Impact
Program Highlights
- New volunteer programs start every Monday year-round
- All-inclusive—shared accommodations, meals, and many extras
- 24/7 in-country support
- No registration or processing fees
- We bring structure and organization to your volunteer program, and we match you with the best project according to your experience, personal goals and the positive impact you want to have.
Popular Programs
Homelessness and poverty left many children in Latin America without access to proper education or loving environment. Maximo Nivel’s childcare projects aspire to change children’s lives by providing caring and nurturing volunteers to work, study, and play with. Our childcare programs are for caring and responsible people who want to improve the lives of underprivileged kids. Attention and care go a long way in the development of young people and your help is needed and appreciated!
The public education systems in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru don't include quality ESL classes. Speaking English is a life-changing skill for people in developing countries, because the language opens academic and professional opportunities and provides a path out of poverty. Most middle and upper class students learn English at private language centers, which are too expensive for a large part of the population. This creates an unfair gap between those who can and cannot afford lessons.
Construction projects in Latin America are the highest impact volunteer programs available, you can literally see and touch the work you do and the impact you make! Central & South America are interesting places to learn about traditional and more modern building methods. Work with adobe, plaster, and bamboo or cement block, drywall, and aluminum. Construction and renovation work benefits developing communities that need help with infrastructure such as housing, schools, and community centers.
Maximo Nivel’s Animal Care programs are available in Guatemala and Peru, where animals are not viewed as family members, nor is there a well-developed culture of animal rights. There is little education or understanding of animals and their needs. Alleys are filled with packs of abandoned dogs and cats who suffer from hunger and health issues. The lack of spaying/neutering means they breed quickly. Exotic species are illegally captured as pets and farm animals are often neglected due to poverty.
Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru offer universal healthcare to their citizens and all 3 countries have large nationalized healthcare systems but government funding and bureaucracy along with large rural populations mean that many patients don't have equal access. Hospitals for low income families often lack staff and proper resources keep vulnerable populations healthy. Volunteering in a medical placement truly makes a difference in the lives of hospital professionals and their patients.
Response from Maximo Nivel
Thank you for your comments. I am very sorry your experience was not what you expected—this is never what we want for you or anyone who takes part in our programs. I’ve met with our Costa Rica Team, including our Director of International Programs (Marta) and our Field Manager (Emily), to review the points you’ve raised. It’s important to clarify some of the things you describe, so please let me address them one-by-one to be sure you have the answers you need.
You were transported directly from our institute to the bus station by our driver. The bus tickets to Monteverde were pre-purchased and provided to you. The bus transportation was described in detail during your orientation and you were given printed instructions. We send five to eight people to our projects in Monteverde every week and our Field Managers also visit this project site on a regular basis.
We work with two host families in Monteverde and they host our volunteers year-round. We’ve been working with these families and the coffee farm since 2011, and the families and the project very much enjoy hosting our volunteers.
Depending on where you are in Costa Rica, WiFi can be a little spotty, but WiFi normally works quite well in Monteverde. There’d be no reason for the family or the project to disconnect WiFi as it’s a fixed monthly fee for internet service. You’re right that cell phone service is limited in Monteverde, but the host family and the project have very reliable landline phone service 24/7 for any urgent needs.
There is no reason to walk to the town of Santa Elena (10 km / 6.2 miles), as there’s regular taxi service available from the project site. As well, the village where the project is located, has a clinic and a store for food, snacks, drinks, etc. Emergency service is available via doctors at the clinic and there is ambulance service for serious cases.
Our Director of International Programs (Marta) and our Field Manager (Emily) spoke with you directly three times during your 2-week program; and Marta personally conducted your orientation. Emily also offered you a project change in order to maximize your work time on the 24th and 25th of December, but you opted to stay at the coffee farm.
I hope my explanation helps to answer your concerns. Please feel free to contact me directly to discuss your program.
Thank you,
Paula Piazza, Director of Admissions & Client Service