Location
  • Peru
    • Cusco
    • Machu Picchu
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 Hotel
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 Domestic Airfare Travel Insurance
Feb 15, 2022
Mar 04, 2024
88 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Peru is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of natural resources. However, its social development has not kept pace with its commercial development, and Peruvians still wrestle with illiteracy and basic social justice. Peru works hard at self-improvement, making it an ideal place for international volunteers to get involved, contribute to sustainable programs, and provide help to vulnerable populations. There is no shortage of things to get done in Peru and international volunteers can truly learn to serve here.

Maximo Nivel provides volunteer abroad projects at our institute in Cusco, Peru, both in and outside of the city center. Projects are also available off-site in the Sacred Valley (mountains), the Amazon region (rainforest), and Quillabamba (rainforest), some of which are rural areas and offer a more “off-the-grid” experience than the city of Cusco. Volunteers always have the opportunity to serve in both urban and rural communities.

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
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • Academic credit available
  • All-inclusive program fees from $665

Popular Programs

Working with Kids

Homelessness and poverty have left many children in Latin America without access to proper education and a 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 them.

Teaching English

Speaking English is a life-changing skill for people in developing countries, because the language opens both academic and professional opportunities, and provides a path out of poverty.

Conservation projects in Peru

Your work may be focused on reforestation, organic gardening, wildlife and animal monitoring, trail maintenance, and educational workshops for local communities.

Construction Projects in Peru

Maximo Nivel’s construction programs focus on community development. Construction projects may include building or repairing homes, adding classrooms to schools, or making structural improvements to clinics.

Program Reviews

4.94 Rating
based on 135 reviews
  • 5 rating 94.07%
  • 4 rating 5.93%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.75
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.8
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.85
  • Program Selection 5
  • Pre-departure Help 5
  • In-program Support 5
  • Impact on Student 5
  • Value 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 135 reviews
Default avatar
Heidi
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible Experience

My experience volunteering and taking Spanish lessons with Maximo Nivel in Cusco, Perú was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with warmth and enthusiasm by the dedicated team, who all made me feel like so welcome and safe.

The volunteering program provided me with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the local community. The Maximo Nivel team ensured that I was happy and comfortable in my volunteering project, checking up on me all the time.

Overall, my experience was exceptional. I not only gained valuable skills and knowledge, but I also formed meaningful connections and had the opportunity to make a positive impact. I highly recommend Maximo Nivel to anyone looking for an unforgettable and rewarding experience abroad.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Probably alpaca or ‘cuy’ which is guinea pig!!
Pros
  • Spending time with my lovely host family
  • Going to the Salsa classes at Maximo Nivel
  • Looking after the elderly and kids through my volunteering
4 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
curt
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Maximo NIvel

Good classes, well organized and flexible to personal needs. Home stay comfortable, family friendly, good food. Nice facilities, love the coffee. I did not have any concerns with the classes. The professor was helpful and deferred from the rigid textbook lay out when I expressed the limited time I had to learn specific things for work. The school is near the center of Cusco for you interests in shopping, food or excursions. The tandem conversations were about as helpful as the actual classes. Would recommend.

Pros
  • Easy to apply
  • Well organized and flexible classes
  • NIce home stays
101 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Panthera Jungle Conservation

I had an amazing time doing the Jungle Conservation project near Puerto Maldonado. The crew and my fellow volunteers were a lot of fun, the food was amazing, and the animals I saw were incredible - whether they were wild or pets. I enjoyed having a different job to do every day - it kept things fresh and interesting. The living arrangements were basic but the necessities were provided. Spending a few weeks in the jungle with no connection to the outside world was refreshing. I would definitely return!

Pros
  • Disconnecting from technology
  • Meeting awesome, like-minded people
  • The delicious food
Cons
  • Volunteers who did not want to be there
  • Quite a lot of free time
  • Cold showers
130 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Tayla
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Maximo Nivel

My experience was amazing with the kids. It was extremely hard to communicate because I have beginner Spanish and they did not really let us know that it would be that difficult to communicate with the kids and family. I had someone who spoke fluent spanish to help me but I did not get much help from staff. We took a test and did not find out how well we did and was not informed that I would need to be fluent. But overall the staff was very kind and supportive and helped me with questions I had and donations I brought.

Pros
  • A lot of volunteering experiences to choose from
  • Office is right in the city so you can have support every day
  • The staff spoke good English
Cons
  • Not as supportive with my project or spanish as I thought
  • Expensive ish
132 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Gaia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

panthera

we saw a huge range of amazing animals during the program including monkeys, wild pigs, cats, snakes and so many more and our guides were very knowledgable about all of them and so i feel like i learnt a lot. I really enjoyed the downtime, such as playing volleyball, swimming in the river and a big range of differant card games. i liked how every day the activities were differant for example collecting fruit, planting trees, working on the green house, marking and clearing trails and birdwatching. panthera is an amazing place and my 3 weeks went by so fast and i loved every minute of it.

Pros
  • you learn a lot about differant plant and aninimal species living there
  • great way to disconectt from the world-i didn´t miss not having internet at all
  • meet a lot of like minded people
149 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ann
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Andean Immersion

My father, friend, and I stayed with the most amazing family in Umasbama. It was an experience we will never forget. They made us feel so welcome, and just like family. We helped them with their animals, prepare meals, harvest crops, and dye textiles. My favorite part was spending the weekend with them. We went to a nearby town for a big party with a lot of traditional dancing. They also taught us how to make bracelets and hats, which is a skill I will take with me and always remember them. We will defnitely be visiting this family again in the future.

Pros
  • The family we stayed with
Cons
  • Other volunteers
146 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
alexandre
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Spanish Immersion

Merci de m'avoir appris l'espagnol. En une semaine j'ai deja fais beaucoup de progres. Avec 6 h par semaine:

Petite recomendation : utiliser d'autres support que le livre pour les cours comme des supports numeriques.

English:

Thanks for teaching me Spanish. In one week I have already made a lot of progress. With 6 hours per week:

Small recommendation: use other media than the book for the courses such as digital media

139 people found this review helpful.
Jean
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience

I loved working with the dogs. My experience was incredibly rewarding and the time I spent there felt impactful. The dogs were very receptive to any love and attention they received, and it was made apparent that a little would go a long way. I was able to work with individuals from all around the world and learn more about the culture in Peru. Everyone was very helpful and eager to share experiences, which made every moment worthwhile. Learning Spanish was challenging and exciting, and it was great to have the opportunity to practice the language on a daily basis.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
guinea pig - it tasted similar to duck with its own unique flavour
176 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers