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 57 - 64 of 135 reviews
Default avatar
Nick
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Awesome time teaching English to very eager adults in Cusco!

After teaching English to young children in Bolivia(who were lovely but also a little too rambunctious at times!), it was a delight to teach such studious adults who were also so relaxed and enjoyed a good laugh. Classes varied between 6 and 8 students and many had worked long hours before class so it was inspiring to see how hard they worked so that they could improve their English and eventually improve their career opportunities down the line. Most classes are focused on speaking and listening which made it more fun and we shared a lot of good times. Thank you to Maximo and thank you to all the great students who we worked with at Qosko Maki!

47 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Michael
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

New Experience for me

My experience at Qosko Maki made me certain that I will pursue a degree in education in the future. The opportunity to teach adults in the community were specifically great to work with. The people at this project were so grateful to have us there and I felt like I was making such a great difference in their lives. These are people who will benefit so much from having this skill and I was glad to provide whatever I could. Thanks for the great opportunity Maximo!

47 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Federico
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Construction through Maximo Nivel

I was very happy that we got to work on a clinic and help the sick people in the community because I wasn't sure whether to do the medical volunteering or the construction and this gave me the opportunity to do both! We were given the opportunity to see how construction differed in Peru than it does back home and this is something that fascinated me. I want to come back at some point maybe to another Maximo location, to do more construction work or maybe child care.

48 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Christopher
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Practical Medical Opportunity

I was so pleased with the medical work that we were able to do in for different parts of Peru. Throughout the time, we were able to see patients, do basic diagnostics, administer shots and even prescribe drugs (with the assistance of a very knowledgeable doctor). This is something that I never would have been able to do back in the United States as merely a premed student. What a cool opportunity this was for all of us. Thank you to Maximo for providing us with an experience which brought all of us closer together in a great way which helped many people in need.

52 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Magdalena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Maximo Nivel in Cusco

I was initially very nervous to travel to Cusco and participate in the medical project that I had signed up for through my school in Florida. But the Maximo team made our stay so comfortable. When I got sick, our campaign organizer Dominic went with me to the clinic and made sure that I was taken care of. He was always there to help us with any problems we had and I really enjoyed getting to help the people in the community as well. I am excited to keep traveling after this experience!

49 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Katie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Cusco Medical

A special shout out to our group leader, Dominic, and our medical campaign organizer, Dina, for making this such a special experience for our group. We all felt that this experience deepened our desire to become healthcare professions and we are hoping to do a similar program in Guatemala through Maximo Nivel next year. I also hope to return to Peru some day because I fell deeply in love with the culture and the people throughout my time.

47 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Eliana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Medical Campaign with Maximo Nivel

The other volunteers and I were able to complete upwards of 30 hours helping over 500 people in 4 communities around Cusco. This was such a great experience! We were able to provide healthcare to people who, otherwise, might not have been able to afford it, and we were able to gain more practical skills in the medical field which, the majority of us hope to go into one day. I am very grateful to the entire staff of Maximo which made this such a memorable experience for all of us. Thank you!

49 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Eric
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Maximo Nivel Cusco Spanish Classes

I took two classes a day of Maximo Nivel's native Spanish program for three weeks. The teachers were excellent as were the support staff and I was able to notice a large improvement in my ability to comprehend and speak Spanish. I think this class is a great way to learn a new language and help navigate Cusco and Peru! Even though I wasn't a volunteer there the facilities were great and the staff were always available to answer questions I had about classes, the city, and exploring the surrounding region.

What would you improve about this program?
More examples are always great!
52 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers