Maximo Nivel

Trips to Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru

Maximo Nivel’s programs in Costa Rica bring you to San Jose and Manuel Antonio – two very different locations for very different travel styles. San Jose is Costa Rica’s capital city, and the institute is based downtown. Manuel Antonio, on the other hand, is more of a smaller, quiet beach town.

In Peru, Maximo Nivel’s programs are based in and around Cusco, with their institute located downtown (though arguably in a less hectic area than San Jose). Depending on your placement, you may work right there in Cusco or out into the mountains – or even in the Sacred Valley.

If you’re interested in Guatemala, Maximo Nivel’s programs there are based in the city of Antigua, a top destination for ecotourism that’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Impactful adventures

Maximo Nivel emphasizes education and cultural exchange among all of its participants. Travelers of all ages are welcome to join, and can choose from volunteer, intern, teach, study, and adventure abroad programs. No matter where you go or what you do, you will be encouraged to learn from your counterparts in-country, share skills and stories, and explore the beautiful places where Maximo Nivel works.

Programs are community-developed, meaning a local organization, school, or center either has an ongoing need or has identified an unmet one, and requested volunteers, interns, or teachers from Maximo Nivel. And all programs undergo a vetting process to ensure participants help to provide a local solution to a local problem.

Support and safety

A recurring theme with Maximo Nivel is an emphasis on support and safety. Travelers are provided excellent support before, during, and after their trips – whatever questions or concerns they have, a team member can answer. A few highlights:

• Maximo Nivel has a 24/7 emergency support line
• Institutes and staff are based in the communities where you’ll work, so they have local knowledge and context to ensure safety, to respond to any issues that could arise, or just to answer questions about places to go and things to see
• All host families are carefully vetted, and travelers are asked for feedback about their experience

Because Maximo Nivel works with so many students and less-experienced travelers in particular, they want to make sure you have the best trip possible – to get out of your comfort zone, but still to know there’s a safety net if you need it.