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Visit Maximo Nivel's website to learn more about their programs abroad
Overview
Overview
Founded in 2003, Maximo Nivel is the Intercultural Center of Latin America. We offer Volunteer Abroad programs, TEFL Certification, International Internships, and our Native Spanish Program in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Maximo Nivel is a local organization in each country and we work in partnership with community groups, schools, orphanages, and hospitals to help lead development initiatives with civic and environmental goals. Volunteer opportunities include: Working with Kids, Animal Care, Teaching English, Eco-Agriculture, Conservation, Construction, and Medical projects. Internship opportunities include: Education, Micro-Business, Hospitality & Tourism, Human Rights, and Medical. Everyone has access to our support team and great home-base facilities 7 days/week year-round.
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Editorial
By Sarah Vandenberg
Director of Partnerships
Sarah has worked in the volunteer travel industry since 2004. She supports all of our partners, and shares stories, trends, and advice for travelers who want to volunteer, intern, or teach abroad.
With four institutes and unparalleled in-country support, Maximo Nivel is a leader in international education, study abroad, and travel in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. This organization is a top-ranked local provider in Latin America, specializing in three specific areas for people who want to learn and make an impact: work abroad programs (including volunteer and intern placements), study and teach abroad opportunities, and travel adventures.
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.
Teaching English in Peru with Maximo Nivel
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.
Construction volunteering in Costa Rica with Maximo Nivel
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.
Volunteering with animals in Peru with Maximo Nivel
Top projects
Gallery
Volunteer working with children in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. https://maximonivel.com/volunteers/working-with-kids/
Volunteer working with rescued animals in Guatemala.
Turtle conservation projects in Costa Rica and Guatemala.
https://maximonivel.com/volunteers/conservation/sea-turtle/
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Ciara Ledgard
28 Nov 2022
I had a great time during my trip, and I not only improved my Spanish, but I also learned a lot about Nicaraguan immigration here in Costa Rica. The Maximo...Read more
I had a great time during my trip, and I not only improved my Spanish, but I also learned a lot about Nicaraguan immigration here in Costa Rica. The Maximo Nivel staff was very friendly and always checked on me to make sure I was making progress and having a good time.
Alyssa
21 Oct 2022
From the start of my trip to the end, I have had a great experience with Maximo staff. It was very easy to apply, go through the process and plan...Read more
From the start of my trip to the end, I have had a great experience with Maximo staff. It was very easy to apply, go through the process and plan my trip. I also felt like I had support as soon as I arrived. All of the staff is very friendly and fun, and are happy to answer any questions you may have. I also had a fabulous time staying with my family. I tried local Guatemalan food and learned about their lives here in Antigua. At the school (volunteering), it was a great experience learning how to work with students with special needs while also practicing my Spanish. I really enjoyed my experience with Maximo and would love to come back sometime.
Joi
18 Sep 2022
-I volunteered near Antigua for a week teaching English to 6-12 year olds and teenagers. I was paired with another volunteer, so we co-taught and planned lessons together. Máximo Nivel...Read more
-I volunteered near Antigua for a week teaching English to 6-12 year olds and teenagers. I was paired with another volunteer, so we co-taught and planned lessons together. Máximo Nivel provided great support for us, including orientation, accompanying us to the project on the first day, and giving us a brief TEFL crash course. The staff were always open to our questions. I loved living in a homestay with a few other volunteers and Spanish Immersion students. It was very easy to communicate with the hosts or Máximo if there was anything I needed. -For teaching, we were given some tips on what our specific classes and others had done previously, but it was really up to us to plan each lesson from scratch. I enjoyed having that freedom. Plus, there were books and other education materials available at the Máximo office that we could use. -I highly recommend staying for longer than a week if you can. You'll miss your students! -I also recommend signing up of any Spanish classes, cooking/dance classes, "Tandems" (conversation-based language exchanges with community members learning English), or any opportunities that are available. They really helped me take advantage of the whole experience and meet new people.
Erin Reilly
9 Sep 2022
Maximo Nivel has been amazing & I can’t recommend them more!! I loved my project & the kids I got to work with! Maximo is so flexible and really works...Read more
Maximo Nivel has been amazing & I can’t recommend them more!! I loved my project & the kids I got to work with! Maximo is so flexible and really works with you to make your experience fun and fulfilling. I can’t wait to go on another trip with them!