Visit Maximo Nivel's website to learn more about their programs abroad

Maximo Nivel

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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Types

Volunteer Abroad
Intern Abroad
Teach Abroad

Activities

Health & Medicine
Work Abroad
Education & Literacy
Alternative Break
Children & Youth
Internship
Community Development
Study Abroad
Conservation
Teach English
Ecotourism
Animals
Intern Abroad
Environment
Advocacy & Human Rights

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Countries

United States

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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

1063 Participant reviews

4.88 out of 5 stars

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Brianna Elancieux

29 May 2026

What an incredible experience in a beautiful country! The experience was nothing short of amazing. The team at Máximo was exceptionally welcoming and kind, making everything seamless and enjoyable. Serving the community was truly heartwarming and something I will cherish forever. As a medical student, this was the perfect opportunity to put my skills into action while making a real difference in the lives of those in need. I can’t express enough how grateful I am to Máximo Nivel for this extraordinary opportunity!

Anaiya DeShong McGruder

29 May 2026

Overall a great experience to be immersed in the Guatemalan culture and see how medicine is practiced outside the US. I really enjoyed getting to work at different stations and interact with the patients and practice my Spanish daily. I’m super excited to do another medical volunteer trip in the future.

Amelia Herold

23 May 2026

Great experience! Challenging in all the right ways and a formative trip I’ll never forget. Get ready for a once in a lifetime experience!

Jason Harper

5 Apr 2026

Volunteered as a family of 6. Fantastic experience for a family to do together. Our kids are 8 to late teen. It was great to have a structured safe vacation to another country where we also could feel like we were making a difference in the local community.

Michael

27 Mar 2026

We volunteered as a family and worked with a couple classes of six and seven year olds at a nearby school. Given latitude to teach or do activities of our choosing. Also had a fun time interacting with the kids during recess. Friendly and helpful staff at Máximo nivel and friendly teachers and staff at the school.

Autumn

27 Mar 2026

We were a family of four and spent time at a local school near Antigua Guatemala. The school had very minimal amenities, but such great teachers to work with and children who were eager to learn. We loved being there with them and teaching them a few things. We learn more from them than they learned from us. Maximo Nivel is well organized, communicates well, and helped us know what to expect. They were responsive to all of our questions pre-trip and during our time in country. It was a great experience and we will do additional volunteer trips with Maximo Nivel in the future.

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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