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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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Types
  • Volunteer Abroad
  • Intern Abroad
  • Teach Abroad
Activities
  • Advocacy & Human Rights
  • Health & Medicine
  • Work Abroad
  • Education & Literacy
  • Alternative Break
  • Children & Youth
  • Internship
  • Community Development
  • Study Abroad
  • Conservation
  • Teach English
  • Ecotourism
  • Animals
  • Intern Abroad
  • Environment
+10 more
Countries
  • Peru
  • Costa Rica
  • Guatemala
  • United States
+0 more

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

925 Participant reviews

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Uzma Arif

24 Mar 2023

I had an amazing time on my construction and renovation project in Antigua Guatemala. We build a treehouse playground for children with special needs outside the school. This was one of the most humbling and most memorable experiences of my life!

Lori Schlosser

17 Mar 2023

Great experience overall. I was a bit unprepared initially for the hands off approach after the initial orientation on day 1, but was able to quickly settle into a routine and found that Maximo Nivel was there as much as needed. It was good to see the team in the field and also for them to be able to call volunteers by name - shows that you are truly more than just a number or name running through their program. The Maximo Nivel team is genuine, fun, caring and a joy to serve with - the team I worked with worked together well and we each are sad to see the week end and to a one would stay, if we could. I’d recommend this experience.

Jun Hee Shin

17 Mar 2023

Fantastic bombastic amazing excellent experience. Lovely ppl lovely place lovely project. Spreading love to the world. Thank you for giving me this wonderful experience

Jun Hee Shin

17 Mar 2023

FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE!!!! Amazing ppl amazing place amazing project amazing everything. 20000000% recommend.

Andrew Nam

17 Mar 2023

For the last week, I was able to experience 5 incredibly meaningful clinic days, performing vitals and helping the doctor with diagnosis and scribing, as well as tasks such as distributing toothbrushes, anti-parasitic medicine, and being in the clinic pharmacy. I was also able to learn a lot of Spanish just from using it in action to talk to patients and children. I had so much fun and gained a lot of knowledge on the patients in Guatemala. None of the fun and insight I gained would have been possible without Jorge, who helped our entire group with setting up clinics and making sure everything is done smoothly and right. MaximoNivel also gave us lots of opportunities and fun things to do such as visiting Altamira and taking salsa lessons! It was truly an incredible week and an unforgettable experience.

Debra Gibes

17 Mar 2023

Maximo Nivel took care of everything to make this the best experience possible! No matter what it is you need, they have you covered: housing, excursions, socialization, cultural experiences, but most importantly making an impact in the community for a better future.

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