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

1012 Participant reviews

4.88 out of 5 stars

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Sally DworakFisher

3 Aug 2024

Máximo Nivel is very organized, and staff was generally very supportive and patient with our lack of construction skills. We appreciated being picked up in Guatemala City and taken directly to the host family and a good orientation. Our host family was lovely, and a highlight. BUT!!! Unfortunately, the team lost our confidence when we had to cancel an add-on hiking trip because our son was sick with a fever/flu. We asked for a refund, and received a series of changing/evolving excuses. First they claimed we had not provided any notice so a van was waiting, and then when we provided proof that we had in fact cancelled, they claimed that their travel partner had a 24 hour notice policy so the cancellation was not timely. The local staff would only offer to write a letter for an insurance claim. It left a very sour taste in our mouths- and a loss of trust- after an otherwise nice trip. Buyer beware of any add on travel at a minimum! Relatedly, the other add on we did was also messed up because the driver was super late (more than 30 minutes) so by the time we arrived we had to hurry though in 30 minutes ( after traveling 90 to get there).

Vanessa

13 Jul 2024

Great program, great organization! Sometimes lacked a bit of communication. The teachers are all really lovely people, super knowledgeable, helpful and kind!

Erin Roach

10 May 2024

This experience was amazing!!!! I could not be more grateful to be able to give back to other in need.

anusha balakrishnan

10 May 2024

Amazing trip and best week! so positive and a great experience that everyone should experience sometime

Kylie Raynor

10 May 2024

This was an amazing experience! I absolutely loved getting to know Guatemalan community in the most authentic way. I will never forget the connections and the experience I had on this trip. I’m forever grateful that Máximo Nivel welcomed us!

Greta Kaminske

10 May 2024

Volunteering in Guatemala through Máximo Nivel was the most incredible experience that I’ve ever had in my life. Despite not speaking Spanish at all, being immersed in the community and providing a service to the people was so rewarding and eye opening. It was not only extremely educational but so fun as well, I couldn’t recommend the medical campaign enough to anyone going into the health field.

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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