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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
  • 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
+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

995 Participant reviews

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Mylene Chabot

17 Nov 2023

I had an amazing experience volunteering in a daycare near Antigua. The kids and the staff at the daycare were wonderful. The staff from Maximo often came to check on the project. My home stay was also great as the family was very kind and welcoming. Overall I had an incredible experience volunteering and living in Antigua for a month.

Leslie Truelove

10 Nov 2023

Maximon Nivel has been very good to me. I aready loved Antigua from previous visits, but Maximo offers such an excellent blend of language learning with community volunteering. The staff are all very competent and helpful. Of course, things occasionally go sideways. That is to be expected - its part of the territory. As a life-long world traveler, I had been thinking about how I could 'give back' to some of the places which I love to visit, so I particularly appreciated being guided in how to do this. I plan to continue my travels as far as Peru where I hope to continue to work with Maximo.

Amelie lovaslandry

4 Nov 2023

This was an amazing experience, that has taught me so much about this awesome country as well as provide me with opportunities to meet locals, practice speaking a new language and making friends.

Georgia Barrett

4 Nov 2023

Great hands on experience with very nice staff! Accommodations were wonderful and host families were very friendly and welcoming!

Ruth Miller

27 Oct 2023

very pleased with all of the services of Maximo Nivel. Well planned trip, well planned after I arrived. home stay excellent, food family and dog-cats. Incident with dog bite was handled well and on site MD did a great job. will f-u with this in states. Would suggest anyone who loves to travel and work with disabled adults and some children to look at this program in Guatemala. BUT learn your Spanish first as if you don´t you miss out on the fun of knowing what is being said around you and interact with the residents. I enjoyed my stay and work with the facility in spite of my limited language skills as help was all around when I needed it. Ruth Miller Laurinburg, NC 10-14 through 10-27-

Andrea Avila Rivera

13 Oct 2023

My experience was in Antigua, Guatemala, at the Maximo-Level Institute. I spent 8 weeks doing a micro-business internship with DLG Coffee. I loved every minute of it. They were so nice and received me with open hands. They provided me with the tools I needed to get started. I got to meet and interact with everyone. I learned so much from the tourism and marketing managers; they were very patient and understanding. I also want to thank David for giving me tips and reviewing everything I did just so I could understand all the points and not be behind in my internship. This was a great experience, and I would love to do it all over again.

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