• Good Health And Well-Being
  • Reduced Inequalities

Local Community Assistant during the Holidays

location
1 - 2 weeks  ·  Age 16 - 50+
rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate
Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Give back to the local communities by providing them with much needed help.
  • Gain Spanish practice by living with a host family and sharing daily life with locals.
  • Make memories you'll never forget during your time abroad.
  • Learn more about the Latin American ways, customs and habits.
  • Bring joy to communities of all ages during the Holiday Season.

Especially good for

Age 16+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

Holiday spirit, short & sweet! Volunteer with us for this holiday season! Bring joy to local communities. (Christmas: 22 Dec – 28 Dec / New Year: 29 Dec – 04 Jan).

During these week-long programs, you visit various projects each day. As a group, you assist as needed, join activities, and spend time with the people at the project during the holiday season. Volunteers are placed into one of two groups based on availability: Group 1 volunteers every morning, ...

About the program

During these week-long programs, you visit various projects each day. As a group, you assist as needed, join activities, and spend time with the people at the project during the holiday season. Volunteers are placed into one of two groups based on availability: Group 1 volunteers every morning, Group 2 volunteers every afternoon.

You can expect to work 3-4 hours per day. If you have Spanish classes, they are scheduled during your off hours.

---------------------------------------------------------------

*Christmas Week Itinerary:*

Sunday, December 22 – Arrival and Orientation
All volunteers arrive in the morning, are picked up by Maximo Nivel's transport service, and are brought to their housing to settle in. In the afternoon everyone has their orientation together.

Monday, December 23 – TBC
The specific itinerary is to be finalized.

Tuesday, December 24 – TBC
The specific itinerary is to be finalized.

Wednesday, December 25 – Christmas Day
Maximo Nivel Closed. Lots of local holiday festivities to enjoy independently.

Thursday, December 26 – TBC
The specific itinerary is to be finalized. 

Friday, December 27 – TBC
The specific itinerary is to be finalized.

Saturday, December 28 – Departure
Volunteers depart for further travels or to return home. You can arrange airport drop-off or extra nights of housing for an additional charge at the client service desk.

---------------------------------------------------------------

*New Year Week Itinerary:*

Sunday, December 29 – Arrival and Orientation
All volunteers arrive in the morning, are picked up by Maximo Nivel's transport service, and are brought to their housing to settle in. In the afternoon everyone has their orientation together.

Monday, December 30 – TBC
The specific itinerary is to be finalized.

Tuesday, December 31 – TBC
The specific itinerary is to be finalized.

Wednesday, January 01 – New Year's Day
Maximo Nivel Closed. Lots of local holiday festivities to enjoy independently.

Thursday, January 02 – TBC
The specific itinerary is to be finalized.

Friday, January 03 – TBC
The specific itinerary is to be finalized.

Saturday, January 04 – Departure
Volunteers depart for further travels or to return home. You can arrange airport drop-off or extra nights of housing for an additional charge at the client service desk.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Typical day

Working hours vary according to the needs of the project, but volunteers can expect to work 3-4 hours per day, Monday to Friday, in the morning or in the afternoon.

Typical day

Working hours vary according to the needs of the project, but volunteers can expect to work 3-4 hours per day, Monday to Friday, in the morning or in the afternoon.

Free-time activities

Within San José, volunteers can take a city tour, see shows at the National Theatre, visit the central market, and go zip-lining. Our local staff always posts a monthly events calendar to let them know of the activities going on around Maximo. Outside of San José, they can hike up volcanos, go ...

Free-time activities

Within San José, volunteers can take a city tour, see shows at the National Theatre, visit the central market, and go zip-lining. Our local staff always posts a monthly events calendar to let them know of the activities going on around Maximo. Outside of San José, they can hike up volcanos, go whitewater rafting, and take a trip to the Pacific or Caribbean coasts. There are a lot of options and our staff is well-acquainted with the area to help advise on the must-see places. Tours and trips can also be easily booked through our on-site travel partner.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 16 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Maximo Nivel

Our fees include:

  • Airport pick-up
  • Host family accommodations (shared room with breakfast and dinner)
  • Program and safety orientation
  • Walking tour
  • Official certificate of volunteer service
  • Emergency contact number 24/7
  • Program management
  • Free Tandem Conversation Program
  • Free office-wide WIFI and computer lounge
  • Free social activities
  • Free coffee and tea and on-site snack bar
  • Maximo Nivel Institute open 7 days/week

Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

Airport pick up in San José is included. Volunteers find our representative outside the airport bringing a yellow flag with a smiley face on it.

Accommodation

Volunteers stay in a traditional family-stay with a shared room and breakfast and dinner included. 

Food & Beverages

Breakfast and dinner are included 7 days a week.

Internet Access

Limited access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

Arrival & Departure Dates:

Christmas Week only: 22 December – 28 December

New Year’s Week only: 29 December – 04 January

Both Weeks: 22 December – 04 January
Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 890€
2 weeks (max. stay) 1,297€
Average fees 768€/week

Program fees

768€ per week 1 - 2 weeks Age 16 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

1 - 2 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.

Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Maximo Nivel during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

Maximo Nivel

Brilliant 4.7 rating (110 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2003

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Georgie

Spoken languages: English, Spanish

About the project

Maximo Nivel offers Volunteer Abroad and International Internship programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru.

Meet your organization

Who we are? 

Maximo Nivel is a family-owned organization that has been offering volunteer abroad programs since 2003. We are a locally-based organization in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Peru, where we also own and operate 4 intercultural centers in Antigua, Guatemala; Cusco, Peru; Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica; San José, Costa Rica.

What we do? 

We offer a wide range of work-study-travel programs, including Volunteer Abroad, International Internships, TEFL Certification, Gap Year, Spanish Immersion, Adventure & Culture, and more! 

Where we work? 

Maximo Nivel’s work-study-travel programs take place in Antigua, Guatemala; Cusco, Peru; Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica; and San José, Costa Rica. We also have off-site programs on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Costa Rica and Guatemala and in the Amazon Jungle and Sacred Valley of Peru. 

Our mission/vision: 

Maximo Nivel is a professional, ethical, and hardworking organization that is completely dedicated to providing a great experience to every student, participant, client, faculty leader, and partner who joins us.

Our goals: 

  • Deliver high-quality, safe, affordable programs 
  • Provide the best Spanish language immersion in all of Latin America 
  • Improve impact at every volunteer project site where we work 
  • Train and certify world-class ESL teachers 
  • Organize excellent internships and other opportunities for international work experience 
  • Help people experience the world through education, adventure, and cultural travel.

Who are we looking for? 

Adventurous people who are passionate about travel, culture, languages, and helping others.

Why choose us? 

Maximo Nivel's program fees are affordable and transparent. We pride ourselves on providing great client service!

110 reviews · rating4.7

Wolfgang Oberauer rating5

2024 at Construction and Renovation Assistant

I had the most amazing experience as part of this volunteering programme. Maximo Nivel was great in taking me feel looked after. My hist family was always there for me, kept my room clean, cooked for me and were super reliable. A great benefit was also the Spanish classes which really uplevelled my ...
Martina Gut rating4.4

2024 at Support Local Healthcare

Fue una linda experiencia para mí y me quedé satisfecha de toda manera. La primera semana estaba en un asilo de ancianos y las próximas semanas en un colegio para niños discapacitados, siempre con gente muy amable. En los fines de semana siempre hice excursiones fabulosas como montaña de siete ...
Aisha Rahman rating5

2023 at Sea Turtles Conservation Experience

Observing the hatching of baby sea turtles in Costa Rica was an unparalleled experience. Everyone made me feel welcome and supported. It was great to be able to explore Tamarindo and other beach towns during the weekends and I met so many great people I still keep in touch today. Thank you for the ...
Daniel White rating5

2023 at Sea Turtles Conservation Experience

Experiencing an arribada in Costa Rica was truly a once-in-a-lifetime event. Thousands of turtles arriving simultaneously to lay their eggs was a remarkable sight to behold. As a volunteer, I felt privileged to contribute to the conservation of these endangered ...
Kathleen Nordstrom rating5

2023 at Community Childcare Supporter

I would recommend Máximo Nivel a million times over. The warm, engaging staff and volunteer/student community make you feel welcome from the moment you step in the door, and I met several lifelong friends. There are lots of opportunities to explore, including around the city and the country as a ...
Javier Jiménez rating5

2023 at Sea Turtles Conservation Experience

The project that I was in was the turtle conservation in Junquillal and it was for 3 months. I didn't know what to expect at all but I fell in love with the little town and the wonderful locals that were so loving and caring towards me. When we had to release the baby turtles into the wild I really ...

Location

Americas > Central America > Costa Rica > San José

You might also be interested in

Volunteer Abroad  >  Community  >  Social Work in Costa Rica
Contact Georgie
  Very high response rate
English, Spanish

Most volunteers ask about

Do you have any more questions? Send a message to Georgie
Please don't share personal contact details for your privacy

Book with Flex Option!

Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs within 12 months.

Enjoy our services for dedicated volunteers!

Enjoy a Refund Guarantee, Free Flex Option, and Emergency Assistance. Our Price-Guarantee ensures unbeatable value, and our Support Team is ready to assist.