Costa Rica 2024
A look back at our incredible journey through Costa Rica, where students from the USA experienced an unforgettable adventure of volunteer work, cultural exchange, and personal growth.
Program Highlights
Our Costa Rica Experience
Community Service
Our students renovated a local park, painting murals, fences, soccer fields, and playground equipment. They played soccer with nonverbal students who taught them basic sign language, and completed hallway renovations with incredible attention to detail. The Maximo Nivel team was amazed by how much we accomplished in just five days.
Cultural Immersion
Participants lived with an amazing host family (Miguel and Hazel) who embraced them as their own. They enjoyed traditional Tico breakfasts with rice, beans, eggs, and fruit, learned to make empanadas in a cooking class, and mastered salsa and bachata dancing. Students explored El Mercado Central and El Mercado Antigua, experiencing authentic San Jose life.
Adventure Activities
Students hiked through Manuel Antonio National Park, spotting sloths, monkeys, crocodiles, butterflies, and coatis. They waded in the freezing waters of La Fortuna Waterfall and embarked on a thrilling night hike around Arenal Volcano, encountering spiders the size of two credit cards and learning from knowledgeable local guides.
Global Connections
Group camaraderie reached an all-time high as students worked together creatively on painting projects and supported each other through long travel days. They formed meaningful connections with their host family and with local students at their service site, creating bonds that will last a lifetime.
Personal Growth
The leadership team witnessed immense growth in every participant. Students became more outgoing, adapted to challenging schedules with grace, showed incredible work ethic and creativity, and demonstrated enormous hearts through their service. They learned to navigate public transportation in a foreign country and embraced every experience with enthusiasm.
Safety & Support
24/7 program support ensured all participants had a safe, enriching, and well-organized experience throughout the journey. Special thanks to T-Mobile for providing free calling, texting, and data service in Costa Rica, allowing participants and leaders to stay connected with their families back home.
Thank you for keeping us connected!
Photo Memories
Earn College Credit
Students on the Costa Rica 2024 trip earned 10 US college credits in partnership with CGCS (Center for Global Community Service).
This internationally recognized qualification enhances college applications, transfers to most US universities, and demonstrates commitment to global citizenship and community service.
Watch Our Documentary
Experience the Costa Rica 2024 journey through this full-length documentary featuring student perspectives, volunteer work, cultural experiences, and unforgettable adventures.
Where To Next?
Building on the success of Costa Rica 2024, we're excited to announce our next destination: Cuba 2026! Join us for another transformative journey of volunteer work, cultural exchange, and adventure.