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Conservation in Latin America: Sea Turtles, Wildlife, & More

$845Program Costs
VerifiedProvider
4.3 / 5Overall Rating
68Reviews
2003Year established

Program Overview

Explore Latin America, home to some of the world's most biodiverse countries, and make a real impact through hands-on conservation volunteering.

Volunteers can join Maximo Nivel's Sea Turtle Conservation program, Animal Care, Eco-Agriculture, and more!

- Sea Turtle Conservation
Volunteers provide support to local biologists and researchers who are involved in managing sea turtle nesting grounds. You take part in nightly beach patrols, tagging turtles, relocating nests into hatcheries, counting eggs and turtles, beach cleanup efforts, and other support activities such as community education programs.

- Animal Care
Make a meaningful difference in the lives of animals through volunteer placements at specialized facilities across Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Choose from opportunities at dog and cat shelters, wildlife rescue centers, sustainable farms, and even a university-run zoo.

These grassroots organizations work to protect, care for, and rehabilitate a wide range of animals. Depending on your placement, you may help pets find loving adoptive homes, support the rehabilitation of wild animals with the goal of returning them to their natural habitats, or contribute to initiatives that promote the humane treatment of farm animals and safe, sustainable pastures.

- Eco-Agriculture
Explore sustainable agriculture through volunteer placements in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Work alongside NGOs and farming cooperatives that promote organic farming, traditional agricultural techniques, and environmentally responsible practices.

Eco-agriculture relies on hands-on support, making volunteers an important part of these initiatives. Depending on your placement, you may help produce organic coffee, work on macadamia nut and permaculture farms, or grow tea and cacao through community farming projects. Gain practical experience, connect with local communities, and learn how sustainable farming helps create a healthier future.

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Program Highlights

Sea Turtle Protection: Partner with marine biologists on nightly beach patrols, nest relocation, turtle tagging, and hatchery management.
Animal Care & Wildlife Rescue: Assist local sanctuaries, shelters, and reserves in protecting, rehabilitating, and caring for diverse native species.
Sustainable Eco-Agriculture: Work alongside farming cooperatives to cultivate organic coffee, cacao, and tea using environmentally responsible methods.
No matter which conservation program you choose, you can accelerate your Spanish fluency with optional daily classes.
Earn academic credits through Maximo Nivel's official School of Record.

What's Included

Tuition & Fees
Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
Wifi Costs
Some Meals / Partial Meal Plan
Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
Required Equipment
Guide / Chaperone
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
Pre-Departure Orientation
In-Country Orientation
Training
Assistance Booking Travel
Academic Advising
Language Lessons
Cultural Training / Program / Orientation
Micro-Credential(s) / Certification(s)
Course Materials
Alumni / Networking Membership
Academic Credit
Letter of Recommendation
Certificate of Completion
Emergency Support

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Guanacaste, Costa Rica
  • Monteverde, Costa Rica
  • Rural Areas, Costa Rica
  • San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Tortuguero, Costa Rica

Types & Subjects

  • Causes
  • Animal Welfare
  • Biological Research
  • Conservation
  • Eco-Tourism
  • Environment
  • Geology
  • Grassroots Organization
  • Marine Conservation
  • Organic Farming
  • Reforestation
  • Renewable Energy
  • Small Business Development
  • Trail Building
  • Tree Planting
  • Veterinary Science
  • Water Projects
  • Wildlife

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered
  • Year Round

Eligible Nationalities

  • All Nationalities
  • This Program is also open to Solo, Couples, Families, Group

Education Levels & Language

  • Language
  • English
  • Education
  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Accommodation Options

  • Apartment/Flat
  • Group living
  • Guest House
  • Home-stays
  • Independent living

Application Procedures

  • Online Application

Age Requirement

14+

Duration

  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 3-6 Months
  • 9-12 Weeks
  • 7-12 Months

Starts At

  • 1 week: $845

Payment Terms

  • Payment Plan
  • Upfront Deposit
  • Changes Allowed

Refund Policy

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about MAXIMO NIVEL

4.3
68 reviews

Rating breakdown

5
24
4
43
3
1
2
0
1
0

Top categories

Volunteer Placement
4.5
Program Administration
4.4
Day to Day Life
4.4
Living Situation
4.3
Health & Safety
4.3
Community Engagement
4.3

Participated in this program? Share your experience now.

Review this Program

Showing 1-20 of 68 reviews

Alison MatthewsUnited Kingdom · October 2026

Working with tye turtles was magical

Total immersion into jungle living, surprise sightings of jungle animals, simple local food and beach patrols under star-filled skies, not to mention the wonder of seeing turtles laying their eggs and releasing tiny hatchlings into the ocean.

Photos

Juliet KoffUnited States · July 2026

So fun!

We had an amazing time and the Maximo Nivel is really helpful! They answered all our questions and kept in contact throughout our trip! We stayed at Finca Garúa and helped cut down banana trees and construct the garage!

Guia Von WunsterItaly · May 2026

A experience that Will change you!

I have a great time and i learned something new. Of course you have to use to go out from your confort zone and be prepare for a remote place where there are not many activities to do around. But if you love animals is an amazing experience to work with them and learn everything about sea turtles

Jillia NorthernUnited States · March 2026

It was an unforgettable experience!

I had so much fun and learned so much, even though I was only in Costa Rica for a week. From walking through the Monteverde Cloud Forest, to volunteering at La Finca, I really enjoyed it all. I would 10/10 recommend this program and do it all again!

Hannah PringleUnited States · March 2026

A great Experience!

I had a really good time here in Costa Rica! Everyone was very friendly and welcoming! Would love to do another program with you guys in the future! Tried amazing food and went to awesome excursions! Pura Vida forever!

Nathan GilmoreUnited States · November 2025

Save the turtles

The project and orientations went smoothly and met my expectations. The only feedback I have would be that there's a lot of initial confusion when first arriving in San Jose, as to where you'll be volunteering and how you'll be traveling to and from there. It all worked out in the end but having tickets ahead of time instead of making us buy them and figure out taxis would have been much easier. The project itself was a great experience and I met a lot of new great fun people.

Isaiah KurthCanada · September 2025

It was a experience like any other

It was so cool to meet new people, experience a different culture and feel like I actually made a difference. It was such a fun time, I would definitely do it again. I never thought I would eat so many beans and rice!

Ashley AjayiUnited States · September 2025

Life changing experience

By far the most amazing experience! Traveling by myself was a little nerve racking at first but that was quickly changed once I realized how much fun I was going to have. Maximo made sure all my accommodations were met and I was safe.

Photos

Katie Cooper United Kingdom · August 2025

Turtle conservation

I did 2 weeks here for turtle conservation and I thoroughly enjoyed my time! I made great friends, and had great food, and stayed in Ostional with the nicest, quietest black sand beach! The volunteer work was fun, and I mostly enjoyed the beach clean up, ut was very theraputic, and filled me with self-confidence of doing a good thing. I have also seen the impact plastic has on the world, and i will now try my best to recycle and reduce waste more! The volunteering has definitely impacted me for life.

Alyson JacksonUnited States · July 2025

So cool.

I was able to see so many sea turtles and an arribada happened while I was there. At first I had some trouble adjusting but got moved to the station where accommodations were very nice. Moving to the station hade my experience so much better.

Emily WilsonUnited States · February 2025

Fun time in Costa Rica

It was a great program. It encouraged us to really experience local culture and life. Learning to navigate the bus system during Costa Rican rush hour was an unexpected, but super fun, part of the week. We really are given the opportunity to venture outside the regular tourist experience and see daily activities. Gave me a new appreciation for our similarities and differences.

Photos

Vasilena BarakovaBulgaria · December 2024

Great experience!

I thoroughly enjoyed volunteering with the turtle conservation program! It was a rewarding experience to contribute to protecting these amazing creatures while learning so much about conservation. Would love to do it again!

Caitlin BrayneUnited Kingdom · December 2024

Turtle Conservation - a great trip

I had a fantastic trip from start to finish with the lovely people at SOS Grande. Everyone was so lovely and inviting and I really felt as if we made a difference within the community. The daily activities and amenities were great and I would recommend this trip to anyone!!

Emily NewtonUnited Kingdom · November 2024

Incredible experience I will never forget!

The sea turtle conservation project was amazing. I felt so humbled to be a part of the project they are doing to save the turtles. I would highly recommend doing it. If you're lucky you may get to see and arribada or baby turtles.

India Corlett-MooreUnited Kingdom · November 2024

had a great time!

The activities were really fun and varied, I really feel like I was making a difference to the environment. There was a good combination of work and time to relax, and I’ve met so many new friends whilst I’ve been here.

Hailey SeleskyCanada · November 2024

It was so fun

I had an amazing time at Verdiazul, I felt like we made a big impact and it was just amazing. Hard work but definitely so rewarding. We felt a part of something and time flew by, Valerie was incredible and so so kind, she really made the experience.

Annika EltschknerGermany · November 2024

Adventure

Program and stuff from Verdiazul was great - very passionate and inspiring for the participants. Good experience and a lot to learn for the future and the day to day impact for sustainability. Thanks again to Valerie and her team!

Alex CuestaSpain · November 2024

Give it all, enjoy it all.

If I could give you some advice, it would be to not save any of your energy or enthusiasm when you join a project. Give it all and you will feel the reward multiplied by a thousand. I am really grateful for what I lived and I became part of. Loved every minute!

Photos

Stef de JongNetherlands · November 2024

Saving turtles in Costa Rica

I went to the pacific coast of Costa Rica to help gather data for studies that help maintain, or are doing research on turtles. I had an amazing time with the turtles and also got to meet wonderful people

Photos

Audrey TeatsUnited States · November 2024

Sea turtles ?

I had a really good time at the sea turtles conservation program on the pacific side of costa rica. I met the coolest people and bonded while doing work at the project site. I felt we did make an impact to turtles and to the environment. It was an amazing hands on experience, even though some of the activities we did were very challenging it felt like we made a difference. It was way more hands on than I thought there would be and I loved it so much. Being so close to the mamma turtles and all of the tiny baby turtles was the coolest thing I've ever got to experience. While being there I was forced to be out of my comfort zone but I quickly got used to the different environment and all the wildlife.

Photos

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MAXIMO NIVEL Interviews

Read interviews from alumni or staff

Casandra Fountain

Casandra Fountain

Participated in 2016

Alumni

Casandra is from Calgary, Canada. She hikes every weekend in Banff and Kananaskis. Casandra has traveled all over Canada and the United States, and ha...

The purpose for this trip was to "find" myself.

Show Full Interview

Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

Top Rated Provider Volunteer Abroad 2025
Top Rated Provider 2023 - Language School
Top Rated Provider 2023 - Volunteer Abroad
People’s Choice Award 2023 Finalist
Top Rated Language School 2022
Notable Mention 2021 - Gap Year
Top Rated Organization 2021 - Volunteer Abroad
Innovative TEFL / Teach Abroad Program 2021 Finalist
Top Rated Teach Abroad Organizations of 2020
Top Rated Volunteer Abroad Organizations of 2020 Notable Mentions
NAFSA
ALTO - Association of Language Travel Organisations
GoAbroad Top Language Program 2018
GoAbroad Top TEFL Certification Program 2018
GoAbroad Top Language School 2018
GoAbroad Top Rated Provider 2024 - Volunteer Abroad
2019 Notable Mentions

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