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Construction Programs—Volunteer in Peru! logo

Construction Programs—Volunteer in Peru!

by: MAXIMO NIVEL

4.69 (26)VerifiedSince 2003

Become a construction volunteer in Cusco, and assist in the building or repair of community centers, playgrounds, and classrooms for schools, orphanages, and rural villages. This is a physically demanding role that includes digging, removing dirt, carrying bricks, mixing cement, plastering, painting, cleaning, and other tasks related to construction. Work days are typically from Monday to Friday, though this may vary based on the weather, project needs, and construction schedule. At all times, volunteers are supported by Maximo Nivel’s professional Field Managers and construction projects are led by professional foremen who determine the work program. This program is available all year round, with start dates every Monday. It’s designed to take place for as short as 1 week and up to 1 year. NOTE: This program qualifies for 3-4 university credits via our School of Record. Volunteers must be over 18 years of age or accompanied by a parent or guardian. We require background checks and proof of medical insurance.

Program Highlights

Contribute to efforts in improving infrastructure in and around Cusco.

Boost your CV with international volunteer experience.

Make a lasting impact on the lives of children and adults in Cusco.

Get the chance to earn 3-4 university credits and the President's Volunteer Service Award (U.S. citizens).

Enjoy your time off from volunteering by going on trips and excursions.

Quick Details

Locations:
  • Cusco, Peru
  • Puerto Maldonado, Peru
  • Sacred Valley, Peru
Availability
Year(s) Offered: Year RoundDuration:
  • 1-2 Weeks
  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 3-6 Months
  • 9-12 Weeks
  • 7-12 Months
Age Requirement: 18+
Types & Subjects
Causes:
  • Building & Construction Projects
  • Community Centers
  • Community Development
  • Social Work
  • Trail Building
  • Tree Planting
  • Water Projects
Guidelines:
  • All Nationalities
See all program details
Last Updated: Aug 04, 2026

Awards

Top Rated Provider Volunteer Abroad 2025GoAbroad Top Rated Provider 2024 - Volunteer AbroadTop Rated Provider 2023 - Language SchoolTop Rated Provider 2023 - Volunteer AbroadPeople’s Choice Award 2023 FinalistTop Rated Language School 2022Notable Mention 2021 - Gap YearTop Rated Organization 2021 - Volunteer Abroad

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about the programs

Overall Rating

4.69

Total Reviews

26

Volunteering in Peru

August 01, 2026by: etan bryois - France
5

it was an amazing experience, I had a great time and made many new meaningful connections that I never would have been able to make anywhere else. Overall, I would highly recommend this experience as it is truly eye opening and will change your life.

Construction in Peru Michael De Leon

August 01, 2026by: Michael De Leon - United States
5

The whole city of Cusco along with the Volunteer Abroad doing construction was an experience I will never forget, and one that changed how I view everyday life. Looking at the lived experiences of individuals in Cusco and Peru as a whole really changed my perspective. Overall, doing construction, living in Cusco, and experiencing the culture was unforgettable.

Most Impactful Trip of my Life

June 19, 2026by: Zachary Corey - United States
4

I truly enjoyed the work I completed working on constructing a school and liked everyone I met. I loved how I got to see my contributions to the construction. It was extremely rewarding. I also enjoyed all of my free time exploring the city, nature, and Incan ruins.

I had the time of my life in Cusco!

October 30, 2025by: Rida Ahmed - United States
5

I came to Cusco, Peru with Maximo Nivel to volunteer in Construction. I spent my week here painting a beautiful little school that's currently being built by Volunteers and funded by Maximo too. I don't think I've ever painted so much, but it was such an amazing, fulfilling experience! I had amazing support from the International team at Maximo, and I got the best experience ever!

Unbelievable Experience. Exceeded all my expectations.

November 25, 2023by: Amanda Flores - United States
5

I wanted to experience Peru, know what it was like to be a local, make a difference in the community, and that is exactly what I was able to do. Everyone was so welcoming and kind. I couldn't've imagined a better experience.

My Experience

November 25, 2023by: Jamison LeBreton - United States
5

I did construction volunteering in Peru with Maximo Nivel. The experience was incredible in every way. I stayed for the five day duration with the host family who ran the school to help the youth in the poorer neighborhoods. I was fortunate that we had our own small apartment for my family of four which gave us a nice space to decompress at the end of the day. The host family served us breakfast and dinner daily and I treasured our time with them. We got to share our cultures, experiences, and lives and made great friends. They are amazing people who volunteer so much to their school project. The volunteer work was difficult and very rewarding. They always need more help improving the school for the children and I would highly recommend it to anyone. My children of nine and fourteen years old were able to participate and we all felt so happy that we could help. I´ve made lifelong friends and will definitely be staying in touch with them and asking after the school.

Construction in Cusco

August 26, 2023by: Miriam L - Spain
5

Everything has been perfect for me during this experience. I don't have anything that needs to be improved on in my mind. I wish to come back and spend some more time!! Thanks a lot to all of you!! :)

Amazing Construction Volunteer Program

August 26, 2023by: Molly M - United States
5

Host family is amazing. They made us feel super comfortable and gave us great insight to the country and region. Anthony is also super good at making sure we all feel comfortable and is easy to talk to.

Volunteer construction project with Maximo Nivel

May 03, 2018by: Greg Black - Canada
5

I had a fantastic time volunteering with Maximo Nivel Peru, the wonderful staff is always more than willing to help and being given the opportunity to work in two different schools, doing repairs to the buildings, made for an amazing experience that I will forever remember. Thank you so much to Maximo Nivel for creating this amazing experience, and I look forward to returning in the future.

Construction

March 23, 2018by: Hamish Purcell - Australia
5

Maximo Nivel is a great organisation and allowed me to make the most of my time volunteering in Cusco. They placed me with a great host family and offered a lot of support, would highly recommend! Maximo Nivel is a great organisation and allowed me to make the most of my time volunteering in Cusco. They placed me with a great host family and offered a lot of support, would highly recommend!

Construction volunteering

February 16, 2018by: Gareth moore - Canada
5

Great experience, everyone was very accommodating and helpful, keep up the good work!

Cusco construction

November 23, 2017by: Matt Edwards - Canada
5

I really enjoyed my time in Cusco volunteering with Maximo Nivel in a construction project where I helped build a new children's hospital clinic for 8 weeks. I came to Cusco with an open mind because I knew it was going to be a different lifestyle than what I'm used to in Canada. I loved every moment and the people I met. The staff at Maximo Nivel was always helpful. Advice I have for new volunteers is to be patient because there's a lot of hand tools and the progress of work can be slow, but it makes it more rewarding because you really can see the physical results of your hard work. Also be proactive and positive on the worksite. The hospitality at my homestay was amazing and my host mom was a great cook. Thanks again to Maximo for setting up an unforgettable experience in Cusco for me.

Cusco construction

October 28, 2017by: J.R. Jasinski - Peru
4

Huge shout-out to Maximo Nivel for providing me the opportunity to have such a memorable experience in Cusco. The team was always willing to help...whether it was first-day orientation, on-site visits, or just being there if I had a question...I knew I could count on them for any support I needed. My time in Cusco is drawing to a close, but the memories will last a lifetime. Thank you Maximo Nivel!

Working in a leukemia ward at Antonio lorena hospital, Cusco

August 09, 2017by: Denis Fitts - United States
4

My wife and I had a rich experience working with nine children suffering from leukemia in a poor hospital in Cusco. It was both sad and sweet at the same time. It would have been even richer if we spoke Spanish, which we didn't. We did activities and crafts with them, and just generally gave them some attention and happiness in the week that we were there. There were caring nurses and doctors all doing their best with limited resources. We really made a strong connection with these sweet children, and Maximo Nivel was awesome in their overall organization and services provided to us during our entire stay in Cusco.

Building a peruvian clinic

May 25, 2017by: Charlotte Goninan - Australia
5

From the moment that we arrived at the construction site, the entire crew of volunteers made this such a great experience. Loved the staff at Maximo (especially Marco who is hilarious), and loved the experience in general.

Rewarding and a desire to stay longer

April 02, 2017by: Bob Thompson - United States
5

From mixing concrete and cement, to putting up the walls of the second floor, to the amazing team of people I had the honor to work with this experience should not be passed up. I was the more senior of the group and could probably be father to most I was welcomed in to this project for a solution to a much needed facility in a very poor part of town where those that needed the services most did not get them. The work on the OB/GYN clinic was rewarding as you could measure your progress every day. Marco is awesome and I learned several construction tips from him. Did you know that there is a difference between concrete and cement? It all in the measurements. The final day I was there we did not work on the clinic but walked up what felt like a millions steps to paint and after care facility. I truly enjoyed this, hope to to do more, and have nothing but thanks to Maximo for checking in on us and making sure that we had the best experience possible. What an amazing group!! Miss you all!! Still following the project because a week wasn’t enough!

Building a wall for a positive reason

Construction with Marco and Maximo

March 30, 2017by: Ricki - United Kingdom
5

If you have ever wanted to travel to a 3rd world country and make a difference in the lives of the people who live their, this is the program for you! I had so much hands on experience and got to meet so many other incredible volunteers and employees at Maximo. Marco is a great guy and very knowledgeable. Don't hesitate to participate in such a cool experience.

Great experience

February 27, 2017by: GSanchez - United States
4

I really enjoyed this experience. From being with the other volunteers to working for the community. It's always great to travel to a new country, it's even better when you meet awesome people who share the same goal: to help while exploring. It was great to see the progress we were making in a much needed obgyn. The Peruvian culture is awesome, and it's landscape breathtaking. It was a very fun experience. The staff at Maximo were excellent. They were very helpful, "down to earth", and I appreciated them having activities to do after your placements. So there was always something to do. Would definitely do it again.

MAXIMO NIVEL construction program

February 20, 2017by: Avgonzalez
5

From the moment I arrived in Cusco, I was lucky enough to meet the nicest people. I was a little nervous to go to another country alone to volunteer, but that quickly changed once I met the friendly and super helpful people at Maximo Nivel. I was greeted with a warm welcome by the staff who were eager to answer any questions I had. The wonderful people who work at Maximo not only became who we all could depend on, but they also became our friends. Throughout my construction program, I had the pleasure of getting to know our Field Manager, named Dom, who would make frequent visits to the work site. He made sure that I was comfortable and happy with everything that I was doing in peru. I felt so lucky to have such an amazing person from Maximo to work with who was always so helpful and friendly! Having an atmosphere that is so comfortable and positive, like the one at Maximo Nivel, makes all the difference in any situation. I came to Peru a bit nervous about what to expect, but when my final days in Cusco came, I did not want to leave. It felt like I was leaving my family! Words cannot express how fantastic my time in Cusco was.  From the food to my host family, to all the amazing people I've met and the friendships I developed, my three weeks in Peru were ones that I will hold close to my heart.  I cannot thank Maximo Nivel enough for everything they have done for me.  I cannot wait to start my next adventure with them soon!

Happiness in Peru

Awesome experience

January 13, 2017by: Jennifer Ryan - United States
4

I had so much fun in Peru volunteering in the Madre Teresa orphanage. I met wonderful people and felt so good about the work I did. I would go back in a heartbeat, and I hope to continue communicating with my friends that I made. I highly recommend Maximo Nivel as an organization, and the program coordinators there are truly amazing people who go out of their way to help in any way that they can!

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Cusco, Peru
  • Puerto Maldonado, Peru
  • Sacred Valley, Peru

Types and Subjects

  • Causes
  • Building & Construction Projects
  • Community Centers
  • Community Development
  • Social Work
  • Trail Building
  • Tree Planting
  • Water Projects

Availability

Years Offered: Year Round

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

Age Requirement

18+

Guidelines

All Nationalities

This Program is also open to Solo, Couples, Families, Group

Program Cost Includes

  • Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
  • Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • In-Country Orientation
  • Some Accommodation
  • Wifi Costs
  • Some Equipment
  • Emergency Support

Accommodation Options

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

Qualifications & Experience

    Language Skills Required

  • English

    Accepted Education Levels

  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Application Procedures

  • Online Application
MAXIMO NIVEL

MAXIMO NIVEL

4.69Verified

Ready to Learn More?

Become a construction volunteer in Cusco, and assist in the building or repair of community centers, playgrounds, and classrooms for schools, orphanages, and rural villages. This is a physically demanding role that includes digging, removing dirt, carrying bricks, mixing cement, plastering, painting, cleaning, and other tasks related to construction. Work days are typically from Monday to Friday, though this may vary based on the weather, project needs, and construction schedule. At all times, volunteers are supported by Maximo Nivel’s professional Field Managers and construction projects are led by professional foremen who determine the work program. This program is available all year round, with start dates every Monday. It’s designed to take place for as short as 1 week and up to ...

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