GoAbroad
students holding a Maximo Nivel banner
Country Jumper Gap Year - Costa Rica | Guatemala | Peru logo

Country Jumper Gap Year - Costa Rica | Guatemala | Peru

by: MAXIMO NIVEL

4.5 (8)VerifiedSince 2003

In three of the world's most beautiful countries—Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru—Maximo Nivel offers its unique Native Spanish Program. Join our "Country Jumper" program and begin your GAP Year in one of our countries and then jump to another and another. Experience different aspects of each country's culture and Spanish dialect. Your program and curriculum follow you as you study across 2, 3 or all 4 of our institutes. EXAMPLE ITINERARY: Start your studies at our institute in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (on the beach!), then travel to our institute in the beautiful pueblo of Antigua, Guatemala, and then move your program to our institute in historic Cusco, Peru. From Peru, join us again in Costa Rica at our institute in the capital city of San Jose. Study, trek, tour, and eat your way through Latin America—it's a great experience! We recommend at least 3 weeks for a Country Jumper program.

Program Highlights

Earn university credits via our official School of Record

Study Abroad, Gain fluency in Spanish, Volunteer, Intern, and TRAVEL!

Take advantage of our Free Tandem Conversation Program to practice with other students.

Live with a local host family to truly practice your Spanish, as well as experience local way of life and culture.

Visit 3 of the most beautiful destinations in the world with one single affordable gap year program customized to meet your needs.

Quick Details

Locations:
  • San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Antigua, Guatemala
  • Cusco, Peru
Availability
Year(s) Offered: Year RoundTerms Available:
  • Throughout the Year
Age Requirement: All Ages
Types & Subjects
Subjects & Courses:
  • Foreign Language
  • Languages & Linguistics
  • Latin American Studies
  • Service Learning
  • Spanish
Languages:
  • Spanish
Types:
  • Adventure Travel
  • Animals
  • Experiential Learning
  • Language Immersion
  • Scuba Diving
  • Self-Discovery
  • Spanish
  • Study Abroad
  • Teach Abroad
  • Volunteering
  • Wilderness
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

4.5

Total Reviews

8

Salsa guacamole

November 22, 2025by: Emil Grabol-Undersrud - Norway
5

I had a really fun time! There is a lot to do in Costa Rica and the free opportunities that maximo nivel have is a really good way to socialise. The workers here take really good care of us and the always meet us with a smile and good attitude. That’s the best thing about maximo novel! Good people with energy!!! At work I learned a lot and got to practise health care closer than before. The overall experience gave me new perspectives about how health care is outside Norway, and the equipment and facilities we have there should not be taken for granted.

Fun in Quepos!

November 30, 2024by: Elia Sarah Aktag - Germany
4

I think Quepos was one of the best places that i’ve been to. the people, the food, the atmosphere. I just love it here. Also if you want to come here, be sure that you do the surfing classes for a week!! It was the best

An experience of a lifetime!

November 16, 2024by: Allie Gladen - United States
5

My time in Costa Rica with Maximo Nivel was definitely one that I will cherish and hold near and dear to my heart for forever. There were so many amazing people to meet and so many amazing experiences to be had. My host mom, Marisol was an amazing host and made us all feel very comfortable and happy, all while keeping a fun and lighthearted atmosphere in the house. The campus in Quepos, Costa Rica is very comfortable and well made and I enjoyed spending time there as well!

I had so much fun!

October 26, 2024by: Eve Morrow - United States
4

I went to Cusco Peru where I studied Spanish and did construction volunteer. The host family was so sweet and the school was super fun. In Costa Rica volunteered at a local school and it was the best experience. The kids and teachers were amazing. The Spanish classes were wonderful as well. I learned a lot.

Very fun

October 18, 2024by: Sawyer Hartman - United States
4

I had a very nice time here in Costa Rica, my family was very nice and ever was welcoming to me. Both of my projects were fun and I have learned a lot since being here! I am exciting for my trips to Guatemala and Peru

teaching

One on one learning

January 19, 2018by: Samantha Bass - United States
5

The Spanish program itself was great. Since it was low season in Peru while I was studying I was able to get a lot of attention so my Spanish excelled rapidly. Cusco is a great city with many different learning and exploring opportunities.

Learning Spanish with a great cultural extra

August 09, 2017by: Malin - Germany
4

My experience with learning Spanish at Maximo Nivel was very positive! It was a really intense course of 4 hours group class and 2 hours private class every day for 2 weeks but it really helped to improve my Spanish. As I already learned the times a few years ago the focus was rather on talking than pure grammar. The teacher was very helpful, attentive and gave me and the other student a great insight into the Peruvian culture. Besides the class I also enjoyed the free salsa classes and guacamole. Furthermore I felt that Maximo tried to provide safety guidance and information and informed us for example that there was a State of Emergency in the city and how to behave. Still Cusco felt like a really safe place and was an amazing start into my semester abroad in Peru. Thank you!

Spanish class

September 14, 2016by: Seth - Guatemala
5

I am currently taking Spanish classes with Margarita in Antigua, Guatemala. She is absolutely fantastic and I am learning at a rather quick pace. She is knowledgeable, a great teacher, and fun to be around. The classroom dynamic is wonderful and it is a perfect mix of hard work and an easy going atmosphere. I intend to keep taking classes with her and improve my Spanish. Gracias!

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Antigua, Guatemala
  • Cusco, Peru

Types and Subjects

  • Subjects & Courses
  • Foreign Language
  • Languages & Linguistics
  • Latin American Studies
  • Service Learning
  • Spanish
  • Languages
  • Spanish
  • Types
  • Adventure Travel
  • Animals
  • Experiential Learning
  • Language Immersion
  • Scuba Diving
  • Self-Discovery
  • Spanish
  • Study Abroad
  • Teach Abroad
  • Volunteering
  • Wilderness

Availability

Years Offered: Year Round

Terms Available:
  • Throughout the Year
Gap Year Timing:
  • After College
  • Career Break / Mid-Career
  • During College
  • During High School
  • Post High School

Age Requirement

Open to All Ages

Guidelines

All Nationalities

This Program is also open to Solo, Group

Program Cost Includes

  • Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
  • Wifi Costs
  • Language Lessons
  • Emergency Support
  • On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Some Program Activity Costs

Accommodation Options

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

Qualifications & Experience

    Language Skills Required

  • Spanish

    Accepted Education Levels

  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Application Procedures

  • Online Application
MAXIMO NIVEL

MAXIMO NIVEL

4.5Verified

Ready to Learn More?

In three of the world's most beautiful countries—Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru—Maximo Nivel offers its unique Native Spanish Program. Join our "Country Jumper" program and begin your GAP Year in one of our countries and then jump to another and another. Experience different aspects of each country's culture and Spanish dialect. Your program and curriculum follow you as you study across 2, 3 or all 4 of our institutes. EXAMPLE ITINERARY: Start your studies at our institute in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (on the beach!), then travel to our institute in the beautiful pueblo of Antigua, Guatemala, and then move your program to our institute in historic Cusco, Peru. From Peru, join us again in Costa Rica at our institute in the capital city of San Jose. Study, trek, tour, and eat your way th...

Related Programs

Browse programs you might like