Construction & Renovation in Guatemala

location
1 - 50 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

  • Help the local community and work on construction projects.
  • Explore the sourrounding coffee farms, volcanoes, and Mayan ruins.
  • Gain Spanish language practice by living with a host family and sharing daily life with local people.

Highlights

  • Help the local community and work on construction projects.
  • Explore the sourrounding coffee farms, volcanoes, and Mayan ruins.
  • Gain Spanish language practice by living with a host family and sharing daily life with local people.
  • Learn more about Latin American customs and traditions.
  • Make memories you'll never forget during your time abroad!


  • Especially good for

    Age 16+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Build a better future with us! Join our construction crew, working on high-impact projects that benefit your Guatemalan community. 🇨🇷

    Guatemalan construction projects are focused on home building, school, and orphanage renovation, and building playground and bathroom facilities for areas that do not have them. Volunteers work with our foreman, who provides guidance and training, along with families and other volunteers. Volunteers

    About the program

    Guatemalan construction projects are focused on home building, school, and orphanage renovation, and building playground and bathroom facilities for areas that do not have them. Volunteers work with our foreman, who provides guidance and training, along with families and other volunteers. Volunteers should come ready to work and to work hard, as they’ll be laying brick, mixing concrete, doing carpentry, painting, laying tile, hauling materials, and landscaping/gardening. Depending on the phase of the project they participate in, they may also be asked to help prepare or clean up the construction site. Volunteers are not required to have experience with construction work, but a reasonable level of fitness and strong dedication to the work will go a long way in ensuring that they get the most out of their volunteer project.

    Construction volunteers are strongly encouraged to bring work gloves, work boots, safety glasses, and clothes that you do not mind getting dirty. It is a good idea to wear a hat and long pants at the project site, and sunscreen is also extremely important.

    The majority of our projects are located in and around the city of Antigua. Travel time varies from project to project, but volunteers can expect to spend 15-90 minutes traveling each way, by either walking or using local buses or taxis. For the first visit to the project, volunteers are taken by a Maximo Nivel representative using the local transport and given additional information about how to get to and from your project. Local bus rides are very affordable and a one-way trip will rarely cost more than Q8 (about $1). Taxis & tuk-tuks cost approximately Q10 to Q30 (about US$1.20 to US$3.50) one way within Antigua.



    Typical day

    Working hours vary according to the needs of the project; volunteers should expect to work 3-4 hours per day, Monday to Friday.

    Typical day

    Working hours vary according to the needs of the project; volunteers should expect to work 3-4 hours per day, Monday to Friday.


    Free-time activities

    There is plenty to see and do around Antigua including cultural events, tours and treks, and exploring the various markets. Our local staff also posts a monthly events calendar to let participants know of the activities going on around MaximoJust outside of La Antigua, there is even more to ex

    Free-time activities

    There is plenty to see and do around Antigua including cultural events, tours and treks, and exploring the various markets. Our local staff also posts a monthly events calendar to let participants know of the activities going on around MaximoJust outside of La Antigua, there is even more to explore including nearby coffee farms, volcanoes, and both Mayan and colonial ruins. Further outside the area, participants can visit beautiful Lake Atitlán, Semuc Champey, and the famous Tikal archaeological site. Our staff are experts on Guatemala and can answer any questions clients have. Tours and trips can also easily be 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)

    Nationality Restrictions

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

    Other Skills

    No skills are required. Maximo Nivel's Construction Foreman will teach you all of the necessary skills.

    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
    • Breakfast and dinner, 7 days/week
    • 3-4 hours/day practical work, Monday-Friday
    • Program and safety orientation
    • Walking tour
    • Official certificate of volunteer service
    • Letter of recommendation
    • Spanish language tutoring table
    • Tandem Conversation Program
    • Office-wide WiFi and computer lab
    • Salsa dance classes
    • Cooking classes
    • Free coffee and tea and on-site snack bar
    • Institute is open 7 days/week
    • Emergency contact number 24/7
    • 10-Year Payment Guarantee

    Airport Pickup at La Aurora International Airport

    Airport pick up in Guatemala City is included. 

    Volunteers find our representative outside the airport holding a yellow flag with a smiley face on it.

    Accommodation

    Volunteers stay with a local Guatemalan family in a shared room. Breakfast and dinner are included. 

    Food & Beverages

    Breakfast and dinner are included 7 days / week.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City. We assist you to find cheap flights to Guatemala. 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 Guatemala provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

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

    Details on arrival

    Every Monday, year-round. 

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 778€
    2 weeks 1,132€
    3 weeks 1,407€
    4 weeks 1,671€
    5 weeks 1,940€
    6 weeks 2,210€
    7 weeks 2,479€
    8 weeks 2,748€
    9 weeks 3,018€
    10 weeks 3,287€
    11 weeks 3,556€
    12 weeks 3,826€
    13 weeks 4,095€
    14 weeks 4,364€
    15 weeks 4,634€
    16 weeks 4,903€
    17 weeks 5,172€
    18 weeks 5,442€
    19 weeks 5,711€
    20 weeks 5,980€
    21 weeks 6,250€
    22 weeks 6,519€
    23 weeks 6,788€
    24 weeks 7,058€
    25 weeks 7,327€
    26 weeks 7,596€
    27 weeks 7,866€
    28 weeks 8,135€
    29 weeks 8,404€
    30 weeks 8,674€
    31 weeks 8,943€
    32 weeks 9,212€
    33 weeks 9,482€
    34 weeks 9,751€
    35 weeks 10,020€
    36 weeks 10,290€
    37 weeks 10,559€
    38 weeks 10,828€
    39 weeks 11,098€
    40 weeks 11,367€
    41 weeks 11,636€
    42 weeks 11,906€
    43 weeks 12,175€
    44 weeks 12,444€
    45 weeks 12,714€
    46 weeks 12,983€
    47 weeks 13,252€
    48 weeks 13,522€
    49 weeks 13,791€
    50 weeks (max. stay) 14,060€
    Average fees 529€/week

    Program fees

    529€ per week 1 - 50 weeks Age 16 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 50 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 ...

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