IVHQ Costa Rica - Volunteer Abroad Review
Some insight into my first time volunteering abroad!
I scheduled my trip through IVHQ (International Volunteer Headquarters), which was super easy, efficient, and felt (and was) safe. The local organization in Costa Rica that IVHQ works with, and who actually carried out the details of my program, is called Maximo Nivel. All of their staff was incredibly helpful, professional, and they made my experience an unforgettable one.
I botched the cost details in the video so here is what that actually looks like!
Registration Fee: $345.45
** This secures your place in the program once you've applied and have been accepted. I believe this is the same cost across all programs unless you want to pay more to have a flexible registration in case you change your mind about what trip you're going to go on.
Use my code W2N4H9 to get 10% off this fee if you book!
Program fee: $1,632.75
** This included lodging with my host families, 2 meals per day, getting picked up from the airport upon my arrival, bus travel to and from different destinations within the program, placement in my volunteer experience, and all excursions/adventure days that I had bundled into my trip. This cost will vary greatly depending on what program you decide to go on. During my second week when I was on the coast, I white water rafted, went zip lining, went on 3 different guided tours, and went on a sunset catamaran ride, many of which also included meals. This was all included in my program fee.
Flights, going out expenses, buying meals not provided by your host families, Ubers, etc. are all additional, but if you're disciplined and use what the program provides, you can live pretty cheaply. Keep in mind, my program fee is inflated greatly because of all my excursions. If you are solely volunteering, it's going to be much less.
Well I can't recommend IVHQ/Maximo Nivel enough! This was such an incredible experience and I can't wait to do something like this again. Combining volunteering with travel is an amazing way to feel integrated within the culture that you're visiting. I hope that this video was helpful, insightful, and might even inspire you to go on one of these trips soon. You surely will not regret it! Feel free to ask any questions in the comments!
Пікірлер: 12
Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm interested in doing something like this!
@kevinkrumpak4047
2 ай бұрын
You should, you’ll love it :)
Thank you so much for this video! I signed up out of impulse and then all of a sudden has thoughts of “what if it’s a scam? What if it’s not safe?” Making all these anxiety ridden assumptions and this video helps me calm my nerves since I can’t cancel without a huge fee but I’m starting to be excited so ah wish me luck. I’ll be going to Greece
@kevinkrumpak4047
5 ай бұрын
Enjoy yourself you’re going to love it!!
Thank you for sharing! I've done New Zealand and Puerto Rico trips with IVHQ and am planning on Costa Rica being the next destination. Although both of my experiences were positive, I am very hesitant as I have seen a lot of negative feedback on the Costa Rica programs and Maximo Nivel. Thank you for sharing your perspective. I would appreciate connecting and chatting more. Do you have your email address shared?
@kevinkrumpak4047
2 ай бұрын
No negative experiences from me, it was all great!
I’m about to do it and I’m 42. Imagining a bunch of college kids but hopefully works out 😂 How was the accommodations? I saw a horror story video so wondering? Did you have your own room?
@kevinkrumpak4047
2 ай бұрын
You can pay more to have your own room. Mine coincidentally worked out that I did have my own room the whole time but that was just by coincidence/timing! So I kinda got lucky (depending on what you’re looking for.. sometimes sharing a room can be fun). There was someone at the one house I was at that was probably ~50 or say go for it who cares your age!
@ashonfire_1408
2 ай бұрын
Thanks so much! I think the only thing worried about now is the mosquitoes lol
I literally want to do this so bad and be in healthcare in San Jose because I'm an EMT here in the USA. My family as well is telling me I'm going to get kidnapped and trafficked but I'm 20 years old and I feel like this is something I need to do. Do you think I should just do it?
@kevinkrumpak4047
4 ай бұрын
You're going to love it, just do it!! Plenty of the people on my trip were 18-22 years old. You'll make so many amazing friends, I can't recommend it enough :)
@maiaalinaya2599
2 ай бұрын
hi! I was wondering if you were still considering doing IVHQ? my friend and I are both 20 too and are pre-med! Lmk!