Maximo Nivel, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
The team at Maximo Nivel is composed of dedicated, multilingual professionals available 24/7, reflecting a diverse multicultural background with members from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and North America. All instructors, field managers, and directors hold excellent credentials in their respective fields, including linguistics, culture, travel and hospitality, sociology, biology, business, and emergency management. With expertise across these disciplines, the team is committed to providing personalized service and sharing their knowledge to help every student succeed.
Students at Maximo Nivel in Manuel Antonio come from around the world and represent a diverse mix of ages and backgrounds, including university students, gap-year travelers, professionals, and retirees who are drawn to Costa Rica's stunning natural beauty and relaxed beach-town atmosphere. Many combine Spanish language studies with eco-tourism adventures, wildlife exploration in Manuel Antonio National Park, or simply enjoying the sun, surf, and vibrant local culture. What unites them is a desire for high-quality Spanish instruction in a unique rainforest-beach setting, where learning continues both inside and outside the classroom.
Maximo Nivel is officially accredited by the Ministries of Education in Guatemala and Peru, ensuring that all programs meet national educational standards.
As a member of NAFSA - the Association of International Educators - the institution is actively connected to the global community of international education professionals.
Maximo Nivel is recognized for Bildungsurlaub in Germany, allowing professionals and employees to use their educational leave for language studies.
Additionally, the organization serves as a certifying organization for the U.S. President's Volunteer Service Award, recognizing students who contribute meaningful volunteer service.
For those seeking academic credit, Maximo Nivel offers university credit through its official School of Record in the United States, providing students with transferable credits that support their academic goals.
The Manuel Antonio Spanish school features 10 classrooms, 3 studio apartments, a swimming pool, a snack bar, and an on-site travel office, with free WiFi available throughout the institute. The campus is an open-air, two-story building located in the heart of town, just two blocks from the Quepos bus station and a half-block from the vibrant Quepos Boardwalk. In true Costa Rican "Pura Vida" lifestyle, the Maximo campus serves as a great home base and social center where participants can relax, socialize, and even sunbathe, with common areas that include indoor and outdoor spaces as well as selected air-conditioned areas. The Rainforest-Beach Institute is open 7 days a week, including holidays.
Courses
Individual Spanish - 10 lessons per week
The Individual Spanish program with 10 lessons per week offers a flexible and personalized approach to learning Spanish in a breathtaking rainforest-beach setting. Private classes start any day of the week, year-round, and can be scheduled in the morning or afternoon. After a free placement exam and discussion of learning goals, each program is tailored to the student's specific needs and interests, whether focusing on conversation, grammar, DELE exam preparation, or specialized topics.
Books & Materials - 3 Textbooks + Supplemental Materials Booklet - 175 USD.
Individual Spanish - 20 lessons per week
The Individual Spanish program with 20 lessons per week provides a more intensive one-on-one learning experience, allowing students to progress quickly with uninterrupted attention from a certified native-speaking instructor. Classes start any day of the year and are available in the morning or afternoon, with content fully customized after a free placement exam and goal-setting session. This option is ideal for those who want maximum flexibility and a curriculum designed entirely around their personal objectives, learning style, and pace.
Books & Materials - 3 Textbooks + Supplemental Materials Booklet - 175 USD.
Intensive Spanish (small group) - 20 lessons per week
The Intensive Spanish program in a small group setting offers 20 lessons per week, with classes starting every Monday, year-round, in the morning or afternoon. Groups are formed based on results from a free Spanish placement exam and range from 3 to 8 students, with most groups averaging only 3 to 6 participants. This format provides a great balance between personalized attention, social interaction, and engagement, allowing students to learn from one another while studying amidst the natural beauty of the rainforest and white sand beaches.
Books & Materials - 3 Textbooks + Supplemental Materials Booklet - 175 USD.
Super Intensive Spanish - 30 lessons per week
The Super Intensive Spanish program places students in class six hours per day, combining four hours of small group instruction with two hours of private lessons. This format works best when paired with a traditional family homestay to maximize the Spanish immersion experience in the land of "Pura Vida." Recommended for those who want to learn very quickly or break through a learning plateau, the Super Intensive program is also excellent for university students and business professionals seeking maximum gains in the least amount of time. All levels, from Basic to Advanced, are available.
Books & Materials - 3 Textbooks + Supplemental Materials Booklet - 175 USD.
Spanish for Special Purposes - 10 lessons per week
The Spanish for Special Purposes (SSP) program offers 10 lessons per week, focusing on specialized language skills for professional contexts, including Medical Spanish, Spanish for Business, and Spanish for Lawyers. Classes are best taught in a two-hour-per-day format and are led by some of the most experienced instructors, who possess additional expertise in business and healthcare. This program is intended for medical and nursing students, traveling healthcare professionals, paralegals and lawyers, and business professionals who need specialized Spanish for their careers.
Books & Materials - 3 Textbooks + Supplemental Materials Booklet - 175 USD.
Housing
Host Family (shared room, half board)
Students choosing the shared room option stay in a room with a person of the same gender and approximate age, offering a great opportunity to connect with fellow travelers while experiencing Costa Rican hospitality. Host families are approved partners of Maximo Nivel and provide comfortable beds, hot showers, and WiFi, with breakfast and dinner included seven days a week. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available upon request, and all homestays are conveniently located within walking distance or a short bus ride from the Manuel Antonio school.
Host Family (private room, half board)
The private room option offers students added privacy and personal space while still enjoying the warmth and cultural immersion of living with a local host family in the Quepos and Manuel Antonio area. Breakfast and dinner are included seven days a week, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available upon advance notice. All families are long-term partners of Maximo Nivel, providing comfortable accommodations, hot showers, and WiFi, with homestays conveniently located near the institute.
Student Residence (shared room)
The student residence in Manuel Antonio offers shared rooms for both individuals and groups, providing accommodation in a community setting. Shared bathrooms are available, and breakfast and dinner are included seven days a week. This option is ideal for students who want to live, work, and study surrounded by local culture and all the excitement of a Central American beach town.
Student Residence (private room)
The student residence in Manuel Antonio also offers private rooms for both individuals and groups, allowing participants greater personal space while still enjoying the benefits of communal living. Private bathrooms are available as an option, and breakfast and dinner are provided seven days a week. This choice suits students who want a balance of privacy and social interaction during their Spanish immersion program in Costa Rica's rainforest-beach setting.
Transfer
Flights
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