Hotel & Tourism Internship
Coordinator | Valy
Coordinator | Valy
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Work as an intern and help a local Costa Rican company grow.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
50+
Hospitality & Tourism internship placements are with hotels, hostels, tourist agencies, tour operators, or restaurants. All placements are with small, locally-owned businesses. Work may vary depending on the time of year (high/low season) and current business projects and goals at your placement.
At hostel and hotel placements, interns will particpate in the following activities:
- Assist with sales, reservations, and pre-arrival service
- Provide sales and marketing support through both online and direct promotion
- Attend to reception desk responsibilities, including check in, check out, and guest requests
- Recommend hotel services and facilities to guests
- Provide information about local activities, restaurants, and travel
- Maintain and ensure full guest satisfaction
- Aid in coordination of day-to-day operations of hotel/hostel
At tour agencies and operators, interns will particpate in the following activities:
- Assist with sales, reservations, and pre-arrival service
- Provide online sales and marketing support through website updates, social media management, and review sites (e.g. traveladvisor.com)
- Update and develop promotional materials
- Maintain and ensure full customer satisfaction
- Aid in coordination of day-to-day operations of tours and transportation
- Provide assistance on local tours
At restaurants, interns will particpate in the following activities:
- Provide online sales and marketing support through website updates, social media management, and review sites (e.g. traveladvisor.com)
- Assist with community outreach and promotion
- Update and develop promotional materials
- Maintain and ensure full customer satisfaction
- Assist with basic accounting and stock and supply purchases
- Help with day-to-day restaurant operations
As part of the internship program, participants receive 1 hour of private Spanish lessons every day, Monday to Friday. The classes can be personalized to the level and work schedule, and focuses on vocabulary relevant to the internship placement.
Our Native Spanish Program is taught by experienced, certified, native Spanish instructors. Maximo Nivel uses the Communicative Method of language teaching, which is focused primarily on immersive, spoken interaction as a means of learning. For this reason, please note that teachers speak only in Spanish 100% of the time during class.
All interns are required to submit weekly journals and a final deliverable.
Internships os less than 8 weeks require either a 10-20 page written paper or a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation. Internships of 8 weeks or longer require both a 10-20 page written paper and a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation.
Final Deliverables are expected to cover the following:
- Overview of the company worked with and the intern's role
- Organization review
- Sector analysis in host or home country
- Analysis of obstacles incurred
- Outcomes/results
Interns are always supported by Maximo Nivel’s in-country coordinators, but they are not with them at the placement every day. Please be prepared for some independence and leadership.
The majority of internship placements are located in and around San José. Travel time varies widely from place to place and interns should expect to spend 20-90 minutes traveling each way. The city bus system is generally the most effective and cheapest way to get to and from the project, though taxis are widely available and are still an option. For the first visit to the placement, interns are taken by a Maximo Nivel representative using the local transport and given additional information about how to get to and from the work place. Local bus rides are very affordable and a one way trip will rarely cost more than ₡350 (about $0.75).
Typical day
Work hours at the internship placement vary according to the needs of the project. Interns should expect to work 4-6 hours per day, Monday to Friday, and they may have additional planning to do outside of work.
Free-time activities
Within San José, interns can take a city tour, see shows at the National Theatre, visit the central market, and go zip-lining. Our local staff always posts a monthly events calendar to them know of the activities going on around Maximo. Outside of San José, they can hike up volcanos, go whitewater rafting, and take a trip to the Pacific or Caribbean coasts. There are a lot of options and our staff is well-acquainted with the area to help advise on the must-see places. Tours and trips can also be easily booked through our on-site travel partner.
Swimming
Concert/
Music
Music
Sightseeing
Shopping/
Souvenirs
Souvenirs
Climbing
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Sports
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (intermediate level)
at High School level
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
What's Included
Our fees include:
- Airport pick-up
- Host family accommodations (private room with breakfast and dinner)
- Spanish classes (5 hours of lessons/week)
- Program and safety orientation
- Walking tour
- Official certificate of internship
- Emergency contact number 24/7
- Program management
- Free Tandem Conversation Program
- Free office-wide WIFI and computer lounge
- Free social activities
- Free coffee and tea and on-site snack bar
- Maximo Nivel Institute open 7 days/week
Airport pick up in San José is included. Interns find our representative outside the airport bringing a yellow flag with a smiley face on it.
Interns stay in a traditional family-stay where you they are placed with a pre-approved middle class Costa Rican family. Breakfast and dinner are included in their home stay.
Guest Family
Interns have 2 meals included (breakfast and dinner) 7 days a week.
Good access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Details on arrival
Every Monday, all year round.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
4 - 50 weeks
Program fees
4 weeks
(min. stay)
$1,995
5 weeks
$2,290
6 weeks
$2,585
7 weeks
$2,880
8 weeks
$2,995
9 weeks
$3,290
10 weeks
$3,585
11 weeks
$3,880
12 weeks
$4,175
13 weeks
$4,470
14 weeks
$4,765
15 weeks
$5,060
16 weeks
$5,355
17 weeks
$5,650
18 weeks
$5,945
19 weeks
$6,240
20 weeks
$6,535
21 weeks
$6,830
22 weeks
$7,125
23 weeks
$7,420
24 weeks
$7,715
25 weeks
$8,010
26 weeks
$8,305
27 weeks
$8,600
28 weeks
$8,895
29 weeks
$9,190
30 weeks
$9,485
50 weeks
(max. stay)
$15,385
Average fees
$403
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Maximo Nivel
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
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.
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.
Why book with Volunteer World
Volunteer World is the world's leading comparison platform for international volunteer opportunities. We guide you through a safe and easy
application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
High ethical standards & transparent social impact
Flex Option
Change your reservation at no extra costs
Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if Maximo Nivel cancels your trip
Support & Mediation
We cover your back no matter what happens
Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Maximo Nivel.
What are people saying about Volunteer World?
Hotel & Tourism Internship
Work as an intern and help a local Costa Rican company grow.
$403/week
You might be also interested in
Escazu, Costa Rica
As part of our local animal shelter, you'll be responsible for a variety of activities such as feeding, maintenance and engaging with animals!
Quepos, Costa Rica
Volunteer and save turtles, make a difference and meet one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Join us in Pacific CR!
Tenerife, Spain
Contribute to critical whale & dolphin conservation initiatives in the beautiful subtropical island archipelago - Canary Islands.
Napoli, Italy
Help the refugee and migrant community to gain a foothold in Europe by supporting shelters, schools, health care and activities tailored to their long-term integration.
La Antigua, Guatemala
Help local staff with the daily care of the horses, such as grooming and feeding them, cleaning the stables, and caring for sick and elderly horses.
La Antigua, Guatemala
Help mainly amphibian and reptile species, and also some exotic mammals and birds, back to health and then release them into the wild where they belong.
404 Not Found
Why am I seeing this?
You requested a page that doesn't exist on this site any more. This could be caused by a link you followed that was out of date, by a typing in the wrong address in the address bar, or simply because the post has been deleted.