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Gap year guide to Latin America

Travel to Latin Ameica for your gap year and experience amazing natural diversity, vibrant citys and stunning beaches

It’s hard to imagine how a whole continent can remain a secret but Latin America seems to have managed it. While the majority of travellers head to Asia and Africa, Latin America remains a gappers dream; full of excitement and empty of tourists. Whatever you want out of your gap year it’s sure to be here, from the largest natural diversity on the planet to the most exciting volunteer projects. See how it matches up on our Gapometer!

Asia is built for gappers; the serene beauty provides a soothing backdrop to a career escaping break while the rugged mountains and million mile an hour cities offer the perfect slice of adventure for those full of youthful energy. So rip off your ties, clear the in-tray and discover Asia on your gap year. Keep reading for advice on the how, why and where of gap year travel in Asia and start planning your own trip. We’ve invented our Gapometer to mark Asia on key gap year criteria.

***** Gaptastic

**** Great for gappers

*** Worth a look

** Too much else to see

* Never mind the Gap

Volunteering

Latin America’s landscape has long been emblematic of the conservation struggle and the continent is dominated by the swathe of Amazonian green across its middle. The rainforest offers volunteering like nowhere else on Earth as well as the trip of a lifetime. Greenpeace offers startling information about the scale of the problem and the amount that’s at stake. It’s clear that for volunteers looking to make a difference, The Amazon offers the perfect opportunity.

Volunteers don’t just answer the call of the wild here; the range of natural diversity is matched by the economic disparity with many living in severe poverty. Many indigenous people are trapped in extreme poverty. Community and teaching projects offer volunteers the chance to put something back while adventurous gappers can combine projects and really make the most of their trip.

**** A wide variety of volunteer opportunities

Travelling around

With a year to fill and an endless list of attractions right on your doorstop, you’ll become intimately familiar with the inside of Latin American buses and the quality (or not) of the roads! The ease with which you can explore a place is of huge importance when you’re choosing your gap year destination because you want to see everything you can before your time is up, or your volunteering project starts. Unlike Africa and Asia, borders here are easy to cross leaving you free to roam unhampered.

Coach travel offers a comfortable and air-conditioned way to explore the continent for anyone with an iPod or a good book! The ride can get a little bumpier and cramped in the poorer countries but as long as you book in advance, travel here is a dream. For longer distances and trips to The Galapagos Islands air travel offers a reasonable and efficient solution.

***** Cross border travel here is easier than in Africa and Asia

Cost

Travellers can spend as much or as little money as they like here; for the price of a night living the high life in Rio you could spend weeks in cheaper parts of central and South America. Typically, some of the most beautiful sights here are located in the poorest countries; Macchu Picchu, the Mayan ruins of Honduras, The Amazon basin and The Andes are Latin American proof that the best things in life are free. Ecuador, Bolivia, Honduras, Costa Rica and Peru offer budget travel while Brazil and Argentina may require slightly larger funds, despite recent currency devaluations. Careful planning and sensible budgeting means that a fun-packed trip to Latin America is not out of anyone’s reach.

**** Don’t spend too long in the bright lights and you’ll be fine

Earning money

Spending a year travelling without adding to your bank account while you’re away is something a lot of people find difficult. Luckily Latin America welcomes English teachers so a small investment of time and money before you go will leave you well-equipped to earn your way out of any shopping-induced crises! Teaching English overseas is a great way to break up your travelling and really get to know a place intimately. With a year to fill there’s plenty of time to enjoy a mix of volunteering, teaching and independent travel and with more money in your pocket you can stay even longer!

**** Opportunities are less frequent than in Asia but demand is still high

The wow factor

For an area blessed with a huge natural diversity and some of the brightest and best cities on the planet, Latin America attracts thankfully few tourists. The continent has long been the wild child of international travel, scaring off plenty of even the hardiest travellers. Whisper it quietly so as not to ruin your stories, but it no longer deserves its reputation as a disorderly and difficult place for travel; instead, it has become an easy place to visit without losing any of its punch.

***** The wild child has grown up a little